Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 06:42:27 PM
I have been playing with these packs the last 2 years at the sportsmans shows. I feel in love with them and decided it was the right pack for me. I got the bighorn pack combo with a full size frame. The last 2 years I have packed around 120lbs of sand and weights at the trade shows trying to find something I did not like. That 120 feels like nothing in these packs. They are just a little more heavy then the badlands but the pay off is huge! These packs adjust to custom fit you like no other pack I have had.
My cousin used them on a moose hunt last year as well and was packing some heavy loads out in Alaska.
There are some key things to note with these packs. That really made them stand out to me. The biggest and best for me is the quality and MADE IN THE USA!!! in fact in Oregon :tup: These packs can adjust to take on the biggest loads you can strap into them. The bow and rifle fit into these packs much better then then any other pack system I have used or seen. There is not a bunch of extra tiny little pockets or weird shaped pockets that won't hold anything. This pack is built to use and built to hunt.
If you are looking for a new pack check them out. I am sure you will note all the things I have listed and be as happy as I am. I can't wait to start using it this season :IBCOOL:
Here are the rest of the spec on the pack:
http://www.wildernesspacks.com/big-horn-combo
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 06:43:42 PM
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on March 15, 2012, 07:00:43 PM
I'm definitely curious to see how you like it out in the field.
Post by: halflife65 on March 15, 2012, 07:02:04 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on March 15, 2012, 07:34:42 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 07:42:20 PM
I don't know the kifaru or the specs on it. The yukon is a monster way bigger then I would ever need with like 5000cu.in That pack could haul whatever you put in it without any worries!
The retail price is 300.00 for the combo that I got. Most stores I think they run right at 280.00. I know xxx archery stocks them. You would have to call them on the other packs to get a price on them. '
If you call them make sure you tell them you heard about them threw Split Diamond Outfitters :tup:
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 07:45:10 PM
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on March 15, 2012, 07:50:24 PM
https://kifaru.net/timberline1.html
http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/live-hunt/2011/08/backpack-review-kifaru-timberline-ultimate-backcountry-hunting-pack
Post by: JPhelps on March 15, 2012, 08:11:13 PM
The Kifaru is over twice as much. It also weighs about HALF! :yike: It is the GOLD STANDARD that all other packs are compared to. It will haul more weight than a person will be able to.
I can't comment on the wilderness packs, I don't think I will ever own one because of its weight and the style of hunting I do.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 08:12:19 PM
7200 is a monster :yike: Hell 5000 is big I could fit a whole deer in one of those packs :chuckle:
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on March 15, 2012, 08:15:02 PM
Not a fair apples to apples comparison between this pack and the Kifaru.
The Kifaru is over twice as much. It also weighs about HALF! :yike: It is the GOLD STANDARD that all other packs are compared to. It will haul more weight than a person will be able to.
I can't comment on the wilderness packs, I don't think I will ever own one because of its weight and the style of hunting I do.
I guess that was my point haha. Do you get the same benefit for half the price? Minus of course the 4 pound difference.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 08:20:48 PM
OMG 700.00 for a pack? who can afford that! It looks like that pack is about 35% lighter.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 08:23:45 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 08:42:46 PM
1.3 pounds more then the badlands. I don't know what the badlands is rated at but the pack frame on the wilderness is rated at 120lbs+
Looks like the kifaru sites says 100+ on that big monster packs.
Post by: washelkhunter on March 15, 2012, 08:45:04 PM
P.S. Kifaru is not the gold standard for packability-or-comfort. An internal frame pack can never out perform a frame pack. Im with Carp, bigger is not better with regards to size. carrying capacity is what matters. Most people pack up for eventualties rather than realities.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 08:47:37 PM
I have never tried the other brand and just going by what there web site says.
Post by: JPhelps on March 15, 2012, 08:55:43 PM
P.S. Kifaru is not the gold standard for packability-or-comfort. An internal frame pack can never out perform a frame pack.
Not to threadjack, but there isn't a better pack out right now (Which is very subjective from user to user). Barney's and Mystery Ranch are close but at a increase in weight and many people still claim the Kifaru is more comfortable with extreme weights. I personally run a Dana Designs Terraframe (external pack which is a beast) but the new timberline series is the best thing going. My hunting partner just picked up a timberline so I will be able to give a good comparison at the end of this hunting season.
Post by: colockumelk on March 15, 2012, 09:08:48 PM
Post by: dreamingbig on March 15, 2012, 09:10:42 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 09:11:45 PM
My cousin bought just the pack frame for him and his hunting partner last year. They packed out 2 moose with theres and were packing loads 120+ pounds at times.
I also know about 5 other outfitters that use them and have probably put 100+ animals in theres over the last number of years. None have anything bad to say about these packs.
A couple of pounds will never hurt me.
As far as fit I have never tried the other pack on. I do not like the height on that pack posted. It really looks like it will catch on a lot of stuff where I hunt. I guess in a lot more open country you would not have to worry about it. I know me at 6'1 with that thing sticking up would not be able to go under mank snags :chuckle:
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on March 15, 2012, 09:12:53 PM
Post by: JPhelps on March 15, 2012, 09:13:42 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 09:16:44 PM
Carp I'm gonna buy one of these for my Dad. Just not sure if I should get him the compact combo or the bighorn. Question how small does the pack cinch down to? Small enough for a day pack? As fat as weight goes. Here's my take. I don't care if a pack weighs 2 or 3 lbs more. Whether its just got day pack stuff in, loaded with bivy gear or especially loaded with meat, you won't notice the extra 2 lbs or 3 lbs. I care about how well it handles the heavy loads. That's what you will notice more. How the pack handles loads, not the slight difference in starting weights of the packs.
