Mystery Ranch Metcalf vs. Kifaru Timberline 2 or 3? Update! Purchase made!

[HighCountryHunter88]

Sooo dumb question, what's the difference between the aluminum stays and the other ones

[Karl Blanchard]

Sooo dumb question, what's the difference between the aluminum stays and the other ones

$40   seriously though, $40 and the ability to bend them to better fit your back.  Downfall is they are a bit heavier.  Not enough to justify the cost in my opinion though.

[Karl Blanchard]

Karl just get one of each and I will use the one you don't like ! 

lol!  You need a full size pack.  Someday when I grow big my packs will fit you!  Until then I will keep eating my wheaties!  Not holding my breath though.  Pretty certain I am gonna stay vertically challenged for the rest of my life!

[HighCountryHunter88]

Sooo dumb question, what's the difference between the aluminum stays and the other ones

$40   seriously though, $40 and the ability to bend them to better fit your back.  Downfall is they are a bit heavier.  Not enough to justify the cost in my opinion though.

10-4 I would have made the same choice

[Smossy]

tag

[Smossy]

Update!!!!!  After many hours of research and many sleepless nights I have ordered a pack!  Kifaru DT1 is the winner!  Multicam with aluminum stays and the standard lid (for now) to my door for $575.12!  Should be here in 4 to 6 weeks!  

The deciding factor was the load lifters on the metcalf.  When the pack is extended out into load sling mode the load lifters are moved from the metcalf pack to the NICE frame and you lose your height.  They make an extension for the frame but that is just one more thing to carry.  I just hope they don't put a side zipper on the Timberline next year as someone on here will be getting a smoking deal on my current Timberline!  That truly is a game changing innovation in top load bags in my opinion.

Woo, you did what I cant commit to yet I still cant decide what pack to actually get yet though. I think its between the highcamp 4800 or the DT3. Im still somewhat new to hunting so I dont think I have a HUGE need for a massive pack just yet but I do want something I can get good use out of, Plus all the added packs and attachments you can add to them I think I wont have a problem.
Did you go with the bikini frame? And what's your ETA?

[HighCountryHunter88]

For your first pack I would recommend the eberlestock blue widow, good pack at a good price

[Karl Blanchard]

Update!!!!!  After many hours of research and many sleepless nights I have ordered a pack!  Kifaru DT1 is the winner!  Multicam with aluminum stays and the standard lid (for now) to my door for $575.12!  Should be here in 4 to 6 weeks!  

The deciding factor was the load lifters on the metcalf.  When the pack is extended out into load sling mode the load lifters are moved from the metcalf pack to the NICE frame and you lose your height.  They make an extension for the frame but that is just one more thing to carry.  I just hope they don't put a side zipper on the Timberline next year as someone on here will be getting a smoking deal on my current Timberline!  That truly is a game changing innovation in top load bags in my opinion.

Woo, you did what I cant commit to yet I still cant decide what pack to actually get yet though. I think its between the highcamp 4800 or the DT3. Im still somewhat new to hunting so I dont think I have a HUGE need for a massive pack just yet but I do want something I can get good use out of, Plus all the added packs and attachments you can add to them I think I wont have a problem.
Did you go with the bikini frame? And what's your ETA?

. I was gonna go with the T2 but for the extra few bucks it was worth it to go big.  One thing I have learned is that with a top load pack you can never have enough cu in!  I quarter more deer than I debone so having the room is important.  Plus from what I have seen this pack compresses down very nicely and is not cumbersome when empty.  I went with the Duplex frame.  The weight savings wasn't enough to justify the added cost.  ETA is 4 to 6 weeks.

[Karl Blanchard]

For your first pack I would recommend the eberlestock blue widow, good pack at a good price

. The blue widow is a decent pack but it did not hold up to my abuse.  Didn't even make it through one hunting season.  Did not seem to carry weight well for me.  That being said I have a friend who has had one for 4 seasons and loves it.  He only packs about one deer a year with it though.

[Karl Blanchard]

All the cool kids are using a DT1 in multicam

     ya!  I'm a cool kid!!!!  Um I mean....sup

[Smossy]

Any reasons why you went with multicam over highlander?

[Karl Blanchard]

Any reasons why you went with multicam over highlander?

Cause multicam looks cooler!  That and its on sale    Seriously though i think multicam is one of the most universal camo patterns out there.  I wear it a lot but wish someone would make some higher end stuff in that pattern, like First Light or someone.

[HighCountryHunter88]

For your first pack I would recommend the eberlestock blue widow, good pack at a good price

. The blue widow is a decent pack but it did not hold up to my abuse.  Didn't even make it through one hunting season.  Did not seem to carry weight well for me.  That being said I have a friend who has had one for 4 seasons and loves it.  He only packs about one deer a year with it though.

I've had pretty good experience with mine for the price, multiple elk with 80+ lbs loads, deer, salt, ect. Held together for me. Although wish I had more room for being out more than 4-5 days, also heavy loads ride low and that gets old... If I had the cash I would go the route you went

[Smossy]

Any reasons why you went with multicam over highlander?

Cause multicam looks cooler!  That and its on sale    Seriously though i think multicam is one of the most universal camo patterns out there.  I wear it a lot but wish someone would make some higher end stuff in that pattern, like First Light or someone.

Sounds good, lol Just wondering because I couldnt decide on a camo pattern either at these kinda prices its hard to give the final go ahead.
I know what my tax returns are going towards

[Karl Blanchard]

For your first pack I would recommend the eberlestock blue widow, good pack at a good price

. The blue widow is a decent pack but it did not hold up to my abuse.  Didn't even make it through one hunting season.  Did not seem to carry weight well for me.  That being said I have a friend who has had one for 4 seasons and loves it.  He only packs about one deer a year with it though.

I've had pretty good experience with mine for the price, multiple elk with 80+ lbs loads, deer, salt, ect. Held together for me. Although wish I had more room for being out more than 4-5 days, also heavy loads ride low and that gets old... If I had the cash I would go the route you went

  Absolutely.  If it works and your happy then thats all that counts.I returned mine and they replaced it but after having a hole wear out in the bag and then when the shoulder strap ripped off on a meat packout I wasn't giving them a second chance. Sold it.  I did love the rifle scabbard though.  I have been stashing a few bucks every check for this one for a while and I was waiting until after I got some refund checks from some states back to buy it but when I saw the sale I figured I better strike while the iron is hot!

Any reasons why you went with multicam over highlander?

Cause multicam looks cooler!  That and its on sale    Seriously though i think multicam is one of the most universal camo patterns out there.  I wear it a lot but wish someone would make some higher end stuff in that pattern, like First Light or someone.

Sounds good, lol Just wondering because I couldnt decide on a camo pattern either at these kinda prices its hard to give the final go ahead.
I know what my tax returns are going towards

  Its definitely a hard trigger to pull but it is a short lived pain once you start using it.  High quality gear is almost always well worth the investment.