Mystery Ranch Metcalf vs. Kifaru Timberline 2 or 3? Update! Purchase made!

[Karl Blanchard]

Picking up a new pack this year and have settled on one of these two packs.  I know there are a million pack threads on here but hey, its winter and you guys have nothing better to do  .  Anyways, give me your opinions and experiences, pros and cons.  I am familiar with the Kifaru line but the MR Metcalf is a newer pack so really interested if anyone has any experience with it yet. 

[7mag.]

Both well made packs. The load lifters aren't functional unless you are short, on the Metcalf.

[JPhelps]

Both are great packs made here in the USA. Both are very durable. Both can handle more weight than I would ever want to carry.

With all that said I am using a Kifaru bikini frame with the DT1 bag (I would strongly consider the big bag as all the unused space disappears when compressed down). The two deciding factors for me were functional load lifters and lighter base weight. Being a tall guy I need stays that stick over my shoulder.  I also like that my bare pack is light!!!

[Karl Blanchard]

Definitely not on the tall side.  I have worn my brothers Longbow and was very impressed with the NICE frame and how it functioned.  Big fan of being able to expand the straps and haul meat quarters between the pack and frame.  Mmost of my deer pack outs only require quartering. Jason, I have read some reviews about loose loads like boned meat or misc gear slipping through the bikini frame making the load not balanced and or rubbing.  Have you experienced any of this and if so would you go with the duplex frame if you could go back and reorder?  I really want a Kifaru but the Metcalf with its side access and NICE frame are keeping me awake at night.  I hate having options

[Whitpirate]

Shoot it closer to the road.  Problem solved.  Look forward to seeing what you pick up.

[7mag.]

How are you planning on using the pack? A hauler? Are you going to backpack hunt out of it? Are you looking for a day pack that you can haul quarters back to camp with?

[Karl Blanchard]

All of the above.  I do a TON of summer scouting and september high hunting but the bulk of the killing is low land sage deer.  Sometimes 4-7 deer in a weekend.  Thats why the NICE frame is appealing as I can haul meat between the pack and frame without having to put meat in the pack.  Usually during deer season it is just quartered up meat.  One thing I didn't much like about the NICE frame on Aaron's longbow was with completely boned out meat.  It tended to shift and kind of "ooze" through the compression straps.  I think it had more to do with how it was loaded than the function of the pack itself but it gives me pause.  I have had my DT2 order form filled out for about a week now, just need to hit that send button.  The DT2 in multicam is on sale right now.  $563 with the longhunter lid!

[Karl Blanchard]

someone needs to take some pics of the "guts" of a Timberline.  I have yet to find any pics of the pockets or cut aways of the pack.  Are the long spotter pockets external or internal?

[Ridgerunner]

I can say that the metcalf with the side zipper is the bomb.  I had eight days worth of food and stuff in it on my Alaska dall sheep hunt this past year.  It's a sweet pack that is very comfortable.  Love mine.

[JPhelps]

Karl,

The bikini was designed with barreling in mind. Heavy loose loads will not squeeze through the frame. Also with all of the side compression straps it is easy to situate and lock a load down.

For that price it would be awful hard not to go with the kifaru setup.  I would not hesitate ordering the duplex frame , but I would most likely order the bikini again.

[JPhelps]

The spotter pockets are external pockets with an open top. The upper compression strap acts as a way to close it.

[Karl Blanchard]

I can say that the metcalf with the side zipper is the bomb.  I had eight days worth of food and stuff in it on my Alaska dall sheep hunt this past year.  It's a sweet pack that is very comfortable.  Love mine.

  The side zip is the one feature that is keeping me from hitting send on the Kifaru!  They need to incorporate this into more packs.

Karl,

The bikini was designed with barreling in mind. Heavy loose loads will not squeeze through the frame. Also with all of the side compression straps it is easy to situate and lock a load down.

For that price it would be awful hard not to go with the kifaru setup.  I would not hesitate ordering the duplex frame , but I would most likely order the bikini again.

   Good stuff Jason, thanks!  The DT1 is $590.  Choices, choices!

[Karl Blanchard]

Shoot it closer to the road.  Problem solved.  Look forward to seeing what you pick up.

  Chris, you were supposed to win big in Vegas and buy me one for christmas   Regardless which one I get we will put it to work next season!

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I also use the lid to cover the top of my spotter.  I just don't know where they would put the side zip on the DT1...

[Karl Blanchard]

Found pics that Aron Snyder posted on Kifaru's forum.  Answered a lot of questions I had

http://www.kifaruforums.net/showthread.php?t=27808