Stone Glacier, Seek, Kifaru, Exo

[fishslap]

Getting into backpack hunting. For the last eight years I've been staying in a wall tent at the trailhead and day hunting using an eberlestock X2. This year, I'm going to start packing in further and setting up a spike camp. My first purchase was a seek outside 4 person tipi and titanium wood stove. Sleep system will likely be a 0 deg down bag with a good sleeping pad. Solo hunts. Mainly for CO 4th season deer and Nebraska December muzzleloader. May use it for muzzy/1st season CO elk. 6-7 days. I will not be packing 100lb loads of camp & meat. I'm used to making a few trips if needed.

I'm leaning toward the stone glacier sky talus 6900 for combination of center zip, pocket configuration, weight, and load shelf. Not sure if I need the krux or xcurve frame. Cost is not an issue. I listed the DT2 as the Kifaru option but I see that they have a few others that could work. I'm not sure of the difference between the seek unaweep and revolution. I'm assuming the volumes listed are in the ballpark of what I need. Thoughts on these packs are others that might help me decide? Thanks guys.

Stone Glacier Sky Talus 6900
- - 6900ci - - 5lb 1oz - - $654 (this is with the krux frame)
Seek Outside Unaweep Fortress 6300 plus top lid
- - 6700ci - - 4lb 2oz - - $488.99
Seek Outside Revolution Fortress 6300 plus top lid
- - 6700ci - - 4lb 7oz - - $588.99
Kifaru DT2 with guide lid
- - 6400ci - - 6lb 12oz - - $707.00
Exo Mountain Gear K2 5500
- - 5900ci - - 5lb 4oz - - $599.99

 

[Big Nasty]

I'm new to this forum but have done a ton of research and am 99% sure on the SG sky talus 6900 with the new xcurve frame.I had it narrowed down to either the kifaru EMR2 or the SG and decided on the SG. I might get a lot of feedback on that because this forum is mostly pro kifaru. I'll be doing a 10-14 day mountain sheep hunt every yr in northern BC, then multiple 2-3 day elk hunts and numerous day hunts with this pack. I'm upgrading from an arc'teryx bora 80 and a badlands superday, I can't wait to try the Sky talus out! I don't think you can go wrong with any of the packs you mentioned, but only you will know the layout you want, so pick which one suits your hunting style best! Enjoy.

 

[Tuscor]

You're not going to go wrong with any of them mate - so it will boil down to personal preference. Check with the manufacturers, but I think most of them have a fairly lengthy return period, so if you can afford it, order all of them, test them, and then return the ones you don't like.

My personal preference is for the SG with the new frame. I like the look and design of the bag and the reviews of the new frame suggest they are pretty sweet. Second preference is Kifaru.

I have nothing significant against the other two, but I am not a big fan of the fortress bag, as its just a top loaded roll-top - I look for a bit more in my bags. In terms of the Exo, they look solid but never attracted me.

 

[Tex68w]

I'd go with the SG but that's because I prefer their streamlined/minimalist approach to their bag designs. I was torn between the Sky Talus 6900 and the new Sky 5900 myself, in the end I chose the 5900 and the new X-Curve frame. Kifaru is also a winner and it's probably the chosen favorite on these boards. I've never even seen an Exo bag in person so I have no idea how they rate in comparison to the others, but they look like a nice, quality bag as well.

 

[Historybuff]

Sounds like a job for the kifaru nomad and camp bag.

 

[snowcamoman]

The main thing with any of the packs is how it's going to fit you, especially with big loads. The other thing to look at is whether you want a pack that's load shelf capable or meat in your main bag capable. I've tried several over the past few years and will be using the new SG XCurve this year in combination with either the bigger Sky 7400 or new 5900. If you can get your hands on one to try on with loads, that's going to be your best bet.

 

[sr80]

All great packs listed, basically it comes down to what you want in a pack. Best way is to see if you can find someone with the said pack so you can check it out in person. Which can be hard. But most companies will have a great return policy. I just upgraded to the x kurve frame and its a big improvement over the krux for my back profile. Im also using the sky talus 6900, and really really like this bag, as a day pack and an extended trip bag.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I have owned two of the frames on your list (Kifaru and SG), and have also had the opportunity to use the SO Paradox. Of these, the SG Krux has worked the best for me and that's all that I have used for the past couple seasons. Like snowcamoman stated, if you can check out first hand some of the frames, that would be your best bet. What works for me may not be the best option for you.

