What's the best pack for the$$$

Used is defiantly the way to go for sure - and as others have said, like boots, YOU have to try out what works for you.
I am a big exo fan (3500, which is closer to a 4500-5000 in size) - their 2016 frame is a home run in my opinion for a pack that can compress yet haul a load of meat (between bag and frame if you wish).
They have a 25" frame - not sure if you feel that would be tall enough for you or not, but I expect it would be close.

Honestly as to quality, many, many folks on this forum run kifaru, stone glacier, exo, mystery ranch, and kuiu - and there are people who love every pack in every category.

I will say tho, that I have yet to see a thread on breaking or damaging a kifaru, SG, MR or exo tho... my 2 cents.

As was said, if you have time, watch the classifieds, if not, and 350 is your hard limit, I would look for a good frame and then a cheap bag and improve on the bag next year.
 
You've already gotten an overload of info, but I went with a used Kifaru bikini and DT2 and loved the set up. Last year I upgraded to the Hunter Frame and don't plan on changing anything anytime soon. I do plan on adding a cargo panel to the mix, mostly so we have a 3rd pack for someone with the extra bikini and cargo panel but also so I could swap to the panel for the second hike out.

Lots of great pack makers out there! It took a long time for me to decide. I was sold on the Kifaru because it was local and I could try it on. Glad I did.
 
If you don't need it for this season you can get an KUIU Icon Pro for 30% off on their black friday sale.

I'm assuming they will do that sale again.

I picked mine up for $330 during their sale last year knowing I would need it this year. For that price if it didn't work out I could always sell it for about what I paid. For full price I would have shopped around more.

So far I've used it for training with 60 pounds and on one scouting trip with 45 pounds. It has been a great pack but I'm not sure what it will do with 100 pounds.
 
great advice here...try some on if you can.

I had an REI XT 85 for a couple years based on price and recommendations from this site as a budget pack...worked fine...and thought I really liked it but would get some hip bruise under heavy loads. I sold it on here, and picked up a Kifaru Timberline 2 (with 3 add ons) off classifieds here shipped to my door for $320 - COULD NOT BE HAPPIER!!!...and saved a ton of money.
I'm a huge fan of picking up lightly used gear...Good Luck!
 
I'll add some more confusion. Kifaru UL frame and a Kuiu Ultra 6000 bag = $460 ish plus a couple small extras. Wait for the Ultra bag to go on sale and save 25%.
I own both an Icon Pro and Kifaru and there is no comparison between the two. I do feel Kuiu has pretty well nailed it with their bags.
 
Thank you everyone for your comments. I'm in northwestern Montana were could I try out packs of this caliber?


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Schmidty said:
Thank you everyone for your comments. I'm in northwestern Montana were could I try out packs of this caliber?


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Click to expand...

I'm in Great Falls if you want to test drive a SG, have an MR Scapegoat (right now at least) now as well.

You can always drop in the Mystery Ranch shop if you're ever in Bozeman as well, they are pretty close to SG. Only other thing I could think of is maybe call the MR guys and see if any shops in Missoula are carrying their stuff this year.
 
Ok I've been looking at used packs. What the deal with the bikini frame? Seems like quite a few are for sale is that a bad sign?


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Schmidty said:
Ok I've been looking at used packs. What the deal with the bikini frame? Seems like quite a few are for sale is that a bad sign?


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They were the light-weight alternative to the duplex frame. The reason there are a lot for sale and for a descent price is that for not much more you can get current model UL frame which is similar weight but can simply add composite/aluminum stays to add heavy lifting capability (in case you didn't know the UL is a hunting frame with carbon arrows for stays). The bikini frame doesn't perform as well as the duplex over 80lbs. The current model UL duplex has more padding as well. Also, for someone with a long torso I would recommend against the older model frames as they had a plastic buckle that ends up right behind the shoulder blade of tall guys.
 
The older bikini frame is still better than what newer companies are offering. Seriously... Bikini frame and a used kifaru bag should be around $350


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On the new UL can I change the stays? If so , if there are just arrows for support what does a stay look like is it just a dial rod could I add something myself? It's 60 bucks or so cheaper than the hunter. Doable or no to make my own stays? I have access to Fab shop


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Snyder said on YouTube that's the only difference, unless I misunderstood?


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Schmidty said:
On the new UL can I change the stays? If so , if there are just arrows for support what does a stay look like is it just a dial rod could I add something myself? It's 60 bucks or so cheaper than the hunter. Doable or no to make my own stays? I have access to Fab shop
Click to expand...

The UL stays are just 200 spine carbon arrows. Some are doubling them up, 2 per side, but I don't remember if it comes that way. The Hunting stays are either composite (layered plywood and carbon fiber) or aluminum (I think .25"x1.5" 6065 bar stock, bent to conform to your back don't quote me on the size but I can put a caliper to my stays if you want). The aluminum stays I think are only $40 if I remember right. And yes, that is the only difference between the UL and the Hunter. The difference between the tactical and hunting is the thickness of the plastic sheet, color of the back fabric and a few extra attachment points on the tactical (not needed for all current packs in the line).
 
So worst case on the UL is could break them with half an elk on them?


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Yes, but unlikely. What is more likely is that you will have some belt slippage unless you have a pretty flat back (there is a video showing how to check this). The curved stays will help the pack stay in the right place better under heavy loads for most people. My guess is that it would cost you under $20 to make the aluminum stays yourself.
 
I used a Kuiu pack for a while, great pack! That said, I just received my Kifaru Duplex frame with the EMR 2 bag and XTL lid... It is by far the most comfortable pack I have ever worn. I used to be a mountain climbing guide, and I tested a lot of packs for different companies, and nothing can compare. The quality is amazing, and it is beyond comfortable. I was very against dropping the $700+ on a pack, but now I understand. It will make hunting, IE, packouts, much more enjoyable. If it was me and I had to do it over again, I would definitely go with the Kifaru. And as for using it as a daypack too, most of these packs can just be cinched down and used as a daypack, but you still retain the space and weight bearing capabilities as before. Give Aron at Kifaru a call, and he will help you figure out what pack is the right one for you. Best customer service I've ever seen!
 
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