Hindsight is 20/20 gear reviews.

[hogslayer]

I am sure i am not alone when i talk about having hindsight when purchasing hunting gear, especially the gear you bought when you were on a tight budget and just starting out.  I wanted to try and help some people out by posting reviews on gear that i have put through the test.  I am going to start off with backpacks and move onto clothing and then boots.  It can be hard to trust reviews you read on Cabela's or other websites because you don't know if they are pro staff just pushing a product.  I will give Pro's an Con's to each item i tested.

Horn Hunter Full Curl System.
 SIZE:        5000CU
 WEIGHT    8.2LBS
 PRICE       $345.00

PROS- Lots of storage-Multi use for hauling and day pack-Easy to remove back and use as freighter. Can easily carry bow or rifle. Made in Utah.
CONS-Heavy for back county-To many pockets-Non adjustable torso length- Buckles could be more rigid. Extra strapping everywhere.
         
      What originally brought me to this pack was the ability to haul everything in and then convert it to a day pack with a load shelf on the frame.  The pack also has ALOT of different pockets and pockets inside of pockets.  This was nice for keeping gear organized during my 6 day hunt.  I did feel like the pack had so many pockets that it took away from feeling like a true 5000CU pack.  One thing i learned the hard way, is that the pack has a factory torso length of 17".  This was WAY to small for me since i am 6'6" and have a 23" Torso length.  This meant that the load lifters were not working at all.  I had to carry the meat in the load shelf with most of the weight on my shoulders.  I feel like this pack would be great for day hunting from a cabin or truck.  Not an ideal pack for 4-7 day back country when trying to keep weight down and have a pack that is bullet proof.

[hogslayer]

When i originally got into archery hunting, i wanted to get just enough stuff to get me by.  Of course, i soon realized that i wasted a lot of money on gear that was "ok".  I remember the first time i heard about Kifaru, and how good there packs were.  I went to there website and was blown away at the idea of spending +$700.00 on a backpack?!.  But after killing my first elk with a bow at 8 Yrds, i knew i would be doing this the rest of my life.  So i made the leap of faith and bought a Duplex frame and a Timberline 1 Bag.  I was blown away at the attention to detail in this pack and the craftsmanship and effort put into it.  I would compare it to someone who has hunted for 25 years and makes custom packs for himself and occasionally sold one or two a year.  This is the kind of quality the back pack is.  Kifaru is the only company that i found that made packs that would fit taller people.  I have carried the pack with 100LBS, and still get a lot of lift from the load lifters. They also give the options to adjust torso lengths individually.  For some reason, my right shoulder sits higher than my left?  There are a wide variety of options for lids, pouches, side pockets, pull outs, the list goes on and on.  With so many options it allows you to change your pack around for each different hunt you will go on.  I currently have a guide lid that has an additional 1000CU.  It also has shoulder straps inside of it for using as a day pack.  I took some pictures of the bag compressed down to day pack mode.  I also have some pictures of it filled with sleeping bags to show how much volume the bag really has.  This purchase is something i should of done along time ago.  I would also encourage anyone who is getting into archery hunting and doing extended hunts, to seriously consider saving your money and buying a great pack.    I would of saved purchasing 3 other packs, along with a lot more enjoyable pack in and out. 

Kifaru Duplex with Timberline 1 Bag (7,100CU)
Weight: 7LBS ( Duplex with 26" stays)(This is factory weight, Modifications cut weight to 6 LBS)
PROS: Light weight-500D Cordura fabric-Limitless accessories- Extremely well built and rigid.
CONS: Takes more effort to adjust- No load shelf between bag and frame. (I 100% believe that putting the meat in the bag is a better option)- Expensive

[7mag.]

I agree. I went through many packs before landing on Kifaru. I couldn't be more pleased. The attention to detail, quality, functionality, and customer service aren't likely to be beaten.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I can't wait!

[Karl Blanchard]

I can't wait!

Did you pull the trigger?

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

No but not from lack of funds.  Just need to appropriate money efficiently this year.  That way I can afford tags to stuff my pack with critters and get good use out of it.  I will be purchasing one in the next week or so.   Thinking duplex with the timberline 1.  But I really like the EMR II.  I wonder if xxx has them on hand for me to take a look.  Sounded like Cory would be selling them in the video...?

[Karl Blanchard]

Sounded like it, but not sure if he has inventory yet.  I love my DT1 but the emr looks pretty amazing.  Im a minimalist though.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Yeah I could probably never carry it full.  Definitely not full of elk.  But I like the zipper in the middle.  Can't wait to get it ordered.  I'll let you know what I get and how I like it.

[fillthefreezer]

the emr is much more efficient for me to hunt out of than my dt1 was. after the hacking that i did to both packs its a 6.5oz hit running the emr. i did have to drastically alter my packing style as it is a different breed than any of my previous packs, but i can go from hiking to glassing in less than 30sec and is the easiest to strap bow or rifle to that ive used.

[Karl Blanchard]

the emr is much more efficient for me to hunt out of than my dt1 was. after the hacking that i did to both packs its a 6.5oz hit running the emr. i did have to drastically alter my packing style as it is a different breed than any of my previous packs, but i can go from hiking to glassing in less than 30sec and is the easiest to strap bow or rifle to that ive used.

And for me, I'm so streamlined with my DT1 that I couldn't imagine complicating it.  I can easily have my tripod and spotter out of my bag in 30 seconds.  Love my gun bearer too.

[hogslayer]

I am with BLRman with my DT1.  Kifaru has so many choices on different bags, but the way the DT1 is set up and can compress to a day pack I can't see myself getting another bag for a while.  I have been real close to getting either the mega tarp or sawtooth and stove for later deer and elk hunts.