Suggestions for best expandable day pack?

[Brena.Hunter]

I am looking to purchase a new hunting day pack. I currently use the Eberlestock Mini-Me. It's been a great pack, but is just too small for my needs at 400 cubic inches - I end up strapping too much on to the outside. To it's credit it has held up well to the weight and abuse I've put it through.

I have been looking on the Eberlestock, Mystery Ranch and Kirafu websites. As a 5'3" female it's hard to find a good pack to fit my frame but carry enough gear. All of the 'women's specific' ones seem to just have hideous pink stitching to fem it up. Yuck. Looking for one that I can use as a day pack, but with the ability to expand enough to be a good spike camp pack.

So far I've been looking at the Eberlestock X2 or Little Big Top and the Mystery Ranch Scapegoat 35. Nothing on Kirafu stood out to me. I was leaning towards the X2 for its awesome expandability, but from what I can tell the torso is not adjustable. The Little Big Top is adjustable but not versatile as the X2 and I am dubious about the velcro across the top of the zippered section holding under a big load. The Scapegoat 35 looks like a nice narrow size for a female, and Mystery Ranch have different size shoulder straps, but I can't find any photos of the inside to know if it's just a big open stuff sack or if there are gear pockets. It seems expensive if it's just a stuff sack.

Keen to hear anyone's opinion on the best expandable day pack. It doesn't have to be one of the ones I have mentioned, but if you have experience with those I would also be keen to hear about it.

[Shawn Ryan]

The advantage of the Kifaru is that it is modular.  If the frame fits you, then you can add most of the bags to the frame. You can customize the bag with pockets or a lid that strap on quickly in many configurations.  Call Kifaru and ask for some advice on your size body. Ask them if they can put you in contact with another 5'3" female who has one of their packs. If they don't think their packs will work for you, they will tell you.  Kifaru and MR are in a different class than Eberlestock in quality, price, service, and function.

[huntnfmly]

 

[kselkhunter]

The Scapegoat is similar to an older pack from Mystery Ranch (which name escapes me) that has the built in pack frame for reduced weight.  Looks like they've done a facelift for many of their packs.  The website says Scapegoat has multiple inner pockets to stow gear.  Just call or email them, and they'll send you more pictures.  Their customer service is top notch. 

I have the Crew Cab from Mystery Ranch, which they've updated the design and now call it the Cabinet apparently.  It's the Guide Frame design, meaning you can easily swap on different bags to the frame to suit your trip.  I've never needed to swap off my Crew Cab from the frame though.  It's a day pack, but it opens up and expands for backpack trips.  As when you open it up you can easily get 7000ci of gear in it (or a large elk quarter).  But I do add the "lid" bag for my longer backpack trips for more capacity.  It's going to be a little heavier than an ultralight pack like a Kuiu or even some of the Kifaru's....but it's robust. 

Kifaru and Mystery Ranch are in the same class.  Some are die hard fans of Kifaru, and I'm sure will chime in with inputs.    Eberlestock isn't as robust, but still a good quality pack.  One of my friends hunts with the X2, and the other with the Blue Widow.  Good packs.  Quiet in the woods, but that material does hold some water weight when it rains hard (but just put a rain cover over it).  I never liked the scabbard between my back and the bag as it can throw off the fit on my back, so if I opted for a Eberlestock I would go with the Blue Widow and just use a gun bearer for rifle hunts. 

I would say in terms of adjustability to your frame I would rate them: 1) Kifaru, 2) Mystery Ranch, then 3) Eberlestock of the three you mentioned.   

[dan11011]

I have a Kifaru Duplex Timberline 1. Works for day hunts to 7 day+ backpacking trips. What's great about it, is I can go in with just water, my kill kit, some food and my gun in it and if I shoot something it expands to allow me to start packing out meat instantly. No need to run back to the truck to get a game cart. As soon as the animal is cut up, I can start packing. They are expensive as hell but I use it a lot and love it.

