Pack help
- Thread starter maddog58
- Start date
I'm in my 50's and run a Paradox Evolution frame, it has a meat shelf, with a kuiu 1850 bag for day hunts. Unloaded it weighs about 3.5lbs. I can swap to a bigger bag if needed. Last year I packed out 2 boned out deer, 1 archery, 1 muzzy up hill, one trip each with my daypack gear in the bag and basically, you can hardly tell the weight is on your back. easy peasy
Deepcolor
Active Member
- Messages
- 793
Mystery Ranch Cabinet gets my vote. Slim and compact in daypack mode and can expand for load hauling when needed. Just finished up 3 months of big game hunting and am very satisfied with the pack. All stitching, buckles, and zippers are flawless. Slim enough to comfortably shoot a bow while wearing also.
Good luck on your search, there are a ton of quality packs available.......except that one company that uses shi#%y zippers.
Good luck on your search, there are a ton of quality packs available.......except that one company that uses shi#%y zippers.
COLOhunter
Active Member
- Messages
- 217
I used to have the Badlands 2200 and picked up a Kuiu 3200 this past year. I've been extremely pleased. I liked my 2200 but the Kuiu is more comfortable and I think it hauls better as well.
>Mystery Ranch Cabinet gets my vote.
>Slim and compact in daypack
>mode and can expand for
>load hauling when needed. Just
>finished up 3 months of
>big game hunting and am
>very satisfied with the pack.
>All stitching, buckles, and zippers
>are flawless. Slim enough to
>comfortably shoot a bow while
>wearing also.
>
>Good luck on your search, there
>are a ton of quality
>packs available.......except that one company
>that uses shi#%y zippers.
I second the Mystery Ranch Cabinet - awesome pack that is well thought out and build. Not only carries weight exception well, I like and use the carrying handle as a shooting platform which eliminates bipods on a gun. Good luck.
>Slim and compact in daypack
>mode and can expand for
>load hauling when needed. Just
>finished up 3 months of
>big game hunting and am
>very satisfied with the pack.
>All stitching, buckles, and zippers
>are flawless. Slim enough to
>comfortably shoot a bow while
>wearing also.
>
>Good luck on your search, there
>are a ton of quality
>packs available.......except that one company
>that uses shi#%y zippers.
I second the Mystery Ranch Cabinet - awesome pack that is well thought out and build. Not only carries weight exception well, I like and use the carrying handle as a shooting platform which eliminates bipods on a gun. Good luck.
LAST EDITED ON Dec-26-17 AT 09:46PM (MST)[p]You'll probably find out in a hurry that a larger pack designed for hefty loads will be a lot more comfortable and easier to pack even medium sized loads than a smaller pack that is only designed for 20 to 40ish lb loads. I've used an abused my Badlands 2200 over the years. It may be great for day trips and 20 lb loads but is a killer when loaded with anything heavier and bulkier than around 20 lbs. Sure it's possible to haul out a boned out elk hind qtr but your shoulders, back, and legs will take a lot more abuse! I tried using it one time packing out an elk qtr and just about killed myself on the first load. The remaining loads with my Arcteryx Bora 90 were a breeze! My Arcteryx worked great for years and years.
I made a large up-grade from Arcteryx to Kifaru frame and bags several years ago and have never been disappointed. I've used it for years for hauling everything from antelope to elk, bighorns, mtn goats and moose. It's great for hauling out antler sheds, turkey decoys, etc. I've also used it on extended dall sheep/mtn goat hunts in Alaska and have packed many boned elk out of hell-holes. It's possible to switch out Kifaru bags and components depending upon my preference for that particular hunt....which all are capable of 100 lb loads with the frame. Many of the Kifaru bags can be cinched up super tight for day hunting and are still capable of hauling over-sized elk quarters, lifesized capes, etc. Kifaru offers a large selection of bags and components depending upon your particular use and needs.
I would much rather use a larger bag that is capable of hauling large, bulky loads than an undersized pack that is only designed for small loads. I often use my 2200 for scouting and hunting close to the truck...but as I grow older (and wiser) it's been nice using a pack designed for hauling hefty weight and bulk if there is any chance I'll be hauling out game! I don't think you'll hardly find any bad reviews on Kifaru and they will last several lifetimes! I picked up my almost new Kifaru pack, different bags, and components on Craigslist, Rokslide.com classified section, or Ebay for about 1/2 the price of new ones. You likely won't ever need to buy another frame and bags!
I made a large up-grade from Arcteryx to Kifaru frame and bags several years ago and have never been disappointed. I've used it for years for hauling everything from antelope to elk, bighorns, mtn goats and moose. It's great for hauling out antler sheds, turkey decoys, etc. I've also used it on extended dall sheep/mtn goat hunts in Alaska and have packed many boned elk out of hell-holes. It's possible to switch out Kifaru bags and components depending upon my preference for that particular hunt....which all are capable of 100 lb loads with the frame. Many of the Kifaru bags can be cinched up super tight for day hunting and are still capable of hauling over-sized elk quarters, lifesized capes, etc. Kifaru offers a large selection of bags and components depending upon your particular use and needs.
I would much rather use a larger bag that is capable of hauling large, bulky loads than an undersized pack that is only designed for small loads. I often use my 2200 for scouting and hunting close to the truck...but as I grow older (and wiser) it's been nice using a pack designed for hauling hefty weight and bulk if there is any chance I'll be hauling out game! I don't think you'll hardly find any bad reviews on Kifaru and they will last several lifetimes! I picked up my almost new Kifaru pack, different bags, and components on Craigslist, Rokslide.com classified section, or Ebay for about 1/2 the price of new ones. You likely won't ever need to buy another frame and bags!
I just looked up the details for the Badland's Clutch you mentioned above. It looks like the main compartment is only 2500 cu in so not a whole lot of room for a qtr of an elk. The pack also weighs 7.2 lbs....wow! Although Badlands are solid packs with great zippers, etc that's a mighty hefty weight for the volume of pack. I'm pretty sure my heaviest Kifaru bag plus frame is around 7 lbs and is capable of 100+ lb loads. A lot depends upon your particular use but you may be in for a tough go if packing out many elk....especially with multiple trips in nasty country? A pack designed specifically for 100+ lb loads will likely save you a trip (or 2) and will be a lot easier on your body! The Clutch may be ok for day-hunting but a full blown Stone Glacier or Kifaru weighs the same amount and you are getting a heck of a lot more pack!
