Stone Glacier packs

[vaz,,66]

Hi Y'll,

Just curious does any one have or use their products, what do you think? Do you like it or not or perhaps  if you whould have a chance you whould buy something else.

[Mxracer532]

I have a sky 5100, love it.

[RadSav]

I picked one up a while back when a member posted a pick of his.  Pretty darn nice!  I really like the four pockets inside the center zip!  Only problem I had with it was the waist buckle.  Seems I was always tightening it up.  As with every pack that uses that type of buckle system it drives me crazy!!  But that is a small thing for a pack so well designed.  One of the top three packs I've ever played with.

[vaz,,66]

I sold my Kifaru Bikini frame/DT3 pack  couple months ago, then I placed an order for their new frame canceled it today, my new  backpack SG "Sky Archer 6200" on its way, will be at my place on Monday, cant wait.

[haugenna]

I have the sky 5100 and really like it.  I would like to see an external water bottle pocket but other than that it is a well designed pack.  Great pack, even better owner of the company.  He stands behind the product and is great to work with.

[swift]

I'm running a Solo 3300 and love it !!! Can't wait to put a load of meat in it September 

[autodink13]

I have the sky 7400 and love it! I don't think I'll ever use that much space. The pack is so versatile, light, and carries weight really well. The owner Kurt is a great guy and stands behind his packs.

[whacker1]

I picked one up a while back when a member posted a pick of his.  Pretty darn nice!  I really like the four pockets inside the center zip!  Only problem I had with it was the waist buckle.  Seems I was always tightening it up.  As with every pack that uses that type of buckle system it drives me crazy!!  But that is a small thing for a pack so well designed.  One of the top three packs I've ever played with.

I have you tried adding the hip belt pulls?  It seemed to solve my problems and allows more leverage for extra cinch

[whacker1]

I bought the Sky 6200 a month ago and love it.  I have been hiking with about- 40-55lbs depending on the day.  I love it.  What is really amazing is how much weight i saved in the pack itself as compared to my Eberlestock and others i have tried.  Amazing how much 4-5 lbs in the pack itself makes a difference.

[grimace]

If I was doing it over I would defiantly buy another pack from them. I am planning on getting my son a pack set up for next year.

 I started with the Serac the day they came available, then about a month ago I got the Sky 5100. Both are perfect for my use, very simple but yet quality packs. I've carried 60lbs so far and that went great, I'll be trying 80lbs soon but I have no doubt it will carry well also. I really like the load sling and bivy mode.

Kurt will go out of his way to make things right, I was in between a medium and large belt, the tri-slide on the medium belt was right on my hip bone, and I ran out of adjustment on the large, so he modified a large belt at no cost to me, now it's perfect! Great company.

G.

[RadSav]

I picked one up a while back when a member posted a pick of his.  Pretty darn nice!  I really like the four pockets inside the center zip!  Only problem I had with it was the waist buckle.  Seems I was always tightening it up.  As with every pack that uses that type of buckle system it drives me crazy!!  But that is a small thing for a pack so well designed.  One of the top three packs I've ever played with.

I have you tried adding the hip belt pulls?  It seemed to solve my problems and allows more leverage for extra cinch

I wasn't too concerned about getting the belt tighter.  My hope is to have a belt that doesn't loosen as I hike.  Especially with heavy loads.  The Pulls were nice!  Just not an answer for my quirks.

[MountainTracker]

If I was doing it over I would defiantly buy another pack from them. I am planning on getting my son a pack set up for next year.

 I started with the Serac the day they came available, then about a month ago I got the Sky 5100. Both are perfect for my use, very simple but yet quality packs. I've carried 60lbs so far and that went great, I'll be trying 80lbs soon but I have no doubt it will carry well also. I really like the load sling and bivy mode.

Kurt will go out of his way to make things right, I was in between a medium and large belt, the tri-slide on the medium belt was right on my hip bone, and I ran out of adjustment on the large, so he modified a large belt at no cost to me, now it's perfect! Great company.

G.

