Which pack ?!?! MR/Kifaru/exo

[buglebrush]

i agree with blackveltbowhunter
i almost went with the tahr, argali, options but did not want to spend a ton of money on pockets so i ended up getting a 22mag, couple belt pouches,
ul frame capable of heavy loads
take a look at the 22mag
the 22mag has pockets and built in organization
its a great day pack with options
you can detach it from the frame and put whatever between it and the frame if you want to
use the "bgf15" promo code on kifaru site for 15% off right now
great deal!!!!
ul frame and 22mag $515 shipped

Thanks for the input.  For my height the 22" frame is too short.  Great deal though!

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I just can't understand this "meat shelf" idea people fall in love with.

A) it causes strange loads with your bag further away from your back.

B) all problems can be solved with a contractors garbage bag. I've packed out a few animals now with zero problems.

As to the Exo and SG, their belts just don't compare to Kifaru's...it's not even close IMO.

If I could get SG to design Kifaru'a bags though...then we'd be in business!


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[buglebrush]

I just can't understand this "meat shelf" idea people fall in love with.

A) it causes strange loads with your bag further away from your back.

B) all problems can be solved with a contractors garbage bag. I've packed out a few animals now with zero problems.

As to the Exo and SG, their belts just don't compare to Kifaru's...it's not even close IMO.

If I could get SG to design Kifaru'a bags though...then we'd be in business!

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The thing many of you are missing in regards to some of us liking a Meatshelf is it allows you to carry a much more compact pack.  For example the Exo 3500 actually has 7,000 CI if you include the meat shelf.  I know many of you just buy 7,000 CI packs and compress them down, but I don't like running a huge compressed pack for day hunts.  Since meat hauling or extra food for 7+days is the only time I need extra space a dry bag dropped into the meat shelf area keeps my pack tidy and functional.  I have hauled plenty of loads inside different packs in garbage bags too. 

[trophyhunt]

How would you rate kuiu packs?  Don't know why I'm asking, last thing I need is more choices!!!

[trophyhunt]

Icon pro 7,200???

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Icon pro 7,200???

The Icon Pros are legit packs IMO...KUIUs best pack to date, and on par with the Exos...


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[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I just can't understand this "meat shelf" idea people fall in love with.

A) it causes strange loads with your bag further away from your back.

B) all problems can be solved with a contractors garbage bag. I've packed out a few animals now with zero problems.

As to the Exo and SG, their belts just don't compare to Kifaru's...it's not even close IMO.

If I could get SG to design Kifaru'a bags though...then we'd be in business!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The thing many of you are missing in regards to some of us liking a Meatshelf is it allows you to carry a much more compact pack.  For example the Exo 3500 actually has 7,000 CI if you include the meat shelf.  I know many of you just buy 7,000 CI packs and compress them down, but I don't like running a huge compressed pack for day hunts.  Since meat hauling or extra food for 7+days is the only time I need extra space a dry bag dropped into the meat shelf area keeps my pack tidy and functional.  I have hauled plenty of loads inside different packs in garbage bags too.

To each there own...


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[trophyhunt]

Icon pro 7,200???

The Icon Pros are legit packs IMO...KUIUs best pack to date, and on par with the Exos...


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and a bit cheaper than SG or kifaru.

[robertsjd]

since you guys are keeping this thread alive ill chime back in ! i did actually decide to go with kifaru and i went with hunting frame and  the DT2 . and got to load it up and take it on a turkey hunt so wasnt loaded up heavy at all just minimal camera gear / tripod / optics / extra jackets maybe 20 lbs if that . and compared to my kuiu it blew it out of the water i didn't even hardly know the pack was on my back. but bag layout in my opinion is doo doo compared to the kuiu . im kind of weird and ocd and like things separated . and i really did like the horseshoe zipper that the kuiu had the kifaru does have the bottom zipper to get stuff out from the bottom rather than digging through all your stuff . but when loading up for long hauls and when you have lots of little items .the pockets on the kuiu were certainly nice to have i had lots of little items i liked to take with me that i cannot find spots for in the kifaru bag . butttttttt its hauling capability is amazing the frame and the way it feels is amazing i just might be looking into another bag with some layout differences . cant wait to get it under serious weight and try it out . and for some reason i keep looking and the new Mystery ranch page to see when the new Marshall will be available     

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Here is an example of why I don't really like the Meat Shelf...notice how far forward he has to lean to compensate for the weight pulling him backward. He's created an additional 10-14" of horizontal space.

Plus...where are his trekking poles? Ha.



Here is Scott and I with 2 full loaded packs...notice we are standing vertical...




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[Duckslayer89]

Here is an example of why I don't really like the Meat Shelf...notice how far forward he has to lean to compensate for the weight pulling him backward. He's created an additional 10-14" of horizontal space.

Plus...where are his trekking poles? Ha.



Here is Scott and I with 2 full loaded packs...notice we are standing vertical...




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The meat shelf doesn't make any sense to have your pack hanging off like that. Creates even more weight with leverage. It's like using a short pry bar vs long pry bar.

[sirmissalot]

Here is an example of why I don't really like the Meat Shelf...notice how far forward he has to lean to compensate for the weight pulling him backward. He's created an additional 10-14" of horizontal space.

Plus...where are his trekking poles? Ha.



Here is Scott and I with 2 full loaded packs...notice we are standing vertical...




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There is no way you are comparing similar loads in these two pictures. What is that a solo and a access bag both stuffed full and a bone in hind compared to a Kifaru bag not even stuffed full but appears to be similar sized to the solo, maybe a couple thousand cubic inches bigger.

The heaviest park of that SG load is obviously the bone in quarter, which is the whole idea of the load shelf, keeping it as close to the body as possible. Strapping the bow on like that didn't make much sense unless you're trying to prove a point for a picture.

Like you said, to each their own. There are certainly benefits to both options.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Here is an example of why I don't really like the Meat Shelf...notice how far forward he has to lean to compensate for the weight pulling him backward. He's created an additional 10-14" of horizontal space.

Plus...where are his trekking poles? Ha.



Here is Scott and I with 2 full loaded packs...notice we are standing vertical...




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The meat shelf doesn't make any sense to have your pack hanging off like that. Creates even more weight with leverage. It's like using a short pry bar vs long pry bar.

Right, but that's the way it's designed...

If you have your normal daypack on and need to get 3 miles back to camp, then you aren't leaving all your stuff there.

Remember, these backpacks are designed for backcountry hunting...

Not necessarily "meat hauling," though they will do that better then most others on the market.


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[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Here is an example of why I don't really like the Meat Shelf...notice how far forward he has to lean to compensate for the weight pulling him backward. He's created an additional 10-14" of horizontal space.

Plus...where are his trekking poles? Ha.



Here is Scott and I with 2 full loaded packs...notice we are standing vertical...




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is no way you are comparing similar loads in these two pictures. What is that a solo and a access bag both stuffed full and a bone in hind compared to a Kifaru bag not even stuffed full but appears to be similar sized to the solo, maybe a couple thousand cubic inches bigger.

The heaviest park of that SG load is obviously the bone in quarter, which is the whole idea of the load shelf, keeping it as close to the body as possible. Strapping the bow on like that didn't make much sense unless you're trying to prove a point for a picture.

Like you said, to each their own. There are certainly benefits to both options.

Those loads Scott and I had are approximately 90-100 pounds.

Those packs we have are 8400 CU...


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[trophyhunt]

I see what your talking about silk, that's quite a load.