Backcountry Packs

[fillthefreezer]

I tried the wilderness pack at the sportsman show and i really liked it i hope to get the Bighorn combo for this year. It makes heavy weight seem alot lighter
http://www.wildernesspacks.com/big-horn-combo

thats what i run and for the $ i think its top of the heep (less than $400) I've had up to 115lbs on mine and regularly pack 75 with it.
i recently sent mine back for some mods and if you decide to order pm me before and ill tell you about it that way if you agree you could have them to before its shipped.

[7mag.]

I just bought a Mystery Ranch BDSB, can't wait for it to arrive. I'll let you guys know how it works out.

[Branden]

If you guys want the best hunting pack on the face of the planet you should check out the Kifaru Timberline. I have the Timberline 1 with the standard suspension and 26" stays (7200 cu. inches and weighing 5 lbs. 10 ounces). It will carry 100 lbs. better than anything and packs down to nothing in daypack mode. I fully expect to have this pack for the rest of my life. It has served me very well since last October as it is 4/4 on successful hunts. As a matter of fact, I own the first production Timberline ever made and I have never regretted the expense.

I have to disagree a little. It might be the best hunting pack for you, but I didn't like it as much as my Barney Pinnacle. It can't handle the weight that the Barney can as comfortably for me. Also, there is a reason they made the timberline bags to fit the duplex frame. Because the duplex can handle more weight then just the regular timberline. I do think they are great packs, just not #1 in every category. 

Glad you like it. Its always nice to get your moneys worth out of expensive gear 

[slim9300]

If you guys want the best hunting pack on the face of the planet you should check out the Kifaru Timberline. I have the Timberline 1 with the standard suspension and 26" stays (7200 cu. inches and weighing 5 lbs. 10 ounces). It will carry 100 lbs. better than anything and packs down to nothing in daypack mode. I fully expect to have this pack for the rest of my life. It has served me very well since last October as it is 4/4 on successful hunts. As a matter of fact, I own the first production Timberline ever made and I have never regretted the expense.

I have to disagree a little. It might be the best hunting pack for you, but I didn't like it as much as my Barney Pinnacle. It can't handle the weight that the Barney can as comfortably for me. Also, there is a reason they made the timberline bags to fit the duplex frame. Because the duplex can handle more weight then just the regular timberline. I do think they are great packs, just not #1 in every category. 

Glad you like it. Its always nice to get your moneys worth out of expensive gear 

I think they put it on the duplex frame to deal with the "problem" of barreling. But that is why I prefer a large pack in the first place (7000+ cu in). I never need to stuff my pack tightly, even with large amounts of meat.

What are the specs of your Pinnacle? Maybe I will give one a try.

Nevermind. I just looked at the pack. It now makes sense why it carries a heavy load better. If I was a rifle hunter I would be okay with using an alloy/metal external framed pack (I currently own two of them), but being a bowhunter, it's a no go. I need something that packs down small as a daypack and can carry the heavy loads. I never drop my pack on a stalk (unless it's full).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[slim9300]

I forgot to mention. I had Kifaru build me some custom aluminum stays for my Timberline. I needed more bend in the upper back. The difference between my current stays and the factory bend in the carbon stays is night and day. I can now carry very heavy loads without any pressure or rubbing on my upper back.








Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MichaelJ]

I tried the wilderness pack at the sportsman show and i really liked it i hope to get the Bighorn combo for this year. It makes heavy weight seem alot lighter

http://www.wildernesspacks.com/big-horn-combo

I'd rock that system if they only had a torso adjustment.  I'm running right around 17" at 6'0" and most packs out there simply will not fit me correctly with anything more than 40 lbs in there.

Mike

[dreamingbig]

I have a Kifaru Duplex frame with cargo panel coming.  I spent a lot of time researching it before finally pulling the trigger.  If I like the fit I will probably order a DT3 bag for it.

[slim9300]

I have a Kifaru Duplex frame with cargo panel coming.  I spent a lot of time researching it before finally pulling the trigger.  If I like the fit I will probably order a DT3 bag for it.

