Why buy a Stone Glacier?

Now, I just have to decide which one! 5100 or 6200... oh decisions, decisions...
Something to think about that I'm going to be doing this year is running my 5100 with one of their new Serac 1700. Going to put a lot of my stuff I leave at camp in that then just leave it while out hunting, and run my 5100 in bivy mode.
 
i'm also interested in the SG packs and the one thing holding me up is the velcro attachment of the shoulder and belt. it just seems like over time this isn't going to hold up. it's probably not an issue but i just worry.
I was concerned a little bit about that too. When i first got my pack, I adjusted it to my liking, measured from the top of the stays to the bottom of the shoulder straps. After a month of hiking the archery range with an 80lb bag of concrete, nothing had moved at all. Not even 1/16.
 
I have an SG and LOVE the Krux especially since Kirt sent me the 3-piece belt after listening to feedback I provided. Right now I'm running a Mystery Ranch Hitchiker on it but will be getting the Serac shortly... This pack does everything for me from day hunts to 5-day bivies...

I understand completely how you feel about the "fanboy" aspect... feedback from Aron, Luke, etc. is invaluable but the "don't waste your money on anything else" comments get old... It's also why I don't shoot a Mathews :)

I dislike Mathews because of the history of questionable/deceptive advertising that comes directly from the company. I have never seen anything similar from Kifaru, so I am not sure I understand the comparison.

On the subject at hand, it is great to have high quality choices. SG and Kifaru make great packs, both companies are led by really great people, and I am sure you will be happy with whichever you chose - but I would encourage the OP to try each before making a decision. You are the one that needs to be happy with your decision and internet fanboy-ism is beyond annoying, but you won't be doing yourself a favor with your purchasing decision by eliminating a top option simply because other peoples' over-exuberance about their purchase decisions.
 
Well I guess I am a fanboy for liking Kifaru for my pack. I have used quite a few of the top tier packs and hauled out animals with many of them. Pack fit is a personal thing and I found that Kifaru fits the sweet spot with its duplex frame and EMR 2 packbag for my needs. Doesn't mean its the best choice for most or even many folks, but I could care less what others are using and wouldn't let affect my decision. I think most find the EMR 2 much to large and bulky for their needs. Don't really care, I know what I need and thats really all that matters.

That said I am eyeing the Paradox Divide pack pretty heavily for my summer hiking/packrafting trips though to save some serious weight over my Duplex/EMR 2 as these trips start out lighter and get only lighter from there.

Sounds like the Stone Glacier could/should be just what you need and if thats the case go for it man. I think you will be happy with your purchase of the Stone Glacier, but heaven forbid there gets some serious fanboys that jump on the SG bandwagon and make you regret your decision. ;)
 
Well I guess I am a fanboy for liking Kifaru for my pack. I have used quite a few of the top tier packs and hauled out animals with many of them. Pack fit is a personal thing and I found that Kifaru fits the sweet spot with its duplex frame and EMR 2 packbag for my needs. Doesn't mean its the best choice for most or even many folks, but I could care less what others are using and wouldn't let affect my decision. I think most find the EMR 2 much to large and bulky for their needs. Don't really care, I know what I need and thats really all that matters.

That said I am eyeing the Paradox Divide pack pretty heavily for my summer hiking/packrafting trips though to save some serious weight over my Duplex/EMR 2 as these trips start out lighter and get only lighter from there.

Sounds like the Stone Glacier could/should be just what you need and if thats the case go for it man. I think you will be happy with your purchase of the Stone Glacier, but heaven forbid there gets some serious fanboys that jump on the SG bandwagon and make you regret your decision. ;)

Maybe I'm not even really sure what fanboy means, but I wasn't directing anything I've said towards you. I really appreciated your feedback.

I'd still go Kifaru if I could get a frame in a reasonable amount of time. But I don't want to wait 4 weeks for a new one and nobody has offered a used one in the specs I need. If I could order a kifaru right now and have it shipped tomorrow I'd be all for it.
 