What do you think of the serac?  Is it big enough for long day hunts or scouting trips?  I like that it has the spotting scope pocket, but is there enough room for rain gear and other necessities for the day?  I have a 5100 now. Thanks

[grimace]

I believe the approach has the spotting scope pocket and is slightly larger than the Serac. I think the serac is perfect for a day pack( which is what I plan for), my kill kit, first aid, snacks/lunch, extra gloves and a extra shirt fit fine. I'm sure a packable rain jacket/pants would fit too. If you get down towards the Seattle/Eastside area I'd be happy to meet up so you could check it out.

G.

[whacker1]

I picked one up a while back when a member posted a pick of his.  Pretty darn nice!  I really like the four pockets inside the center zip!  Only problem I had with it was the waist buckle.  Seems I was always tightening it up.  As with every pack that uses that type of buckle system it drives me crazy!!  But that is a small thing for a pack so well designed.  One of the top three packs I've ever played with.

I have you tried adding the hip belt pulls?  It seemed to solve my problems and allows more leverage for extra cinch

I wasn't too concerned about getting the belt tighter.  My hope is to have a belt that doesn't loosen as I hike.  Especially with heavy loads.  The Pulls were nice!  Just not an answer for my quirks.

I had the same problem with my Ebelestock and the only solution I found was to run the webbing keepers up against the buckle.  The webbing keeper wouldn't allow the buckle to slide back down the belt strap. Not sure if that is a solution for you, but thought I would throw it out.

[RadSav]

I picked one up a while back when a member posted a pick of his.  Pretty darn nice!  I really like the four pockets inside the center zip!  Only problem I had with it was the waist buckle.  Seems I was always tightening it up.  As with every pack that uses that type of buckle system it drives me crazy!!  But that is a small thing for a pack so well designed.  One of the top three packs I've ever played with.

I have you tried adding the hip belt pulls?  It seemed to solve my problems and allows more leverage for extra cinch

I wasn't too concerned about getting the belt tighter.  My hope is to have a belt that doesn't loosen as I hike.  Especially with heavy loads.  The Pulls were nice!  Just not an answer for my quirks.

I had the same problem with my Ebelestock and the only solution I found was to run the webbing keepers up against the buckle.  The webbing keeper wouldn't allow the buckle to slide back down the belt strap. Not sure if that is a solution for you, but thought I would throw it out.

I ran Eberlestock for a good number of years.  Had the same issue as you.  My solution was to sew a small strip of vecro loop into the strap.  It catches in the buckle well enough to hold.  If I had kept the Stone Glacier pack I'd probably have done the same thing. 

But how much does it cost to triple the length of the belt strap and sew one more anchor stitch to the belt?  These packs ain't cheap!!  More expensive than Marmont last I checked.  And Stone Glacier, Kifaru and the Exo Mountain are much better thought out IMO.  They are all great packs!!  Way better than the Marmonts and North Face I have had.  But Marmont, North Face and a few others add, maybe, $2 more in material and labor to make the belt stay put.  Just frustrates me these fantastic, well thought out, extreme quality packs can't at least offer a no slip waist option as an accessory.

[whacker1]

I picked one up a while back when a member posted a pick of his.  Pretty darn nice!  I really like the four pockets inside the center zip!  Only problem I had with it was the waist buckle.  Seems I was always tightening it up.  As with every pack that uses that type of buckle system it drives me crazy!!  But that is a small thing for a pack so well designed.  One of the top three packs I've ever played with.

I have you tried adding the hip belt pulls?  It seemed to solve my problems and allows more leverage for extra cinch

I wasn't too concerned about getting the belt tighter.  My hope is to have a belt that doesn't loosen as I hike.  Especially with heavy loads.  The Pulls were nice!  Just not an answer for my quirks.

I had the same problem with my Ebelestock and the only solution I found was to run the webbing keepers up against the buckle.  The webbing keeper wouldn't allow the buckle to slide back down the belt strap. Not sure if that is a solution for you, but thought I would throw it out.

I ran Eberlestock for a good number of years.  Had the same issue as you.  My solution was to sew a small strip of vecro loop into the strap.  It catches in the buckle well enough to hold.  If I had kept the Stone Glacier pack I'd probably have done the same thing. 