[Bucks2Ducks]

I had the X2 and it can carry some serious weight for its size, but really prefer my exo 3500 that only weighs a half pound more and can allow me to carry 5 days of gear and a quarter out of the woods. I also think that an Exo would fit you better with more adjust-ability then my Eberlestock had. Stone glacier, Kifaru, and Exo are all a little more $, but they make some very comfortable, light weight packs that are very versatile. As far as mystery ranch I don't have any experience with them.  Also a lot of used packs on Rokslide if you have a budget. Good luck on your research, my pack is my favorite piece of hunting gear, its my safety blanket when I'm deep and solo. Buy once cry once!

[Brena.Hunter]

Some detailed replies - thank you. I was happy with the durability of my Eberlestock, so it is interesting to hear that Mystery Ranch is seen to be a better quality pack. It is swaying me towards MR. I've sent a message to MR asking for some more details/photos of the inside of the Scapegoat. Thinking back on rainy weather - it does hold the water weight as kselkhunter said.

I did look at the Mystery Ranch Cabinet, but the way the frame extends beyond the pack was off-putting. I wear a cowboy hat for hunting and with my smaller torso I think it would be constantly knocking my hat off. Being a meat hauler pack is less of a concern for me. Most packs should be able to haul the head out just fine on the first trip (even the tiny Mini-Me did it just fine). Although I've been drawn for the Peaches Ridge Any Bull, so hopefully the head will be heavier this year!!!

Does anyone have experience with the Sitka packs? The Sitka Bivy 30 looks good. I like their clothing - just not sure how that would translate to a pack. Perhaps stick with the companies who specialise in packs? It doesn't seem like they are in the same arena as the others.

[colersu22]

I have an Exo mountain gear 2000 that I use for day hunts and when I head out for a week for elk I put the 3500 bag on the frame.  I like how you can immediately stat packing meat out like was mention earlier and it carries 80-100lbs pretty comfortable.  I also have a Kifaru frame which fits me better due to being able to adjust the shoulder straps individually and my right shoulder sits about an inch lower than my left.

Maybe people with the different packs will reach out to you so you can try them on and get hands on them before you spend 400-800 on a pack.

Like mentioned above check out the Rokslide forum, a lot of people with a lot of experience with high end packs and good review.

[kselkhunter]

Some detailed replies - thank you. I was happy with the durability of my Eberlestock, so it is interesting to hear that Mystery Ranch is seen to be a better quality pack. It is swaying me towards MR. I've sent a message to MR asking for some more details/photos of the inside of the Scapegoat. Thinking back on rainy weather - it does hold the water weight as kselkhunter said.

I did look at the Mystery Ranch Cabinet, but the way the frame extends beyond the pack was off-putting. I wear a cowboy hat for hunting and with my smaller torso I think it would be constantly knocking my hat off. Being a meat hauler pack is less of a concern for me. Most packs should be able to haul the head out just fine on the first trip (even the tiny Mini-Me did it just fine). Although I've been drawn for the Peaches Ridge Any Bull, so hopefully the head will be heavier this year!!!

Does anyone have experience with the Sitka packs? The Sitka Bivy 30 looks good. I like their clothing - just not sure how that would translate to a pack. Perhaps stick with the companies who specialise in packs? It doesn't seem like they are in the same arena as the others.

When you talk to Mystery Ranch, ask them if they have any Crew Cabs left in stock still.  That frame stops at your shoulders.  Doesn't have that taller section in the middle like the Cabinet appears to have in the photos.  Or look for a used crew cab on Rockslide.  You could check mine out first if you want.  My frame is a large, so won't fit you but can at least look at the pack quality. 

[lamrith]

Any reason you left out Kuiu in your search?  They have a very modular system like Kifaru.  Get the belt and frame size you need then the packs all are swappable.  1800cui up to 7200.  They have lots of straps and cross straps to cinch down your load.  Packs can be separated from frame so you  can put your heavy gamebags right against your back for climbing out of the rabbit hole you chased that monster bull down.  The 1850 can be converted to a frameless daypack also for those quick hunts close to camp or scouting trips.

[kselkhunter]

Part of the challenge is the smallest frame that Kuiu and Kifaru makes is 22" tall.  That's still tall for a small framed person.  The Op is 5'3" tall. 

Don't get me wrong, I like Kuiu as I have the Ultra with both 1800 and 6000ci bags. 

[NRA4LIFE]

Try on a Badlands 2800.  It is very compact, light and expands to a great meat hauler.  I've hauled 75 lbs easily with it.