You will be happy. Kifaru makes top notch gear.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fillthefreezer]

I'd rock that system if they only had a torso adjustment.  I'm running right around 17" at 6'0" and most packs out there simply will not fit me correctly with anything more than 40 lbs in there.

Mike

there is some torso adjustment in that the shoulder straps have about 1" of mounting options and the straps have rear cinches to bring the shoulder peak lower...

[kentrek]

I'd rock that system if they only had a torso adjustment.  I'm running right around 17" at 6'0" and most packs out there simply will not fit me correctly with anything more than 40 lbs in there.

Mike

there is some torso adjustment in that the shoulder straps have about 1" of mounting options and the straps have rear cinches to bring the shoulder peak lower...

  my cuzn is six five and around 250 #s and he loved it while taking turns packing a quarter out

[bonkellekter]

I tried the wilderness pack at the sportsman show and i really liked it i hope to get the Bighorn combo for this year. It makes heavy weight seem alot lighter
http://www.wildernesspacks.com/big-horn-combo

thats what i run and for the $ i think its top of the heep (less than $400) I've had up to 115lbs on mine and regularly pack 75 with it.
i recently sent mine back for some mods and if you decide to order pm me before and ill tell you about it that way if you agree you could have them to before its shipped.

I will be ordering this setup in the next couple of weeks and would greatly appreciate the details and reasons for the mods ... If you have time please PM me the details - Thanks

[Branden]

I forgot to mention. I had Kifaru build me some custom aluminum stays for my Timberline. I needed more bend in the upper back. The difference between my current stays and the factory bend in the carbon stays is night and day. I can now carry very heavy loads without any pressure or rubbing on my upper back.

Curious what are the heaviest loads and how far you had to pack them? I really wanted to like the pack, but I just couldn't see myself using the Timberline over my Barney. I use the Barney rifle and archery and never had a problem. I do like the thought of a narrower pack, and a lighter weight pack. The timberline is about the same weight as the barney when you add the xtl lid.

I like the T3 for a deer hunting pack. I think I could get all my gear and a boned deer in it/on it. Its small and pretty lightweight. I was hoping the T1 would be a do all for deer and elk, but I can't pack as much weight with it as I can with the pinnacle for elk hunting. And since I wouldn't use it for elk since I can't pack a full load, I would rather have a smaller pack for deer.

I am going to be in Colorado a few times this year, and hopefully I will have time to stop in and try on a lot of the Kifaru packs.

[slim9300]

I forgot to mention. I had Kifaru build me some custom aluminum stays for my Timberline. I needed more bend in the upper back. The difference between my current stays and the factory bend in the carbon stays is night and day. I can now carry very heavy loads without any pressure or rubbing on my upper back.

Curious what are the heaviest loads and how far you had to pack them? I really wanted to like the pack, but I just couldn't see myself using the Timberline over my Barney. I use the Barney rifle and archery and never had a problem. I do like the thought of a narrower pack, and a lighter weight pack. The timberline is about the same weight as the barney when you add the xtl lid.

I like the T3 for a deer hunting pack. I think I could get all my gear and a boned deer in it/on it. Its small and pretty lightweight. I was hoping the T1 would be a do all for deer and elk, but I can't pack as much weight with it as I can with the pinnacle for elk hunting. And since I wouldn't use it for elk since I can't pack a full load, I would rather have a smaller pack for deer.

I am going to be in Colorado a few times this year, and hopefully I will have time to stop in and try on a lot of the Kifaru packs.

The Timberline took me awhile to get adjusted correctly and be comfortable with. That included changing out the stays and being very particular about how I packed my bag. Once you figure it out it's comfortable with heavy loads.