But how much does it cost to triple the length of the belt strap and sew one more anchor stitch to the belt?  These packs ain't cheap!!  More expensive than Marmont last I checked.  And Stone Glacier, Kifaru and the Exo Mountain are much better thought out IMO.  They are all great packs!!  Way better than the Marmonts and North Face I have had.  But Marmont, North Face and a few others add, maybe, $2 more in material and labor to make the belt stay put.  Just frustrates me these fantastic, well thought out, extreme quality packs can't at least offer a no slip waist option as an accessory.

Can you post a picture of what you mean in regards to the Marmots & north face.....I would like to see what you are referencing and then I will go check it out at REI or Mountain Gear.  I think I understand, but want a visual. 

[haugenna]

I picked one up a while back when a member posted a pick of his.  Pretty darn nice!  I really like the four pockets inside the center zip!  Only problem I had with it was the waist buckle.  Seems I was always tightening it up.  As with every pack that uses that type of buckle system it drives me crazy!!  But that is a small thing for a pack so well designed.  One of the top three packs I've ever played with.

I have you tried adding the hip belt pulls?  It seemed to solve my problems and allows more leverage for extra cinch

I wasn't too concerned about getting the belt tighter.  My hope is to have a belt that doesn't loosen as I hike.  Especially with heavy loads.  The Pulls were nice!  Just not an answer for my quirks.

I had the same problem with my Ebelestock and the only solution I found was to run the webbing keepers up against the buckle.  The webbing keeper wouldn't allow the buckle to slide back down the belt strap. Not sure if that is a solution for you, but thought I would throw it out.

I ran Eberlestock for a good number of years.  Had the same issue as you.  My solution was to sew a small strip of vecro loop into the strap.  It catches in the buckle well enough to hold.  If I had kept the Stone Glacier pack I'd probably have done the same thing. 

But how much does it cost to triple the length of the belt strap and sew one more anchor stitch to the belt?  These packs ain't cheap!!  More expensive than Marmont last I checked.  And Stone Glacier, Kifaru and the Exo Mountain are much better thought out IMO.  They are all great packs!!  Way better than the Marmonts and North Face I have had.  But Marmont, North Face and a few others add, maybe, $2 more in material and labor to make the belt stay put.  Just frustrates me these fantastic, well thought out, extreme quality packs can't at least offer a no slip waist option as an accessory.

I believe it was not done because of a patent issue. I could be wrong.

[7mag.]

Kifaru makes the best belt, in my opinion. I haven't had one slip yet. To me, the waist belt is the one of the features that makes Kifaru stand out.

[stromdiddily]

Just picked up a Sky 6200 myself. Huge leap from what I was carrying before. I ordered one swing out and hip pocket for it and it's just about perfect. I'm a bit of an organizer so thinking I'm one camp pocket away from having it exactly as I want!

[Payne]

I got my eye on the Stone Glacier Minimalist for it's simplicity and weight.

[MountainTracker]

I believe the approach has the spotting scope pocket and is slightly larger than the Serac. I think the serac is perfect for a day pack( which is what I plan for), my kill kit, first aid, snacks/lunch, extra gloves and a extra shirt fit fine. I'm sure a packable rain jacket/pants would fit too. If you get down towards the Seattle/Eastside area I'd be happy to meet up so you could check it out.

G.

Thanks for the offer. Ill let you know next time I make a trip south.

[vaz,,66]

  My new SG Skyarcher 6200 arrived, what a nice frame/pack combo already love it, very comfortable, easy to adjust, grate  quality. I placed an order on Thursday, three days and its here. In my opinion after Bikini/DT3  it fills better  more comfortable for me due to thiker/wider sholder straps foam and the belt is nice too, I don't think that Kifaru belt is better in any way ( i had two of them small and medium for my Bikini )

[KevinClimbs]

I have a Sky 5100 and really like it. I put it to the test last year hauling 90 pounds of gear and meat 7 mile out of the backcountry - the load shelf is really slick. Wish they came out with the Sky archer a year earlier as I really like the mods they did to that pack. Here is pic of mine in bivy mode nearly loaded for the pack out. 

[rosscrazyelk]

Skyy7400. Love mine. 
I have now packed 4 elk out with it. Most conformable packout I  have ever been on