Stone Glacier X Kurve

[Kurt]

Todd Kelly - We do not have any short term plans to offer a 6900 cubic bag with this same configuration, but we always are open to suggestions! The base price of all Sky Bags do include the lid.

Wapiti Bob - We only have the one stay length available, which is a frame height of 25.5"

Trigger mag - We did not have any reports of rifles being scratched during our testing. However, the weapon sling can be routed through the bottom compression strap to keep the rifle farther back on the frame. This is the way I set up my personal sling as I prefer to run the bottom of the stock higher as well. This keeps the stock well behind the buckles on the hip belt.

Best,
Kurt

 

[Tuscor]

Super keen to hear more details on the new frame, particularly some first hand experience and maybe some pictures and/or videos of someone wearing it.

 

[todd kelly]

Todd Kelly - We do not have any short term plans to offer a 6900 cubic bag with this same configuration, but we always are open to suggestions! The base price of all Sky Bags do include the lid.


Best,
Kurt

Thanks Kurt,

I have been a MR fan for over 10 years now and have come close to trying something different a few times over the years, but at the end of the day I was never 100% certain that the move was going to be much of an improvement so I always backed out and stuck it out with the NICE frame, but this time i'm sold. The frame looks like it is going to be a big improvement in comfort, the weight savings will be over 4.5 pounds, and the pack layout is the best I have seen from any of the top end guys..... My only complaint is the shitty Canadian dollar is going to hurt the wallet.

 

[tuffcity]

Todd, I feel your pain! I'm in need of a new pack... but our dollar...

Kurt: is SG going to be at the Sheep Show again this year? VISA will probably take a beating if you are.

RC

 

[Stid2677]

The belt design has my attention, as that is my only beef with my Kifaru pack. I have no assitall and have a hard time keeping my belt from slipping down. I ordered the new frame and a 7400ci bag. Looking forward to trying it out.

 

[snowcamoman]

I couldn't get the new XCurve to slip on me Stid, even with a bigger load. Once I had the dual side tensioners all set where I wanted them, the fit of the belt felt like it was custom made for me. I'll be really interested to hear your results as I know you're a gear junkie and pack fanatic like so many on here.

 

[Tex68w]

I'll be ordering here this week once I can settle on which pack I want. I am a big MR fan myself but I think that SG has the best pack on the market after comparisons and research, I hope I am right.

 

[Kurt]

Tuffcity - We will be in Reno at the sheep show next weekend, swing by and you can check one out in person, look forward to meeting you.
Kurt

 

[Tex68w]

Update:I just called Pete and ordered the new X-Curve frame and Sky 5900 pack. I went back and forth between this and the Talus 6900 due to the pockets and the ability to put my spotter on one side and my rain gear on the other. I compromised with the 5900 and figured I'll put my spotter in the front center zip pocket along with my rain gear. I'll get it home and throw my gear in it and see how it all shakes out, if I am not pleased then I'll use SG's awesome 30-day guarantee and exchange it for the Talus 6900 and go from there. This is the most I've ever spent on a pack, and I thought my Mystery Ranch and Tactical Tailor stuff was pricey, so I was a little apprehensive on the purchase but if I am going to be prepared for this fall and next year I definitely needed a top tier hunting pack.

 

[daddie63]

Sounds like a great pack Tex. You should be all squared away for a few years for sure.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Ok all, here are my thoughts after testing the X-Curve. Bottom line: for me, it's WAY more comfortable for a number of reasons. If you have a flat back keep reading, b/c Kurt mentioned you can put those stays in the new frame, which would be the direction I would go.

Kurt reached out b/c I have had some problems getting the Krux frame to work for me, specifically I have some curve to my back and cannot get more than 1/2 - 1/3 of the lumbar pad to contact my lower back, even with more foam in it. Secondarily, I have about an 18.5" torso so I bottomed out the Krux for adjustability, especially when I get 80 lb +.

Stats: 5'8" 150 lb, have ran the Krux, Kuiu and MR Nice frames, all with animals on my back. I typically train with a backpack once per week with 60-80 lbs hiking, so I feel like I'm fairly in-tune with adjustments, setup and comfort. X-Curve was tested with 80 lbs.

I tried to get a hold of the X-Curve before my big solo Elk trip late in September, which was my 3rd Backpack trip trying to close the deal. I had to take the Krux back and ended up packing another Elk off the mountain for it, which I'm mentioning b/c I received the X-Curve the very next week, so I didn't pack an animal with it, just concrete. But I did do a multi-day hunt with it, so I did get a lot of field time using it with just gear, which did help me form some thoughts. I will focus on the similarities and differences between the two. Here are some thoughts from my notes.

- Overall, huge improvement in how the frame stays parked on my body under load. I very much preferred the new, denser shoulder strap foam and belt configuration, and could really fit it against my back profile well. I was very impressed with how well that hip belt stayed parked on my hips, it didn't budge at all, even when I tried to make it. The reason why is that lumbar pad could get full contact (compared with 1/3 contact on the bottom of the Krux frame pad), and I could cup the hip belt on myself with the dual 1" connections to the frame. Cosmetically, the shoulder straps look much "cleaner" than the Krux frame I have, which is probably because the stiffer foam gives them a little more structure. Same comment on the hip belt.

