Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: HUNTNORTHWEST on December 20, 2017, 11:29:44 AM

Title: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: HUNTNORTHWEST on December 20, 2017, 11:29:44 AM: Looking at mystery ranch metacalf and the exo mountain gear pack.

Looking for anyone’s review on either.

I got the outdoorsman right now. Its just not nimble enough to convert into a good day pack. Takes out a heavy load of meat very comfortably though.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: J.Shay on December 20, 2017, 11:51:40 AM: Following

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 20, 2017, 11:53:50 AM: There has quite a few comments and reviews on these in the past if you search. I am sure there will be people that kick in on the topic
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: HUNTNORTHWEST on December 20, 2017, 07:16:25 PM: I’ve researched both packs extensivly. Just looking for more input from here.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: milldozer on December 20, 2017, 07:48:50 PM: No experience with MR but I love my exo 3500. Really hauls a load well. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: dscubame on December 20, 2017, 07:50:41 PM: Stone Glacier all day long.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: actionshooter on December 20, 2017, 08:29:30 PM: I was always a MR guy and got a Stone Glacier year before last and am not looking back.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on December 20, 2017, 08:34:02 PM: Everyone I know that has a Stone Glacier likes it. I'm a minimalist type so very happy with my Kuiu 3500 but if I was packing a camp on my back I would look at Stone Glacier. For daypack and meat hauling the Kuiu is great.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: Antlershed on December 20, 2017, 10:26:19 PM: I really like my Kifaru. Have used both the DT2 and DT1 bags compressed for a day pack.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: HUNTNORTHWEST on December 20, 2017, 10:48:23 PM: Stone Glacier seams to be the hype. Steven Meateater Rinella has been packing one around. He also used to pack around the outdoorsman and now I’m looking at retiring that pack.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: shmacker on December 21, 2017, 04:42:47 AM: I also have a Kifaru DT1 and after packing my camp around and 6 or so animals out with it, I don't see myself switching any time soon. It will carry more than I can and compresses down nicely.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 21, 2017, 05:38:39 AM: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,177433.msg2349318.html#msg2349318
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,212205.msg2863698.html#msg2863698
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,147511.msg1956095.html#msg1956095
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,159463.msg2107795.html#msg2107795
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: Ironhead on December 21, 2017, 06:53:12 AM: I was a MR guy and made the switch to Stone Glacier. I use a 5900 with the Xcurve frame for backpack hunts and also bought the approach 1800( bag only) for a minimalist pack while bow hunting. I just switch out the bag for the hunt I am on.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: hollymaster on December 21, 2017, 09:56:10 AM: Exo 2000 if your a minimalist or 3500 if not. Packed a quartered out deer in one trip. Awesome day pack compresses down to nothing.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: elksnout on December 21, 2017, 05:38:35 PM: Can't say enough great things about my Exo pack. Soooo comfortable.

Elksnout
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: vandeman17 on December 21, 2017, 05:43:30 PM: I picked up the tenzing 4000 and I like it so far. It collapses down pretty small for a nice day pack but expands pretty big for hauling gear or meat.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: Stickerbush on December 21, 2017, 05:53:33 PM: What cubic inch are you looking at
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: blackpowderhunter on December 21, 2017, 09:17:06 PM: i've got a second gen exo 3500 (the one right before the newest k2 version) with i think a small waist belt (i wear 32 pants).
I'm in renton and you're more than welcome to stop by and give it a look and try it out if you'd like.
they're a big investment, but I havent second guessed my purchase once.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: hughjorgan on December 21, 2017, 10:44:36 PM: I have a used a mystery ranch pack for a number of years then went to buy a different bag so I could do a back pack hunt and was informed since they were now going to mass produce them not in the USA that I wouldn't be able to do that since they weren't making different bags to individually sell. Anyhow, American made MR packs are well made and functional. I have no experience with there newer stuff. Though I don't feel like it is as comfortable pack as my exo 3500. The 3500 is well made and well thought out pack and is very comfortable with weight but will compress down to a low profile to use as a day pack as well. The exo is the way I would go between your two choices.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: HUNTNORTHWEST on December 22, 2017, 06:28:34 AM: All the inputs are helpful. The exo seems like the makers are always trying to improve on the pack, which I like.After talking with a few of you. The 3500 should haul what I need.

Thx huntwa
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: fishsticks on December 22, 2017, 06:39:05 AM: I have an exo 5500 and it hauled quite a bit of weight on multiple trips this year. It's well built, comfortable and durable so far.

All that said, I wish I'd have gone kifaru. The reason is that it's far more modular. The exo is very clean but other than waist belt pockets it's essentially two big pockets. That makes it a little tough to organize. You can change bag sizes on both but I think overall if you do lots of different stuff and need 1 system the kifaru might have the edge.

The exo is a good pack, I think some of it really comes down to personal preference.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: Zeroforhire on January 10, 2018, 05:41:56 PM: Buy whatever fits you best. Stone glacier, exo, and kifaru are my favorites.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: Hot Lunch on January 17, 2018, 09:19:12 PM: I am currently using a Kifaru hunter frame with Reconing bag and I love it. Know several folks who love their EXO's. Those two would be my top choices.
Title: Re: Next year pack decisions.
Post by: dscubame on January 17, 2018, 10:08:00 PM: Stone Glacier just came out with a incredible frame. Going to get my hands on it in a month or two. Unbelievable weight.