New pack decision

[dyhardhuntr]

The Kuiu Ultra or Icon pro 3500 is handy for day hunts.  Can carry 100# without an issue but finger light as a day pack and not bulky- if you need to stuff a couple with buddies in back seat can do it.   Throw meat in bag between pack and frame in 30 seconds.
If I was carrying a camp on my back I would want the Kifaru with big plush suspension.  With really big loads there are advantages to going vertical with loads arrangements and not back. This is contrary to the meat shelf design.

I had the icon pro but I just didn't care for the fit.

[fisheral87]

I had a 2015 Exo 3500 for two years. My Kifaru reckoning with carbon arrow hunter frame arrives Friday. Planning on doing a write up to compare at a high level and discuss why I decided to change.

The new exo K2 looks closer to Kifaru with the larger lumbar, bigger lid, more rigidity etc.

Al

[whacker1]

I have the Stone Glacier Sky6900.  I can't say enough good things about it.  I am happy to share anything you might want to know.  Participated in packing 3 different bulls, a mule deer, and a white tail last year.  very happy

12 days wilderness backpacking in 3 different trips

[dyhardhuntr]

I have the Stone Glacier Sky6900.  I can't say enough good things about it.  I am happy to share anything you might want to know.  Participated in packing 3 different bulls, a mule deer, and a white tail last year.  very happy

12 days wilderness backpacking in 3 different trips

What made you choose stone glacier? I have a buddy with the same one and he loves it but he went from a badlands superday to that so not much comparison. I love their setup as it's pretty minimal but I like the pocket lay out of the new Exo 5500. How is the padding on the stone glacier belt?

[dyhardhuntr]

I had a 2015 Exo 3500 for two years. My Kifaru reckoning with carbon arrow hunter frame arrives Friday. Planning on doing a write up to compare at a high level and discuss why I decided to change.

The new exo K2 looks closer to Kifaru with the larger lumbar, bigger lid, more rigidity etc.

Al

I've been looking at the same kifaru setup. I like the meat between the bag concept. If the pack had the comfort of kifaru, the weight of a stone glacier and the layout of the Exo I would be set! Lol

[fillthefreezer]

I've been looking at the same kifaru setup. I like the meat between the bag concept. If the pack had the comfort of kifaru, the weight of a stone glacier and the layout of the Exo I would be set! Lol

the new exo's arent shipping yet, but im pretty sure they will mount to a kifaru pretty easily. should know in a few weeks... 

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I had a 2015 Exo 3500 for two years. My Kifaru reckoning with carbon arrow hunter frame arrives Friday. Planning on doing a write up to compare at a high level and discuss why I decided to change.

The new exo K2 looks closer to Kifaru with the larger lumbar, bigger lid, more rigidity etc.

Al

I've been looking at the same kifaru setup. I like the meat between the bag concept. If the pack had the comfort of kifaru, the weight of a stone glacier and the layout of the Exo I would be set! Lol

This is why FillTheFreezer designed a custom bag for the Kifaru Frame!

On the Stone Glacier...I just wasn't real wild about the frame and belt compared to the Kifaru...




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[whacker1]

I have the Stone Glacier Sky6900.  I can't say enough good things about it.  I am happy to share anything you might want to know.  Participated in packing 3 different bulls, a mule deer, and a white tail last year.  very happy

12 days wilderness backpacking in 3 different trips

What made you choose stone glacier? I have a buddy with the same one and he loves it but he went from a badlands superday to that so not much comparison. I love their setup as it's pretty minimal but I like the pocket lay out of the new Exo 5500. How is the padding on the stone glacier belt?

Last year I had the Sky Archer 6200 and bought a spotting scope and wanted the 6900 configuration for the spotting scope and tripod.  I also lost enough wait that I needed to move a size down in belt.  So that was an opportunity to sell both.  I have no qualms with the padding on the belt, and it sounds like the X-curve frame improves upon both the belt and frame.

With regard to the why, it came down to a few things for me.  At the time I didn't like the Kifaru duplex or the Bikini frame and I couldn't find a bag configuration that I really wanted to latch onto.  Exo was back ordered when I first bought the Stone Glacier.  It was the lightest of all the packs, had water resistant zippers, and all made in the u.s.  Kurt and his crew in the multiple times I called them to ask questions and delivered within one week of order.  So, I like the pack so much in 2015, when I needed a smaller belt size and like the other bag configuration better, it was a no brainer to make the second plunge. 

One of my friends has an EXO 3500, which I was very impressed with in 2015 and if it was for me and my needs I would get the 5500 and be completely content.  But Kurt has been so good to me and another hunting partner that I won't likely be trying anything else anytime soon unless it is the new xcurve frame and belt. 

