New pack??

[Ac04]

I’m looking to get myself a new pack, primarily will be used as a
day pack, i would like to be able to haul my spotter and tripod and meat if at all possible. I was also going to get into backpacking and possibly backpack hunting. Is there any packs that could do it all? If anyone has used ones that fit that criteria send me a pm.

[Sakko300wsm]

Go with EXO and never look back! I’ve got a 4800 and it does everything I need and what you explained you need. Lightweight , built great and can really pack

[Swervingtrouts]

+1 for Exo. 4800 is a great size

[jrebel]

I'm looking to replace my older KUIU and am looking at the EXO, Stone Glacier and Initial Ascent.  Leaning toward the Initial Ascent 5K with pannier system and cub accessory bag would make for an awesome pack for day hunts up to 5-7 day trips.  It's probably to much pack, but you can always sinch them down....you can't make them grow. 

[zwickeyman]

Big EXO fan here

[Taco280AI]

Like my Exo 

[PsoasHunter]

I bought a used kuiu on here and it's been perfect. Does everything you described,  and I have 2 different sized bags I use on the frame, depending on the trip. Mine was in nearly new condition and less than half the price of buying it new. Put a wtb as up and you'll probably get offers, maybe starting with jrebel lol.

[jrebel]

I’ve got two frames and two bags.  My son and nephew already have claimed them….    This is why I need a new pack. 

My son has been using an eberlestock mainframe with large bat wings and it has been an awesome pack.   It is completely customizable and can expand to multi day trips.  He uses it for day trips and packing meat and it has served us very well.   Eberlestock is a heavier pack in general, but they are very durable and priced about half of what the EXO, KUIU, INITIAL ASCENT, stone glacier, etc will set you back. 

[Sundance]

No complaints here with Mystery Ranch, I have several bags/sizes for my frame. Only issue with MR is you won't the value of the above mentioned brands since MR does traditional retail model and others use direct-to-consumer. If you can qualify for the MR pro program then the 42% discount makes it a no brainer.

[westsidehntr]

Love my Exo. Watch Rokslide classifieds for a used K3. Just make sure you know your sizing before buying used. Belt size and frame size. Exo will help you figure that out if needed. They have charts on their website.

[JDArms1240]

I have a mystery ranch thats a couple years old, it has started to squeak annoyingly loud... it is ALL I can hear when I'm out in the woods.  The waist buckle also broke and is being held together with super glue and electrical tape for now.  I called them and:

1) they were actually pretty cool about it and said they'd fix the squeak if I sent 'em the bag and they'd also send me a new buckle, all of this on their warranty. 
2) they also said the squeak is a fairly common problem.

Not trying to steer you away from mystery ranch cause it is a decent bag for a decent price and their customer service was real good.  However, I think I'm going with a stone or an exo for the next bag I get.

[huntnnw]

I'm looking to replace my older KUIU and am looking at the EXO, Stone Glacier and Initial Ascent.  Leaning toward the Initial Ascent 5K with pannier system and cub accessory bag would make for an awesome pack for day hunts up to 5-7 day trips.  It's probably to much pack, but you can always sinch them down....you can't make them grow.

Just got my initial ascent last month. No complaints here and have loved the fit.

[adamR]

I've had a Kuiu Ultra 6000 for like eight years now maybe. Great pack but I think I'm going to move to an Initial Ascent; everything I've seen/read about them has been great.

[CarbonHunter]

Just make sure you find a pack that fits your needs. I have had several Badlands and now I use an Eberstock. The Eberstock is definitely heavier than some but at the end of the day it is small enough to use everyday yet expands and is heavy duty enough to pack out quarters. My smaller packs left me going back for a pack board which just added extra trips.

I have friends with smaller packs that expand for quarters but the pack itself is not as heavy duty on the straps as the Eberstock I use making packing less comfortable.

When it’s time for a replacement I do plan on looking at the Stone Glacier and mystery range packs. I think I would prefer to have a pack that allows the quarter to be next to the frame and where you slide your day pack outward like those offer.

[hunthard]

Another vote for EXO

[Mtnwalker]

Exo, Stone glacier and Kifaru will have the highest resale value if you decide it isn't right for you. On the other end, Mystery Ranch goes on sale a lot and can be had for about half the price of the others mentioned. Kuiu has had a lot of packs on sale in their outlet lately but doesn't look like much available right at the moment. They are good packs but don't handle extreme weight as comfortably as some of the others, and I don't think I'd pay full price for one. 

