Why buy a Stone Glacier?

[rodney482]

Packs are much like boots... You really need to try them on

 

[Manosteel]

Over the last 25+ years hunting the west I have used no pack, just hauled animals a quarter at a time on my back, to duffle bags with straps, old frame packs, MEC (Canadian REI) packs, to numerous badlands etc.. And nothing beats the comfort of a kifaru, the stone glacier I tried on this past winter was a close second but I only had 50. Lbs in it. Both packs will do the job but Kifaru's customer service is a notch above every hunting/sporting equipment company I have ever dealt with and I know they will be here 10 years from now.

I now run a heavily modified bikini HC7000 that puts it right next to the SG wieght category (sub 5lb- with extra pockets and water pouch) and have 120 lbs of sand/gear in it with no issues, (rides great) for 5-10 km training hikes on numerous occasitions. Price is steep upfront but this pack will outlast me and the only reason I will get another is because I like to change things up and try new stuff every few years.

 

[larryschwartz]

Freebird,

I haven't read all three pages of this thread, so forgive me if this has been suggested already, but let us know where you live. People all across the country own these packs so someone who lives nearby may invite you over to try their on.

Larry

 

[larryschwartz]

Also, I believe that Kifaru has a return policy that lets you return a pack if you don't like it. I don't know if SG does the same. You could always buy one of each to try them out side by side and then return the one you love the least.

 

[freebird134]

Freebird,

I haven't read all three pages of this thread, so forgive me if this has been suggested already, but let us know where you live. People all across the country own these packs so someone who lives nearby may invite you over to try their on.

Larry

Hey Larry: I'm around Madison Wisconsin, at least for the next couple months

 

[ohoopee]

Interesting and informative first look review of the SG solo pack.
http://www.prickeared.com/blog/2015/05/29/first-impression-stone-glacier-solo/

 

[roadrunner]

Went with SG because:

Weight. Although it's only a pound or so, one pound is one pound.

Meat/load shelf. It will focus the weight on your hips rather than shoulders.

Meat carried outside the bag and the bag can be used as a compression panel tightening down the sloppy, floppy load of raw meat.

That's it and that's all.

 

[ezmorningrebel]

Went with SG because:

Weight. Although it's only a pound or so, one pound is one pound.

Meat/load shelf. It will focus the weight on your hips rather than shoulders.

Meat carried outside the bag and the bag can be used as a compression panel tightening down the sloppy, floppy load of raw meat.

That's it and that's all.

Which bag did you decide on?

 

[freebird134]

Which bag did you decide on?

Man, I wish I had an answer. I've spoke to Aron several times. I have no doubt a Kifaru would make me happy. But then I start looking at SG again. I'm so so so torn

 

[AK Troutbum]

I have to agree with what's all ready been said here, packs are a very individualized thing. What is the perfect pack for one person may not necessarily work for you. If you have narrowed it down to Stone Glacier and Kifaru and, they both have a return policy, I say purchase both of them, try them out, and decide for yourself what works best. They both have great packs, are very easy to work with, and great customer service. It also doesn't hurt if you have folks nearby that have these packs and are willing to let you check them out.

 

[MTbowhunter36]

As a backpacker and backcountry hunter I've owned numerous packs, including packs from the two companies discussed here. The Kifaru pack that I had was a T3.
What I liked about the pack: super comfortable when loaded down.
What I didn't like about the pack: had it for two years and both years I had a difficult time hauling my elk out due to the small opening (an issue with the T3 and not an issue with the T1 & T2) on the top of the bag. It was barely big enough to fit a boned out hind quarter of an elk. Also, at least for me, it seemed loud. I think that's due to the two pockets on the sides that stuck out when loaded which increased the probability of tree limbs scraping on it. I ended up selling the pack, but it was hard to part with.

I ended up winning a SG pack at the MT Bowhunter's banquet last year and I love the pack for the following reasons;
It's very streamlined. It isn't wider than my body and therefore doesn't seem as loud (even though the fabric is pretty much the same). The load shelf versus sticking meat in the bag. Although I hunt archery 98% of the time, I did purchase the rifle sling and I have to say it's a brilliant design. I really, really like this pack. It is very well thought out and very light weight. I also like the fact that it's a MT company that I'm supporting. I have the Sky 5100 and the center zip is also very nice versus always having to dig through the top of your pack to try to find something. The design of this pack is very well thought out, just watch one of Kurt's videos and you can tell that he puts a lot of forethought into his product.

You can't go wrong with either pack company, but my vote goes to SG.

 

[roadrunner]

Which bag did you decide on?

Solo

 

[kpk]

Freebird-I'm in Rochester if you ever get this way I have a sky 5100.

I read, reasearched, and asked as many questions as I could before buying my first high end pack. I was looking at Kif, Exo, and SG. I ultimately decided on the SG sky 5100. I originally wanted more pockets, but then I just cram more crap I don't need in. The SG is clean and simple. I really really liked the fact that's it's so easy to go from nearly nothing in daypack mode, to 3500, to 5100 mode. It fit my needs for hunting and backpacking perfectly. I also wanted the expandable load shelf which was a pretty high priority on my list. I wasn't impressed with the way the hip belt tightened at first, but after I put the power pulls on that changed. Those power pulls made a world of difference and I'm glad I ordered them the same time as the pack. I don't have a lot of experience hauling heavy stuff in different packs like some do, but I can say the SG is very comfortable for me. I've been doing a few miles every other night with 50 lbs in it no problems whatsoever. I'll start adding more weight as time goes on, but I'm fully expecting good things.

