What packs are all you gram weenies using?

[StupidLightweight]

My primary is a Kifaru Ultralight (have both KU3700 and KU5200), which I've used a ton over the past decade. Unfortunately, they're no longer available. Were I to replace now, I'd go with Seek Outside. I like them a lot. Low weight, comfortable, stiff, and waterproof without requiring a pack cover, they're also relatively affordable.

 

[Holmes]

as a data point about actual trail weights of backpacks, I recently replaced my Stone Glacier Sky Talus 6900 with a Seek Outside Goshawk 6300 in Ultra PE.
The Stone Glacier weighed about 6.1lbs
The Seek Outside weighs about 5.2 lbs
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I had thought that the Goshawk was going to be a bunch lighter than that! But, I didn't find any real world trail weights posted out there, just a lot of "bag weight", "minimum trail weight", etc that got me hyped. I still saved a pound, which is a big deal, but I had set myself up with lighter expectations.
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Both bags have medium belts, and two hip belt pockets. The Goshawk weight includes 2" frame extensions (I'm 6'1" and I could get away without them, but with a meat load they'll really help), a talon compression bag, and a few compression straps.
I moved the stone glacier rifle sling from mysky talus over to my seek outside without issue. I like how the stone glacier quick release rifle sling works so much that I took the sling off my rifle. I feel I can access my rifle quickly in grizzly country with my rifle mounted on my pack.
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I have not done a real trip with the Seek Outside yet, but I've done some heavy ruck hikes. So far, I find it's much more comfortable (for me) with a normal day load (25-45lbs) than the Stone Glacier, but maybe not as comfortable with a load over 75lbs....still need a bunch of time to work on fit. I think it will haul meat just fine.
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A bigger deal for me than pack weight to me right now is the full waterproof ultra fabric of the Goshawk. Despite regular application of DWR to my stone glacier pack the fabric now gets waterlogged. I truly hate using a rain cover. I am hoping that the Ultra PE fabric will be the ticket to not gaining weight when walking through head high wet grass, or hiking in light rain. Also, I really hate it when my stone glacier pack got wet and then would freeze stiff. That's what eventually made me buy the Seek Outside.

 

[StupidLightweight]

The external frames of the Seek Outside packs handle weight with ease. This bad boy has been my loaner pack for the past 5 years. In that time, it's hauled a good number of critters, with the largest being this 100+pound elk load last fall. There's no perfect pack (or rifle, binocular, bullet, or bride), but this one comes close. I wish I knew what model it was, but my father is the one who purchased it.

 

[Stickmark]

Just bought a Gregory Baltoro 75. My old Gregory gave out, after a 34 miler in the GIla Wilderness, and I wanted one main back for backpacking and hunting. Not a gram weenie backpack, but I watch the stuff (grams) that goes into it. Have used the Exped 60, a prototype bought for $30, which is good for lighter hauls. Used an Osprey Talon 44 four times for hauling meat, which is painful for a boned out coues, and the hide, any distance at.
BTW, the Gila Wilderness seems real horse-country for elk hunting...

 

[mporter012]

as a data point about actual trail weights of backpacks, I recently replaced my Stone Glacier Sky Talus 6900 with a Seek Outside Goshawk 6300 in Ultra PE.
The Stone Glacier weighed about 6.1lbs
The Seek Outside weighs about 5.2 lbs
-
I had thought that the Goshawk was going to be a bunch lighter than that! But, I didn't find any real world trail weights posted out there, just a lot of "bag weight", "minimum trail weight", etc that got me hyped. I still saved a pound, which is a big deal, but I had set myself up with lighter expectations.
-
Both bags have medium belts, and two hip belt pockets. The Goshawk weight includes 2" frame extensions (I'm 6'1" and I could get away without them, but with a meat load they'll really help), a talon compression bag, and a few compression straps.
I moved the stone glacier rifle sling from mysky talus over to my seek outside without issue. I like how the stone glacier quick release rifle sling works so much that I took the sling off my rifle. I feel I can access my rifle quickly in grizzly country with my rifle mounted on my pack.
-
I have not done a real trip with the Seek Outside yet, but I've done some heavy ruck hikes. So far, I find it's much more comfortable (for me) with a normal day load (25-45lbs) than the Stone Glacier, but maybe not as comfortable with a load over 75lbs....still need a bunch of time to work on fit. I think it will haul meat just fine.
-
A bigger deal for me than pack weight to me right now is the full waterproof ultra fabric of the Goshawk. Despite regular application of DWR to my stone glacier pack the fabric now gets waterlogged. I truly hate using a rain cover. I am hoping that the Ultra PE fabric will be the ticket to not gaining weight when walking through head high wet grass, or hiking in light rain. Also, I really hate it when my stone glacier pack got wet and then would freeze stiff. That's what eventually made me buy the Seek Outside.

