Why buy a Stone Glacier?

[Scotto]

I was in this situation a year and a half ago. Narrowed it down to SG and Kifaru from internet searching. Went to one of the shows and put them both on with 70# for awhile. It became apparent, for my body style, who the winner was that day. I have not been disappointed in the decision.
It was stated earlier also, try them both if possible. One will most likely talk to you right away.

 

[sneaky]

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.

That doesn't look like the standard SG color, or am I seeing things? Lol

 

[LostArra]

Custom Hawaiian color (Ryan dyed it)

 

[Mike7]

I only read the last couple of pages of this thread and don't have the Stone Glacier pack, but it seems like some people are confused about how the meat shelves or some of these packs work. The shelves don't change how much weight is on the shoulders vs. hips, or change how well you can cinch down the load in most of the good packs. I like the idea of the Exo pack after seeing my friend's Exo in use, but I am not sold on meat shelves, regardless of who manufactures them. They might be a little easier to load, but no easier I would think than a bag like the EMR, etc. that opens up to load meat. They don't make carrying the load any better though.

I have a T2 and can stuff quite a bit of camp gear under and around 1 to 1 1/2 full Kifaru meat baggies, or compress the pack down completely snug around a single full Kifaru meat baggie with nothing else in the pack. Additionally, the bottom of this pack can be completely compressed thereby elevating the meat into the same position as any meat shelf or hanging meat bag would place it. The pack does not stick out beyond my shoulders on the sides when fully loaded....and when gear is squeezed inside of the pack around a meat baggie, then less of the gear weight is further from your back like it would be using a meat shelf and a pack full of gear. If I need to carry even more gear with my pack (over 6,000 cu in), I can place light bulky gear behind the pack in another meat baggie held by the grabit and posterior compression straps.

 

[Matt W.]

Kurt explains why he designed a load shelf here: http://www.stoneglacier.com/load-shelf

 

[Mike7]

Yep, that's my point. I am sure Kurt or Aron can correct me if I am wrong. A good backpack bag like the Kifaru, etc. positions the weight exactly like a load shelf...and even better than a load shelf if you have to carry a lot of gear closer to the back along with the meat.

This is not a new general concept that Kurt describes so well. External backpack frames were designed to accomodate this at least since the 1970's when I started backpacking with an old Camp Trails aluminum external framed backpack (i.e. you put your light bulky gear like sleeping bag and pad below the pack bag on the frame, and packed the dense, heavy stuff in the wide tall backpack bag that wasn't very deep and which carried all of the weight right adjacent to the upper 1/2 of the back and neck).

Maybe the new part is not the concept, but rather how the newer internal frame hunting backpacks accomplish this goal through bag & frame design, compression straps, etc.

 

[5MilesBack]

The load shelf just makes it easy to strap a load in by itself, or between the frame and pack. Nothing magical about that, just gives you options. I like options. I rarely ever put the meat in my pack bag. Even when I use my Bull-Pac with the Selway pack on it........I strap the load of meat directly over the empty pack bag and cinch it down tight inside a heavy white trash compactor bag. I do the same with the SG except the meat load is between the pack and frame.

 

[Matt W.]

The load shelf just makes it easy to strap a load in by itself, or between the frame and pack. Nothing magical about that, just gives you options. I like options. I rarely ever put the meat in my pack bag. .....

I like having the option as well. Nothing against any other packs, but between the light weight, the fit, and the load shelf option, I'm pretty darn happy my SG...

 

[Chris Sloan]

Yes, with a shelf/ drybag and a day size pack/lid the SG becomes extremely versatile. From a morning hunt to 5 days and everything in between. Awesome pack

 

[freebird134]

This thread was extremely helpful, so thank you to everyone. I really can't tell you how much time I spent agonizing over the decision. I finally decided to give SG the first shot, and received a Sky Archer in the mail Monday. I haven't had time to really give it a whirl, but I like what I've seen and felt so far. I'm hoping it works out for me, as I really like the bag layout, meat shelf, lightweight, and general appearance of the SG. If it doesn't work well, I'll try a Kifaru. Actually, I want to try a kifaru no matter what. So that purchase is inevitable.

 

[hammer0419]

Excellent choice.

 

[Quikcoog]

Thanks to all the great information from you guys, I ordered a Solo/Approach combo with spotting scope pouch and numerous pockets this morning. Thanks guys.

 

[hammer0419]

Very nice. Post some pictures!!!!

 

[Rick Leathley]

I have had my old school terminus for a few years. Nothing but satisfaction from owning my stone glacier.

I think I need the Sky Archer bag now though.

 

[Ryan K Sanpei]

That doesn't look like the standard SG color, or am I seeing things? Lol

No you are not seeing things, LostArra is correct. It's a custom Hawaiian color. LOL! Too funny LostArra!!! I just soaked mine in some rit dye. Not recommended as it doesn't do will with water resistant materials.

 

[sneaky]

No you are not seeing things, LostArra is correct. It's a custom Hawaiian color. LOL! Too funny LostArra!!! I just soaked mine in some rit dye. Not recommended as it doesn't do will with water resistant materials.

Whoever said us traditional shooters were right in the head to begin with? lol I was starting to think I was missing out on some super secret run of that color, should have known you've been in the sun too long out there and dyed it

 

[Ryan K Sanpei]

Whoever said us traditional shooters were right in the head to begin with? lol I was starting to think I was missing out on some super secret run of that color, should have known you've been in the sun too long out there and dyed it

LOL! Yes, been in the sun way too long!!!

I should've said it was a "secret run", but then I would've opened up a can of worms and Kurt may not mail me any of my future SG orders...

 

[gwm]

Thanks everyone for the informative discussion. I just ordered a SG 5100 and am excited to get my hands on it.