[Shawn Ryan]

Can't help you in comparing to the Exo and SG, but I've hauled meat in my bikini/EMR2 without issue. I use TAG game bags and then slip them into a contractor-grade garbage bag only for the time in the pack. I don't otherwise leave meat in a garbage bag and I leave the top of the garbage bag open to increase airflow.   I just re-use the garbage bag for each trip; it just becomes a pack-liner of sorts.

I'm skinny with boney hips, as well. The Kifaru hauls so much better than the Blue Widow I had before. The farthest I've hauled a hunting bivy camp (25-30lbs) is about 9 miles in and have hauled backpack/fishing camps (35-45lbs) on 35-40 mile trips.  You may want to haul on longer trips, IDK.  Never a hotspot or rub issue on the hips or shoulders for me.

I wear the same pack, tucked down, as a day pack hunting every day, which I find very comfortable and I shoot with the frame on.  I also use the guide lid with its own shoulder straps as a day pack for fishing once at camp.  It doesn't hold enough (for me) for an all-day hunting outing, but for carrying tackle, lunch, water, rain gear, etc. while I cast around a lake or up a stream, its great.

If I'm not paying attention, it will start to sway from side-to-side at times. The whole pack sways; not the load on the frame.  That is probably because I'm carrying more on my hips than I should and when I allow more to rest on my shoulders and generally tighten the pack to my body, the sway stops. Silk also tells me that that sway is eliminated or decreased in the hunter frame v. the bikini frame.

[huntnfmly]

I just picked up a kifaru duplex Hunter frame and emr2 bag it cinches down real well and is the most comfortable pack I've had on.
I also went thru all kind of different Packs but this is the one for sure.
I've seen the light and I am no longer a backpack whore looking for my next fix lol.

[dyhardhuntr]

I just picked up a kifaru duplex Hunter frame and emr2 bag it cinches down real well and is the most comfortable pack I've had on.
I also went thru all kind of different Packs but this is the one for sure.
I've seen the light and I am no longer a backpack *censored* looking for my next fix lol.

I'm also a backpack- aholic. I'm hoping to see the light soon but it's a hard decision when I'm dropping $700+. Everyone's feedback is helping to make it easier.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I just picked up a kifaru duplex Hunter frame and emr2 bag it cinches down real well and is the most comfortable pack I've had on.
I also went thru all kind of different Packs but this is the one for sure.
I've seen the light and I am no longer a backpack *censored* looking for my next fix lol.

I'm also a backpack- aholic. I'm hoping to see the light soon but it's a hard decision when I'm dropping $700+. Everyone's feedback is helping to make it easier.

To be honest, you're going to be exponentially more happy with any of the big 3.5 (I count KUIU as a half 😂) then with whatever pack you were running.

I've been able to mess with all of the major brands, minus the 2017 Exo setup (which looks very very good), and still come away with Kifaru as the best frame available. (Though that 2017 Exo...)

I think if I were you I'd look at the 2017 Exo or a Kif Hunter Duplex Frame with your bag of choice. The reckoning is a fine bag. I've ran the EMR2 and it was a good bag, but had some issues...(worthless pockets).

Where are you located at? I'm sure there's someone in your area with bags to check out.


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[dscubame]

I have read of Kifaru packs taking on water in rainy conditions and specifically on the west side.  One hundred percent vote for Stone Glacier.  It press downs to nothing if you desire.  Speaking of Sky Talus 6900.

[Stickerbush]

For what you are describing I'd say a 3000-4000ci bag would be more than enough. I have a mystery ranch Marshall that is a big bag but cuts down pretty tight for day hunts. There are die hard fans of all the top brands, tons of great gear out there.

[dyhardhuntr]

I just picked up a kifaru duplex Hunter frame and emr2 bag it cinches down real well and is the most comfortable pack I've had on.
I also went thru all kind of different Packs but this is the one for sure.
I've seen the light and I am no longer a backpack *censored* looking for my next fix lol.

I'm also a backpack- aholic. I'm hoping to see the light soon but it's a hard decision when I'm dropping $700+. Everyone's feedback is helping to make it easier.

To be honest, you're going to be exponentially more happy with any of the big 3.5 (I count KUIU as a half 😂) then with whatever pack you were running.

I've been able to mess with all of the major brands, minus the 2017 Exo setup (which looks very very good), and still come away with Kifaru as the best frame available. (Though that 2017 Exo...)

I think if I were you I'd look at the 2017 Exo or a Kif Hunter Duplex Frame with your bag of choice. The reckoning is a fine bag. I've ran the EMR2 and it was a good bag, but had some issues...(worthless pockets).

Where are you located at? I'm sure there's someone in your area with bags to check out.


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I actually just sold my icon pro to find the new pack. I live in Kelso,Wa. I've got a guy I know that has a kifaru DT2 but he's hard to get a hold of. The Exo has the layout I like(pocket location and such). I've been eyeballing that new Exo hard but everyone says the kifaru frame and belt is super comfortable but I don't care for the bag layouts much. I've talked to reps from all 3 manufacturers. They have all been great to deal with.