I talked with Aron, Kurt, and numerous guys on here in PM's (thanks everyone) and I really don't think you can go wrong with Kifaru or Stone Glacier as long as you can get it to fit properly.

 

[mfolch]

I was in the same situation a couple years ago when SG was a completely brand new company, and I ended up going with a Kifaru BT1 because of the more complete and refined product line. Kifaru gear has been tested by so many more people and tweaked and adjusted in response to so many more customers, that it did not make sense to drop so much money on an unproven product. Same thing with KUIU, which had been around for a little longer than SG at the time. With newer brands it seems that every year there's a major new product overhaul which radically transforms and improves their offering. And the last thing I wanted was to spend $800 on a pack just to have it obsolete in a year.

I think that that seemed like the right decision-making strategy given the options I was considering, but I now think I should have reframed the approach. I now own that BT1, but I found that the frame is too stiff and the lumbar pad rubs my lower back raw when loaded with significant weight. Also, I acquired a KU 3700 with tons of pockets--far more comfortable than the BT1--which I am testing this years as a possible replacement for the BT1 (or maybe I'll keep the BT1 and modify the lumbar pad somehow). Also, I have a g1 Express for 1-2-day trips, which I also bought used--arguably the most comfortable of the three. Ironically, the used packs are more comfortable than the one I bought new...Little did I know that my new pack would be made obsolete by a couple older packs.

All of which tells me that perhaps the right strategy is to think not of a single, one-time, long-term investment, but a strategy of acquiring, testing, and replacing. Buy something now (e.g., the SG or, even better, something used) load it up with weight, try it for a few weeks or (if you like it) a season or two, and return, sell, or adjust accordingly. Having gone through four Kifaru packs (also picked up and sold a used Highcamp) and handful of ultralight packs in the last few years, I'm not sure it's possible to find the perfect pack once without actually trying and comparing. Which is why I prefer used gear.

 

[Ryan K Sanpei]

Here's an initial review that I wrote on the SG5100.
http://rysanpei.blogspot.com/p/sky-5100-in-3500-mode-for-past-year-ive.html

Here's how I'm currently using the pack.
[video]https://youtu.be/wB9eHSX4JZI[/video]

Like others mentioned, fit is such a personal thing.

I've had this pack for a year and for me it's been highly durable, very versatile and has been working great in terms of packing out a load.

Was fortunate yesterday and hauled out another deboned goat.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

... (or maybe I'll keep the BT1 and modify the lumbar pad somehow).....

Contact Kifaru, they have several different variations to choose from.

 

[hammer0419]

If the large lumbar pad on the kifaru is too big. Call them and get the Late Season lumbar pad. It is not as thick but it is a tad longer and wider. Being so, it fills the lumbar pouch up PERFECT. No extra material that can feel uncomfortable or anything. Fits perfect and feels great!!!

 

[Eye in sky]

Freebird
Thanks for starting this thread. I was about to start a similar one. I've also been researching these packs and have decided on the Sky 5100. I'm going to try it out and return it if doesn't fit me. My buddy has an EMR II on a duplex frame that I have tried. I just think I'm going to like the lighter, more basic pack better.

 

[Chris Sloan]

Really impressed with my Minimalist setup i got Friday, with a serac or similar in near future. Had about 25lbs in it gettin it tuned in and i couldnt hardly feel anything there! Hipbelt and shoulder straps are wide and comfy and i like that its adjustable so it makes a good loaner too. Had the 122lb girlfriend climb on the load shelf and the pack stayed rigid and seemed to "cling" to me better than my old one, it would have sagged down 3-6inches+, which made night and day difference on how much better a huge load felt. My research was cut a little short when she started whining that her feet hurt. I told her she needs to get tougher. I dont think she found the wisdom in my advice. Anyhow, i was really torn between a Kifaru Duplex and SG, and im still gonna get a Duplex nxt year for late season/ keeping in truck to swap after makin it back with the first load. But i really like the SG to go modular and haul in 3-5 day camp and convert to ultra light compact daypack/loadhauler ( with no big bag to compress) thats still easy to shoot a bow with. Plus it was easy to go SG because the Bozeman area is like a second home.

 

[tipsntails7]

Here's an initial review that I wrote on the SG5100.
http://rysanpei.blogspot.com/p/sky-5100-in-3500-mode-for-past-year-ive.html

Here's how I'm currently using the pack.
[video]https://youtu.be/wB9eHSX4JZI[/video]

Like others mentioned, fit is such a personal thing.

I've had this pack for a year and for me it's been highly durable, very versatile and has been working great in terms of packing out a load.

Was fortunate yesterday and hauled out another deboned goat.

Nice write up Ryan. The color on that pack is great. It was a toss up between kifaru and SG for me. If I was not so happy with the kifaru the 5100 would have been my choice as well.