Stone Glacier Solo Capacity

[ScottR_EHJ]

I just got done with an overnight scouting trip and wanted to post up a few pictures about the SG Solo. One of the questions I have heard about this bag is concern for it's sizing and the description that you can be prepared for a week of hunting. I have over 25 miles on it, in various configurations and believe that you could actually get 7 days worth of food in it plus gear. BUT it would be really tight, and some things would HAVE to be strapped to the outside. You would also have to plan on as small a shelter set up as possible and possibly even a smaller sleeping bag.

I also carried my Kifaru Koala lite for my binoculars and 38 special. Some other necessities like toilet paper, aka "mountain man money" went there as well.

Here is a complete list of what I was able to pack in:

Food:
1 MH Beef stroganoff
1 MB Granola Breakfast
3 Nescafe Caramel Latte Packets(this stuff was pretty good)
3 Granola bars
2 Cliff Bars

All food is stored in a one gallon zip lock bag.

Cooking:
Primus Express/small gas canister
20 ounce pot

Water:
6L MSR Dromedary Bag-Strapped on the outside of pack for quick access. The 10L could easily fit in this configuration.
1L Nalgene
Katadyn Vario-I keep this at the top of my pack for easy access to fill up the Nalgene, and Dromedary on the way.

First Aid kit/Necessary toiletries

Clothing:

Kuiu Attack Pants
Kuiu 185 Merino base bottom
Kuiu Guide Jacket
Kuiu Beanie
First Lite Asat hoodie
2 pairs of wool socks

During the summer months I put on the athletic shorts and shirt for the hike in. So, the clothing was all in the bag for 6 mile trek to my glassing ridge. Once there I put on what I needed to say warm in the wind etc.

Sleep/Shelter System:
2 Lil Bug Out Bases
1 Carbon Fiber Pole
11 Year Old Down Right Sleeping Bag
Therma Rest Neo Air Long
Cheap backpacking pillow

Optics:
Vortex Ridgeline ED 80
Manfrotto Tripod

Miscellaneous:
Map
GPS
Headlamp
Batteries
Knife
Paracord

The pictures should illustrate how full the bag was, but also that I could do some trimming to gain a little more space. For instance, a buddy was supposed to go with me, but he had to cancel at the last minute. I wouldn't have brought two bases, but would have used a Base/Nest/Vestibule for shelter, maybe even just the Base. I could have also stuffed clothing into the sleeping bag stuff sack for a pillow and gained space there as well. My Katadyn hiker takes up even less space than the Vario, so another few inches could have been freed up.

Also note in the second picture that my spotter is strapped to the outside and the dromedary is on the other. My scope is HEAVY, so having the water on the other side balanced it all out ok.

If you planned to use this pack for a full week and harvested an animal the load shelf would have to be used for carrying meat. The 3300cui Solo bag is also a low enough profile that it won't shoot too far backwards when loaded with weight.

I hope this answers a few questions about this particular bag. If one of the admins wants to put the pictures inline, that would be great. It is telling me that my files are too big.

 

[gobbler1662]

I have the solo and have no problem fitting 7 days of food and gear. I've added the access back bag and spotter pocket for added cui.

 

[ohhiitznik]

Hows it carry for you Sreekers?

 

[ohhiitznik]

I've been working out with my Bikini frame and I love it. I looked really hard at the SG but since I know what kifaru can do I stuck with it.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

How do you like the access bag?

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Answering from my phone, so forgive any typos on a long answer.

I like how it carries up to about 60lbs, then the belt doesn't do as well as some others I have used. I don't have the lumbar pad, so that is next to see how that fits my back. I think it will help with carrying the heavier weights.

I really like the harness, simple and functional. I like how easy it is to adjust.

The frame is well thought out and can carry the heavy loads. I get functional shoulder lift out of it as well, and at 6'5" that's hard to find.

 

[gobbler1662]

Seekers, I really like the access bag. It's very low profile so it doesn't feel like its tipping you back at all. It's 950 cui I believe so it can hold lots gear. I used it to carry those lightweight essential stuff taht I needed quick access to like squeeze filter and filter bags, etc. with the access I can have an entire weeks gear in the solo with nothing on the outside with the addition of the access bag.

 

[todd kelly]

Good overview of the pack. Looks like it's a good one.

