Outdoorsman's packs??

[jackelope]

Anyone have any experience with the Outdoorsmans packs?

https://outdoorsmans.com/outdoorsmans-optics-hunter-pack-system/

[7mag.]

Outdoorsman's makes some quality gear. Their pack system looks really modular, and versatile. But they don't appear to have any lift at all. Personally, I won't have a pack without lift, except a small day pack. To me, the difference between a true backpacking pack and a gimmick pack, is the ability to have lift to transfer weight to the hips.

[NWWA Hunter]

A friend of mine who is a guide swears by them. He's tried them all and believes that they are the best.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

A friend of mine who is a guide swears by them. He's tried them all and believes that they are the best.

I generally don't make such blanket statements, but I don't even think I'd put that pack in the top 10.  Your friend most likely has not "tried them all" if he claims this pack is the best.  I'm not trying to be a snob, but there are a whole host of top tiered packs that would work better in that price range.

I'd hazard to say just based on looks the EXO would trump that pack easily.

[jackelope]

What packs in that price range would be better? The optics pack is $399.
I'm not arguing...just wondering. I'm probably going to buy an Ultra($399) but I'm still shopping.
The exo is at the top of my list too but it'll be another $100 above the Ultra. I'm not interested in the 3500" bag.

[aorams]

I have one and love it to death. It was new last year and packed out half a bear, a deer and 224 lbs of elk(In 3 trips of course!).  It was always incredibly comfortable. One trip was 16 miles total round trip of which about a third was off trail and scrambling type terrain.  Again, super comfortable throughout. I don't necessarily capitalize on the pockets the way that they are intended.(I don't carry a spotting scope). But for the price I am confident I made the right choice. Id buy another in a heartbeat. Then again my budget constrained my choices.

[aorams]

Btw. I'm in North Seattle if you'd like to see one in person Jackelope.

[NWWA Hunter]

A friend of mine who is a guide swears by them. He's tried them all and believes that they are the best.

I generally don't make such blanket statements, but I don't even think I'd put that pack in the top 10.  Your friend most likely has not "tried them all" if he claims this pack is the best.  I'm not trying to be a snob, but there are a whole host of top tiered packs that would work better in that price range.

I'd hazard to say just based on looks the EXO would trump that pack easily.

That's just his preference. I've never tried one so I don't know. He just raved about how much he loved it and wouldn't use any other pack based on his experiences. Trying to share what I've been told.

[jackelope]

Thanks for that, NWWA.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

What packs in that price range would be better? The optics pack is $399.
I'm not arguing...just wondering. I'm probably going to buy an Ultra($399) but I'm still shopping.f
The exo is at the top of my list too but it'll be another $100 above the Ultra. I'm not interested in the 3500" bag.

With just going on apparent functionality I'd take a hard look at the KUIU Ultra.  I just can't fathom spending that kind of money on a pack with no load lifters as 7mag said.  If you're looking for a pack with more then 3500 CUi then I can make an assumption you want it for packing in a camp to a remote location. 

On a side note...Exo is making a 5500 this year as well.  There website says July 15th availability.  There seems to have been a push to fill the functional pack in the mid tier price range from the general public and there's lots of good companies developing products. 

To clarify my statement, I'm not saying these packs are bad, I've never used one.  But it looks just like an Eberlestock, Oregon Packworks, Badlands, etc.  Functional packs with no load lifting capabilities. 

I just don't understand why these companies don't give there packs that capability.

[jackelope]

I'm a mid-tier price range kind of shopper. The exo 5500 will be pushing $600. That's out of my range. Like I said, it's looking like right now, the only pack in the realm of financial possibility/reality is the Ultra I think. I'd love to have a Kifaru but I can't justify the cost of that pack with other real world financial responsibilities, so I guess I'm looking for the next best thing. I've hunted and packed animals out with my eberlestock the last 3 years and been mostly satisfied. I haven't packed Anything out from 10 miles in, but in reality, I'm not going to be 10 miles in from anywhere either to where I'll have to worry about that.
Thanks for all the input. 

[northwesthunter84]

I've run the numbers on the Exo pack and the 5500 cc in coyote/foliage is $514 and that includes shipping.  No tax on my purchase so I believe that is included.  Getting it in ASAT camo adds $50 more.

[fillthefreezer]

the layout of the bag is very good, material is quiet. they are a little too heavy for what they are in my opinion, but thats merely the weight v.price were familiar with. 2 killers for me,  being it isnt marketed as a nice daypack, no lift and the waistbelt on these goes to hell over 65lbs....

