The pluses and the minuses - Exo, Kifaru, StoneGlacier, Mystery Ranch etc...?

[huntnnw]

I have owned a few packs, i currently own a MR and love it and if I were to ever buy another pack Id go to Stone glacier as overall empty pack is lighter and fits nice.

[spin05]

My son and I have the EXO3500. It does well for what we need it to do. Its probably a max 5 day bag. Weighs 5lbs and has been tested to haul weights of 250lb. A very good all around pack you can wear all day. You wont be disappointed with the EXO 5500. I have the older model and they have made some nice improvements since i bought mine

[Shawn Ryan]

You've already got really good answers on here, especially Karl's and Actionshooters' advice about how you should listen to/take the advice posted.

To answer your direct questions:
# days:  2-10, usually closer to 10.
Weight: 35-55, mostly driven by food, but some by clothes and base camp v. bivy.
Size: Kifaru EMRII at 8,400 plus Guide lid at 1,200, plus pockets at 500-600.  Way more room than I typically need.
Frame: had a bikini, now have a duplex frame.
Weapon:  bow.
Base v. bivy: both or either. Depends on the trip.  On one of my usual annual trips, I'll base camp about 3 miles in and bivy beyond that several nights, but spend about 7 nights at base camp.
My size:  6', 150lbs.

I struggled with the Kifaru bikini frame for about 2 years. It fit wrong from the beginning, but I thought it was because of my tall, skinny frame.  Then it got worse to the point that I could see the defect and how the pack rode too far to one side. Aron Snyder at Kifaru offered to swap it for a duplex at no charge, no questions--he even offered for me to keep the bikini frame. I wasn't looking to get a free upgrade so offered to and did pay half and sent him the bikini so that it could be fixed and re-used.  I'm satisfied with the duplex and have used it for general backpacking and hunting.  The bikini isn't an option, unless you buy used. I tell you this part, so that you can understand the level of service at Kifaru.

I've not used the modularity feature to swap bags.  I've looked at it, but never decided that having a smaller, lighter bag was worth the cost.  I can carry another pound for $200.

I use the guide lid's day pack feature/straps when I've backpacked into a fly fishing area and am out for just the day fishing.  It is sufficiently large enough for that purpose, but I'd buy the organizer guide lid, if I was buying today.  My buddies bring separate day packs for the same purpose and I'm glad I'm not carrying that extra gear.

I really like the EMR's full center zip for packing and cleaning blood out of the bag.  I don't like the way the side pockets flop when the tension straps are opened and have moved 2 straps to the inside loops and have a sewing project to remedy some of the flop.  There are many modular pockets and accessories.  Makes building the bag for a particular trip fairly easy and versatile.

I have a huge bag, but it slims down easily for day use. The frame is so good that it carries better than smaller, lighter packs. I've shot elk with the pack in day mode and fully loaded with bivy gear as well. It does not impede my draw or shot.

I don't like a chest rig for my binos--too much bounce, even with my AGC.  So my binos ride on my hip belt. That means I have less PALS loops for other gear and I like gear on my belt for its ease of access. If you like gear on your belt, then understanding what you can load onto your belt might matter.  PALS loops also don't accommodate accessories that need a belt. I've remedied that with an add-on device from Jimmy Tarps that uses the same Kifaru attachment system, but accommodates an accessory that has a loop made for a belt.

If you will need a pack cover, there are good, light-weight after market covers. You don't need the same brand as your pack.

If you know enough about packs and what you want in a pack, you might go for a custom bag like FTF did.  You could also spend the coin and get a completely custom pack from McHale in Seattle.  For years his packs were the holy grail of packs to a portion of the backpacking community.  He is a peer to Patrick Smith at Kifaru and Dana Gleason at Mystery Ranch: the guys from the 70's responsible for making backpacks what they are today.

If you don't have the $$ to buy all new, then look for used packs.  This time of year, you can usually find good packs that are only a few seasons or even one season old and lightly used.  May not be the latest model, but it was the sh*ts last year!  The classifieds here, Monster Muley, 24hourcampfire, and Rokslide may have what you want.  (IDK if I can mention other forums--mods, scold me and edit as necessary.)