On the weight front. What am I missing - according to SO site, goshawk 6300 total weight 3.10 - how are they off by 1lb 8oz!? Did you mean 4.2?

 

[Holmes]

On the weight front. What am I missing - according to SO site, goshawk 6300 total weight 3.10 - how are they off by 1lb 8oz!? Did you mean 4.2?

I did not. it's a pretty big bummer. I thought it was going to be at least a full pound lighter than this. The "total" weight they posted is definitely not total. My weight includes things that I don't consider optional such as hip belt pockets, all the compression straps, the "talon" compression bag, lumbar pad, and 2" frame extensions. I wonder if their posted weight even includes the waist belt, since that is a separate order

 

[mporter012]

I did not. it's a pretty big bummer. I thought it was going to be at least a full pound lighter than this. The "total" weight they posted is definitely not total. My weight includes things that I don't consider optional such as hip belt pockets, all the compression straps, the "talon" compression bag, lumbar pad, and 2" frame extensions. I wonder if their posted weight even includes the waist belt, since that is a separate order

Interesting. Otherwise, how does is feel running weight in it? I'm running a kifaru system now, it's solid as a rock, but heavy as a rock too, a really big rock

 

[kad11]

Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 60-75L for summer scouting. I've considered using it for late season elk - maybe this season.

 

[mporter012]

Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 60-75L for summer scouting. I've considered using it for late season elk - maybe this season.

Why just late season?

 

[kad11]

Why just late season?

I'm typically not worried about meat spoiling in November - half the time it's frozen when I get back to it.

 

[Mlkman55]

Stone Glacier 40/56. Have used for 4 years and it's one of the lightest elk-capable packs out there. The Terminus looks awesome but most of my packouts are for elk so need the beefier 40/56. Sometimes I wish I had an external pocket for a bugle tube, trekking poles to nestle in and have looked hard at the Evo packs. That'll be what I try next.

Stone Glacier 40/56. Have used for 4 years and it's one of the lightest elk-capable packs out there. The Terminus looks awesome but most of my packouts are for elk so need the beefier 40/56. Sometimes I wish I had an external pocket for a bugle tube, trekking poles to nestle in and have looked hard at the Evo packs. That'll be what I try next.

 

[mitchellmountain]

Mystery Ranch Marshall. I have lighter packs that don't carry heavy lids as well.

 

[Zaner]

Seek Outside Goshawk 4800 for backcountry hunts. Just under 4 lbs. Have packed out around a dozen deer and a couple elk with this set-up.

Seek Outside Goshawk

ULA Circuit suits me well for lightweight backpacking trips. For climbing and more intensive backcountry trips I'm running the Osprey

ULA Circuit

Osprey Aether 70 Pro

Have you had any issues or cons with the goshawk during these pack outs? How’s the noise of the fabric/ frame while hunting?

 

[WyoWild]

Have you had any issues or cons with the goshawk during these pack outs? How’s the noise of the fabric/ frame while hunting?

Frame is awesome, kind of a hybrid external frame with a floating him belt so still moves well with your body but still handles heavy loads very well. I have had this pack since about 2018 or so. It is the older style x-pac fabric. It is louder than other comparable pack fabrics but is also nearly waterproof and very durable. It does not make any noise when just hiking but if going thru brush/trees it is louder than softer fabrics. Not a deal breaker for me at all, have used it quite a bit for elk archery without much fuss.

 

[WyoWild]

Going out heavy on recent side country whitetail hunt.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

Seek Outside Uniweep 4800 gives me the best weight vs carrying capacity. The heaviest load I’ve packed out with it was132 lbs and it handled it well.

In the pic I have two caribou hindquarters and some gear.

 

[westsloper]

Seek Outside is the obvious choice for a gram weenie hunter if you like the way they ride. But when it comes to pack selection, comfort is the only thing that matters to me. I think of myself as a minimalist and very weight conscious, but I currently use an Outdoorsmans pack that is much heavier than it needs to be. It is the most comfortable pack (for me) that I've found. I'd like to sew my own lighter, simpler bag to go on the frame.

 

[jrob712]

How’s the durability on SO packs? Haven’t looked into them yet til seeing this thread.

 

[mtwarden]

Mine is 7-8 years old, still going strong. I should also add mine is used a lot outside of hunting season as well.