New pack?

[dan11011]

Also recommend Kifaru. Kifaru DT1 over here'

[ridgefire]

Kifaru guy myself but have heard some really good and really bad things about kuiu. Would def do a lot of research before buying. Used packs come up quite frequently on Rokslide. Might be worth keeping an eye on their classifieds.

[tonymoe]

Thanks folks!
I had big plans for tons of miles this year, hince the reason I was thinking of a new pack. I'll get a full year to check out a few packs mentioned, since I didn't draw any states!
I can use my Sitka 45 for "general" season hunts
 

[Commando]

Another vote for kifaru. They do t make it anymore but I've got the late season and love it.

[MtnMuley]

Best bang for your buck would be a Kuiu ultra 6000 and swap out the suspension and belt to the icon pro. EXO and Stone Glacier are top end as well. Kifaru remains at the top in my opinion.   Also, just because you didn't draw any tags shouldn't mean you don't need a new pack. I'd think with all the money saved on tag expenses, that you could end up with a high end pack instead this year.......

[JLS]

Mystery Ranch makes one helluva nice pack as well. I run a Metcalf and it is the bomb from daypack right on up to week long excursions.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

The Metcalf is an excellent pack.  I've never used Kifaru and can't/won't compare them, but the Metcalf will carry one heck of a load and do it with what I consider as much comfort as one could expect under the circumstances.

[westside103147]

+1 for Mystery Ranch. I run won't at work on the fire line and out hunting. There by far the most comfortable pack I've used.

[Eric M]

+1 for Mystery Ranch. I run won't at work on the fire line and out hunting. There by far the most comfortable pack I've used.

They ought to be for what they charge haha. Randy Newberg uses that one also. He loves it.

[Chappy84]

I also fall into the Kifaru camp. I have the Late season (no longer offered 3,400 ci) the Express (no longer offered 2,300 ci) and the scout lumbar pack (1,300 ci). I feel Kifaru is the most comfortable and durable packs I have used but to be fair I've only used kelty, badlands, Eberlestock and a walmart special so other companies may be good too.

Kifaru= $ well spent.

[JLS]

+1 for Mystery Ranch. I run won't at work on the fire line and out hunting. There by far the most comfortable pack I've used.

They ought to be for what they charge haha. Randy Newberg uses that one also. He loves it.

Price is relative to quality.  You can buy a cheaper pack and have it fail on you repeatedly.  Or, you can buy a quality pack and know that it will serve you well for many years of hard use.   

[zackmioli]

I love my exo 5500. have done many training trips with 60+ lbs in it and its as comfortable there as it is with 20. Lightweight, durable, and great customer service.

Of the few Kifaru packs ive tried on I didn't like any of them. They were so stiff and uncomfortable. I love how the exo moves with my body when hiking and has side to side mobility yet is stiff vertically which is what you need. The kifaru never moved side to side. Now I never hiked for an extended period of time with the kifaru but that's because it wasn't comfortable enough that I wanted to keep it on.

flame away kifaru lovers, that's just my experience with them.

[Jonathan_S]

Why would you want it to move side to side?

[Wetwoodshunter]

I'm running a Kifaru AMR on a composite hunter frame. I switched about two weeks ago from s Mystery Ranch nice frame.

The Kifaru fits the contour of my back better keeping me from hunching when hiking. I'm new to the pack having roughly 40 miles in it but I like it a lot. The AMR is huge but get very small.

Downside, not waterproof.
Here are some pics in daypack mode and loaded from a recent 3 day trip (I had food for 2 people).

[northwesthunter84]

About the exo it rotates in line with your torso, that s the frame design. I am running a first gen and I will be buying the new version next year, only because I originally voted for muliticam in 2014.

[coop2424]

About the exo it rotates in line with your torso, that s the frame design. I am running a first gen and I will be buying the new version next year, only because I originally voted for muliticam in 2014.

Next year they will have another frame version so will you be buying this years or the new one next year?