One Shot Gear keeps some in stock. They're a sponsor here so click on their banner ad and see if they have it for immediate shipping.
 
Maybe I'm not even really sure what fanboy means, but I wasn't directing anything I've said towards you. I really appreciated your feedback.

I'd still go Kifaru if I could get a frame in a reasonable amount of time. But I don't want to wait 4 weeks for a new one and nobody has offered a used one in the specs I need. If I could order a kifaru right now and have it shipped tomorrow I'd be all for it.

I waited 3 weeks for my duplex/emr2, but that didn't really even register on the radar for me because I will be using it for a long time in all likelihood and the pack was built to my measurements. When my pack showed up, it basically fit me right off the bat because you give all measurements ahead of time. I used an SG 5100 last year and definitely enjoyed the SG (especially how light it was), but am switching it up this year to see how the Kifaru works for me. Time will tell.
 
Just got of the phone with Demetri. Nice guy. He's checking availability of my specs and calling back later. Thanks for the tip Shrek!

One Shot Gear keeps some in stock. They're a sponsor here so click on their banner ad and see if they have it for immediate shipping.
 
The Paradox belt didn't work for me at all, the bottom of the frame continually bumped me in the azz. Mine was a loaner and I didn't want to mod it but I may give the new Divide a whirl and bend the bottom of the frame to suit me.

My Paradox frame is nowhere near my azz when I have it on.

And yes, I know the lumbar pad can be swapped out. But it worked best for me with the pad completely gone, which isn't really the way those are designed to be used.
 
I owned a Kifaru Duplex with the DT3 bag and used it extensively in Nepal and Wyoming on extended trips and all throughout the fall whitetail hunting. The pack fit was never great for me, and the belt caused severe bruising on my hips regardless of any adjustments I made to the pack, the system just did not fit me at all. I actually picked my pack up from the factory and had Aron help with the fit and adjustments as well, but for whatever reason, the Kifaru belt just did not work for my body.

When the Stone Glacier products came out the following year, I sold my Kifaru and used a Sitka pack for my whitetail hunting as I didn't have any big trips planned that would require heavy load carrying, and I wanted to give SG a year to work out any bugs they may find. Then, in 2014, I bought a 5100 with the 3 piece belt and used that pack last fall and this spring, and recently bought a solo bag as well. So far, the pack fits me much better than the Kifaru and is more comfortable. I still get some hip bruising, but it's not remotely as severe as it was with the kifaru. I'm a huge fan of the design of the bags (minimalist) and Kurt has been incredible to deal with (Aron was equally as helpful for what its worth).

The hip bruising may be build related, as I'm 6' 185 with a 29-30" waist and no hips, just bony hip bones. No idea on your build, but just something to keep in mind.
 
My Paradox frame is nowhere near my azz when I have it on.

And yes, I know the lumbar pad can be swapped out. But it worked best for me with the pad completely gone, which isn't really the way those are designed to be used.

I'll make two guesses; You have almost no curve in your lumbar spine, and you don't squat much.
 
I probably can't add to much more as there has been some great responses, but for me personally it was mainly 3 things that made me go with the Stone Glacer: load shelf design (I don't like meat and blood in with all the most expensive gear I could afford), weight and simplicity of design (I don't need a pocket and divider for every little thing)

As most have said, can't go wrong either way.
 
I find these pack threads interesting.
Mostly because I see that other people are like me.

I see a lot of guys post that they have bought and tried several brands.

I like to think that these people are destined to wander the showroom of life, constantly experiencing as much as they can.

It seems that the products tested are liked, and one may have more or less than the other, but not by much.
All recognize the quality and usability of the many brands, but find one or two things that they prefer over the others, that is, until they try the next option.

I am a bit like that, I bought five packs in the last two years.
I don't need to name the brands.

Four of the packs I still own.

