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"The official saddle hunting backpack thread"

Looks like Kifaru is releasing the Hellbender this Friday 4/15. Teasing it’s on their IG.

yep.

 
yep.

I was going to consider it, but I think I would miss the molle on the shelf panel and I think my Sherman pocket on my XL is more functional for me than that Bane pocket on the HB.
 
The new Mystery Ranch Treehouse is going to be very popular. It has silent material like Sitka fanatic packs, is a perfect day hunt size and has pockets perfectly placed for saddle hunting gear. It is also rigid on the sides.
 
The new Mystery Ranch Treehouse is going to be very popular. It has silent material like Sitka fanatic packs, is a perfect day hunt size and has pockets perfectly placed for saddle hunting gear. It is also rigid on the sides.

Seems pretty heavy for what it is though, 1890 cu-ins at 4.6lbs, and just an HPDE frame sheet.

Also it appears the silent material is only on the inside of the pack (Quiet 640D COTNA liner (nylon/cotton blend) . Exterior material is 500D Cordura. I'm not sure which Cordura was used for MR packs that folks said were noisy, hopefully not the 500D.

The star feature is "composite stays on front of pack provides structure, allowing the face panel to open 45 degrees without losing the content." Some reviewers really liked that, even those critical of other aspects of the pack. Seems kind of gimmicky to me, personally. I guess I just haven't experienced stuff falling out of my packs.

I'm sure your right, it will market well. Small parcel folks likely to rave about it, but I'm leery that it's a good solution for those hunting large tracts.

But hey, I've never tried one so it's just my speculation.
 
I've been slimming gear down on my end and getting rid of stuff, but after selling a Kifaru Muskeg and an EMR2, I now have a Shape Charge and a Rogan / Battle Belt combo on the way. Bigger packs are still a Hoodlum and OG 22Mag on 24" and 22" frames. I have a Hellcat lumbar pack too, but I'm not sure I'm sold on that one long term. It may just end up redundant with the two I just bought.

Frame packs will still get the call for heavier stuff or when I need to haul more (heading back to Montana this fall), but trying to keep myself from carrying so much crap :D

FWIW, Other Kifaru packs I've bought / sold over the years: 2 x 26" frames, 3 x EMR2, Fulcrum, Mountain Warrior, Mountain Rambler, Muskeg 5K, Stryker XL, Cargo Panel, and all sorts of pockets, lids, and accessories....
 
Got my Stryker yesterday. I am trying to adjust everything.
With the pack loaded the pack only seems to be held up by the two top straps. Is this OK?
Screenshot_20220416-152139_Gallery.jpg
 
My pack was installed. They used the two nonadjustabe short buckles at the top. I replaced them with the adjustable straps, problem solved.
They sent my bag the same way. I actually think they had the buckles attached to where the load lifters go.
 
Seems pretty heavy for what it is though, 1890 cu-ins at 4.6lbs, and just an HPDE frame sheet.

Also it appears the silent material is only on the inside of the pack (Quiet 640D COTNA liner (nylon/cotton blend) . Exterior material is 500D Cordura. I'm not sure which Cordura was used for MR packs that folks said were noisy, hopefully not the 500D.

The star feature is "composite stays on front of pack provides structure, allowing the face panel to open 45 degrees without losing the content." Some reviewers really liked that, even those critical of other aspects of the pack. Seems kind of gimmicky to me, personally. I guess I just haven't experienced stuff falling out of my packs.

I'm sure your right, it will market well. Small parcel folks likely to rave about it, but I'm leery that it's a good solution for those hunting large tracts.

But hey, I've never tried one so it's just my speculation.

I used this pack last season. It’s a really solid pack and holds weight pretty well but the only gripe I have is the way things lash to the front. Unless you have the pack stuffed full the outer panels pull in and it makes it hard to actually cinch anything tight.


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Kifaru announced today, if you want a pack for early hunting season you need to order before May 1st. Because of the move???
 
Kifaru announced today, if you want a pack for early hunting season you need to order before May 1st. Because of the move???

Yes, it's because of the move. They also extended normal lead times out to 8-12 weeks.
 
I think the Connor v2 and Kifaru frame paired together are going to punch the ticket for the all day or really cold hunts for me. I will just pop the Connor off and put the straps that came with it back on for everything else.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Well, I was trying to stay strong since getting this e-mail Wednesday night, but this morning I caved and ordered a wolf gray 1800 daypack from T&K hunting gear. I'll post some pics and initial impressions once I have it in hand, in about a month.
Screenshot_20220508-081742.jpg
 
Slightly off topic, but enough correlation I may find the answer…..

I know they don’t make the game plan gear Leech anymore (and it had flaws)… does anyone make a similar bungee/strap “ onto the platform and over the sticks” kind of pack? Or has anyone found success in a DIY adjustable strap or bungee setup for use with a cheap molle loop pack?

It seems simple…. But it hasn’t been.
 
I saw the renegade on sale for about $140 on everlestocks website. I already own one of their bags so I knew it would be a good purchase even though there are hardly any reviews about it online. It the perfect bag for me! I can carry my sticks and platform on the outside, and everything else I need on the inside.
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FYI for anyone looking for one of these, the Renegade pack is on Camofire today. I picked one up for $140 after tax and shipping. Hopefully this will better suit what I'm looking for.
 
I put it in the deals and coupons forum, but Kifaru is currently having a moving sale 30% of all Coyote packs and 35% off all Multicam.
 
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