Best elk pack?

[High Climber]

I’ve looked at the expo but I don’t like the one frame option. I’m on the upper end of the frame and the load lifters would be almost flat. They were on my just one. I hunt anywhere from 2-12 miles back. Haven’t done the camp on my back because the hunting partners I’ve had have left me hanging more then once.. have looked at kuiu as well. Just not sure of there frame systems.. I’ve got some low back issues and have heard nothing but thumbs up for Kifaru and comfort. Haven’t heard the same for kuiu. Have thought about the kuiu bag on a Kifaru frame.. spondylitis isn’t fun with some good support for sure. Did will with the just one.. but son is getting old enough to carry his own stuff to a point.. plus 100% American made of Kifaru is nothing to overlook either..

I’m 6’3 and my exo frame could definitely be a few inches taller. It’s no issue most of the time, but under heavy load I’m not getting much help from my lifters. I talked to Steve Speck before I purchased and he was upfront about the pack being borderline to small for me. Great guys at exo and a great product, just not made for bigger dudes.

[BULLBLASTER]

I’ve had a mystery ranch nice 6500 for 5 years and hauled lots and lots of animals in it. Been a bomb proof pack. Seems like every year I get the itch and decide I need a new “better” backpack but then I haul something heavy again in my MR and it does just fine. I’ve seen coach and his kuiu pack haul some stupid heavy pack weights, with bungee cords holding it all together.   

That said, if I was shopping for a pack now I would bypass the rest and go straight to Kifaru.

[blackveltbowhunter]

One full of meat?

    Kifaru makes a very tough, reliable, and comfortable product. Mine is a workhorse. They also have a ton of options from frame sizes and weights to bag and pocket options getting a system specifically customized for you and your hunts is possible.  All of that come with a cost and a bit of a weight penalty.

   EXO and SG both have well built products. Comfort varies by user, and somewhat limited options keeps costs slightly lower. 

   Kuiu is probably the best value.  They have good options for sizing, and nice bag and pocket selection. They are pretty darn comfy with with decent weight, and fill that niche where you prioritize hunting, but your not wearing the pack for 2+months  a year and packing lots of heavy weight often.

   The great thing is that all of them make a good product and competition has made all of them better and and more comfortable than ever. Prioritize your needs and go from there. 

   

[blackveltbowhunter]

I think it worth mentioning that comfort is a subjective quality. So while one guy may be cursing about how brutal his "cheap" pack is. Another guy may be fine just sucking it up. I had many 100 + pound loads in badlands 4500 and Eberlestocks,  and while it was less comfortable than my Kifaru now, it was irrelevant because i was hunting tags i couldn't have afforded if I had bought a pack instead. 

[BOOMER]

Bought the exo 5500 hands down the best pack that I have ever owned. Easily handled a whole boned out mule deer. Great product

[Taco280AI]

I’m 6’3 and my exo frame could definitely be a few inches taller. It’s no issue most of the time, but under heavy load I’m not getting much help from my lifters. I talked to Steve Speck before I purchased and he was upfront about the pack being borderline to small for me. Great guys at exo and a great product, just not made for bigger dudes.
[/quote]

I forgot who is who over there, but I did call in the owner's brother during archery elk. Guess my bugle sounded decent 

[coop2424]

I’m 6’3 and my exo frame could definitely be a few inches taller. It’s no issue most of the time, but under heavy load I’m not getting much help from my lifters. I talked to Steve Speck before I purchased and he was upfront about the pack being borderline to small for me. Great guys at exo and a great product, just not made for bigger dudes.
[/quote]

I am a bit taller than you and hauled half an elk out with Exo and was miserable due to no lift at all and frame moved more than I liked. Sold it and went to kifaru and have been happy ever since with multiple pack outs with some very heavy loads.   There is a pack out there that will fit everyone and their hunting style just a matter of finding it.  Once you do find it of course that is the best pack out there no matter if you have tried anything else.   

[Stein]

I bought a Kuiu and Exo and sent the Kuiu back.  I’m 6’4” and have no problems but I ruck all year and am used to carrying loads.  I rarely if ever touch the load lifters.

Great pack, nearly perfect for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[deerhunter_98520]

I'm in the same boat....I'm narrowed it down to exo or kuiu icon pro...I just got the kuiu venture 1800 for a day pack and it's very nice....would be nice to see either rof the packs on my hands first

Get an Ultra 4000 bag - fits ur frame and less than $100 on sale - weighs 1.25 #. 
https://www.kuiu.com/bags/ultra-4000-bag/60021.html

The pack I have now is internal frame, it's their new day pack.

https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-day-pack/venture-1800/60025.html?dwvar_60025_color=PhantomOlive&cgid=pack-daypacks

[Magnum_Willys]

I'm in the same boat....I'm narrowed it down to exo or kuiu icon pro...I just got the kuiu venture 1800 for a day pack and it's very nice....would be nice to see either rof the packs on my hands first

Get an Ultra 4000 bag - fits ur frame and less than $100 on sale - weighs 1.25 #. 
https://www.kuiu.com/bags/ultra-4000-bag/60021.html

The pack I have now is internal frame, it's their new day pack.

https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-day-pack/venture-1800/60025.html?dwvar_60025_color=PhantomOlive&cgid=pack-daypacks

  oops !  This must be your scouting / trailcam pack?

[jackelope]

If you’re sold on a Kifaru but still have questions, call Aron Snyder and talk to him. He’ll walk you through the process. Probably not a bad idea to do either way if you’re a big guy.

[KFhunter]

I'm pretty well set on getting an EXO 3500


I wish there was a place I could go try on several frames/packs from all the top contenders.  Maybe a sportsman show this spring?   I haven't been to one in a long time, the bighorn sportsmen show in Spokane is the one I used to go too until I found it pretty lame and quit going. 

[deerhunter_98520]

I'm in the same boat....I'm narrowed it down to exo or kuiu icon pro...I just got the kuiu venture 1800 for a day pack and it's very nice....would be nice to see either rof the packs on my hands first

Get an Ultra 4000 bag - fits ur frame and less than $100 on sale - weighs 1.25 #. 
https://www.kuiu.com/bags/ultra-4000-bag/60021.html

The pack I have now is internal frame, it's their new day pack.

https://www.kuiu.com/hunting-day-pack/venture-1800/60025.html?dwvar_60025_color=PhantomOlive&cgid=pack-daypacks

  oops !  This must be your scouting / trailcam pack?

Yeah I needed a new day pack for deer/scout trips, and this pack is big enough for over nighters maybe 2 days at most if I stretch it.

[WAElkhunter89]

I just bought the Mystery Ranch Metcalf in Subalpine earlier this year. Great all around pack. Can be made small enough to be a day pack or big enough to be a multiple day pack. Super easy to strap a head or quarter to and pack out, the frame is extremely comfy. I'd highly recommend taking a look at Mystery Ranch.

[romaknows]

Love my seekoutside goshawk, ultra light and can haul more weight than I can.It also has load lifter extensions so they are not getting in the way when hunting. Very comfortable pack that is made in the USA.