Backcountry Packs

[scottcrb]

haven't heard many guys talk about the nimrod packs. i love the bino caddy i have and the smaller packs but never seen or tried their pack frames. anyone have experience? plus there made in cashmere.

[7mag.]

Nimrod makes excellent products, I just sold mine that I've used for a few years. In my opinion, they are one of the best day packs out there, but don't fit the bill for overnight trips. That is why I sold mine, I bought a Mystery Ranch BDSB, 7400 ci., for back pack trips and didn't need the Nimrod any more. I needed something that would haul weight well, and Nimrod doesn't even have load lifters, so heavy weights are on your shoulders. Very comfortable pack, and well made, just not what I needed for back country hunting.

[fillthefreezer]

just scored a longhunter G2 classic. got it loaded up to take on its first trip. old pack is in the classifieds. maybe a DT1 bag in the spring for me

[dreamingbig]

Here is my Kifaru Timberline Duplex Frame with Cargo panel packing out about 100lbs+ of elk (ind quarter, head & horns, plus rib and neck meat bag).  It performed flawlessly.  Note the meat was hung over night and chilled very nicely before put in the garbage bags.  The bags limited the amount of blood running onto my legs.

[halflife65]

Dreamingbig - I just ordered that same setup with a delivery date of October 17 - a little late for WA deer season but ok for elk and some out of state stuff I have coming up.

I currently use a Mystery Ranch NICE frame but I'm finding that it's too short for my torso.  I've carried a bunch of 80 - 100 pound loads with it ranging from 2 miles to 10 miles and I just can't get it up off of my shoulders.  I think I'm going to keep it for shorter hunts (it's a great daypack you can use to get a huge load out if you shoot something) with my Kifaru for longer hunts.  I forsee a DT 1 or 2 bag in the future for it, as well.

Glad to hear that you had a great experience with it - it's enough money that it makes me a bit nervous to spend it.

[BLUEBULLS]

Here is my Kifaru Timberline Duplex Frame with Cargo panel packing out about 100lbs+ of elk (ind quarter, head & horns, plus rib and neck meat bag).  It performed flawlessly.  Note the meat was hung over night and chilled very nicely before put in the garbage bags.  The bags limited the amount of blood running onto my legs.

looks like that load's sitting nice and tight! most pics that people post it looks like they're gonna tip over backwards.

[dreamingbig]

Yep.  It carried like a dream.  These packs are unbelieveable.  I looked it over pretty hard after getting all the meat out of the woods and not a single strap was looking worse for the wear.  I expect it to carry many more animals out of the woods.

[Benny]

Way to go man! Looks great!

[WonkyWapiti]

Ok, I just read through this entire thread since I am planning a diy Alaska moose hunt for next year with my buddies.  I've been looking at the Mystery Ranch packs for a while but now am seriously contemplating the Kifaru Timberline. 

For those that have the Kifaru Timberline, maybe it's obvious but not to me,  I see there is the standard and the duplex version.  The duplex version seems to allow you alot of versatility so why would you choose the standard version over the duplex? 

[dreamingbig]

The standard version might are a little lighter but the versatility of the duplex frame, cargo panel and your choice of bag puts them over the top in my opinion.  I have no regrets with my purchase of the duplex fame.

[Hunter mike]

How hard is it removing the pack from the duplex frame?  I use a Cabela's frame pack right now and the pack comes off the pack frame easily.  I do like the versatility of being able to use it either way.  What size bag do you have and how do you like it (would you want bigger/smaller)?  I'm thinking the Timberline with 5200ci might be my next (and possibly last) pack - if I spend that kind of money it will have to be a 10+ year investment!

[dreamingbig]

The bag comes off very easily.  With practice it is a five minute job.

[MichaelJ]

The 2-3 lbs you save over the Duplex system is why I never returned my T1 for a DT1.  If you know how to pack a pack correctly, the T1 will be just as sturdy of a system packing out any load the DT1 will carry.  And when it compresses down to basically nothing but a shell around your water bladder, there really is no reason to go smaller imho.  Versatility is crazy good with the T1/DT1.

One thing is for sure, the Duplex and regular Timberline's are great packs, but shaving off a few lbs of starting weight was more important to me personally.  YMMV

Mike

[wilsongideon]

Cabela's Extreme Alaskan Outfitter Pack and Frame - It works is all I am going to say, I did almost zero reasearch before buying it, and my reasons for buying it was the fact that it broke down into a pack and frame ...and for the the money $239 the frame weight of 5 1/2 pounds and the 8 pounds total seemed reasonable. I have taken it on 5 backcountry trips and numerous hikes. I have packed 2 deer out for a total of 12 miles of frame packing at 60-80 pounds. 60 pounds of gear on the Pack and Frame together I have done 100 plus miles packing in and out. Pack so far has held up and I plan on using it untill it falls apart because I cant afford to upgrade to a 500-600 dollar pack. If i was to buy a new pack I would stick with the external frame kind for sure I really like being able to separate the gear and the deer. I also like straping my binos and camera to the frame so I dont have to pack them on my neck.

[CementFinisher]

I think i ran into you on the high hunt wilson gideon. I got called into work. I run a badlands 4500 with its day pack and fanny. pack its self is kind of heavy but comfortable. i like it.