New pack?

[actionshooter]

I have been using MR packs for years and absolutely love the fit, but the weight of the pack (10#) has finally convinced me to try something new......Cracked the box on a Stone Glacier Talus 6900 with some goodies just about an hour ago.

Review after season is over.

[northwesthunter84]

Don't really care the old frame design works great. Packed out the front end of a big roosie cow last year no complaints. I guess the K2 is what they have now.

[zackmioli]

by side to side movement, I mean it moves better with my body as I am hiking, climbing over and under deadfall, etc. I am sure the kifaru packs 100lbs great but the majority of my season is spent between 20-50lbs and the exo is super comfortable all day like that. the exo will handle the 100lbs as well, but 100lbs is going to be brutal no matter what pack or frame you have.

just offering a different opinion is all.

[jtw]

Ive owned an Mr metcalf and currently run an exo 3500. Ive also used a handful of backpacking packs too. The exo is hands down the best bag Ive ised. The frame is incredibly comfortable but does great under load. ( Ive packed out boned out deer and trained with80 lbs of sand.) All heavy loads suck but the exo makes it suck less. The MR nice frame always sagged on me under a load. I contacted mr about it and all they said was, "It shouldnt do that..."

[bulldogs40]

I hate spending money but my last deployment present to myself was a stone glacier sky talus. The thing is awesome. Super light, great quality, and the thing can hold the entire house. I took a trip to hawaii to see my fiancé and we were going on a backpacking trip to kauai. I got clothes for a week, golf shoes, and overnight camping gear for 2 people without having to use the load shelf. Way to expensive... but man they are awesome if you can justify the price.

[Karl Blanchard]

I hate spending money, but my last deployment present to myself was a stone glacier sky talus. The thing is awesome. Super light, great quality, and the thing can hold the entire house. I took a trip to hawaii to see my fiancé and we were going on a backpacking trip to kauai. I got clothes for a week, golf shoes, and overnight camping gear for 2 people without having to use the load shelf. Way to expensive... but man they are awesome if you can justify the price.

A solid pack that carries like a boss is priceless man, not too expensive   Good pack choice by the way.  You would have to pry the kifaru off my cold dead back before I ever went to a different pack, but if I did, Stone Glacier would be the ONLY other pack I would consider.

[robertsjd]

ive literally worn almost all of the top packs .

Sitka bivy 45
kuiu icon pro 5200
kifaru hunter frame / duplex timberline 2
mystery ranch guide light frame marshall
            ' put my buddys exo 5500 ' on walked 20 ft


and I must say that the new mystery ranch is definitely the winner in my books . the exo is a very comfortable pack and designed for hunters and needs to be considered when in need of a new pack . the only pacl system ive never had my hands on now is the stone glacier and I really want to try it out maybe that's next on the list .

remember this is my personal opinion. empty or with 50 lbs the newly designed mystery ranch marshall has my vote by a long shot.   

[mburrows]

Ive had the stone glacier system since beginning of summer, last night and this morning were my heaviest loaded hikes ive done yet and its held up great and rides good without having to adjust much at all over the course of a hike.

Did 2.25 miles last night with 85# and another 1.5 miles this morning before work, same weight. Couldn't be happier with its performance.

[cumminsbassguy]

Ive had the stone glacier system since beginning of summer, last night and this morning were my heaviest loaded hikes ive done yet and its held up great and rides good without having to adjust much at all over the course of a hike.

Did 2.25 miles last night with 85# and another 1.5 miles this morning before work, same weight. Couldn't be happier with its performance.

how is the krux frame of those stone glaciers ?   Looking at either the talus 6900.  Or the 6200 archer

[mburrows]

Ive never hauled a heavy load in any of the other high end packs, only tried a few of them on. I used to use a Kelty so its big upgrade for me compared to that.

I really like it though, seems pretty durable and is light at the same time. Not sure if ill use the meat shelf but its a nice option to have. I like how you can adjust the frames fit super quickly. I find it to be pretty comfortable as well.

[cumminsbassguy]

i like that, right now im stuck with and old bdu  molle pack    quality military equipment.

[mburrows]

i like that, right now im stuck with and old bdu  molle pack    quality military equipment.

Nothing wrong with that. Whatever keeps you hunting is a good pack!

[buglebrush]

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.

 . I have the same experience.   IMO Kifaru is awesome under heavy load, but too stiff for day pack.  However, if you are over 6' 2" you will want a taller frame than Exo currently offers.  In that case I would go Kifaru.  The new K-2 frame is awesome from Exo!   

[Karl Blanchard]

I sure wish someone would have told me kifaru's are too stiff for day packs   

[Branden]

I sure wish someone would have told me kifaru's are too stiff for day packs   

Me too