What's the best pack for the$$$

[Schmidty]

The kifaru packs sound awesome but expensive
Mystery ranch seem solid
Seek outside has an great idea with dry bag
Kuiu
Alps mountaineering have a new commander x extreme that looks solid

I want a 5200 pack that breaks down for a nice day pack. Is it doable for under 350 or should I just save for a kifaru?

How waterproof are kifaru packs?



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[hammer0419]

Kifaru Duplex frame all the way. Then choose a bag you like. None of the Kifaru bags really Appeal to me. I use Exo Mountain packs on my hunter frame.

 

[PA 5-0]

Kuiu Icon 5200 w/ a rain cover. So lightweight, u don't have to break anything down for a day hike. Just cinch the straps down.

 

[Schmidty]

So I seen on a review the icon doesn't carry weight well. Any input that for sure could of been a biased opinion


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[MT_Wyatt]

Best depends on you. And you might even change your mind down the road.

Bang for buck = kuiu. They are good packs, but they aren't built to the same toughness standards as others, and the bags are a factory production.

You really have to decide what you can stomach $ wise. Personally, if you're willing to spend 450 on an icon pro I always tell friends to save another 100 and go Mystery Ranch or Exo. But I don't think their are Metcalfs to be had right now, so MR might be out.

Kifaru and SG are on another planet cost wise, but there is a reason why.

Since you mentioned breaking down to a day pack, most guys are going to tell you to cinch the main bag down and not worry about the day pack thing. I would agree. If you get the kuiu or a stone glacier, both have bags with flaps built in the close the tops cleanly for reduced volume. Kifaru does that on the tahr, not sure what other bags of theirs besides that.

How important is the load shelf thing to you? That might narrow your choices a bit as well....




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[Schmidty]

I would like to put the load between the pack and frame. As far as fit I'm 6' with short legs like 30" so I have an unusual long torso so I will have same fit issues as a taller guy. I see kuiu is adjustable but I don't know what I need. Any advice on that?


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[N2TRKYS]

Have you thought about a Kifaru frame and cargo panel?

 

[PA 5-0]

So I seen on a review the icon doesn't carry weight well. Any input that for sure could of been a biased opinion


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There's been volumes of debates posted about pack ride and comfort, which at the end of the day, can be based on your body type. I can tell you this: I've had my Icon's for 4-5yrs now. Two AK sheep hunts and a couple hunts out West, and countless east coast adventures. I have definitely logged close to 1000 miles under heavy loads, some real heavy. I love my Icon. 3 of the 4 guys I hunted with in AK loved them too, dudes that were hauling in the bush for 8-10wks a season. I've never had a rub or failure. And they weigh less than half of some of the other top tier packs. Can't beat them for the money. The newer Icon Pro is more heavy duty than the Icon, which of course adds some weight. You can easily find used Icons priced under ur budget. Best of luck.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I would like to put the load between the pack and frame. As far as fit I'm 6' with short legs like 30" so I have an unusual long torso so I will have same fit issues as a taller guy. I see kuiu is adjustable but I don't know what I need. Any advice on that?


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With a long torso you'd be into the taller kuiu frame. All of those packs have adjustable torsos but I couldn't tell you off hand what would fit a crazy long torso the best. Stone Glacier packs have a ton of torso adjustability (very similar setup as kuiu with how the shoulder pads move) and their designer (Kurt) is a tall guy.

If you're that much out of the norm I would call the SG shop and talk to Pete or Kurt - I know they could get you figured out (I have the opposite problem with a short torso and have spoke with them both, can't say enough good things about that company) Or I would call Kifaru and discuss with them, equally good option. And take a look at Seek Outside and give Kevin a call - they make different sized frame extensions you can install onto their frame, it's a different approach and doesn't get the same web traffic - look into Dave C's blog (bedrockandparadox) and read his pack posts, he covers that system in a lot of detail. And he really deep dives pack design in others posts.

If you need help getting over that cost hump mentally, the first Gritty Bowmen episode discusses Kifaru quite well. And if MR is appealing listen to Randy Newberg's podcast with Dana Gleason, he explains their design approach in detail. As far as stone glacier design, the web page says a lot, and I'd just call their shop to get the rundown - Kurt explained to me all the different packs he'd ran before he built his own, pretty cool to hear.

All good options above - go with what design appeals the most to you, I highly, highly doubt you'd be disappointed in how any of those companies would treat you.

