Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: martin1 on February 11, 2016, 08:52:53 PM

Title: what pack ?
Post by: martin1 on February 11, 2016, 08:52:53 PM: I'm looking to upgrade or just add another pack to my gear! I've looked at horn hunter full curl and nimrod packs. what are your guys choice in pack. I have an Eberle stock X2 now but need something that is easier to pack meat with.

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Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: X-Force on February 11, 2016, 08:58:47 PM: I think the biggest question is budget? Second is cubic inches?

Lots of great packs being made today.
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: martin1 on February 11, 2016, 09:02:35 PM: I guess I'm looking for something around 400 or less. needs to have a Frame of some sort and a day pack attachment. not really sure on the cubic inches tho.

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Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 11, 2016, 09:11:35 PM: I would be on the hunt for a used Mystery Ranch Metcalf or Longbow if that were my price range. The NICE frame is a beast for hauling weight!
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on February 11, 2016, 09:18:13 PM: Exo Mountain Gear 3500. You'll thank me later.
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: Branden on February 11, 2016, 09:23:17 PM: If you are a rifle hunter I would look at a Kifaru Rambler. Great pack that is very versatile. You can probably get a used Bikini Frame and Rambler for about your price range.

It's a great pack for day hunts or extended trips, has a rifle holder, and a load shelf. If you archery hunt it's still a great pack just don't need the rifle holder.

Regards, Branden
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: ridgefire on February 11, 2016, 09:25:31 PM: I would look for a used kifaru duplex frame and one of their bags to go with it. I just picked one up that is like new for $200. Now I will use my bt2 for hunting and my duplex and highcamp bag for hauling meat. You could be in a nice kifaru pack for under $400pretty easily.
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: X-Force on February 11, 2016, 09:33:08 PM: All great options. Kifaru, MR, Exo.

Checkout rokslide classifieds
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: splitshot on February 11, 2016, 10:08:48 PM: I have a badlands and don't like it. next up is an eberlestock. I still use an old kelty that is 40 years old. mike w
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: Buzz2401 on February 11, 2016, 10:13:16 PM: Also check out Blacks Creeks packs. They are made in USA and are really nice. Only other packs made in USA are EXO , Mystery Ranch and Kirafu. Badlands and Eberlestock are made overseas
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: BullPacs on February 11, 2016, 10:18:50 PM: Bull Pacs is another option and totally made in the USA as well. Come check us out at the Portland Show if you're around.
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: Commando on February 14, 2016, 10:51:44 AM: I agree with the kifaru suggestions. I just ordered a late season which should be here at the end of the month can't wait. They discontinued that pack though so I got one of the last ones. I would look at there hunting frame. I think it's only 250?. Than look at one of there packs they have. I'm looking at picking up either a dt1,dt2 or a amr packwith the hunting ftame
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: Branden on February 15, 2016, 12:44:39 PM: Please do yourself a favor if you ever pack much weight any kind of distance do not get a bullpac. Worst suspension on a pack I have ever used.

There are a lot of great suggestions on this thread. Make sure you check the specs on all the packs you decide to look at. I know MR packs are pretty heavy. Eberle doesn't have much load lift and they are heavy. Kifaru has a lot of options but are pricey if you buy new. I hear great things about Stone Glacier but never used one. Same with Exo. I wouldn't buy Kuiu cause they have crappy customer service unless that was the only pack you like.

Regards, Branden
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on February 15, 2016, 01:00:21 PM: Quote from: Branden on February 15, 2016, 12:44:39 PM
Please do yourself a favor if you ever pack much weight any kind of distance do not get a bullpac. Worst suspension on a pack I have ever used.

There are a lot of great suggestions on this thread. Make sure you check the specs on all the packs you decide to look at. I know MR packs are pretty heavy. Eberle doesn't have much load lift and they are heavy. Kifaru has a lot of options but are pricey if you buy new. I hear great things about Stone Glacier but never used one. Same with Exo. I wouldn't buy Kuiu cause they have crappy customer service unless that was the only pack you like.

Regards, Branden

Well I've only had mine for a year, but it's the best meat frame pack I've ever used. :tup:

I carry it when hunting long distances off road with a smaller day pack strapped to it and it's quite comfortable. Plus helped lokidog pack his sheep out last fall in steep nasty rocky terrain where each step was well thought before hand, and the pack was great at weight distribution and stability getting thru that tough area. :tup: :twocents:
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: b0bbyg on February 15, 2016, 01:06:43 PM: Quote from: Branden on February 15, 2016, 12:44:39 PM
Please do yourself a favor if you ever pack much weight any kind of distance do not get a bullpac. Worst suspension on a pack I have ever used.

There are a lot of great suggestions on this thread. Make sure you check the specs on all the packs you decide to look at. I know MR packs are pretty heavy. Eberle doesn't have much load lift and they are heavy. Kifaru has a lot of options but are pricey if you buy new. I hear great things about Stone Glacier but never used one. Same with Exo. I wouldn't buy Kuiu cause they have crappy customer service unless that was the only pack you like.

Regards, Branden

Just curious is there a pack you do like that you have experience with?

