Undecisive! Stone Glacier or Evolution?

[whitingja]

So it seems like the more reviews I read here, the more I question myself. I think I am down to the Stone Glacier Solo or the Seek Outside Evolution. Just want to see if anyone has first hand experience with both of these. Thoughts. Really different frames. Wish I could try out both, but not possible.

 

[Ray]

My experience is only with the SO Evolution. Its a great system. It helps my bad back that hates lumbar pad pack frames. It is not built for the accessory pocket market except for the PALS on the belt. If you love pockets all over your pack bag the Evolution will not meet your wants easily as you are limited to the lid and the Talon systems for external pockets. Those and a large KU belt pocket are enough for me. And the side zipper in the roll top bag. Thats really handy. I have come to enjoy the little rifle holder do-hicky sticking up off the frame over the Kifaru gun bearer. In really rocky terrain where I may loose my balance, I will want to strap it down with one of the cinch straps off the talon. Due to my lack of shoulder flexiblity I do have a slight struggle getting the rifle slung on the rod sticking up but its not an issue for other folks, or getting the rifle off the rod.

 

[Bighorse]

I recently made the decision to purchase the Paradox bag with evolution frame. My previous bag and frame is a Barneys. So first impression was that the wrap around belt system is familiar and one I like. I'm saving weight. The fabrics being waterproof is a big deal for me. I hunt rainforest Alaska.
Looks like and efficient system. So does SG.
The fabric choice and bag design was the deal maker for me. Having the top bag as a chesty could be nice too.....

 

[whitingja]

Please explain the wrap around belt design. How does it differ from the more common belt?

 

[Ray]

Please explain the wrap around belt design. How does it differ from the more common belt?

I don't know about more common, but the current belt systems are typically three piece designs for the padding. there are two hip bone pads and then a removable lumbar pad. This allows for some level of adjustability for the thickness of the lumbar pad. Makes it easier to fit a pack to the highly varied lower back.

wrap around is a single thickness belt that just wraps around the hips and does not provide an adjustment to the thickness of the lumbar area. It is probably the "more common" belt as its been in use for centuries probably.

Similar to the Barney belt the Evolution frame belt is cut and formed to mold to the hip bones without using a lumbar pad wedged into the lower back.

SG does have several options for lumbar pads and according to some users on here you can get the pad to be so thin that it acts like a wrap around belt, putting little to now pressure on the lumbar area.

 

[whitingja]

Oh, I see. Does it get any slipping without the lumbar pad?

 

[Ray]

Oh, I see. Does it get any slipping without the lumbar pad?

Mine does not as it really sinks into and wraps up the hip bones without using a huge amount of pressure.

 

[swisski]

I've only had the evolution, but speak very highly of it. Feels great with light or heavy loads. Very durable, strong, and ultimately a very comfortable pack. The hip belt really distributes the weight well with no slippage or hot spots. Super happy with this pack and how modular the evolution system is. Pack bag or no pack bag, it's just very enjoyable to use. That and the customer service provided by Kevin and his company I've learned is second to none. If you have questions or any issues with their gear, they are super quick to help make it right. My 2 cents and experience so far.

 

[LJ Buck]

I am a huge fan of SG. I have tried many packs and just cant get myself to change.

 

[DaveC]

I've had several Paradox Packs (which were given to me free for either articles or general testing, so caveat emptor), have built several of my own bags to use on the Paradox frame and belt, and own a Stone Glacier Solo bag which I use on an adapted Paradox frame.

I'm a massive fan of the Paradox belt and suspension system. It just works for me. Hopefully someone has used both and can provide feedback, as this is really the only important thing.

Build quality of the Paradox and Stone Glacier bags are both excellent. Both the Solo and most Paradox bags are quite minimal with few pockets, which I appreciate. I like and prefer the various xpac fabrics Paradox uses for their entire bags, rather than just the back and bottom of the Solo. The Solo's compression system is ridiculously effective, probably moreso than the Paradox, though I don't think it would make much of a practical difference. I've had no issue compressing the Paradox Unaweep down to carry a whole bone-in mule deer (and little else).

 

[whitingja]

Which one is easier to get meat on and secured? Does the paradox meat shelf work like the solo?

 

[DaveC]

I've primarily used the Paradox Unaweep, which does not have a meat shelf. That design is lighter/simpler, and I just put the meat in the bag which works fine. The smaller Solo almost demands using the meat shelf. Function between the two is pretty similar in this regard.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have both......except have the Skyarcher bag now for the Krux frame. If you want to drive down from Cheyenne you're more than welcome to try them out. Only about 2 1/2 hours south of you.

I have the one-piece belt on the SG instead of the 3-piece with lumbar pad. However, even their one-piece belt is more like a 3-piece than the Paradox belt. I really love the Paradox belt. Fits well, tightens down, and goes nowhere. The SG belt is a little wider (top to bottom) and is more difficult to get a good cinch down above the hip bones. I tend to wear my packs a little higher than most and consider it a "waist" belt, not a hip belt. That's why I like the Paradox belt so much.......cinches down above the hips and it CAN'T slip or go anywhere, no matter how much weight I put on it. Another advantage for me with the Paradox is the adjustable frame height. Takes just a minute or two to change it up.

However, I prefer the functionality of the SG system. If I could get the Paradox belt and adjustable frame height on the SG, it would be my perfect pack.

Let me know if you want to try them out.

 

[gobbler1662]

Been watching this thread guys and have to chime in. I to have been eyeing the Unaweep. Dave C, can you haul meat outside the pack bag, with nothing in the bag if it was compressed down with the talon?. Hate getting blood inside a pack. Just wondering if the Talon has that capability?

 

[muleman]

Which one is easier to get meat on and secured? Does the paradox meat shelf work like the solo?

I have never used a Paradox.

Getting meat between the frame and any of the Stone Glacier bags is easy. Boneless or boned it doesn't matter. I believe that the Stone Glacier has the best default compression strap system going. The straps make it very easy to secure meat and bag contents and each has the ability to be tensioned and compressed independently.

 

[Rossi]

Whitingja.
I'm in Laramie and have the Evolution. You're welcome to stop by and check it out sometime. PM me if you are interested.

 

[DaveC]

Been watching this thread guys and have to chime in. I to have been eyeing the Unaweep. Dave C, can you haul meat outside the pack bag, with nothing in the bag if it was compressed down with the talon?. Hate getting blood inside a pack. Just wondering if the Talon has that capability?

Yep, with nothing or very little in the bag the sky is the limit in terms of what you can compress in there. The xpac fabrics, especially the X33 multicam, is dead easy to clean. One blast with a hose and done.

 

[KHNC]

I have a Unaweep myself. Everyone keeps talking about the frame adjustability on the Evolution. Can the frame height be adjusted on the Unaweep as well? If so, how do you do it? I have looked it over and did not see how the frame can be changed.

 

[whitingja]

Rossi, I might just do that. Need to check when I can get down there, and when the roads aren't treacherous. Thanks. Do you like yours? What other bags have you tried?

 

[Kevin_t]

I have a Unaweep myself. Everyone keeps talking about the frame adjustability on the Evolution. Can the frame height be adjusted on the Unaweep as well? If so, how do you do it? I have looked it over and did not see how the frame can be changed.

Yes you can adjust 24 to 28 on a Unaweep by adding extensions . Default Unaweep is 26 inch