[fowl smacker]

Most packs are fairly comfortable when not loaded with meat.  What I care about is the "comfort" when I've got 100 lbs in it.  That's why I love my Mystery Ranch Metcalf.  It is slightly heavier than some other packs when empty but it is the most comfortable pack I've ever worn when loaded.  Get one on sale and there's really not much comparison in my opinion.

[Sakko300wsm]

I’ve had multiple different brands of packs - eberlestock , mystery ranch , badlands, Kuiu ect - my EXO packs are definitely the most comfortable and definitely the most comfortable with a load.
I’m sure they are just like boots - try a few if you can.
FYI eberlestock packs are built great , but would never own another one - heaviest pack I’ve owned

[CastleRocker]

I've had several different brands, and still have one Stone Glacier frame with 3 different sized bags, a Kifaru frame with an Exo bag, and an old packboard with no brand on it.  They all have a purpose, and I'm happy with each and every one.  I purchased each one "used" or I wouldn't be able to afford/justify any of them.  I do have an old Barney's that will outpack any of the others.  There's a reason you don't often see used Barney's up for sale...they are the best I've used for heavy packing.  My knees don't like heavy packs anymore, so my son uses it.

[shedhunt]

I'd go with EXO. You won't be disappointed, love mine and looking to add another one to my gear.

They are able to do everything you are looking to do and you can upsize or downsize bags if you'd like.

[Barodir393]

I have a Kifaru that I am happy with. But I would get a bag that has more pockets for better organization. That being said, if I bought a new pack I would try an Exo.

[HikerHunter]

If your primary use is a day pack, the mystery ranch pop up might be a good option. The frame slides down and out of the way when you don't need it, then you raise it when you have a load. I've had up to 70 lbs in mine and it did great. You'd be limited in the backpack hunting though because they only come in 30 and 40 liters.

[GASoline71]

I got one of the Sitka Mountain Hauler 4000 packs.  So far so good, but have yet to haul meat out with it.  It's comfortable, and I am a tall dude (6' 5") so the adjustability of it was a plus for me.  It's comfortable, and has enough room for a 2 or 3 night stay in the woods, or use it just as a day pack.  If I ever get the chance to strap some meat on it, I'll report back. lol

Gary

[jackelope]

Whatever you choose, if you plan to haul heavy loads, make sure your pack has functional load lifters.  They get the weight off your shoulders and onto your hips. Eberlestock makes a great pack that won’t ever fall apart, but their load lifters that I’ve seen are pretty much non functional. Look to the alpha packs Exo, Kifaru, stone glacier etc. to have this feature. The comfort level is apples and oranges when compared to other packs. I have a Kifaru setup but can’t really say it’s any better than the others.

[highside74]

I'm sure Initial Ascent is a fine pack but the reason they are heavily promoted is they are fairly new and influencers like Gritty get commission on promo code use. Exo, kuiu, kifaru all make a great packs. Kifaru is 100% USA made.

Where do you live? I have a kifaru Duplex lite frame setup for day hunting with a Hellbender bag and a Kuiu icon pro also setup for day hunts with the 1850 bag that you could check out and try on.

[Wingin it]

I’ve been really happy with my Mystery Ranch pack. No complaints with a load of meat either.

[CamoDup]

Go with EXO and never look back! I’ve got a 4800 and it does everything I need and what you explained you need. Lightweight , built great and can really pack

  Buy an EXO... I love my EXO 4800

[dreadi]

I got a Kifaru Hellbender last year for the same reasons you detailed. Then I found myself in Montana for b tag whitetails with all that you mentioned and on opening day of modern elk with all the same things. Worked out great.


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[salt n sage90]

Go with EXO and never look back! I’ve got a 4800 and it does everything I need and what you explained you need. Lightweight , built great and can really pack

  Buy an EXO... I love my EXO 4800

Second that.

[Rat44]

I have a Bull Pac that is built like a tank.
A little on the heavy side but it works.
A Badlands silent daypack works OK for light duty

[pickardjw]

My SG Sky 5900 has been great. I would buy it again. Some of it is frame fit to your body, some of it is preference on bag layout. SG tends to be bare bones organization wise which I prefer. Exo, SG, Kifaru and IA are all made in the USA.

Side note: anyone heard more about Mystery Ranch discontinuing their hunting/outdoors line? Some rumors going around on a MR Facebook page I don't have access to. This was from September of this year.

In the Mystery Ranch Facebook group there was a guy posting today that they were getting rid of their Outdoor/Hunting team. He said Yeti wanted to focus on the mission product line and Yeti branded packs. There was another guy that chimed in and confirmed with friends who worked there saying they would get a severance package or move to Denver to work on the Yeti pack line.