 

[Akicita]

Here is the Unaweep Fortress 6300 with Talon and Multilid for a total of approximately 7600cui. It has met all of my expectations. I added the side zip as an option. The pictures below is a full kit for 10 day loud out with 8 days of food.

The X-Pac - virtually waterproof fabric and articulating load responsive frame gave it the slight nod over some other packs for my intended year round uses for it.

 

[Akicita]

I'm not sure of the difference between the seek unaweep and revolution. Thanks guys.

Revolution series has an independent Frame/Suspension system that you can easily interchange bags with or use it as a freighter with no bag and included load shelf. The Unaweep is an integrated lightweight frame / bag platform. You can haul freight by compressing it between the talon and pack with the compression straps. Both have adjustable frame height of 24-28 inches allowing you to select whatever you need based on your load out.

 

[tipsntails7]

You live 30 miles from Kifaru, it would be a disservice to not go there and try some packs on. I am sure there are enough guys on here that live in Colorado that you could probably try on all the packs on your list and go from there.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Getting into backpack hunting. For the last eight years I've been staying in a wall tent at the trailhead and day hunting using an eberlestock X2. This year, I'm going to start packing in further and setting up a spike camp. My first purchase was a seek outside 4 person tipi and titanium wood stove. Sleep system will likely be a 0 deg down bag with a good sleeping pad. Solo hunts. Mainly for CO 4th season deer and Nebraska December muzzleloader. May use it for muzzy/1st season CO elk. 6-7 days. I will not be packing 100lb loads of camp & meat. I'm used to making a few trips if needed.

I'm leaning toward the stone glacier sky talus 6900 for combination of center zip, pocket configuration, weight, and load shelf. Not sure if I need the krux or xcurve frame. Cost is not an issue. I listed the DT2 as the Kifaru option but I see that they have a few others that could work. I'm not sure of the difference between the seek unaweep and revolution. I'm assuming the volumes listed are in the ballpark of what I need. Thoughts on these packs are others that might help me decide? Thanks guys.

Stone Glacier Sky Talus 6900
- - 6900ci - - 5lb 1oz - - $654 (this is with the krux frame)
Seek Outside Unaweep Fortress 6300 plus top lid
- - 6700ci - - 4lb 2oz - - $488.99
Seek Outside Revolution Fortress 6300 plus top lid
- - 6700ci - - 4lb 7oz - - $588.99
Kifaru DT2 with guide lid
- - 6400ci - - 6lb 12oz - - $707.00
Exo Mountain Gear K2 5500
- - 5900ci - - 5lb 4oz - - $599.99

I've used the Sky Talus with the Krux frame quite a bit and I've used Kifaru packs a lot. You can read some of my thoughts on the Stone glacier here if you like. http://www.rokslide.com/forums/backpacks/42875-testing-stone-glacier-sky-talus-6900-a.html
The main thing imo is finding out which frame fits you the best and is most comfortable to your body. After testing the Krux frame last year I will say that the Kifaru belt seems to be more comfortable for me. I believe both of these packs are top quality. The only thing that I thought was a real negative on the Stone Glacier was the side pocket size. I found them to be too small for my spotter which sucked since I like to carry it in a side pocket. The center pocket worked fine and may be preferred by some, but it's not how I like to do it.

I haven't tried the others so I won't comment on them.

 

[kickemall]

You live 30 miles from Kifaru, it would be a disservice to not go there and try some packs on. I am sure there are enough guys on here that live in Colorado that you could probably try on all the packs on your list and go from there.

Great advice right there!

 

[fishslap]

Lots of good input here. Much appreciated. I called Kifaru late last year to see if they might open up on Saturdays so I could try on some packs. They said they were considering it. I might just need to take half a day off. I think Exo is off the list so I just need to narrow down the other ones. I have the smaller vortex razor straight 11x33x50 spotting scope, so the SG side pockets should work for my current setup.

 

[snowcamoman]

The new Sky5900 center pocket will fit the biggest spotter out there I'd imagine. I had zero issues putting my 80mm swaro and tripod in it. Just some food for thought, since you're in that volume range with a couple of the packs. Add the load shelf and you'll have spare space.

 

[fishslap]

Ordered the stone glacier sky talus 6900 with xcurve frame. Added the hydro holster, accessory pouch, camp pocket and two swing out pockets.

 

[Tex68w]

Ordered the stone glacier sky talus 6900 with xcurve frame. Added the hydro holster, accessory pouch, camp pocket and two swing out pockets.

Congrats, I am sure you'll love it. The 6900 was my second choice in packs, eded up with the new 5900 instead. You'll love the X-Curve frame, it's crazy comfortable under load.