Favorite backcountry backpack.

PerezA

PerezA

Member
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91
I am in the market for a new backpack. I do multiple backpacking trips a year, looking into a 5900-7000 cu in pack. Currently running a kuiu lt pro 5500, it does ok but I feel like there are better packs out there. We recently did the bataan death march here in Nm, all the training for it kinda tore up my pack so I’m looking for a new one for this coming season.

what’s everybody opinion?
Stone glacier
Exo
Initial ascent
Kifaru
Mystery ranch

Thanks in advance, if anybody has any sweet promos on packs let me know haha pack prices are insane.
 
Take a look at the Initial Ascent packs, I’ve carried a few now but went to this pack a year ago, the rest will collect dust now.
 
I've rocked an Exo K2 5500 for five seasons now and I cant recommend it enough. Even in its worn in and blood stained state its still the envy of all my Mystery Ranch prodeal having buddies here in MT.
 
2morechains said:
I've rocked an Exo K2 5500 for five seasons now and I cant recommend it enough. Even in its worn in and blood stained state its still the envy of all my Mystery Ranch prodeal having buddies here in MT.
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How many nights do you think you could pack in the 5500??
 
StocknBone said:
Take a look at the Initial Ascent packs, I’ve carried a few now but went to this pack a year ago, the rest will collect dust now.
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Ya that’s what everybody keeps saying. Saying it carries heavy loads really well and the pack design is really thought out.
 
PerezA said:
How many nights do you think you could pack in the 5500??
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Depends on how strong your back is. More importantly it depends on which season you are hunting. During archery elk here on MT I can easily go for over a week if water is abundant. Later in November with heavier clothing, shelter, etc. I try limit myself to a week. The pack is not the limiting factor, I am.
 
I was able to run one of the Alaska Guide Creations Kobuk prototypes and have been thoroughly impressed. I have multiple other brand packs and I’ve never even thought about going back. Tough, light, comfortable and I can customize it for anything from a day trip to a week long stay in the backcountry. I think they have a few different sizes. Mine is the 5700.
 
I've tried all the brands you listed except Initial Ascent. I'm currently running a Stone Glacier Sky Talus 6900 with an X-Curve frame. I appreciate how I can reduce the volume through the bivy-mode they designed into the pack. I tried previous generations of the EXO but have been reading positive reviews about the new K4 systems. No matter what anyone tells you, you probably can't go wrong with any of the packs you listed just find the one that fits your body type best.
 
Ended up getting a stone archer 6400. Basically priced in half and it still had tags, couldn’t beat the price so I jumped on it. Just so happens I drew a wilderness elk tag here in Nm so I’ll be putting it to use all summer leading up to the hunt.
 
Ya I ended up getting a 6400. Best pack I could get that I could afford, didn’t really wanna spend 700-900 for a new pack. 6400 should be plenty big for what I do, pretty excited to load it up and hit the mountain.
 
PerezA said:
I am in the market for a new backpack. I do multiple backpacking trips a year, looking into a 5900-7000 cu in pack. Currently running a kuiu lt pro 5500, it does ok but I feel like there are better packs out there. We recently did the bataan death march here in Nm, all the training for it kinda tore up my pack so I’m looking for a new one for this coming season.

what’s everybody opinion?
Stone glacier
Exo
Initial ascent
Kifaru
Mystery ranch

Thanks in advance, if anybody has any sweet promos on packs let me know haha pack prices are insane.
Click to expand...
I'm running a stone glacier. Great pack but i slightly customized it by adding a fitted pad for my lower back and a detachable ultra light daybag that i attached low profile works great
 
PerezA said:
I am in the market for a new backpack. I do multiple backpacking trips a year, looking into a 5900-7000 cu in pack. Currently running a kuiu lt pro 5500, it does ok but I feel like there are better packs out there. We recently did the bataan death march here in Nm, all the training for it kinda tore up my pack so I’m looking for a new one for this coming season.

what’s everybody opinion?
Stone glacier
Exo
Initial ascent
Kifaru
Mystery ranch

Thanks in advance, if anybody has any sweet promos on packs let me know haha pack prices are insane.
Click to expand...
My suggestion Stone Glacier EXO or Kifaru !!! IF you have a local sporting goods store go try them on ,or check for any sportsman expo's / show's going on around you. Here in Idaho we have a lot of stores as well as pack makers !! I have had Eberlestock { way to Heavy } - KUIU { No flaws } - Badlands { Heavy seams & stitching garbage } - Horn Hunter { Squeaky stitching was garbage } - Alps { Cheap noisy poorly built } .. Out of all of these the KUIU 5200 was hands down the best for day use or 5 to 7 day hunts. It actually has more space than I could ever justify carrying . But I was in the market for new pack I hit the stores tried on everyone that was available- hit the Sportsman expo checked out Kifaru - Initial Accent -EXO I ended up going with Stone Glacier it fit better , was lighter had the best shoulder fit & hip pad fit for me . I ruled out every pack that had an empty weight of over 4#s that narrowed it down A lot !! that was my preference
 
schoolhousegrizz said:
My advice is just get the biggest bag. Probably only about a half pound difference if that. I have the kuiu 6000 pro. It has been big enough for four or five days. However, looking back I probably just should have got the 7800.

I've had a few packs, and I do love the kuiu.
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Great advice!
Me and my son have my son a hard time for buying the ‘Largest’ pack Kuiu sold and we went with a size smaller. This was for my sheep hunt and we ended up eating our words. Plus, it’s bigger pain loading/unloading.

With that said, I’m probably the last person to take pack advice from. There is better packs I’m sure, than Kuiu. However, I really liked how light they were….
 
Seek Outside makes a great frame system. I have several different size bags to go with it depending on the use.
 
I wish I lived further north where there are more packs available to check out, all we have in my town is sportsman’s warehouse and they don’t carry anything good. I ended up with stone glacier archer, I’m pleased with it, just wrapped up a wilderness backcountry elk hunt with it and loved it. Seems like it took me all summer to get comfortable with it but it feels broken in now and I like it a lot. I’m sure I’ll do the Bataan march with it in March so I’ll get a lot of training hours under it. I think my next pack will be the initial ascent, they sure are getting a lot of attention seems like their packs do well under load. I like the frame style, looks pretty robust and stiff.
 

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