@AKEK and others, There is a sponsor here that touts it's product as being American designed, but manufactured overseas, and as a direct to consumer business model. From my experience, most view the direct to consumer model as a means of saving the consumer money by cutting out the middle man. If the model does not work in this manner, then it becomes obvious that the business views this model as a means of maximizing profit. Being viewed in this manner is not good for business.
From what I see on this site, is a pretty good level of products made anywhere but China. IMNSHO, you'd be fine with a product not made in the USA, but also not made in China; the frame being made in the USA would likely be a plus to many.
Being one of the luck few that received a pack to review (for free), with the only obligation being to provide an unbiased review, I am fortunate enough to actually have an AKEK pack, frame and all. I and others have noted some design changes that we think will make a significant difference, if implemented, despite where the pack is made. I get that any changes are not likely to happen until you (AKEK) make a final decision on where the pack will be made (my personal preference is the Philippines over Vietnam). However, I also think that many here on Rokslide may be waiting to see if those changes come to fruition or not.
Overall, I like the pack, a lot. If the recommended changes are made, I am sure I would love the pack. Generally, I pack in to hunt, and need a much higher volume pack for my hunts (not all hunts). I view the AKEK as an excellent day hunt pack, a good 2 to 3 day hunt pack (if the changes are made, I would change that rating to excellent). For those that go very ultralight, the pack could work for 3-4 day hunts (I don't go that ultralight normally). The AKEK pack is light and bulk free enough that I can see taking it on some of my pack hunts where I pack in and set up a basecamp, as the pack has handled the weight of a boned out animal very very well, for me. In short, I was seriously impressed.
I have wanted to play more with the AKEK rifle carry system. Unfortunately, a very recent shoulder surgery has put that on hold for a bit. But I will be getting to it and review the rifle carry system much more extensively. I have had another unfortunate development that snuck up on me much faster than I thought it would. My knees are now bone on bone, both knees. For some time now, I have managed to push through the pain and continue to hunt the way I want to hunt. That, for the foreseeable short term future is not possible, as I need complete knee replacements in both knees. So once I am done reviewing the rifle carry system, I may pass the pack on to a friend to abuse and report back.
In short, after using the AKEK pack (not as much as I would normally have by now), I feel AKEK has a lot to offer the hunting community here at Rokslide, and I hope AKEK is successful in there business venture.
lol. Regardless, we plan to stop manufacturing our packs in China and our next batch of carbon fiber frames will be USA made.