I have not used my Bullpac much as yet but was very happy with it's performance helping pack out an Elk last year. Right now I use it strictly as a meat pack. I might look at what the OP is trying to do in the future with this pack.

I also have a badlands pack that has been decent for the 3 years I have used it. I don't love it but also do not hate it, just use it :)
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: BullPacs on February 16, 2016, 06:33:16 AM: Hey Branden, sorry the Bull Pac suspension didn't work for you. What specifically didn't you like about the suspension? We have a couple modifications we're working on right now on the shoulder straps and waist belt trying to improve on them, but always open to more feedback.

Thanks.
Sam
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: Sakko300wsm on February 16, 2016, 07:30:55 AM: I really like my eberlestock dragonfly for packing meat - will haul more than one can comfortably carry . It's an excellent built pack, but they are heavy. Also have a badlands Sacrifice - also a great pack! Way lighter , but won't pack as much
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: Branden on February 16, 2016, 07:41:48 AM: Quote from: b0bbyg on February 15, 2016, 01:06:43 PM
Just curious is there a pack you do like that you have experience with?

I have not used my Bullpac much as yet but was very happy with it's performance helping pack out an Elk last year. Right now I use it strictly as a meat pack. I might look at what the OP is trying to do in the future with this pack.

I also have a badlands pack that has been decent for the 3 years I have used it. I don't love it but also do not hate it, just use it :)
Yes my favorite pack is the Barneys Pinnacle. I also like some of the Kifaru packs. Not a big fan of the Bikini frame made by Kifaru.

The Bullpac works fine for certain situations. We cut my brothers bull in half and I carried out both halves with it. One weighed 295# the other 205#. Didn't have to go that far. My buddy used it and packed a 90# load out ten miles. It sucked. My brother had 110# in a Bora 80. They traded back and forth and could not wait to get rid of the bullpac and put o the bora.

If you are just truck hunting a bullpac works. I do think there are better options still though. As a backpacking pack they are one of the worse packs we have used.

Regards, Branden.
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: Branden on February 16, 2016, 07:45:12 AM: Quote from: BullPacs on February 16, 2016, 06:33:16 AM
Hey Branden, sorry the Bull Pac suspension didn't work for you. What specifically didn't you like about the suspension? We have a couple modifications we're working on right now on the shoulder straps and waist belt trying to improve on them, but always open to more feedback.

Thanks.
Sam

There was zero load lifter adjustment and the belt was to flimsy. Would not lock in place. Also the shoulder straps weren't very ergonomic like on new packs.

The frame is great just the suspension is outdated.

Regards, Branden
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: BullPacs on February 16, 2016, 08:44:42 AM: Thanks Branden... Ya, load levelers on a frame don't suck up the load like on a soft pack (even with an internal frame). We've been playing with that a little, but the current load leveler set up does tighten up that connection between the top of the frame and the top of the shoulder strap making it a little more solid. The older straps were too long and would bottom out when trying to adjust them, we have shortened that strap so even smaller guys can get it to torque down. We also have some major modifications coming to the waist belt that will add a side strap to help tighten them up to the bottom of the frame, making them more solid and comfortable. Not sure why the belt wouldn't lock in place, haven't experienced a slipping belt? And while nice and thick, the shoulder straps don't have that cool, contoured look. We're also trying to develop an adjustable chest strap so people can customize that fit a little better too.

Thanks again for the feedback Branden, seems like there's always room for a little improvement on every pack I've ever worn... we're working on improving ours.

Sam
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: 3dvapor on February 16, 2016, 09:19:24 AM: Just looked at the gen 3 kifaru pack. Put 50lbs on my back and walked around. The adjustability was awesome on the load lifters 3 or 4 different options.
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: Branden on February 16, 2016, 09:50:18 AM: Sam a few thoughts.

I don't use the load lifters to suck in the pack at the top. I use them to get the straps off my shoulders so my shoulders can have a break. Also the reason I like contoured shoulder straps is if they fit right I don't have to use the little strap that keeps them in place. Not using that strap helps a lot for my breathing when I'm packing a load out of a hole. Doesn't seem like it would but I've tested it over and over. I've never had shoulder straps come off my shoulders, just like them in a certain spot for more comfort.

Again the frame is solid and super easy to mount stuff to. But for the price of your frame brand new and say a Kifaru hunting frame new I'm buying the Kifaru for $35 more. I don't think either will fail a guy, but one is more comfortable and versatile.

Regards, Branden
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: RadSav on February 16, 2016, 10:31:37 AM: Quote from: Buzz2401 on February 11, 2016, 10:13:16 PM
Also check out Blacks Creeks packs. They are made in USA and are really nice.

:tup:

Blacks Creek is a little heavy for my everyday back country type pack. So for that I prefer EXO so far. But as a meat hauler the B/C frame is first rate! Maybe the toughest hauler built today. With one of the better waist belts on a hunting pack too. If B/C was the same weight as Kifaru, EXO and Glacier I wouldn't own anything else.
Title: Re: what pack ?
Post by: buckandbullminingco on February 22, 2016, 07:45:24 PM: Horn hunter full curl!!! love love love it. I use it for day hunts / week long back country hunts