new pack suggestions?

[Idahoarcheryhunter]

after this archery season I am convinced it is time to replace my old pack, its nothing special cabela's bargain cave special if I remember correctly. I put on roughly 60 miles this archery season and hunted 9 days out of the season and everyday my pack just wore on my shoulders, my pack is not that heavy with gear for the day as I mainly can only day hunt and not backpack hunt like I want to. My pack weights are normally 10-20 pounds for the day depending on what kind of gear I think that I will need. But here is the kicker I still want a pack that I can throw a hind quarter of an elk on and not worry about the frame being able to handle the load. I have looked at eberlestock mainly and the team elk pack along with the j34 I believe is what it was called have caught my interest have not looked much into kifaru but I know they are another big brand. The only pack I do not think I will be considering is an exo mountain gear due to the price tag for a 3500 cu in pack. I believe it was somewhere along the lines of 550 dollars and that is just out of my price range. Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[Southern Elk]

My vote is Kifaru, but if the Exo is out of your price range, it will be too. A lot of folks on here use Mystery Ranch. I've owned one of them too, but I much prefer my Kifaru to it. The Eberlestock would be fine for a day pack, but they are brutal with a lot of weight in them. I would check the classifieds on here and places like archery talk and rokslide for a used Kifaru. Lots of guys will be selling them to buy a new model after season.

 

[Idahoarcheryhunter]

My vote is Kifaru, but if the Exo is out of your price range, it will be too. A lot of folks on here use Mystery Ranch. I've owned one of them too, but I much prefer my Kifaru to it. The Eberlestock would be fine for a day pack, but they are brutal with a lot of weight in them. I would check the classifieds on here and places like archery talk and rokslide for a used Kifaru. Lots of guys will be selling them to buy a new model after season.

thanks for the advice, I guess I cant say they are out of my price range until I can get one in my hands just looking online my jaw about hit the bottom of the floor, but buy quality once and you are set the way I see it.

 

[Southern Elk]

Yes, a good pack will last many years. I bought and hunted with 4 cheaper packs before finally biting the bullet and buying a Kifaru. I could have bought it first and saved a lot of money. This season is my third season hunting with it.

 

[sneakypete]

I love my KUIU icon pro 3200, but before it and I still have it a badlands 2200, it's less than 300, kuiu 400 +

 

[Flatrock]

I've got the J34 and while it's a decent pack, it just doesn't have much for a frame and isn't comfortable with a heavy load. Bought a kuiu icon 5200 and that thing is WAY better than the Eberlestock. I'll try and put up a few pics of the J34 frame this week sometime. I would definitely avoid that one. Or maybe I should sell you mine!

 

[Wyatt G]

Your best option would be to buy a used kifaru, mystery ranch, exo, or stone glacier. If you dont want to do that the outdoorsman pack is a good option. so is the slumberjack bounty, my dad just picked one up for $170. It seems really nice but havent been able to test it. I have a kuiu ultra with the 3000 and 6000 bags, it suits my needs fine, but there is better out there for around the same amount.

 

[genesis273]

Kifaru voter here too, and love mine!! I watched Rocslide Classifieds hourly (they come and go quick) and bought a used Kifaru for alot less than normal, and it looked new.

 

[jtw]

Go used and they will be in your price range.

 

[Schaaf]

Check Rokslide classifieds for a used Kifaru, Stone Glacier, Exo, or Mystery Ranch.

 

[Hatchie Dawg]

Not sure why Seek Outside packs are not mentioned much here but I'm on my 3rd year with one. Very versatile, very light, very strong, and very comfortable. There is a lot to like.
HD

 

[Muleyfanatic]

Stone Glacier approach

 

[ardrhi]

I use a Badlands Sacrifice for what you describe. Once I got the squeaky frame problem fixed, it became my main pack. The compression straps do a great job of keeping it from swinging around when I'm hunting almost empty. It is also big enough for overnight with my warm weather gear. Last year I packed out the head/cape, backstraps and trim of a mature mule, along with my gear.

 

[Idahoarcheryhunter]

Thanks for all the suggestions everybody, I got the chance today to play with a eberlestock j34 that my friend owns as we were looking at our area to hunt on the beginning of idahos rifle deer season and I really liked it, plus all the adjustments and add ons you could put onto the pack. I still want to get a Kifaru and Exo on before I make my decision

 

[brymoore]

I'm loving my Stone Glacier. I've owned J34, Mystery Ranch, Kifaru as comparisons.

 

[HuntMT16]

My hunting buddy has an Eberlestock X2 and he loves it. Works great for day hunts and he has packed out some serious weight with it. I personally used a Slumberjack Bounty 4500. I would recommend the pack to anyone. It's very versatile in being able to be used for day hunts, backcountry hunts and packing critters out. Last year I helped pack my buddies elk 3.5 miles with an estimated 120-130 pounds. The pack held up great and did better than I expected.

Slumberjack came out with the bounty 2.0 (if memory serves me right) that looks like it's laid out a little better and is right around $300. The Bounty 4500 you can buy new for $180 I believe.