 

[Sunspot]

The SG Solo is a very nice pack. There are couple of things that would make it better for me, but realizing it follows a minimalist form. The "black material" used on the back is a touch noisy so stalking with it on and drawing your bow might not be ideal. Other than a top zip area and an open pouch with a velcro tab, there really isn't much for compartmentalizing your gear that is built-in. Also, I needed the lumbar pad when the loads got heavy. The meat shelf works great. The one area of concern about the frames side flex during Matt's evaluation was not an issue. When you have it loaded and everything cinched, it remains rock solid and locked in place.

 

[blb078]

I don't think the xpac fabric is loud at all on the SG's. Maybe if you have it on the ground w/not much in the bag/loose and you move it around it's a little louder than the 500d material not much though, but w/it on it's not loud at all, unless you're doing some serious movement in your hips and shoulders it's pretty much quiet, but then if you're doing that much movement you're not stalking anyway. As far as the pouch, part of the reason the pack is so light is that it's a no frills pack, like stated it's a minimalist pack. You can add accessories to it but in there isn't going to be a lot of pouches and pockets in the basic system which is why it's just a bit over 3.5lbs. Getting a sub 4lb pack w/a lot of pockets and compartments probably isn't very realistic.

 

[gobbler1662]

I have had both the Kifaru regular packs and the KU line of packs. I now have the SG SOLO.I think Matts review hit the nail on the head, the SG is a great Ul pack and thats why I own it. It seems the older I get the less weight my back likes to carry, especially with an old back fracture from falling out of a tree stand years ago. That forced me into the UL area and now its like a disease. I count pounds then ounces then grams. Terrible, i know, but I have a upcoming 5 day Elk hunt in three weeks and my total pack weight without water is 24 pounds. So when my hunting buddies see that pack weight they stop laughing and start going through my gear.

 

[ohhiitznik]

I have had both the Kifaru regular packs and the KU line of packs. I now have the SG SOLO.I think Matts review hit the nail on the head, the SG is a great Ul pack and thats why I own it. It seems the older I get the less weight my back likes to carry, especially with an old back fracture from falling out of a tree stand years ago. That forced me into the UL area and now its like a disease. I count pounds then ounces then grams. Terrible, i know, but I have a upcoming 5 day Elk hunt in three weeks and my total pack weight without water is 24 pounds. So when my hunting buddies see that pack weight they stop laughing and start going through my gear.

Does that include your weapon ?

 

[BowElkStalker]

Kurt let me try a Solo out and I really liked it. Rock solid on my back. I wish the diameter was a touch bigger to get the ci up to about 4000cu but I think it is a great design. Still pondering what to do. Kurt did mention that he packs his food in the shelf, just an option.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Food in the shelf makes sense as it slowly disappears day by day.

Where the xpac is located, it's not noisy at all. It's located on the back wall of the bag in order that blood won't stain it when packing meat in the load shelf.

The xpac on the frame is the fabric type, which isn't noisy either.

 

[Sunspot]

I'm hear to tell you that it made noise. I wore it and it did it. When it is loaded it does not and not everyone puts more than a days hunt worth of accessories in a pack and heads out for a multi-day trip. I was not a big deal but something I noticed. It made a crinkling noise with a very light load and simulating pulling the bow back. Don't distort loud with noise. I don't candy-coat anything just because I shelled out the money for a product. I might have needed to cinch the straps a little tighter around the edges to offset it instead of leaving fairly loose. Something to keep in mind....

 

[gobbler1662]

The weight I posted does not include my bow. That will be in my hand for quick access

 

[Snipershirt]

The noise is there or at least it was for me down to -20. What I have noticed is that as the pack got broken in the noise became less apparent.

 

[Sunspot]

The noise is there or at least it was for me down to -20. What I have noticed is that as the pack got broken in the noise became less apparent.

Which makes sense...thanks for posting.

 

[crazy_davey]

It seems the older I get the less weight my back likes to carry,

I have a similar issue but it is not my back but my knees. Both are pretty much shot and as the years go on I am constantly looking for ways to lighten the load on them. I have yet to try a SG pack but probably will in the next year or so. I have always liked simplicity and basic packs that can haul weight when needed without giving up comfort. So far the reviews on SG packs have impressed me and I had my doubts in the beginning to be honest.

Good thread and it helps making the decision to try one sooner than later.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Getting lighter only makes sense, easier on the pack in, leaves you in better shape for the way out.

Yes, i agree, xpac is noisier than cordura, the trade off for not wetting out. I don't think the Solo is super noisy by any stretch though. I haven't used it in super cold conditions though.