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Author Topic: What pack should I get?  (Read 12615 times)

Offline kentrek

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #30 on: April 03, 2014, 08:05:57 PM »
I have a wilderness pack specialties made in Oregon. I looked at this pack for 3 years at the sportsman show. It is the best hunting tool I have. It's comfortable to wear all day and more comfortable then anything I've ever used packing out.  :twocents:

Was gona add a few more pics to that wilderness pack thread you started but never did....after 7 years Im retiring the pack for a kuiu ultra..if it wasnt for the ultra id be buying the same pack again

That pack has done some amazing things tho...

Offline TriggerHappy

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #31 on: April 03, 2014, 08:19:15 PM »
 :tup: my pack not even close to being retired... but then again I can't imagine spending that much money on a pack again. Maybe there's better but I won't find out for a while.
One man's wilderness is another man's theme park...

Offline kentrek

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #32 on: April 03, 2014, 08:25:29 PM »
I doubt its gona be a substantial increase in comfort/performance but my pack was pretty much held together with zip ties...it was time lol i spent a incredible amount of time abusing that thing tho
..if the ultra does half as good il be a pretty happy camper

Il have to get those pics up for the wilderness pack fans

Offline SilkOnTheDrySide

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #33 on: April 03, 2014, 09:02:33 PM »
The problem with that WS pack is it's lack of functional load lifters. I personally can't even consider a pack that doesn't use them. The ultra and exo are in the same price range and I think will really start cornering the market eberlestock was holding.




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Offline deerslyr

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #34 on: April 03, 2014, 09:24:27 PM »

I've been using a bunch of hikin packs up to now but decided t preorder the exo mtn since I drew Monroe spring bear. I can't recommend it till I try it but I hope it's what they crack it up to be. I'm a little worried no independent folks have reviewed it yet but there will be soon enough assuming all is on schedule ...

Pretty sure Phelps has seen the pack in person. They had the  pack at the Extreme Elk booth at the Oregon sportsmans show a couple months ago.

I'm getting one to do a video review on. I talked with Steve to see what some things he wanted me to cover in the video and just discuss the pack some more in general. He straight up told me if I thought the pack wasn't comfortable, to say so; If it didn't handle heavy loads well enough for me, say so etc.

He truly believes in the pack, makes me excited to try it out.

If you guys have some stuff you want me to cover in the video, just ask and I'll try and work it in.

Offline kentrek

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #35 on: April 03, 2014, 09:30:54 PM »
Load it with 70 pounds and roll it down a 300+ foot hill....its the only way to test packs these days :chuckle:

In reality it would be nice to know a soaking weight vrs a dry weight


Offline JPhelps

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #36 on: April 03, 2014, 09:57:09 PM »
The EXO pack should be a very good pack. Very well thought out (reverse opening lid, elastic stuff pockets, and the modularity for hauling meat).

Steve Speck (the pack designer) was in our booth at the Portland show and the titanium frame is tough!!!  He would step on it bend it over and it goes right back in place. They have a horizontal titanium rod to prevent barreling. The real test is loading it down with 100 lbs and checking the comfort.

It will take an amazing pack to get me to switch from my Kifaru though.

Offline northwesthunter84

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #37 on: April 03, 2014, 10:07:41 PM »
The Born and Raised guys field tested the Exo pack last season.  They have some discussion about it on their Facebook page.  I saw them in a couple pics early on so I wanted to see what they thought.  They didn't have anything bad to say about them.  I can't wait to get my hands on one, missed out on first production run.  Going to go with the second coyote run in may.

Offline TriggerHappy

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #38 on: April 03, 2014, 10:41:17 PM »
Kentrek, are you still using the bags that you used on you pack in the previous pictures?
One man's wilderness is another man's theme park...

Offline kentrek

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #39 on: April 03, 2014, 10:44:07 PM »
Kentrek, are you still using the bags that you used on you pack in the previous pictures?

Yup, dry bags only for me  :tup:

Offline Evoac05

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #40 on: April 20, 2014, 01:43:10 PM »
I recently just completed this same process Evo.  It came down to the Kifaru DT2 and the Mystery Ranch Metcalf.  I ended up getting the DT1 :chuckle:.  What it came down to for me was:

1) Side tripod and spotting scope pockets.  When fully loaded I can still have my spotter and tripod tucked safely away in pockets rather than lashed to the pack in some strange way (I know all the ways :chuckle:)

2) Cubic inches of space to compressed size ratio.  7200ci pack that I can lash down to the size of most of my old day packs and its still very functional.

3) Pockets.  I am a less is more kind of guy but the Metcalf was a little too simple of a design.  If they had added even a couple more pockets including an outside pocket I may have grabbed one up.

I ended up choosing the DT1 over the DT2 because..........why not!  More space, not enough added weight to spit at, still compresses small.  The micro adjustability in the Duplex frame to fit it to your exact body structure is amazing and very simple and fast to do.  This truly is the cadillac of packs!  I wish it had the large side zipper like the MR Metcalf though!  That was the one feature that really hung me up.  Stuff can get lost in a big duffle style pack if your not careful.  Whether you go Kifaru or not, I recommend picking up some Kifaru grab it bags for organizing your stuff.  Super lightweight and very handy.  Keeps your pack from becoming the bottomless pit!  All in all, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the top name packs.  They are all very high quality.  Just make sure whatever you choose says MADE IN AMERICA!

Also, I gave the Nimrod system a good run and packed a lot of game with it and I would not recommend them for serious weight hauling like back country hunts and meat hauling.  The finest quality, customer service, and durability but just lacking in the things that make a pack a serious weight carrier.  I will continue to use mine for predator hunting in a day pack function but that will be the extent of its use.


Thanks BLRman for taking the time to reply. I will definitely keep everything you wrote in mind. I just have to keep saving because all of the packs I am looking at are going to do some damage to my wallet.  :chuckle:
No way to beat around the bush on that one!  Like they say, buy once, cry once.  Seriously though, I am a very frugal guy so every time I buy something like this I always have a little (lot) of buyer remorse, until I use it and then I wonder why I waited so long!  Probably the worst was when I bought my outdoorsmans tripod and head!  It was a "what did you do!" type feeling but that tripod is hands down my favorite piece of gear, and the piece of equipment I use the most.  I have a good feeling my Kifaru will be about the same.

So I found a great deal on a Kifaru DT1 with bikini frame on Rokslide and decided to bite the bullet. Now I just have to wait for it to arrive.  :IBCOOL:

Offline couesbitten

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #41 on: April 20, 2014, 08:26:02 PM »
Evoac, did you buy the pack from that guy in Vancouver?  That was a great deal for somebody, tried to get a buddy of mine to buy it.
With the catching ends the pleasure of the chase. - Abraham Lincoln

Offline SilkOnTheDrySide

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #42 on: April 20, 2014, 08:35:19 PM »
Welcome to the koolaide club!


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Offline 7mag.

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #43 on: April 20, 2014, 08:40:31 PM »
Welcome to the koolaide club!


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Yeah, once you get a Kifaru, you're hooked.
Semper Fi. USMC

Offline JPhelps

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Re: What pack should I get?
« Reply #44 on: April 20, 2014, 09:04:11 PM »
I love my DT1 on the bikini frame. It is the perfect pack for me.
You won't be disappointed.

 


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