What pack does everyone recommend for archery elk in Colorado?

[bz_711]

I'm not new to elk hunting but this year I told my wife I want a new pack and I'm gonna spend the money to buy a premium one. I have a mystery ranch pop up 38 I used for day hunts and it's good but squeaks like hell. My other pack which I prefer and have now packed out 4 animals with is an eberlestock kite 4800. This pack is awesome but when I packed out my elk last season it wasn't carrying the load the best. I'm mainly an archery hunter but dable in rifle when I can get a decent tag in leftover. My question is what will be as roomy as the eberlestock but carry that elk weight better? I've been looking at hill people gear decker frame, stone glacier col 4800, kifaru (tried on an ark but didn't love it) what do you guys run. I also like to be as light as possible with the pack to carry more gear and food.

Have you decided on anything?

I still use an old Kifaru Timberline 2...I really like it for day-to-day hunts...and does well under large loads. I like having frame pack on me in order to take that first heavy load out immediately.

I'd like to check out the new Kifaru and Exo packs someday...just no need to yet.

Good Luck!

 

[hereinaz]

I've been backpacking pretty regularly for the last 35 years, living up to a month on the trail (just so you have some background on the random internet guy). I've used a lot of packs over the years, going all the way back to the Lowe Contour IV (other old fellas will smile when they see that name).
I decided a few years back to get the best I could afford as I get up there in years, so I ordered 6 different backpacks, including Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, Osprey, Sitka, Erbelstock, and Exo. As always, the Rokslide folks knew what they were talking about, and the Exo was by far my favorite. (I know Stone Glacier has a lot of fans, but I found it to be a noisy ski pack without a lot of pockets). I returned all but the Exo and the Osprey, the latter I backpacked with for a few summers, but ultimately sold - it squeaked constantly.
I've been running the Exo K3 for the last 3 years and love it. My understanding is the K4 is even better.

Two tricks I've learned hunting with the Exo - the Kifaru Gun Bearer is far and away my favorite gun tote. I don't use a rifle sling, and this sucker is the fastest way to bring my gun into shooting position. Fits great on the Exo. Second - in addition to your game bags, carry a construction trash bag for the load panel. I've spent too much time scrubbing blood out of a pack, and a construction bag would have saved from a lot of blood.
Good luck in your search!

Most of us who get a pack from all the main players end up with the EXO…

I used Kuiu for a season and it was so much better than my backpacking packs. Played with Kifaru and EXO.

I stuck with the K3 for years and couldn’t get me to change. The K4 are really nice, friends had them last elk season. Still not ready to switch, but I suppose I will one day.

 

[rambo2345]

I concur Exo.

 

[dreamingWest]

Exo

 

[WAB]

Love my Exo K3

 

[WoodDuck]

Another vote here for Seek Outside. A lot of straps for adjustments which may or may not fit your needs, but I’ve been using a 4800 bag with a Merlin talon and love the flexibility.

I haven’t hunted with an Exo or Stone glacier, but from what I’ve seen and heard from buddies they are very solid options as well. Wouldn’t be afraid to own either.

 

[Hunting183]

Initial Ascent is working great for me, leave the bag on or just take the cub bag.

 

[WABullsnBucks]

I love my Mystery Ranch Metcalf.

 

[colelivaditis]

Initial ascent is hands down the comfiest pack I have ever owned

 

[JLH3]

I've never tried the EXO, but I have had 2 Stone Glaciers and I've really liked them. Started with the 2200 Avail and traded up to the 3200 Kiowa. They've held up great and I like the build.

Most of my hunting is day pack trips.

 

[jrob712]

I have the f1 and haven’t been thrilled with the comfort. It’s nice for carrying my kids around though!

 

[TradArcher]

De-squeek your pop-up and run that.

I had to do that to mine, I used duct tape wrapped around the some of the insert for adjusting the shoulder harness size/length and that seemed to stop it for me. But then I have the original model of it so not sure if that works for the newer ones.

Makes a great dayhunt/stalk pack for me.