You don't need a 700 dollar backpack to hunt. But to carry 100 lbs it makes a hell of a difference. Depends on your style and what you're looking to do.

Hope that dissertation helps you, feel free to shot me a PM of you want to discuss anything, I've ran MR, SG and Kuiu packs but I have a drastically different body type (5'8" with short torso) than you do. Haven't used an Exo, Kifaru or Seek Outside. Yet

 

[COlineman78]

I would like to put the load between the pack and frame. As far as fit I'm 6' with short legs like 30" so I have an unusual long torso so I will have same fit issues as a taller guy. I see kuiu is adjustable but I don't know what I need. Any advice on that?


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I had issues with Kuiu over 50lbs not being able to be adjusted correctly for my long torso and was getting shoulder pain. I am 6'5" with 33" inseam. Also, I would only recommend Kuiu if you are going over 50lbs on a consistent basis. For someone with a long torso, your options are really just Seek Outside and Kifaru. No experience with MR or SG, but they might work for a long torso. Exo's frame is only 25" so probably won't work. I would suggest a 26" Kifaru UL with a cargo panel for starters. You can grab some Condor pockets for cheap for some organization and a 55L dry bag. Once you can afford it you can pick up a pack for the frame and sell the cargo panel only losing about $30. Kifaru stuff retains it's value very well.

 

[zeroforhire]

Find a used bikini frame and a high camp 7000. Shouldn't be more than 375 all together.


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[aion2come]

...not the alps. Had a friend buy one last year and was in misery. Have had Exo and Kifaru, and love them both ... with a nod to the Kifaru as being he more durable and modular system.

 

[jack88]

I will 2nd that an ALPS is an absolute disaster of a pack. The frame and suspension may be ok, but the pack itself I would completely avoid unless you like to sew on the side of a mountain.

 

[twall13]

I love my EXO but my biggest gripe is that I can't get a taller frame for it. I'm starting to look at the option of an Exo bag on a Kifaru frame. I have a long torso as well (21.5") and the load lifters on the Exo barely work for me. Otherwise it's a great pack.

 

[elkyinzer]

A used one, ideally one generation removed from current production. No doubt.

SG, Exo, MR, Seek Outside, Kifaru plus a couple others are all top tier and come down to fit and preference despite what anyone says.

These companies are all in a stage of innovation and growth with design and materials, but you'll pay a premium for the latest and greatest.

 

[fngTony]

The new alps comander looks tempting because of price but the torso isn't adjustable and the load lifters don't look high enough. I have been eyeing exo or kuiu. Can't justify SG or kifaru unless I find a deal in the classifieds.

 

[trapperjay]

I am currently an SG fan--using the Solo for now. As others have said, it's all about fit for your body type and preferences. And you'll likely do this more than one time b/c it's so much fun. XD

Save your $ and buy one of the highe end packs to start with. Once you decide on one that fits you, you'll be glad you did.

 

[jspradley]

Piece together a Kifaru from a used frame and bag.

Kuiu bags are well made but nowhere in the same league as a Kifaru.

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[Justin Crossley]

Just remember, there's a reason so many guys who spend a lot of time packing out animals recommend Kifaru and Stone Glacier. This year I have been running the SG Sky Talus and it is a great pack. I still think my Kifaru frames are a little more comfortable for me though.

Best thing you can do is post up your location and see if you can try some different packs with some weight in them and hike for a mile or so to at least get a feel for them.

 

[orionsbrother]

Just remember, there's a reason so many guys who spend a lot of time packing out animals recommend Kifaru and Stone Glacier. This year I have been running the SG Sky Talus and it is a great pack. I still think my Kifaru frames are a little more comfortable for me though.

Best thing you can do is post up your location and see if you can try some different packs with some weight in them and hike for a mile or so to at least get a feel for them.

^^^^^^^^^ This.

I am not a high end pack guru. I am a guy who ran crap packs for years, did some bottom feeding that was an upgrade and paid attention to the opinions of people who spent a lot of time with better packs. I've only had a high end pack for a couple of years.

In my opinion, FWIW, packs are like boots. Valued opinions can only go so far. Like Justin said, you need to strap them on, check the fit, adjust it properly and put some miles on. Pack it. Unpack it. Pack it again. Find the quirks and decide whether or not you can live with them.

After you do your homework and have one or a few packs that click with you, decide how pressing your need is. If immediate, grit your teeth and write a check. If you can be patient, stalk the classifieds here and elsewhere.