[couesbitten]

Jackelope, if you settle for the next best thing, you just may find yourself walking this same path again in 1 or 3 years, and then where will you be in regards to cost?  Yeah, my Kifaru cost a lot of money, but I seriously don't see myself buying another pack ever.  If I wasn't buying a Kifaru or Stone Glacier, I'd be looking at the Horn Hunter Full Curl, Exo and Paradox.  The fact that Kuiu is running it's fourth frame in as many years speaks volumes to me about the quality and design.  Save yourself the trouble and added costs, if you're willing to spend $500 this year, you should be able to scrounge up the extra $200 or $300 by this time next year and have a pack that will last you a lifetime.  Just my

[Skyvalhunter]

I used the outdoorsman pack last year to pack out 2 Az elk. I was impressed with their comfort and ability to handle heavy loads. Several of the guides I know in Az use them. I would have no problem purchasing one.

[Forks]

If it were me, I would be getting in touch with Nate Simmons at Western Hunter magazine to get his opinion. It's the pack he uses, granted he get's them for free i'm sure, but you will get a review from someone that uses one more than anyone on this site i'm willing to bet.

[Skyvalhunter]

yea and they are a sponsor on their magazines

[couesbitten]

you will get a review from someone that uses one more than anyone on this site i'm willing to bet.

yea and they are a sponsor on their magazines

So Nate uses one more than anyone on this site, and since they are a sponsor of his magazine, you'll get a straight, unbiased opinion on the quality and performance.
Sounds legit.

[fillthefreezer]

you will get a review from someone that uses one more than anyone on this site i'm willing to bet.

yea and they are a sponsor on their magazines

So Nate uses one more than anyone on this site, and since they are a sponsor of his magazine, you'll get a straight, unbiased opinion on the quality and performance.
Sounds legit.

you mean i shouldnt ask cam hames if he likes under armor?

[jackelope]

you will get a review from someone that uses one more than anyone on this site i'm willing to bet.

yea and they are a sponsor on their magazines

So Nate uses one more than anyone on this site, and since they are a sponsor of his magazine, you'll get a straight, unbiased opinion on the quality and performance.
Sounds legit.

you mean i shouldnt ask cam hames if he likes under armor?

There's perfect examples of that scenario with all the gear we use. Optics, clothing, packs, whatever. You can see the loyalty shift all the time....especially with a lot of the "pro staffer" crowd. 99% of the time it all comes down to who's getting what for free or at a deep discount.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

you will get a review from someone that uses one more than anyone on this site i'm willing to bet.

yea and they are a sponsor on their magazines

So Nate uses one more than anyone on this site, and since they are a sponsor of his magazine, you'll get a straight, unbiased opinion on the quality and performance.
Sounds legit.

you mean i shouldnt ask cam hames if he likes under armor?

There's perfect examples of that scenario with all the gear we use. Optics, clothing, packs, whatever. You can see the loyalty shift all the time....especially with a lot of the "pro staffer" crowd. 99% of the time it all comes down to who's getting what for free or at a deep discount.

Those magazines have cool stories, pictures, and tips, but I've seem some reviews and comparisons that straight made me laugh at the absurdity.


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[7mag.]

you will get a review from someone that uses one more than anyone on this site i'm willing to bet.

yea and they are a sponsor on their magazines

So Nate uses one more than anyone on this site, and since they are a sponsor of his magazine, you'll get a straight, unbiased opinion on the quality and performance.
Sounds legit.

you mean i shouldnt ask cam hames if he likes under armor?

There's perfect examples of that scenario with all the gear we use. Optics, clothing, packs, whatever. You can see the loyalty shift all the time....especially with a lot of the "pro staffer" crowd. 99% of the time it all comes down to who's getting what for free or at a deep discount.

Those magazines have cool stories, pictures, and tips, but I've seem some reviews and comparisons that straight made me laugh at the absurdity.


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Magazine's and tv shows are mouth pieces for paying sponsors. I would never take advice from either about gear. I have yet to see a hunting celebrity that wasn't pimping some product.

[couesbitten]

   I think 7mag and Silk hit the nail on the head. I'd much sooner take opinions of my fellow H-W members into consideration than someone that I know is getting something for free because they are saying all of the right things. Cameron Hanes     ftf, you cracked me up with that comment, he's the last guy I'm going to listen to, good hunter and athlete, but he's a perfect example of what we're talking about here (gravy suckin' pig).