Packs…..what do you all use?

[pashok23]

Kuiu pack

[Buzz2401]

I love my mystery ranch and I would be hard pressed to change brands. They just feel so comfortable with a load on them.

[X-Force]

Having carried meat in the main bag and in a load shelf I would say that there is virtually no difference, especially if you let your meat hang for a day or so. Packing out 50-80 lb of meat with 3-4 days of gear (50lbs) is doable in a 3500-5000 ci bag with meat shelf. With larger bags once your bag is full of gear and your shelf is full of meat you have a difficult situation where even with load lifters your bag will sag and not be in an idea spot for heading back down the mountain so I wouldn’t run a 6000-8000 ci bag with a meat shelf.

Having a bag that is the lightest will be one with a main bag and not much else. Organization bags with pockets, zippers, etc add weight.

I don’t think you can go wrong with kifaru, stone glacier or exo. It’s just personal preference, fit and style. I don’t include MR because they aren’t American made anymore.

My personal all time favorite bag is a MR crew cab, it has bat wings that held gear and a main bag that would hold some items with a center shelf for meat or gear.

I currently have a couple different Kifaru frames and bags depending on how and what I’m going to hunt.

[jrebel]

Generally speaking, I'm not doing back country 10 day hunts.  If I am, it's off horseback.  The reasoning for such a large bag, is when we are packing and traveling for a hunt I pack for both me and my son.  Our moose hunts have benefited from large packs for the sole reason of having two peoples stuff in it for day or overnight trips.  Most of the time I synch the bag down and don't use it to its fullest potential.  I currently have two kuiu bags / frames set ups and almost never use my 1800 bag / pack.  I find when I want the room in the pack it is there with the larger bag.....but I can't make extra room in the smaller bag.  I have also learned that having to switch packs for different hunts....sucks.  I want a one and done.  I will carry a little extra weight on a day hike (extra material) if I don't have to worry about switching everything around every couple weeks.   

If I'm packing meat.....the bag is usually at a minimalistic weight / fill (day hunt stuff).  Never been a fan of putting meat inside my pack....inevitably the contents get stinky / bloody / dirty / etc.  I can't see myself ever being in a position where I am packing out a 60lbs camp and animal at the same time. 

At the heaviest (without game) my pack runs 60-65 lbs.  Most the time I am in the 30-40 lb range.  With meat I think the heaviest I have ever been is 110-120.....I try not to do that, it hurts to bad.....