- By moving the webbing where the shoulder straps slides through/against the frame down, I could actually spread the load on my back much better than with the Krux. I would attribute the stay shape to that as well, as they bend to follow your upper back contour. MR uses flex in their straight stays and the load lifters actually pull/flex the frame over the top of your back to accomplish that same feeling. I always liked that feeling with the MR framed yoke, which does a great job of spreading weight across your whole upper back. I could adjust the X-Curve frame to spread load across my back that same way, which was huge for me, big comfort and stability improvement.

- In the frame video SG released, the hip belt tension by pulling up on there tri-slide that locks it down. They aren't just blowing smoke when they it locks itself down, I couldn't make it slip. I did have some trouble getting out of it, but I didn't try releasing it the way they show in the video. Overall, the forward pull system is quite effective and a welcome change.

- One thing I mentioned to Kurt was my personal preference would be to have a more dense foam on the outer portion of the hip belt still. The dual density foam change on the new belt was a huge improvement for me, and I didn't get the normal hip bruising I get with 80 lbs in the Krux frame. So my preference may be a moot point. Like the shoulder harness, the belt actually looks cleaner too with the stiffer foam. Not getting the bruising was a huge improvement for me compared with the Krux.

- If you are short like me, one thing to keep in mind is with regards to the actual stays - having them bend back over your shoulder was really nice under a big load, and they didn't get in the way with weight in the load shelf and the bag off of the frame. At my height, when I had the sky archer bag on there, it was very restrictive for me while hunting (meaning tipping my head back, or looking at the stay out of the corner of my eye), even with the load lifters very loose. The pic below kind of shows that. For me personally, that's something I can deal with to gain comfort year-round, but I'm still going to mention it b/c I noticed it while testing. I feel like I would need more time tinkering with it in the field to have a complete evaluation of the impact having the frame bend back over your upper back, past vertical. The other thing it shows is how the harness contacts my shoulder blades down my back a lot lower than it ever did with the Krux frame. I like the "MR" way with a little flex to the frame, which adjusts how much you pull across the top of your back.

Overall, this was a HUGE improvement for me. I still find the shape of the newer Mystery Ranch lumbar pad fits into my back a little better (mainly because it isn't as wide and a little taller), but I was also running the 2-1/2 piece of foam lumbar pad, and I usually run a 3-piece foam pad, which may be the difference (the std MR pad is thicker). I didn't get a lot of lumbar pressure under heavy load, and had no slip on the waist belt, so I think Kurt really nailed it on this one.

If anyone has any questions feel free to post or PM me - I know I'm looking forward to thoughts from some of the other guys that ran the frame.

Testing frame with 80lbs

Testing frame in the field

X-Curve shaped stays

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Krux frame profile comparison on my back with about 50lb in boned meat, etc. I swear it's the only loaded Krux pic I have

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I may have to give this frame a try. I love my sky 5100 but I have a pretty serious arch in my back. Always have some issues with that.

 

[sr80]

great write up MT_wyatt. Thanks. Cant wait for mine to show up I wore out the refresh button the day they were to be released.

 

[Tuscor]

Cheers for the write up MT_wyatt - really useful.

In terms of the new frame getting in the way of your head/vision because of its shape - how much of that do you think is related to your body-shape/size in particular. Would a taller/longer torso person have the same experience?

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Cheers for the write up MT_wyatt - really useful.

In terms of the new frame getting in the way of your head/vision because of its shape - how much of that do you think is related to your body-shape/size in particular. Would a taller/longer torso person have the same experience?

No I didn't bring that up, so thanks for mentioning - it's VERY dependent on your body size in the torso. Most people are bigger than I am and won't notice the stays nearly as much, meaning they won't be as high above their shoulders, and therefore not as forward towards the head. My profile shots show where the stays end up relative to my face.

I don't have the production version of the new frame in hand yet, so the stay shape may have been tweaked compared with the one I tested. I doubt it though. I'm going to talk with Kurt when I get mine personal frame, and see about reducing the angle it bends over my back at the top of the frame, just because of my short torso. Since those are titanium connection sleeves I'm doubting that's a possibility though.


I didn't focus on the shoulder strap adjustability and shape, so I'll also submit it is an improvement, especially for small torso guys like me.

 

[Stid2677]

The Postman dropped my X Kurve and 7400 bag off today. Watched the fitting video and threw it on for a little hike. Very impressed so far, need more time in it, but one thing is for sure, that belt stays put. My only concern and it might be nothing, is that it rides close to the back of my head.

Mine weighed 5.5 lbs out of the box.

Steve

 

[Tuscor]

The Postman dropped my X Kurve and 7400 bag off today. Watched the fitting video and threw it on for a little hike. Very impressed so far, need more time in it, but one thing is for sure, that belt stays put. My only concern and it might be nothing, is that it rides close to the back of my head.

Mine weighed 5.5 lbs out of the box.

Steve

Do you mind sharing your torso size?

Its interesting that two people have commented that the frame rides close to the back of their head.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Do you mind sharing your torso size?

Its interesting that two people have commented that the frame rides close to the back of their head.

He's about the same size, 5' 7-8", and I'm guessing roughly same wt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tex68w]

I wonder if mine will ride close to my head as well?! I am 5'10" and 180lbs so maybe it'll sit a little differently on me. I went with the 5900 and the X-Curve frame. I ordered it a few days ago but still haven't received any shipping info which is funny because they say on their website that all orders go out the following business day. As soon as it arrives I'll throw it on and see how it sits on my frame.