Free: Contests & Raffles.
Quote from: SilkOnTheWetSide on March 31, 2015, 06:17:42 AMREI packs are fine until you have to load heavy weight. They just aren't designed for it.I am also 6'6" so i understand what you are talking about when you say that nothing fits very well. Something to consider with choosing a pack when you are that tall is torso length and frame size. Since i have about a 23" torso length, having a pack with a frame height of 24" won't give you much load when you have it filled with meat. Kuiu has a 24" frame. Exo and Stone Glacier have a 25" frame. Kifaru has a 26", and made Phelps a longer one with 28". Having the extra height on the frame allows you to have a proper angle on the load lifting straps that will help carry the weight. Typically you would want a 15-30 degree slope on the straps. You aren't going to be able to get this lift with a pack that has a shorter frame. I bought a Kifaru and you will understand what all the hype and price is about when you get one and fit it properly.. They were having some sales on bag's a few weeks ago.Of course every backpack thread should start with what is your intended use?Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkI fix on driving to the gates and hiking around all day till I find something to shoot. Dont figure I need a ton of pack space, just enough for some rain gear, water, snacks, kill kit.I like the idea of the approach just due to it being a smaller bag with a frame and meat shelf if by dumb luck I happen to drop me an elk.I have no intentions of running the sitka pack, just going to sell it when it gets here and find something more robust.I have tried them on a sportsmans.I am 6ft 6 so most of the crap I try on I dont feel like is built for me.
REI packs are fine until you have to load heavy weight. They just aren't designed for it.I am also 6'6" so i understand what you are talking about when you say that nothing fits very well. Something to consider with choosing a pack when you are that tall is torso length and frame size. Since i have about a 23" torso length, having a pack with a frame height of 24" won't give you much load when you have it filled with meat. Kuiu has a 24" frame. Exo and Stone Glacier have a 25" frame. Kifaru has a 26", and made Phelps a longer one with 28". Having the extra height on the frame allows you to have a proper angle on the load lifting straps that will help carry the weight. Typically you would want a 15-30 degree slope on the straps. You aren't going to be able to get this lift with a pack that has a shorter frame. I bought a Kifaru and you will understand what all the hype and price is about when you get one and fit it properly.. They were having some sales on bag's a few weeks ago.Of course every backpack thread should start with what is your intended use?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The Sitka pack is nice as a gear/day pack. It is also capable as a first load meat pack as long as you don't gert carried away with the weight. Not sure anyone mistakes if for a load hauler. So for what it is, it's a pretty Badlands and that's ok.I like Stone Glacier packs quite a bit. Still need some design work on the waste belt, but it seems like most everyone does these days. Not sure I would call the Approach a load hauler either. It's a rather small pack. But it is MUCH better than the Sitka. Exo Mountain is a better buy and easily exceeds the load capability of the Approach. If elk is the plan I'd seriously look at a larger Stone Glacier or save a few truck payments and get an Exo.
It was my understanding that the SG packs all ran the same frame?Now I was thinking that I dont need a bunch of stuff to be humping around with,I am in it for the load haulin capabilities.But lookin at the pics n such wont the approachs load shelf be the same as any of the others?
Quote from: earlmarne on March 31, 2015, 07:14:26 PMIt was my understanding that the SG packs all ran the same frame?Now I was thinking that I dont need a bunch of stuff to be humping around with,I am in it for the load haulin capabilities.But lookin at the pics n such wont the approachs load shelf be the same as any of the others?I think you are correct about the same Krux frame on all of them. Using as you mention then yes it should do what you are looking for. I was picturing you back country hunting and hauling all gear and elk out. My apologies for not clarifying better. I should have chose a different description than "Load Hauler". Sorry for adding to the confusion.
if i was shopping for that usage, id look hard at the kifaru cargo panel with a couple pockets on it. pretty slick set up for your uses.
Exo Pack gets my vote! We have 2 of the 3500" packs. They are a 5-lb 3-oz pack empty & can carry as much weight as you want to put on it comfortably. Empty & they are around 3"-4" thick. This pack feels like a daypack with daily needs in it but doubles as a simple elk hauling machine. I'd put this pack against any pack for simplicity, function & comfort with a load. They run 495.00, this doesn't break the bank & is solid as a rock with their titanium frame. The main bag will slide up & down the frame with a simple buckled strap that allows the hunter to have his pack ride low when unloaded & high with weight in it by just sliding it along the frame, very unique! In the photo I slid the bag up so all weight is higher for ease of packing the several miles out. There's 95# in it right here.The pack hinges from the frame at bottom & opens up to put as much meat boned or not against the frame leaving your main bag untouched with its inside gear. It has all the needed pockets as well as 2 cylinder pockets for tripod & spotter if needed. Sweet pack! ElkNut1so does that sucker work like the SG as far as a load shelf?