On the issue of whether to buy expensive or not, Karl made a good point about not needing to buy top drawer, if you don't know that you'll love it.  You may not love it with cheap gear because of the cheap gear, but you might. Depends on whether you embrace the suck.  I'm a fan of buy-once, cry-once, but only for gear you are convinced you will want and use for a long time. On the other hand, there is a ready market for your lightly used A-quality gear.

If you can try and/or borrow someone's pack, that may be help you decide.

[ian_padron]

Can't go wrong with any of the packs you named.

I've run an MR and now run an SG 6900. I give it a 9/10, did just fine with over 100# this past season.

I think the sleeper is Seek Outside, I've never heard anyone who has tried one say a single negative thing. My buddy loves his and they are the lightest option out there.

Order your top 3 on a credit card and return the 2 you don't like, that's the proper way to buy mission critical gear like your pack, boots, etc

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[Skyvalhunter]

Atleast your not in the Napeequa again.

[ian_padron]

Atleast your not in the Napeequa again.

Who are you talking to?

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[ian_padron]

Stone Glacier vendors do offer 10% off codes year round for members of certain forums, like Rokslide for example. Talk to the fellas at 1 Shot Gear and they'll hook you up!

All of them are tough built with 500d cordura with lifetime guarantees so that's a wash.

Mystery ranch- heavy, load gets too far from body, narrow waist belt, torpedo pockets make bag bigger than it has to be, shoulder straps only adjustable for height instead of broad narrow or sloped shoulders
Positive----built in load sling, locking buckles, lid turns into fanny pack, bottom entry, goes on sale

Exo negative--- not many bag options, no fitted rain fly, some compain that it doesn't ride well as a day pack, no sales, back ordered

Positives---- descent weight, dry bag compatible if you like that sort of thing,

Stone glacier positive---- load is very close to body, shoulder straps very adjustable, straight or curved frame, best rifle holder, lightest rain fly, lots of bag options, lots of accessory options, very light 5100ci = 4lbs, built in load sling

Negatives, no sales

Kifaru negative--- a tad heavy 5000ci = 5lb 10oz, wierd pocket configuration

Positive---- lots of bags, lots of accessory

Kuiu negative, --- frame tends to loose bag stability over 6000ci, very technical fitting

Positive, the lightest, lots of bag options, plenty of accessories, packs tiny, lots of used packs for cheap, semi-annual sales

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[stlusn30-06]

Appreciate the input to date. Taking all of the feedback to heart and liking the idea of just ordering my top selection and then returning whatever isn't best.

[Stein]

That’s what I did.  It cost a bit in shipping but I’m 100% sure on my decision.


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[Old Grizzly]

I have both a Kuiu 3200 as well as an Exo 3500 and have used both extensively 3-5 day BC. and like both very much.  The Exo seems to carry weight a bit better, little  more comfortably but it could just be my imagination justifying me to buy another pack.
At almost 70 year old I don't do any BC past 5 days and usually stick to 3 but Anything past 5 days I would recommend the 5500 pack.
If you're already looking at an Exo then go  ahead, you won't regret it.
Old Bear

[Shawn Ryan]

I have both a Kuiu 3200 as well as an Exo 3500 and have used both extensively 3-5 day BC. and like both very much.  The Exo seems to carry weight a bit better, little  more comfortably but it could just be my imagination justifying me to buy another pack.
At almost 70 year old I don't do any BC past 5 days and usually stick to 3 but Anything past 5 days I would recommend the 5500 pack.
If you're already looking at an Exo then go  ahead, you won't regret it.
Old Bear

I don't care what pack you use, if you're almost 70 and still getting 3-5 days of back country hunting in at a time, you're doing fine.  Blessed you are.

[JeffRaines]

I think the sleeper is Seek Outside, I've never heard anyone who has tried one say a single negative thing. My buddy loves his and they are the lightest option out there.

I went down the rabbit hole on a SO pack a few months ago thinking I would be able to shave a pound off my SG packs weight and be good.

While they work for some people, I couldn't get the pack comfortable no matter what I did. It put pressure on my butt muscles which caused my upper legs to BURN when hiking, like bad. This wasn't "out of shape" burn, it was "this aint right" burn. I tried all manner of adjustments with the pack to no avail. I figure its because their waist belts and straps are thin in comparison to SG. I was talking with a guy who had an older SO pack and he mentioned that they used to be more padded/more comfortable. Trust me, I wanted it to work... but the SG just carries weight so well for me. It doesn't matter if its 100lbs or 50lbs, once you tighten that hip belt it "disappears".

With all that said, the SO is going up the road and I've already got a bigger SG bag on the way. Oh well, at least I know now.

edit: The SO packs construction is outstanding - I don't want it to seem like I'm ragging them, their frame just didn't work for me.

[actionshooter]

I have both a Kuiu 3200 as well as an Exo 3500 and have used both extensively 3-5 day BC. and like both very much.  The Exo seems to carry weight a bit better, little  more comfortably but it could just be my imagination justifying me to buy another pack.
At almost 70 year old I don't do any BC past 5 days and usually stick to 3 but Anything past 5 days I would recommend the 5500 pack.
If you're already looking at an Exo then go  ahead, you won't regret it.
Old Bear

I don't care what pack you use, if you're almost 70 and still getting 3-5 days of back country hunting in at a time, you're doing fine.  Blessed you are.

Dang! I agree, I hope I'm still able at that age!

[bulldogs40]

Just received a MR Popup 28 and I thought I would throw a little review on here. I also own a SG talus and a MR 3 day assault pack. I am currently on deployment so the testing that I have done is very limited but here is the initial impression.

Out of the box the bag was a little smaller than I expected. It is roughly the size of an average backpack with a heavy duty frame and shoulder/ waist straps. This was actually a relief since I made the purchase for extended day trips with the possibility of loading a few days of supplies in the load shelf and being able to have essentially a day pack while hunting from camp and have the ability to pack an animal out. It fits that bill perfectly.

Quality- You certainly get what you pay for. Stitching looks immaculate and the frame and straps certainly look like they could hold up to some pretty heavy pack weights.

Popup function- I was worried that this is where the bag would get gimmicky and the aluminum poles in the back would not hold up to the hype. They did seem pretty sturdy though. The biggest plus here was that it took about 30 seconds to convert this from a pretty small pack to the "Popup" setting for hauling a load. It is an extremely efficient and quick design.

Load hauling- I haven't had the opportunity yet to put it through its paces but I grabbed a sand bag and put in the load shelf area and did 3 miles at a relatively moderate pace. The area I am at is flat.... like extremely flat. This is where it really shined. There was no slipping from the waist strap. The load did not move an inch. The pop up function did exactly what it was designed to do and took the weight completely off my shoulders. It was extremely comfortable and VERY compact. As of right now I no longer have concerns as to whether the aluminum poles will hold up. They seemed very sturdy. I didn't weigh the load until after I was done figuring it was around 50lbs and was shocked to see the overall load was just under 80lbs. The bag handled it phenomenally and it felt like a much lighter load. I have no doubt it could handle a larger load and still perform

Overall, my opinion MR knocked it out of the park with this bag. It will do exactly what I have purchased it for. In comparison to my SG I think they are both top of the line bags however the MR seems to fit me better and there is 0 slippage off the waist which was a problem I had last year on a extended archery elk hunt with my SG.

[mburrows]

Just sold my SG and loved it for a long time.  My only issue ever was I busted one of the carbon supports in the frame. There are 4 carbon poles in the frame which makes it so light.  This year I had packed loaded with probably more weight than I should of and was trying to pull the bag over the frame and i snapped one of the carbon poles, luckily it was easy hiking back out for a little under a mile.  They replaced it for free no questions asked and the pack continued to work nicely, just dont try to bend those carbon poles too far.

Made the switch to Kifaru but I have not had the chance to play with it yet.