Packs…..what do you all use?

[ridgefire]

I have used my Kifaru Timberline 2 bag with a custom meat shelf, a Guide lid and a Grab it on a 24" Duplex frame for everything from day hunts to multiple night trips and love it. Last year I had a front and rear quarter from a mature bull elk in it for over 3 miles and it held up great and was as comfortable as 100+ lbs can be.

[craigapphunt]

Ran a eberlestock blue widow for a long time (tough pack just heavy and didn't handle heavy loads great) and just this year took the plunge and got an exo k3 4800 and have absolutely been loving it (light weight,  great bag layout, handle heavy loads, all day comfort) only thing i haven't like was accidentally cutting the waist belt on its maiden voyage but that was my fault.

[D-Rock425]

Kifaru hoodlum has been great for me.

[pickardjw]

Just a heads up, Exo is working on a K4 frame. It's apparently been in development for quite a while, Steve has been answering some questions about it. So if you're leaning Exo it might be worth the wait. https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/exo-mountain-k4.279017/

I have a SG Sky 5900 on the x-curve frame. Love the way it carries weight, it packs down well for day hunts and I can fit a 6 day trip in it without the lid. It's not "lightweight" and the bag is definitely more open concept though. Some people think the padding in the hip belt and straps is a bit thin but I don't have any issues with it.

I think Seek is currently making the lightest packs capable of packing out an animal with. And I hear they're pretty comfortable.

But yeah, to echo OltHunter, look at Stone glacier, exo, kifaru, seek, or initial ascent.

[p-ohana]

Can't beat American Made Nimrod Packs for me. I've packed out 10-12 elk and 10 deer the last 15 years with mine.

[jackelope]

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.

What's your idea of lightweight?
Kifaru packs handle that kind of weight and they're pretty darn light. If we're talking backpacking lightweight, that's another story but the alpha hunting packs will all handle that kind of weight and most are pretty lightweight.

[jackelope]

I've got a Kifaru setup. I've got a woodsman bag, a reckoning bag and a setup I use for daypack type hunting that is just the big lid, a large pocket mounted lower on the frame and a quarter panel. This setup has plenty of room to handle my daypack stuff and then the QP will handle meat loads if needed.

I used to think the Eberle was awesome until I got into a pack with functional load lifters that fit me correctly. I started with the OG Kuiu 7200 pack but I was always too worried about breaking the frame so I got rid of it.

[Bushcraft]

There's a few decent companies out there to chose from depending on your realistic needs and budget.

Look closely at the quality of material and sewing on suspension systems and bags.  Are they made en mass overseas in a sweatshop or by craftsmen here in the U.S.?

Pay close attention to customer service.  Are you buying an original design that's constructed with superb materials...or a lame cheap attempt at a copy?

Before you commit to spending $400-$800 on a hunting pack that would be suitable for extended trips and hauling out heavy loads of meat/hide/horns, do yourself a big favor and put at least 85+ lbs. in one and carry that load around for an hour or so.  Flat ground. Mixed terrain. Up and down inclines.  Make certain that you've been properly fitted to the pack. 

I've been running various Kifaru packs and shelters since Patrick Smith started the company.   Express, Long Hunter, Siwash, Reckoning, Tarryall, 357 Mag, Timberline, etc.  (I've got a MegaTarp, Sawtooth, 8-man w/liner, and a 12-man)

At the light end of the spectrum (KUIU/Stone Glacier), you might get a couple seasons out of them before they begin to fail, but they feel like crap [to me] when they are loaded heavy.

At the heavier duty bomb-proof end of the spectrum (Kifaru and Mystery Ranch and Hill People Gear to a certain extent), they are going to weigh a little more empty, but you'd be hard pressed to ever wear them out or carry a heavy load more comfortably.  All heavy loads suck, but they are intentionally designed and built with carrying those heavy loads in mind, and contrary to what some might say, they are super easy to fit different body types. 

Buy once.  Cry once.

[craigapphunt]

Just a heads up, Exo is working on a K4 frame. It's apparently been in development for quite a while, Steve has been answering some questions about it. So if you're leaning Exo it might be worth the wait. https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/exo-mountain-k4.279017/

I have a SG Sky 5900 on the x-curve frame. Love the way it carries weight, it packs down well for day hunts and I can fit a 6 day trip in it without the lid. It's not "lightweight" and the bag is definitely more open concept though. Some people think the padding in the hip belt and straps is a bit thin but I don't have any issues with it.

I think Seek is currently making the lightest packs capable of packing out an animal with. And I hear they're pretty comfortable.

But yeah, to echo OltHunter, look at Stone glacier, exo, kifaru, seek, or initial ascent.

Dang I just can't seem to keep up with progress!

[Timberstalker]

Have an older Mystery Ranch Marshall (USA Made version) that has been phenomenal.  Packs weight ridiculously well and shows no signs of wear.  It just keeps going.  It's heavy, however, I have no complaints.  It fits me perfectly and I absolutely believe that is the key to success with packs.  If they don't fit you, they beat the hell out of you.

[pickardjw]

The lightweight question got me curious. Just picking some bags that are roughly the same size...

SG Sky 5900 (or Sky 6400) on Medium X-Curve (no lid?): 5lb 8oz
Kifaru Hoodlum 6300 on 26" Duplex Lite: 6lb 13oz
Exo 6400 on K3 Frame (no lid): 5lb 5oz
Seek Unaweep 6300: 3lb 0oz ("minimum trail weight")
Initial Ascent IA6K 6700: 6lb 1oz

So the Seek is clearly the lightest though I don't know what constitutes the "minimum trail weight". Even if other items on there like a hood added up to a pound it's the lightest. Kifaru definitely the heaviest.

Side note: I've had the SG for two years now and I've probably used it 50+ days in the field on day trips and backpacking, including one 11+ mile packout of my buck this year. Only signs of wear is that it's dirty.

[shmacker]

+1 for kifaru, I’ve been using the Duplex Timberline 1 for probably the last 7 or 8 years and it has been awesome.  That bag doesn’t have a meat shelf, but kifaru makes some other solid options with a shelf if it’s mandatory.

[hoytxl2009]

I'm running kuiu currently (3rd time). Started with kuiu then went to the Mercalf went back to kuiu then tried the Exo. Currently back to kuiu. Frame I'm currently on has been involved in 8 elk of witch 4 trips have been hind quarter+front shoulder. Yet to try out kifaru or SG.

[JasonG]

exo 4800

[PacificNWhunter]

Kifaru Frame. I rotate between a 4800 cu inch and a 7K cu inch pack.