Woodsman or Reckoning

[Bel72]

Thanks, I’m getting more confident each day the woodsman will be the ultimate pack for my needs!


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[KeatonMullenix]

What’s the rub on the reckoning?

That’s what I’m running and I use it for a day pack or a week. I agree that you have a lot of extra pack to contend with if you are using it as a day pack but once you figure out the best way to lash it down you can get all that “extra” out of it.


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[FlyGuy]

What’s the rub on the reckoning?

That’s what I’m running and I use it for a day pack or a week. I agree that you have a lot of extra pack to contend with if you are using it as a day pack but once you figure out the best way to lash it down you can get all that “extra” out of it.


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It’s not a rub. I have the reckoning and love it and yes it works well in day mode. But if you are never going to pack in for 9 days, why lug around all the extra pack? The woodsman is better sized for the day hunter thru 2-3 night bivy guy. The reckoning is more versatile, but if you just don’t need the additional features it provides then it’s just extra weight to carry and extra fabric to deal with.


You can’t cheat the mountain

 

[KeatonMullenix]

It’s not a rub. I have the reckoning and love it and yes it works well in day mode. But if you are never going to pack in for 9 days, why lug around all the extra pack? The woodsman is better sized for the day hunter thru 2-3 night bivy guy. The reckoning is more versatile, but if you just don’t need the additional features it provides then it’s just extra weight to carry and extra fabric to deal with.


You can’t cheat the mountain

Ah I see now. That makes sense.

The difference that keeps me in the reckoning is that even my day hunts require a spotter and Tripod which, as you know, the the reckoning is perfect for.

Great topic to dig into the comparative specs of each without buying both!


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[Skull10]

To be honest, I went with the Woodsman because of it's smaller size. I have a problem with packing more than I need for a back country hunt. I do plan on doing an 8 to 10 day hunt with this Woodsman, pockets and guide lid. I was able to cut my pack weight down to 36 lbs without food or water and I really believe I have everything I need, including a cook stove and fuel. I do run my tent under the pack though.

With a larger pack, I know I would fill it up with creature comfort items. Adding unneeded weight to my pack. I am going to test it out a bunch this winter and summer for sure. If it doesn't work then I will go to the Reckoning. This pack suits my needs for 3 to 5 day local hikes/hunts with one yearly trip out west as of now.

 

[Umpcoos]

One thing to consider is that the reckoning center zip is full length, all the way to the top. I find that to be very handy and i don't believe the woodsman has that feature--the center zip stops short of the top of the bag. That disqualifies it for me. It's something I grew to dislike about the exo 5500 as well, which I also have.

 

[Tradchef]

I ran the woodsman this past season on the ultralight frame. It was great. I didn’t get any overnights this year due to work but I did pack out 3 deer and my late season bull with it and it worked flawless. I did the same thing. I was going back and forth between the two knowing that I mostly only get a day or a half day hunt with my restaurant schedule. I hunt solo so having extra room for more meat is always nice but having a more manageable pack is nice too. If you feel like you need a bigger pack after this season pick up a bigger bag. That way you can have both to use when you need it. You’ll like the woodsman. You made a good choice.

 

[10ringer]

Like others have mentioned the reckoning compresses well in day mode. Large pocket attached to fold down lid, medium pocket at bottom, add the guide lid and your set for day mode without touching the main bag.

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[ChrisAU]

Bumping this topic, really thinking I could save 13 oz with a Woodsman over my current Reckoning. I don't see me having an issue with a 6 day/5 night hunt with the Woodsman, Sherman, Guide lid, and a medium pocket. May not even need the medium pocket.

For those who may have experience with both, would you rather run a Woodsman + Guide lid or a Reckoning with no lid?

 

[Skull10]

Bumping this topic, really thinking I could save 13 oz with a Woodsman over my current Reckoning. I don't see me having an issue with a 6 day/5 night hunt with the Woodsman, Sherman, Guide lid, and a medium pocket. May not even need the medium pocket.

For those who may have experience with both, would you rather run a Woodsman + Guide lid or a Reckoning with no lid?

I have the Woodsman and it fits everything I need for two to 7 days. But, I have my slick bag in a pod under the pack, use a guide lid and two large and two medium pouches on the sides.

I think I could get away without the two medium pouches on the side. I just take the pouches and pod off when I get into camp. Run just the Woodsman and a large pouch in day pack mode.

 

[GarrettCrain]

Bumping this topic, really thinking I could save 13 oz with a Woodsman over my current Reckoning. I don't see me having an issue with a 6 day/5 night hunt with the Woodsman, Sherman, Guide lid, and a medium pocket. May not even need the medium pocket.

For those who may have experience with both, would you rather run a Woodsman + Guide lid or a Reckoning with no lid?

Chris, I just went through the same dilemma. I wanted a Native for versatility but thought that was too much on the Reckoning, and just too bulky overall. I just got a woodsman in and it seems like it will wok perfect. It’s much more streamlined yet still a good sized bag for me.

