Which pack will fit my needs best?

[Cvmarks]

Good evening all,
I am new to Rokslide and have spent a lot of time looking through posts before I signed up. I am impressed with all the replies that people have posted to help others, and tell their stories. So my hope is that you can give me a little advice. I have been around hunting my whole life, and am now wanting to go all in to hunt elk in the breaks of Montana. I am in the process of selling my dirt bike to help pay for this new lifestyle and want to get the most bang and quality for my buck. I have been doing a lot of research but am still torn on which pack fits my needs best. I know that I want a Kifaru pack. Some things that I am considering about my pack choice are as follows
1. Use as a daypack with a few different pockets to keep things organized. I would like it to compress down nice and not have too many straps
2. As for sizing I am open to opinions and suggestions, but my thought process isn't usually "bigger is always better". I would like to be able to carry deboned meat inside the pack itself. Also I would like to eventually do more hunting in the mountains for say 4-5 days at a time.
3. Cost is always a factor. Saying that I am wanting to choose a pack that fits my needs, and if I am able to buy just one I am willing to pay a bit extra.
Comfort, price, and quality have all been considered when choosing the Kifaru brand.
The packs that I have been considering are the Tahr, Markhor, possibly the Nomad, and Duplex Timberline 2. I am up for any suggestions, comments, and please ask if I need to provide more information.

 

[InIt2Live]

Do you need/want more sewn in pockets for organization, or would you rather have simple and light with the ability to add pouches as needed? That can make the difference between going with the DT2 or Markhor. If it were my choice for the same application you describe, I would go with either a DT1 or Atgali. I have to have the space to carry gear and meat together. They all compress to almost nothing, and strap keepers can keep any bag looking clean/sleek. I run a Highcamp 7000 (no longer available, but is a gem) and use it for any number of days, from 2 to 15. I have a few different pockets to add on when needed. Everyone's needs and preferences are different, but you won't find many people wishing for a smaller bag.

 

[CrzyTrekker]

Hmmm, how much gear will you be packing, and what type (heavy, lightweight, or ultralight)? Some guys can go into the field for four days with 20 pounds of gear in a 3600 cubic inch pack. For those packing heavier stuff, optics, etc., a load for the same duration can run 40-50 pounds and 7000 cubic inches. There's no right answer, just depends on your mission statement.

 

[Cvmarks]

Well put. I will have to consider the dt1 and argali. This just made it a bit harder to decide...... I don't currently have a spotting scope or a lot for gear but I don't imagine myself going ultralight weight.

 

[COlineman78]

Since the snow collar has been removed from the design, IMO the compressed size and weight between the DT1 and DT2 is practically unnoticeable and I would highly recommend going bigger as you can always compress but you can't add. In full disclosure I have an EMR2 because I am a bigger is always better type. That being said, it all depends on the type of person you are: are you a customizer or are you a out of the turn key don't want to mess with things type? If you like customizing you will like the Markhor or Argali, otherwise go with the DT1. If you are okay using the load shelf when the bodies hit the floor, I think you would be most happy with the Markhor, Guide Lid, and 2 large Belt Pockets and a spotting scope pocket. There are so many configurations that you can run this in that you can customize it to the trip and re-customize for day pack mode.

 

[Brendan]

If cost is a concern, I would try to pick up a used duplex frame first. With the newest hunter frame released the end of last summer, you can get a pretty good deal on what is a fantastic frame. Then, in the future you could always decide to upgrade the frame and whatever bag you have would still work.

Same thing on the bag - you can buy used, and then if you decide to try something else, you're not losing much $$$ as they tend to hold their value well. You might have a harder time finding Markor or Argali as they're newer, but DT1 / DT2, EMR2, Mountain Warrior, AMR are all fantastic packs that would meet your needs and pop up from time to time (And I'm sure there are others I'm missing).

I own and have used an EMRII for the past two seasons - which is one of their biggest packs, and it literally compresses down to the size of the frame itself. I use it for everything from day hunting through hauling 150 lbs of meat and gear. It is not really set up to add pockets, and it does have more straps than the other packs.

