New Pack

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I want it mostly for bivy hunting, and I carry no more than 20 pounds of gear, no matter how many nights I go out. but I don't like going back in to pick up more meat, so I don't mid carrying 100 pound extra to get it all out. I want to spend 500 or less, and I don't want it to weigh more than 6 pounds, but that might not be realistic:) I almost always have a brother or friend to help pack out the critter, so if the whole thing won't fit that is going to usually be ok, and if it is to big, then it will swallow up my gear!! Basically, I'm really picky.

I'd like to see your gear list.

[couesbitten]

 

[dreamingbig]

I want it mostly for bivy hunting, and I carry no more than 20 pounds of gear, no matter how many nights I go out. but I don't like going back in to pick up more meat, so I don't mid carrying 100 pound extra to get it all out. I want to spend 500 or less, and I don't want it to weigh more than 6 pounds, but that might not be realistic:) I almost always have a brother or friend to help pack out the critter, so if the whole thing won't fit that is going to usually be ok, and if it is to big, then it will swallow up my gear!! Basically, I'm really picky.

Weight has to be excluding food.  I can never get my packs to the weigh the same for a 9 day hunt as they do for a 2 night trip.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I want it mostly for bivy hunting, and I carry no more than 20 pounds of gear, no matter how many nights I go out. but I don't like going back in to pick up more meat, so I don't mid carrying 100 pound extra to get it all out. I want to spend 500 or less, and I don't want it to weigh more than 6 pounds, but that might not be realistic:) I almost always have a brother or friend to help pack out the critter, so if the whole thing won't fit that is going to usually be ok, and if it is to big, then it will swallow up my gear!! Basically, I'm really picky.

Weight has to be excluding food.  I can never get my packs to the weigh the same for a 9 day hunt as they do for a 2 night trip.

I think it's excluding a lot.  He's talking day pack, or he's never weighed his pack. 

Think about this...

Pack: 5-10 pounds
Gun: 7 Pounds
Sleep System: 4-8 pounds.

Over 20 pounds right there...

[Olympics777]

Actually, I weigh my pack all the time, every time I go out, to make sure I am staying under goal weight. Also, that weight does not include my gun, because I carry that in my hands. Basically, I carry my bag(3.4pounds), half of a tent,(whoever goes with carrys the other half) about 10 rounds of ammo, a super light shell( the TNF cipher windstopper) and about 1 liter of water, a couple mountain house meals(pro packs) and a lot of granola bars(minus the box). I sometimes carry a very small survival kit depending on how well I know the area. Anything else(knife, flashlight if I choose to carry one) goes in my pockets. I don't use a sleeping pad(yes, I freeze) and who needs game bags? My pack by itself I have now weighs 3 pounds. Generally, I go out for 3 days or less, sorry for not specifying.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Actually, I weigh my pack all the time, every time I go out, to make sure I am staying under goal weight. Also, that weight does not include my gun, because I carry that in my hands. Basically, I carry my bag(3.4pounds), half of a tent,(whoever goes with carrys the other half) about 10 rounds of ammo, a super light shell( the TNF cipher windstopper) and about 1 liter of water, a couple mountain house meals(pro packs) and a lot of granola bars(minus the box). I sometimes carry a very small survival kit depending on how well I know the area. Anything else(knife, flashlight if I choose to carry one) goes in my pockets. I don't use a sleeping pad(yes, I freeze) and who needs game bags? My pack by itself I have now weighs 3 pounds. Generally, I go out for 3 days or less, sorry for not specifying.

Just a few questions...stove? Fuel? Knife? Water filter? Para cord? Rain gear? Sleeping bag? Head lamp, pot, fork....

I'm not trying to be confrontational, I'm just legitimately curious how you manage to pull that off. What pack are you running?

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Plus rangefinder, binos, spotter. All not necessary, but it seems like you are risking yourself a bit not taking some serious basics into the woods. How far in do you usually go?

[Olympics777]

I completely understand the questions, and its fine!! When I say bag(3.4)  I mean a sleeping bag. I don't bring rain gear, and sometimes get wet, but usually my windproof shell blocks water. I hate headlamps and don't bring one, I bring a tiny Cabelas flashlight. I do bring a couple feet of paracord, as well as a stove and fuel, but as I never go solo my partner and I split that and the water filter. I also have a little spoon I bring, that weighs a couple grams( I am thinking of cutting off some of the handle to make it lighter:) I occasionally bring a little tin cup, but not always, because that means more water, and some cocoa packets, and it adds more weight and bulk, so when I am cold I just do some jumping jacks, or head uphill!! I carry my knife in the pocket of my Sitka pants, so I don't count that as pack weight. The pack I have is a inexpensive one I got at sportsmans warehouse, and it only cost me $140. It is kind of an off brand, and not made real well, and that is why I want a new one. I looked up the MR Metcalf and it looks perfect, though it will raise my pack weight, but I guess that is bound to happen sometime, and eventually when I am old and gray I will need a sleeping pad. But when that happens, I'll get the thermarest Zlite, and cut of the corners and two feet at the bottom to lighten it.  Oftentimes when I look at all the gear  I DO carry, I am amazed at the weight other people carry, so I fill up my pack with everything and go weigh it, and it is always the same as before. I am also always scheming on how to cut out a few grams or an ounce. For me, I don't care if I am cold and wet if I can cut out an extra pound, but most of the time I am worm and dry. (except for in my bag on a 10 degree night) I am also hoping to completely cut out my tent and use a little tarptent thingy.

[Olympics777]

I don't have a spotter, or a rangefinder either. It has never been an issue, I see it with binos( they go on a harness around my neck) and I guesstimate range. Usually I go in about 3 miles, but it depends on where I am. This year I'm going to hunt a super steep mountainside about 2 miles from the road. The mountain itself is in a roadless area.

[JLS]

There's a Metcalf in multicam on sale on the Rokslide forum, might want to check that out. 

It'd be a cold day in Hades before I went without a sleeping pad.   

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

How old are you olympics? Must have a strong back!

[shanevg]

If you're truly going that light you should purchase one of the GoLite packs. MR makes a great pack but they'd take up a third of your total pack weight. Never purchase a Sitka pack for hunting. Their clothes is great but their packs suck.

I have a GoLite Pinnacle that I used for a year and lacked out 85 pounds if bear near with it. I stopped using it because it wasn't the most comfortable pack to wear but if you are primarily concerned with weight it should fit the bill.

[JustinC]

Olympics,
If I was you, I would find a used Kifaru KU5200.
Weighs less than your current pack and it can carry over 100 lbs in relative comfort.

You could also use a Kifaru bikini frame and a large ultra light bag which would really haul the weight and still keep your pack really light.

Like Shane said, don't get the Sitka pack as they really suck. They don't carry weight well at all and I know quite a few guy who have had them totally fail with a load.

[BenC567]

You should check out the new Kuiu Icon packs.  I'm going to be ordering the 5200 here pretty soon.  The issue I have with MR packs is that they look like to a giant duffle bag with shoulder straps to me.  I prefer to at least have the option to organize my gear.

https://store.kuiu.com/categories/packs/

[throttlejocky20]

I ended up with a Kifaru and wouldnt go with anything else.