The pack that I love the most is the Stone Glacier Sky 5100.
The reason why are…..
1. It has proven to be everything I need. More than enough room for all my gear.
2. It is nothing that I don't need. Its simple and efficient.
3. The fit and feel is perfect. (5'11" 140 lbs 32"waist flat booty)
4. The clean design and finish is so refreshing in a world that is so over run with camouflage.
I just don't need camouflage on everything I own. Especially a multi day, long haul pack.

That being said, if you don't like being a "brand fan boy" you better not buy the Stone Glacier.
This post is evidence of that.
The product is so good, they are going to be the next big thing. Then you will just be one of the Stone Glacier fan boys.

Better go with a Zpacks if you want to avoid the fan boy thing.

I liked what one of the other posters said, something to the effect of, I don't care what pack you have, my only concern is the pack that I have to use.
This is the bottom line, fan boy or not, you can buy one product and like it, be a fan boy for that brand, you can buy several and find the one you like the best, then disappear into the woodwork.
At the end of the day, you have to use the pack you bought.
What I think is useless. What the fan boys think is useless.

Buy a pack, try it out.
From the sounds of this post, you won't go wrong with either of the brands. If you don't like the first one, sell it, buy the other.
You might not like either.
 
I find these pack threads interesting.
Mostly because I see that other people are like me.

I see a lot of guys post that they have bought and tried several brands.

I like to think that these people are destined to wander the showroom of life, constantly experiencing as much as they can.

It seems that the products tested are liked, and one may have more or less than the other, but not by much.
All recognize the quality and usability of the many brands, but find one or two things that they prefer over the others, that is, until they try the next option.

What about people like me that don't like any of 'em?:) A Kifaru belt works for me better than anything I've ever tried. Can't stand ANY of their packbags. The Seek Outside Divide is, IMO, the best layed out packbag of any of the "hunting" packs, but I'm not crazy about the hipbelt.
 
This thread has really shown me that these two packs are at the top of the list, and you can't go wrong with either. Without trying them on, there just isn't any way for a guy to really decide between them. I've spoke to Aron. Ive spoke to guys at SG. There's just no clear winner.

1 Shot Gear didn't have the frame I needed (26" flat back Duplex in brown). So I still haven't ordered a pack. I'm leaning SG at the moment, but who knows what tomorrow morning will bring.

Both companies offer ~30 day trial periods, which is great for the consumer that doesn't live nearby. I'm tempted to just order a frame from both companies, and see which I like the most and send back the other. But I'm afraid I might just end up not sending either back!
 
Buy both. Return or sell the one you like least. That's what I did. Use them side by side for a couple weeks, then you know. No more wondering.
 
I ended up buying a SG 5100 a couple months ago after stopping in the shop and talking to Pete. While I haven't had any hunting experience with it yet, it has performed flawlessly on backpacking trips thus far. It is the most comfortable pack I have ever worn, even surpassing the Arc'Teryx that has become one with my back over the last 15 years, and it blows my old Badlands and Eberlestock packs out of the water. I was a little skeptical about the velcro straps and ultralight design, but it just floats on your back because the fit is infinitely adjustable, even loaded down with sandbags (again, no meat yet, but weight is weight). The 5100 design is very well thought out. The bivy mode is perfect for smaller loads, it compresses to nothing with no slop, and straps are easily tucked in underneath in the load shelf area, as is the rifle harness. And the load shelf is ready in a matter of a couple minutes. And as everyone says, the customer service is as good as it gets.

It is a little noisy, and the chest strap buckle might be a weak link, but beyond those minor details I am absolutely satisfied with the pack thus far (again, no meat yet).
 
The Seek Outside Divide is, IMO, the best layed out packbag of any of the "hunting" packs, but I'm not crazy about the hipbelt.

Maybe that's our difference. For me, it's a "waist belt" not a hip belt. Lock that thing down around my waist and above my hip bones, and it's not slipping or going anywhere no matter how much weight I put in it. Also keeps the frame away from the azz.;)
 
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