To Grab it or Not to Grab It?

jm1607

WKR
Joined
Jul 26, 2013
Messages
2,346
Location
Houston, TX
Not in a dirty way ;)

I've been using a Grab It since I've been using a Kifaru pack. I've used it in three ways mainly: for animal heads, to quickly shove a jacket for easy access, to put a tent if I'm going in for a long time. At first it seemed essential to me.. Now I'm thinking about leaving it at home..

Do you use one or not and why or why not??
 
I think it depends on the bag you are using. For some bags, a grab-it is essential. For others, it's a convenience at best.
 
I don't use a grab it. What I did do was get 2 K-clip compression straps and put them at 1/3 from the top and bottom. I've found I can secure just about anything I need to with those and get better compression on my pack.

 
On my first two "real" packs (Cabela's Outfitter frame and Horn Hunter Full Cull pack), both had a a grab-it like sling on the back/bottom that i used all of the time. When I ordered my EMR II, i ordered a grab it as well since they had been so useful in the past. However, I have been using the EMR II all summer/hunting season without it, and haven't found that I miss it all that much. The EMR II has so much storage/accessible pockets/straps, that I can usually put things away quickly in their "proper" place or just lash them on the pack. I will probably give it an honest test next season to see if I want to keep it or not, but I can say that I'm surprised I haven't really missed it this season.
One thing I do miss is that whenever I'm in the woods I try to pack out at least a few small pieces of trash (cans, wrappers, etc) that I every day. With a grab-it type sling, I could just reach back and stuff it in without taking the pack off. Now, I have to take the pack off to find a way to secure the trash.
Also, when I purchased my pack setup, I imagined running the frame with Guide Lid and Grab-It a lot for day mode hikes. However, that hasn't materialized yet either as the EMRII is working in day-pack mode as well, and it just isn't worth the hassle to remove it from the frame 20 times a year. What Kifaru bag do you currently own?
 
It does a good job of holding my bow but if I were rifle hunting I would leave it at home. Also agree with colonel, depends on the pack.
 
Better yet, get a blaze orange grab it panel from native textiles. It's awesome.


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Colonel is right. Some packs need it and others don't.

We put one on my buddy's DD K2 and it was perfect to drop the bottom of his bow into and use 1 strap up top. On my AMR is really wasn't needed.


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It does a good job of holding my bow but if I were rifle hunting I would leave it at home. Also agree with colonel, depends on the pack.

Forgot about that, I do use it with my bow!

I'm switching from a DT2 to Markor. It fits the Markor very well, but I'm just really trying to "clean up" the pack. Get it a little less strappy
 
With a markhor I bet you could throw a belt pouch on the bottom of the front and use it like a grab it for the bottom of the bow. Add a horizontal strap and you'd be good to go.


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The lower front belt pouch would act more like a "cam pocket" than a true grab it but still give a place for the bottom of your bow to rest.


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With a markhor I bet you could throw a belt pouch on the bottom of the front and use it like a grab it for the bottom of the bow. Add a horizontal strap and you'd be good to go.


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That's exactly what I'm thinking..

Think a medium or large would work better?
 
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I have the original grabit on the MT Warrior. I consider it permanent. I got rid of the grabit II with all the extra strap on the bottom. I have never had any reason to not have it bottomed out on the frame. It took me a while with pliers to get the 3 bar through the same slots at the bottom of the frame. I like it to push the weight up and keep my bag out of the dirt.
 
I have it in my DT1 bag at all times and use as needed. Used it to hold my bow to my pack on the hike in during bow season. It serves its purpose for the way I hunt.
 
I now use an Exo Mountain CRIB on my hunting duplex. I leave it installed between pack and frame. Weights nothing, is never in the way, but is always accessable.
 
I always use one with my nomad. It is great for the bottom load sling when carrying elk quarters between the bat wings; essential with a nomad.


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