Side pouches can be added for extended trips as well, and this will be an upgrade for me. I wasn’t a huge fan of the side pockets of the Reckoning. I’ll be able to update in a week or two after using it for a bit

 

[BAKPAKR]

I have a Woodsman and a Reckoning. I don’t think I would see much difference between what I could fit in a Woodsman with the collar filled and a Guide Lid and what would go in a Reckoning with no lid and the collar folded over.

I much prefer the Woodsman for an everyday hunting pack. However, I would probably choose the Reckoning with a Guide Lid if I were planning to pack in for a 5 to 6 day hunt.

 

[SoTxShooter]

I have the Reckoning, and have used it on two trips so far. A 3 day scouting/fishing trip, and a 7 day elk hunt. I didn’t have a problem compressing it for the short trip, and I really enjoyed the room for the long one. Heck, I’m going to add a guide lid this year. Maybe I just bring too much junk!

 

[ChrisAU]

I should add, I won’t be carrying a shelter for the 6 days/5 nights. My partner carries the tent, I carry the rifle.

 

[Mitten32]

Bumping this topic, really thinking I could save 13 oz with a Woodsman over my current Reckoning. I don't see me having an issue with a 6 day/5 night hunt with the Woodsman, Sherman, Guide lid, and a medium pocket. May not even need the medium pocket.

For those who may have experience with both, would you rather run a Woodsman + Guide lid or a Reckoning with no lid?

From a saving weight perspective it would be the reckoning at 2 pounds 13 ounces... your woodsman and accessories you mentioned puts you at 3 pounds 8.5 ounces-ish unless my math is off. I would consider if you prefer smaller pack with lots of external organization strapped to it or a larger lighter pack with less external organization.

 

[ChrisAU]

Well I quickly sold some things yesterday to fund a Woodsman to try out, was on Kifaru's site, googling reviews here, and wathcing youtube vids all night...got my shape charge on order lol. BUT I believe I'll now sell a Native and maybe some other odds and ends to get a Woodsman too ha. I really think that with no shelter, a Woodsman with Sherman and Guide lid will be plenty for me. My gear is pretty dialed in, and I think I could still lash a shelter below the pack if needed.

 

[Tradchef]

I ran the woodsman this past season on the ultralight frame. It was great. I didn’t get any overnights this year due to work but I did pack out 3 deer and my late season bull with it and it worked flawless. I did the same thing. I was going back and forth between the two knowing that I mostly only get a day or a half day hunt with my restaurant schedule. I hunt solo so having extra room for more meat is always nice but having a more manageable pack is nice too. If you feel like you need a bigger pack after this season pick up a bigger bag. That way you can have both to use when you need it. You’ll like the woodsman. You made a good choice.

 

[mavinwa2]

was torn between deciding on Woodsman or Reckoning.
but since both strap/cinch down to day pack mode, went with Reckoning for extra room if needed.
For final trip (3rd solo) back to trailhead, Took out my camp gear, elk quarter and 1 backstrap with it.
love my Reckoning!!

 

[Jordan Budd]

Well I quickly sold some things yesterday to fund a Woodsman to try out, was on Kifaru's site, googling reviews here, and wathcing youtube vids all night...got my shape charge on order lol. BUT I believe I'll now sell a Native and maybe some other odds and ends to get a Woodsman too ha. I really think that with no shelter, a Woodsman with Sherman and Guide lid will be plenty for me. My gear is pretty dialed in, and I think I could still lash a shelter below the pack if needed.

Here’s a scenario that played out for me this year, and the reason I won’t get smaller than a 5000 c.i. bag again. I used the Muskeg 2800 for elk this year and getting meat inside that size of bag by yourself is a major pain. I’m not a load shelf fan so I typically go inside with meat. I would have killed to have my reckoning (or larger) pack because, 1. The circumference of the bag is so small that loading meat inside the bag by myself is difficult.. 2. Once I got the meat into the bag, there was no extra room for my day hunting gear so I was strapping and stuffing anywhere I could put it. 110% would have been easier and quicker with a larger bag. Just my input, but I thought I was going to save on size and weight also and I regretted it.


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[ChrisAU]

Here’s a scenario that played out for me this year, and the reason I won’t get smaller than a 5000 c.i. bag again. I used the Muskeg 2800 for elk this year and getting meat inside that size of bag by yourself is a major pain. I’m not a load shelf fan so I typically go inside with meat. I would have killed to have my reckoning (or larger) pack because, 1. The circumference of the bag is so small that loading meat inside the bag by myself is difficult.. 2. Once I got the meat into the bag, there was no extra room for my day hunting gear so I was strapping and stuffing anywhere I could put it. 110% would have been easier and quicker with a larger bag. Just my input, but I thought I was going to save on size and weight also and I regretted it.


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Thanks! I've all but abandoned the idea of getting a Woodsman and I'm pretty sure I'm just going to keep my Reckoning. I did a mock pack up a couple days ago, I've tinkered with a lot of gear since the last time I packed for a long trip. Looks like I can easily drop the guide lid and a medium pocket and replace with a large pocket which nets me a little more than half a pound anyway.