Best pack/meat pack for a 5 day backcountry hunt?

[liljozie495]

Kifaru dt1 and bikini frame so far has been a great pack and is beyond comfortable. If you are looking to try packs out and stuff maybe find some people local to meet up and try some on, what I did and it helped me narrow my choices down to buy a pack... Buy once cry once aswell lol

[BKMFR]

I would suggest looking real hard at Mystery Ranch. I have used many different packs and packed quite a few pounds, but in the last 5 years, its been Mystery Ranch all the way, I continue to try new packs, but always keep going back to my Mystery Ranch. It's been all over the west and is my go to pack when guiding, its packed on and off daily for 4 months at a time and I have never had any issues with it.... very comfortable.

[boneaddict]

I use the Eberstock "battleship".   I just packed out a whole boned out deer with it along with camp essentials.  It will carry more than most any man can carry.   I am a fairly large man and can carry more than most.   For straight heavy duty meat only packing, I use a nimrod frame.  I can strap a moose hindquarter on it and carry it.  I weighed my alaskan moose and its hind quarters were 180 each.   I "dropped" one load a little hard and did warp the frame a bit, and also put a little too much strain where the shoulder straps hook in.   I was 9 miles in with the moose, and that is alot of packing.    My meat loads were 180,180,150,150, and misc meat and antlers,probably close to another 150.  I was impressed it held up. 

[kentrek]

I can finally attest to the new kuiu ultra..two bull elk both beyond 7 miles in...winged em both an the pack handled them perfectly..was very very impressed with frame

For the price I doubt you could beat it for a hunting pack

[meatwhack]

Eberlestock Just One with a Spike Duffel.  I have been very happy with this setup for multi day backpack hunts.  These packs will easily handle 100+ pounds and with the spike duffel you can leave your camp gear and be off hunting in a matter of seconds.  I haven't tried some of the other more expensive packs but I think the quality of the Eberlestock is hard to beat. 

[jackelope]

Eberlestock Just One with a Spike Duffel.  I have been very happy with this setup for multi day backpack hunts.  These packs will easily handle 100+ pounds and with the spike duffel you can leave your camp gear and be off hunting in a matter of seconds.  I haven't tried some of the other more expensive packs but I think the quality of the Eberlestock is hard to beat.

The quality is there. The comfort is not unfortunately.

[jasnt]

I use the Eberstock "battleship".   I just packed out a whole boned out deer with it along with camp essentials.  It will carry more than most any man can carry.   I am a fairly large man and can carry more than most.   For straight heavy duty meat only packing, I use a nimrod frame.  I can strap a moose hindquarter on it and carry it.  I weighed my alaskan moose and its hind quarters were 180 each.   I "dropped" one load a little hard and did warp the frame a bit, and also put a little too much strain where the shoulder straps hook in.   I was 9 miles in with the moose, and that is alot of packing.    My meat loads were 180,180,150,150, and misc meat and antlers,probably close to another 150.  I was impressed it held up. 

now that's a pack test

[trophyhunt]

I use the Eberstock "battleship".   I just packed out a whole boned out deer with it along with camp essentials.  It will carry more than most any man can carry.   I am a fairly large man and can carry more than most.   For straight heavy duty meat only packing, I use a nimrod frame.  I can strap a moose hindquarter on it and carry it.  I weighed my alaskan moose and its hind quarters were 180 each.   I "dropped" one load a little hard and did warp the frame a bit, and also put a little too much strain where the shoulder straps hook in.   I was 9 miles in with the moose, and that is alot of packing.    My meat loads were 180,180,150,150, and misc meat and antlers,probably close to another 150.  I was impressed it held up.

holy hell bone!  I'm 5'7" 185 lbs and once did 139 lbs of meat, I couldn't imagine 180. 

[xXLojackXx]

Eberlestock Just One with a Spike Duffel.  I have been very happy with this setup for multi day backpack hunts.  These packs will easily handle 100+ pounds and with the spike duffel you can leave your camp gear and be off hunting in a matter of seconds.  I haven't tried some of the other more expensive packs but I think the quality of the Eberlestock is hard to beat.

The quality is there. The comfort is not unfortunately.

Ain't that the truth.

I put 63 miles and 24,000' in with my Kuiu Icon Pro on my back this September and never once had a complaint. I can't say enough abou these packs.

[boneaddict]

I think a lot of it depends on how they fit to your back.   Eberstock seemed to fit to mine the best.  Obviously I am not buying $800 packs and discarding after I don't like.   I did hit several shops selling packs and tried them on to see how they fit and came away with the one I thought would do best.   I might recommend that.  Most are quite adjustable.  Many weren't long enough for my back and rode high on my kidneys. A huge load will chew you a new one.   

[robertsjd]

I can't speak for MR or kifaru Exo . But I have had Slumberjack , sitka bivy 45 and the new kuiu icon pro 5200 and the one use today is the kuiu icon pro . The pack is amazing nothing over 50 lbs packed in it so far . But no complaints yet and it was cheaper than the sitka pack . Extremely comfortable and Has tons of room and pockets side load bladder and front horseshoe zipper for easy access but the suspension and hip belt are what I have found unbeaten extremely we'll put together and def had hunters in mind when designed. Well spent 425$

[Magnum_Willys]

I can finally attest to the new kuiu ultra..two bull elk both beyond 7 miles in...winged em both an the pack handled them perfectly..was very very impressed with frame

For the price I doubt you could beat it for a hunting pack

X2 - Two moose 3 and 5+ miles in with camp gear.  Love the 2 pound packs for day hunting too.  Used kuiu xl featherweight meat bags and kuiu rain covers.

[Colville]

FYI,  to those worried about dead horses or retread treads....   this site will be DEAD if a subject once covered is deemed "settled" and or not worth any new time.  Guns, packs, clothes, comms etc.  Nothing stays the same and who comments and what they might add always changes.  Discouraging new threads because the subject has been discussed is a great way to kill off site views, visits and content.

Packs fit people differently so there's no right pack.  People can't all carry comparable loads so a pack that one guy hates over 100 lbs is irrelevant if another guy will never load it past 80.  Load bearing is also subjective to the fitness and strength of the persons in question.  I've carried north of 100 over 15 miles in one day.  There's no pack that does that without grinding you into a paste.  Some guys would get ground out in 3 miles on that load others at 8.  Anyhow.... robust frame and best belt. the bag is just a receptacle but it should be able to be tightened to remove any slack when full.