Packs…..what do you all use?

[jrebel]

I run two kuiu packs and love them.  Thinking of just buying the larger pack and putting it on my frame but was curious what others are using and what they like about them.   I’m looking for a 6000-7000 ci pack but want light weight and versatile.   I looked at a kifaru that had wing pockets that collapsed over the middle when empty to make a day pack…..kind of intrigued by this. 

What I need…..

Lightweight.
Able to pack meat, preferably not in the main compartment but rather on a load lifting shelf like my kuiu.   
Versatile…..not just a one pouch bag I like some compartmentation
Durable
Most of all comfortable. 


What do you guys use and how do you like them.   

[hunthard]

EXO K-3, I bought here from this site last year and just love it, although I only have the 1800 bag on it right now it's nice to know I can pop that one off and go bigger if needed.

[MountainWalk]

I can’t tell you what’s best, but I use a kifaru with the Stryker xl bag and sometimes the campbag.  I am very happy with this.

[trophyhunt]

I run the kuiu pro 7200 bag, it gets big and can squish down when camp is made.  But, it’s such a busy pack, straps everywhere and I can NOT figure out how to put the bag back on after washing it??  When I buy a new pack, I’m going more simple like kifaru or stone glacier.

[boneaddict]

Eberlstock Battleship, (v90?).  Can carry tremendous weight, and hasn’t let me down.     It in itself seems a bit heavy, and I’ve thought about looking for lighter.  When something fits your back perfectly, it’s hard to change.     

[sage rat]

I agree with you boneaddict.  I have ran an exo for many years and love it.  For some reason i thought an SG Sky 5900 would be better so i bought it.  I wore it almost everyday in august and the first part of september to get in shape for hunting.  Ranging anywhere from 25 to 60lbs.  I found it to uncomfortable compared to my exo but the more i wore it the better it got.  I used it on a backpack hunt in Wyoming for 13 days.  By the  end of the hunt i fell in love with it.  It took a lot of jacking around and changing settings to make it work well for me.  I really like taking the lid off and using it as a daypack after you get your camp set up.  The straps are obnoxiously long but they came in handy when i had to pack my camp and my buddies camp which was well over the 5900ci.  The pack is light. If you like organizing all you gear into separate compartments....this pack is not for you but i added 2 swing pockets 2 hip pouches and a nalgene holster which helped

[Dhoey07]

99% of the time it's my Kuiu 1850. 

[vandeman17]

I recently bought a stone glacier solo on krux frame. I haven’t packed anything super heavy yet but during the day it’s pretty comfortable. Before that I was running a mystery ranch metcalf that hauled heavy loads like a champ. I just didn’t need a bag quite that big so that is why I changed

[trophyhunt]

I recently bought a stone glacier solo on krux frame. I haven’t packed anything super heavy yet but during the day it’s pretty comfortable. Before that I was running a mystery ranch metcalf that hauled heavy loads like a champ. I just didn’t need a bag quite that big so that is why I changed

If the wife kills a big bull moose, lets put that pack to the test!! 

[vandeman17]

I recently bought a stone glacier solo on krux frame. I haven’t packed anything super heavy yet but during the day it’s pretty comfortable. Before that I was running a mystery ranch metcalf that hauled heavy loads like a champ. I just didn’t need a bag quite that big so that is why I changed

If the wife kills a big bull moose, lets put that pack to the test!!

I am just a phone call away

[trophyhunt]

I recently bought a stone glacier solo on krux frame. I haven’t packed anything super heavy yet but during the day it’s pretty comfortable. Before that I was running a mystery ranch metcalf that hauled heavy loads like a champ. I just didn’t need a bag quite that big so that is why I changed

If the wife kills a big bull moose, lets put that pack to the test!!

I am just a phone call away

Careful what you ask for!!  lol

[OltHunter]

My vote is go USA made. Stone glacier, exo, kifaru, seek, or initial ascent. It will cost you extra $ though, but there are some coupons floating around.

I run a kifaru. I like the flexibility of the pockets on the outside and different attachment points, but the main reason was the frame. I'm tall and fall in the rare grouping of people that need curved stays. I've tried exo and stone glacier and kuiu, could not get them comfortable for me.

Kifaru has handled everything I threw at it and would not hesitate to recommend them. Customer service is top notch

[Stein]

You aren't going to find a lightweight pack that can handle 100+ pound loads unfortunately.

I have an Exo, bought both the Kuiu and Exo and sent the Kuiu back as I didn't like the frame.  I looked at Kifaru but after an hour of trying to figure out the combinations and options gave up and figured a bag with straps didn't need to be that complicated.

They all have fans and are well made, it's personal preference.

[LongBomb]

Bare eberlstock pack frame with a small day pack strapped to it. I got sick of a huge packed cuz i would have so much unnecessary stuff in it. A small day pack carrys more than enough for the day. It has enough straps, combine it with a good bag and i can have my camp on it along with day pack for the way in if im spikin.

[bigdub257]

I can’t tell you what’s best, but I use a kifaru with the Stryker xl bag and sometimes the campbag.  I am very happy with this.

I run the same setup with some pockets attached to the back of the stryker and a grab-it.