I also picked up a used Mountain Warrior to try this year. Slightly smaller, panel loader, set up so I can add side pockets and accessories on the side of the pack which was a little harder with the EMRII (Not that I needed the space, just more of an organization type thing)

Same as above, I run the guide lid.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Hey,

Feel free to call me anytime today and we can walk through all of your options and possible set ups.

[email protected]

720-937-1418

Good evening all,
I am new to Rokslide and have spent a lot of time looking through posts before I signed up. I am impressed with all the replies that people have posted to help others, and tell their stories. So my hope is that you can give me a little advice. I have been around hunting my whole life, and am now wanting to go all in to hunt elk in the breaks of Montana. I am in the process of selling my dirt bike to help pay for this new lifestyle and want to get the most bang and quality for my buck. I have been doing a lot of research but am still torn on which pack fits my needs best. I know that I want a Kifaru pack. Some things that I am considering about my pack choice are as follows
1. Use as a daypack with a few different pockets to keep things organized. I would like it to compress down nice and not have too many straps
2. As for sizing I am open to opinions and suggestions, but my thought process isn't usually "bigger is always better". I would like to be able to carry deboned meat inside the pack itself. Also I would like to eventually do more hunting in the mountains for say 4-5 days at a time.
3. Cost is always a factor. Saying that I am wanting to choose a pack that fits my needs, and if I am able to buy just one I am willing to pay a bit extra.
Comfort, price, and quality have all been considered when choosing the Kifaru brand.
The packs that I have been considering are the Tahr, Markhor, possibly the Nomad, and Duplex Timberline 2. I am up for any suggestions, comments, and please ask if I need to provide more information.

 

[napeequa55]

If/when you speak with Aaron please post the results of your decision.

I'm in the same boat as you and also considering the DT2 and the Markhor.

The combined weight of a duplex frame and the DT2 are holding me back. I've seen that you can reduce weight by citing off some of the unused material, but even then you're looking at carrying probably 7 lbs of bag which is a tough pill to swallow.

There are older generation Duplex frames in the Rhino den that I'm considering.

I don't know what the downsides are except read that they don't fit as well for taller hunters. I'm 5'10" and expect it should work fine - plus it would save me $100 and comes in green!

 

[Cvmarks]

I spoke briefly with Aron and have decided to go with the Argali, two medium belt pouches, one small pouch for the belt, and a spotting scope pouch, and a grab it. Aron said it would compress a little better than the DT1. I am going to give myself that extra space and learn to not fill it all when I don't need it. Plus I am able to customize my load as needed. For now I am not going to run it fully loaded so for now I will run it without a lid. i feel like this setup will not only fit me well today but I can grow into it as my hunting horizons expand. I don't think I will ever really need more space. And if I do it will come years down the road I think. Aron, thank you for the help, and I just have to say I am not yet an owner of a Kifaru product, but I am already impressed with their customer support. Great job and keep it up. Napeequa55, let me know what you decide. I'm just curious what your final decision will be also.

 

[InIt2Live]

I spoke briefly with Aron and have decided to go with the Argali, two medium belt pouches, one small pouch for the belt, and a spotting scope pouch, and a grab it. Aron said it would compress a little better than the DT1. I am going to give myself that extra space and learn to not fill it all when I don't need it. Plus I am able to customize my load as needed. For now I am not going to run it fully loaded so for now I will run it without a lid. i feel like this setup will not only fit me well today but I can grow into it as my hunting horizons expand. I don't think I will ever really need more space. And if I do it will come years down the road I think. Aron, thank you for the help, and I just have to say I am not yet an owner of a Kifaru product, but I am already impressed with their customer support. Great job and keep it up. Napeequa55, let me know what you decide. I'm just curious what your final decision will be also.

I think you made an awesome choice on size and modularity of the bag! Everytime I consider buying a bag with more pockets, k remind myself why I love my highcamp. Now the wait is on! Seems that ship times have been pretty fast lately...

 

[Cvmarks]

That is good to hear. The sooner I get it after The order, the sooner the pain of seeing all that hard earned cash go will subside. I have a 34.5 " waist which falls under a medium waist belt but if and when, fingers crossed, I lose a few, I'll a medium still fit me correctly?