I am right there with you :tup: You hit the nail on the head. With the 120 pounds of sand and weights in the bottom of this pack it was very comfortable! When I pack large loads like hind quarters I try to get more weight up high to make it pack nicer and even things out. I tested this pack with all the weight in the very bottom. The thing is a beast! That is the nice thing about this pack the adjustments are huge! Where with the badlands and such you are fixed size when you zip it up. This pack has like 6 adjustments to shrink or expand the inside.
This is a top load as well and there is no zippers on the side to mess up. "you know when they spread apart from being to tight" :chuckle:
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 09:18:53 PM
So just a question, how do you order? I don't see any prices on their site.
Call them at the number listed on the website they take phone orders and can give you all the prices as well.
"I wish they had them on the site" I will talk to them about that.
I hope you get to load that thing down heavy and test it out this year.
You know it buddy! Remember last year I took 13 big game animals myself alone! Plus I packed out around 20 others :tup:
There is no question it will get used and tested to the very max.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 09:27:26 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 10:08:01 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 10:24:10 PM
ALSO I know a lot of you guys are going to give me crap about my night shorts :chuckle: A guy has to start someplace!
Camo booty was one of the first comapies that helped sponsor me! I promise this year its going to be mainly kings camo :chuckle: Probably not for bowfishing but for hunting :chuckle: Cant ever get that smell of carp out :chuckle:
Pictures! I am 6'1" 263lbs right now. Just so you have a size idea.
Post by: KFhunter on March 15, 2012, 10:27:04 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 10:32:31 PM
Post by: KFhunter on March 15, 2012, 10:34:45 PM
Post by: washelkhunter on March 15, 2012, 10:43:25 PM
P.S. My god man. My eyes, my eyes!!!
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 15, 2012, 10:45:08 PM
Post by: fillthefreezer on March 16, 2012, 07:24:56 AM
that being said ive pack up to 115lbs with it and regularly pack 65-75.
i also cinch it down and use it for snowshoeing trips trips because i like the waist pockets and it holds my camelback and coyote gun...
Post by: colockumelk on March 16, 2012, 01:59:57 PM
Post by: CoachNemo on March 16, 2012, 02:03:25 PM
I am currently getting a demo pack from Oregon Pack Works (Whole Shabang!) and it looks awesome. It is modular and can be used as a bivy/spike pack then broken up into a day pack from there. It has 23 different combinations/configurations.
http://www.oregonpackworks.com/Default.asp
I have been dealing with Karl and I am very excited to try this pack out.
Just my :twocents:
Post by: Dan-o on March 16, 2012, 02:11:53 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 16, 2012, 02:27:35 PM
Hey carp can you take some more pictures. I would like to see a close up of the front of the pack (suspension system/frame) and maybe one with you standing next to it so I can get an idea of how big it is. It will determine whether I get my Dad the Compact Combo or the Bighorn Combo. He is 6" and I read somewhere that the compact combo doesn't have enough adjustment for taller guys but the Bighorn Combo does. I want to make sure that I get a pack that can handle loads well when he shoots something but is small enough to be a good day pack since that is all he does is day hunts. Thanks.
Did you see the pics with me standing in the pack on the last page :chuckle: You do NOT want to get him the compact if he is 6' I am right at 6'1 so we are about the same height and the compact is just to small for us big framed guys. I was going to get the compact but the owned said no way and put both on me and hands down the bighorn fit the best!
I will get some more pics for you tonight when I get a chance but 100% get the bighorn combo over the compact.
Post by: colockumelk on March 16, 2012, 04:32:48 PM
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on March 16, 2012, 04:40:47 PM
Post by: colockumelk on March 16, 2012, 04:41:35 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 16, 2012, 05:15:37 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 16, 2012, 07:02:58 PM
Another thing I really like is the size on the gun and bow holder. The thing is very wide and deep and will fit a stock of bottom half of a bow much better then most packs I have seen. The badlands is tiny. Some of my stocks won't even fit in theres.
Post by: Swannytheswan on March 31, 2012, 06:20:01 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 31, 2012, 06:21:40 PM
Post by: Jason on March 31, 2012, 06:45:07 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 31, 2012, 06:47:10 PM
Post by: Jason on March 31, 2012, 07:06:47 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 31, 2012, 07:13:56 PM
Post by: huntnnw on April 01, 2012, 10:18:11 PM
Post by: fillthefreezer on April 02, 2012, 07:07:38 AM
but I think KUIU is lightest of alli have not used one but they dont look like they have enough frame to go over 70lbs let alone 110+
w/ the wilderness ive personally done 115lbs with no ill effects
Post by: colockumelk on April 03, 2012, 09:15:42 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on April 04, 2012, 12:46:34 AM
Post by: fillthefreezer on May 12, 2012, 11:12:09 AM
i took the original load lifter straps off. i took 2 of the molle links off the load sling and routed them through where the original lifter striper were, then back through the holes above them and back over the top to hook to the shoulder strap portion of the load lifter if that makes sense. gave about 1.5 inches vertically of more lift, made quit a difference with my 85lb training load. really starts to lift the strap off your shoulder like the 6000ci packs that stick up above your head do. :brew:
Post by: logan on May 16, 2012, 08:31:01 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 16, 2012, 08:43:15 PM
Post by: Bearhunter on May 22, 2012, 10:16:22 PM