I packed a couple 100 lb. loads last year a pretty significant distance. I hadn't received my T1 in September for my MT elk hunt and ended up using my Blue Widow. (keep in mind I am 6' 2" and 175 lbs. with a 21" torso, but due to how skinny I am the shoulder straps tighten almost all the way down allowing the load lifters to function somewhat about 1" above my shoulders) We killed two bulls 30 seconds apart and ended up having to pack them out "whole" to the truck with our gear on two trips. The distance was 7 miles one way (5 with no trail). I train a lot for the weight so I carried 100 lbs. of boned out meat and gear and my partner who is 6' 2" and 200 lbs. carried 110. I was oddly very comfortable with not a single hot spot but like I said I train daily with 80 lbs. on my back for two miles from June through early Sept. After taking all the meat back to our basecamp that same day (now 5 miles from the truck) to cool overnight, we woke up early the next morning and broke camp. We spent the rest of the day packing two separate 100+ lb. loads to the truck. I was tired at the end but feeling surprisingly good for the first mile out of camp being straight up 1500 ft. The point is that my Timberline carries much better than my BW and 100 lbs. is all I have the desire to carry beyond a mile or two at me weighing in at 175 lbs (actually I was down to 155 when I got home from that trip).

The T1 carried my entire 3x2 Blacktail (minus the guts) about 1.5 miles this year with all my gear strapped to the outside. That pack weighed easily 120 lbs. The pack also carried 2 eastern MT mule deer out with gear in November. (probably only 60 lb. loads though)

I have a couple AK Outfitter frames/packs that carry weight better than anything on earth (weighing in at 11 lbs.), but when I can be comfortable with something much lighter and more oriented for being a daypack once I am back in many miles, I found I far prefer this method. I love the idea of having my "hauling" pack right there with me at all times, yet having the feeling of having my Badlands Superday on my back when stalking. I won't disagree that there is surely some sacrifice when leaving an external frame pack to go with the T1 carrying the same heavy loads. Thankfully there is no actual pain.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kentrek]

I forgot to mention. I had Kifaru build me some custom aluminum stays for my Timberline. I needed more bend in the upper back. The difference between my current stays and the factory bend in the carbon stays is night and day. I can now carry very heavy loads without any pressure or rubbing on my upper back.

Curious what are the heaviest loads and how far you had to pack them? I really wanted to like the pack, but I just couldn't see myself using the Timberline over my Barney. I use the Barney rifle and archery and never had a problem. I do like the thought of a narrower pack, and a lighter weight pack. The timberline is about the same weight as the barney when you add the xtl lid.

I like the T3 for a deer hunting pack. I think I could get all my gear and a boned deer in it/on it. Its small and pretty lightweight. I was hoping the T1 would be a do all for deer and elk, but I can't pack as much weight with it as I can with the pinnacle for elk hunting. And since I wouldn't use it for elk since I can't pack a full load, I would rather have a smaller pack for deer.

I am going to be in Colorado a few times this year, and hopefully I will have time to stop in and try on a lot of the Kifaru packs.

so with the elk hunt was that one whole elk on each of you or half an elk and you made another trip in for the other elk ?

[slim9300]

I forgot to mention. I had Kifaru build me some custom aluminum stays for my Timberline. I needed more bend in the upper back. The difference between my current stays and the factory bend in the carbon stays is night and day. I can now carry very heavy loads without any pressure or rubbing on my upper back.

Curious what are the heaviest loads and how far you had to pack them? I really wanted to like the pack, but I just couldn't see myself using the Timberline over my Barney. I use the Barney rifle and archery and never had a problem. I do like the thought of a narrower pack, and a lighter weight pack. The timberline is about the same weight as the barney when you add the xtl lid.

I like the T3 for a deer hunting pack. I think I could get all my gear and a boned deer in it/on it. Its small and pretty lightweight. I was hoping the T1 would be a do all for deer and elk, but I can't pack as much weight with it as I can with the pinnacle for elk hunting. And since I wouldn't use it for elk since I can't pack a full load, I would rather have a smaller pack for deer.

I am going to be in Colorado a few times this year, and hopefully I will have time to stop in and try on a lot of the Kifaru packs.

so with the elk hunt was that one whole elk on each of you or half an elk and you made another trip in for the other elk ?

He took half an elk and I took the other half on each trip. Two trips and two elk taken out with gear. I'm no Aron Snider (aka ElkReaper)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk