Kifaru amr question

[Commando]

I am going to get a new pack really soon. I have a kifaru late season and love it but want something bigger for longer trips. I’ve got it narrowed down to the exo pack or the kifaru amr. I’d prefer to stay with kifaru. My question is can you get the amr to have a meat shelf like the exo does or even the kifaru reckoning? Maybe put the cargo panel between the pack and frame? Thanks

[huntnfmly]

Where it attaches to the bottom of the frame that is basically the bottom of what you would call the meat shelf putting the meat between frame and bag

[full choke]

You could just use the bottom of the pack connection to the frame as suggested, or if you had to absolutely have a load sling, I would use a Grab it attached directly to the frame and the pack over it. A cargo panel would be too much I think- and unnecessary.

[X-Force]

The AMR doesnt have a meat shelf but you can leave the bottom of the bag connected to the frame and detach the top of the bag from the frame and unbuckle the 2 top side buckles . This is a wedge you can put meat into then re-buckle and cinch the sides.

The Crater or Cavern may suit you better because they both have an integrated meat shelf, side and top access zippers and a fold over snow collar. Things the AMR is lacking.

I had the AMR for a year and really liked the bag because the back pockets were easy to access, compressed well for a day pack, bottom access was relatively easy and it was light. My main complaints about the bag were that the snow collar didnt  fold-over or have attachments for a medium belt pouch/organizer, If I wanted a spotting scope pocket it was just something extra to add to the pack, and I wanted more vertical access in the pack when it was full.

Between the AMR and the Fulcrum I haven't used a meat shelf, meat just goes in the bag.

[Karl Blanchard]

Just drop meat in a dry bag or garbage bag in the main pack.  Why add a step of messing with the crame/bag separation.  All it does is extend the load farther off of your center.  The AMR is a big bag and will fit more than you can carry.  Its a great bag

[Commando]

Thanks everyone. I wanted to know cause I really like the idea of meat being carried on the shelf idea. Seems in a way cleaner. Pretty sure I’ll be getting the amr instead of the exo

[Jonathan_S]

Only downside is lack of access to middle of main bag. However, if you're decent at packing you wont be affected by that. Just make sure your needed items are on top or in outside pockets.

And yeah it's a monster bag and I always put meat inside it

[BULLBLASTER]

Thanks everyone. I wanted to know cause I really like the idea of meat being carried on the shelf idea. Seems in a way cleaner. Pretty sure I’ll be getting the amr instead of the exo

IMO there’s nothing cleaner than a dry bag inside the main bag for hauling meat.
Outside the bag and without a dry bag you would end up with blood all over and down your back and legs. Just seems pointless to take the bag off the frame when you could just put the meat inside.

[Karl Blanchard]

Thanks everyone. I wanted to know cause I really like the idea of meat being carried on the shelf idea. Seems in a way cleaner. Pretty sure I’ll be getting the amr instead of the exo

IMO there’s nothing cleaner than a dry bag inside the main bag for hauling meat.
Outside the bag and without a dry bag you would end up with blood all over and down your back and legs. Just seems pointless to take the bag off the frame when you could just put the meat inside.

right! If it's not bagged, its gonna get you and your bag/gear bloody.  Meat shelf is just a pointless added step and imo makes the pack ride worse due to the bag being farther off your back.  The term "monkey on your back" comes to mind

[Shawn Ryan]

IMO, the coating on the inside of my Kifaru bag does a good job of repelling the blood that seeps through my T.A.G. bags and wipes out easily. Never had an issue of blood ruining any backpack bag. Just clean the bag in a reasonable time after getting it bloody. I've also used a large plastic contractor bag, open at the top, for short hauls on cooler days. I don't prefer to have meat in a plastic bag for any length of time.  Stick your head in one of those bags for a minute and think about those fumes soaking into your meat!

Agree with Karl about weight distribution associated with a meat shelf.  I also don't haul much "camp" and meat in the same load because its too much for my already-surgically-altered discs.  I'll make more trips rather than overload my spine.  Wish I had headed that advice when I was younger!

[Karl Blanchard]

So camp, mule deer, cape, and head shouldn't be considered a one loader 

[Commando]

Well after talking to kifaru I decided to not go with the Amr. Ended up getting the Muskeg 5000 with the new lite frame. Got a few new pullouts and extras with it. Now the wait begins...