Pack shopping local

[J.Brower]

Anyone have suggestions as to where to go local (within an hour or 2 of snohomish) to shop for new packs? Needing one for the Alpine hunt we’re planning for next year. Looking for a selection of more than just 1 option in the 45-5000ci range. Was thinking about sportco in fife but can’t recall their selection of packs.


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[D-Rock425]

Buy once cry once.  Kifaru, exo, stone glacier, mystery ranch is what I'd be looking at.

[savagehunter]

What he said

[J.Brower]

Buy once cry once.  Kifaru, exo, stone glacier, mystery ranch is what I'd be looking at.

That’s typically my MO. This year, it’s going to be get something good enough to do it comfortably without dropping a ton of cash per item. If this is something I plan on doing more of, I will definitely jump up to a kifaru or exo. Trying to keep it in the $300 ballpark for a pack this year.


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[bigdub257]

Buy once cry once.  Kifaru, exo, stone glacier, mystery ranch is what I'd be looking at.

[jackelope]

I’d watch the classifieds and buy used if that’s your plan. I wouldn’t waste money on anything badlands/tenzing/eberlestock/etc. Been there done that got the t shirt. There’s nothing “comfortable” about any of them.

[addicted]

Stone glaciers dealer. 1111 Hudson St, Longview, WA 98632
+1 360-425-3870



Good multiday packs start at $399 with the outdoorsmans optics hunter and go up from there

[JeffRaines]

Keep an eye on classifieds. You can get a top tier pack in your budget if you keep your eyes open.

Rokslide, 24hourcampfire for huge classifieds sections.

[buglebuster]

Watch rokslide classifieds. I just sold a kifaru duplex frame with reckoning bag and medium pocket for $450

[romaknows]

I have a seekoutside goshawk that you could check out if you would like ( I am near Granite Falls), it will be a little more than you wanted to spend , but I think there are some sales right now for them.

It is a great pack under 4 lbs , will pack more weight than I can and is waterproof,also lots of different bags you could put on the frame.

[opdinkslayer]

A used kuiu icon pro would be close to your $300 budget & despite all the negative about them we all love ours & have had 0 issues

[addicted]

 

A poor review of a kuiu, Stone glaciers, exo, outdooorsmans, kifaru or the like is almost exclusively due to someone not knowing how to use the pack. These are very technical pieces of equipment and must be fitted to you and learned.

I change a different buddy's world nearly every trip when I adjust their pack for them for the first time.

Sure each pack is better at something than another but it's up to you to pick the right one for your hauling mission.

An outdoorsmans frame will haul more volume with stability than an SG

A kuiu will compress into a better day pack than an exo.

A stone glacier will hold the load closer and be lighter  than a mystery ranch.

A mystery ranch lid will turn into a fanny pack while the outdoorsmans might be hard to walk between close trees

[opdinkslayer]

I would add that some of the top end companies have better frames(idk never used them), the layout of the icon pro bags are 2nd to none imo. For me my kuiu frame/harness is outstanding & have no desire to dump more money to try one of the “alpha packs”.

[JeffRaines]

A poor review of a kuiu, Stone glaciers, exo, outdooorsmans, kifaru or the like is almost exclusively due to someone not knowing how to use the pack. These are very technical pieces of equipment and must be fitted to you and learned.

I change a different buddy's world nearly every trip when I adjust their pack for them for the first time.

Sure each pack is better at something than another but it's up to you to pick the right one for your hauling mission.

An outdoorsmans frame will haul more volume with stability than an SG

A kuiu will compress into a better day pack than an exo.

A stone glacier will hold the load closer and be lighter  than a mystery ranch.

A mystery ranch lid will turn into a fanny pack while the outdoorsmans might be hard to walk between close trees

 

It pays to watch or read whatever fitting information the manufacturer has available.

[MHWASH]

I’d watch the classifieds and buy used if that’s your plan. I wouldn’t waste money on anything badlands/tenzing/eberlestock/etc. Been there done that got the t shirt. There’s nothing “comfortable” about any of them.

I made the move to a Kuiu Icon Pro a couple years ago and couldn’t believe the difference. I’m sure the alpha packs are even better, but until I start doing more than a couple of backpack bear hunts a year during mild weather I see no reason to switch.

[X-Force]

Riverside Archery carries black creek guide gear and holiday sports carries mystery ranch.

After Christmas pack prices should be cheap for moving 2018 product. 

[swanny]

I picked up a Mystery Ranch Selway last year and am astonished by the carry capacity and comfort of a true hunting pack. Most backpacking bags these days are internal frame, meant to carry weight up to 50lbs max, but do a lot better in the 30lb range. While most hunting bags are an internal frame by design, they carry weight like external frames of old. If you can find anything local to try on, thats your best bet for comfort. Unfortunately with the direct to consumer approach from many companies and most hunting stores being geared towards the budget hunter, finding these top tier hunting bags to try on can be difficult unless you have people near you to test theirs out.

[bigdub257]

I picked up a Mystery Ranch Selway last year and am astonished by the carry capacity and comfort of a true hunting pack. Most backpacking bags these days are internal frame, meant to carry weight up to 50lbs max, but do a lot better in the 30lb range. While most hunting bags are an internal frame by design, they carry weight like external frames of old. If you can find anything local to try on, thats your best bet for comfort. Unfortunately with the direct to consumer approach from many companies and most hunting stores being geared towards the budget hunter, finding these top tier hunting bags to try on can be difficult unless you have people near you to test theirs out.

Camofire has the MR Selway listed today at $320 - 35% off.  Great pack!

[bracer40]

I went through a similar shopping/decision process a few years back. Ended up buying an Icon Pro from a fellow HW member for a fair price (right in your budget wheelhouse.
Packed an entire half an elk last year in a single trip (I don't plan to do that again any time soon!) And my elk this year in a reasonable four trips. Very comfortable pack.

I'd be happy to let you try mine on. In N Seattle.