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"The official saddle hunting backpack thread"

GeoFish said:
Thanks again, I did not think I was the only person to have this issue.
I tried a piece of firme foam about 1" thick. It did not help alot so I think I will try the softer foam.
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No problem. What I actually found was the lumbar pad on the Kifaru frame was really problematic and uncomfortable for me when the bag was relatively light or unloaded. When I had a significant amount of weight in it, it seemed fine. When I had very little weight in it (like carrying an empty pack back up the mountain or scouting) it was terribly uncomfortable. Seems really odd and counterintuitive. Talked to their CS a number of times about fit and fitment. Eventually read about a similar individual on the now-defunct Kifaru forum with the same issue and solution. Took the foam piece apart and viola! All good ever since. Good luck!
 
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woodsdog2 said:
@Maverick1 what is your deer setup?
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Which one? LOL. I have three different setups!
For saddle hunting, I use an Eberlestock X2 pack.
For treestand hunting, I use a Red Rock Diplomat pack
For hybrid, I use a Condor 3 day assault pack equivalent (essentially the same as the Red Rock Diplomat.)

The above backpacks are for carrying in gear (sticks, platforms, stands, clothing, food, water, etc.). If I shoot a deer, I quarter it and backpack it out using a Kelty Cache hauler.

I've tried a number of packs over the years, with a variety of sticks and platforms/stands. Some were better than others. The above is what I have used for the last couple of years.

The X2 works well - I'd like the frame to be a little bit taller to get more lift, but the saddle setup does not weigh very much, meaning the load lifter angle really isn't a big deal, so I've kept that setup as-is for the last couple of years. I would not use the X2 for hauling any kind of significant weight, ever.
The Red Rock Diplomat/Condor 3-day Assault packs are spacious, with plenty of pockets - if anything they are a bit too big and heavier than they need to be for how I use them. Their frame sheet is juvenile and load lifters are non-existent, but they way I use them those things are irrelevant.

Depending on which stand and sticks I'm using, I can either
1.) attach the sticks to the side of the backpack and then attach the backpack/sticks combo to the stand, (Beast sticks/LWCG sticks; and Beast stand) or
2.) attach the sticks to the stand and then attach the backpack to the stand by itself. (LWCG double step sticks/LWCG compacts; and either LWCG .5/.75 stands)

Edit to add more information:
The Red Rock Diplomat, Condor 3 day assault, and "World Famous Sports" large 3 day tactical backpacks are all essentially the same thing.
 
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It looks like there is a solid new competitor. Code of silence is coming out with a pack coming in 2 sizes. It appears the cost will be $140 for the 1750 cu in pack and $240 for the 2250 cu in pack. Looking at the video they posted on their FB it is gonna be a good saddle hunting pack that's going to be very quiet and versatile.

Code of Silence | Facebook
Code of Silence DoubleBak X-treme Pack | w/ Free S&H (opticsplanet.com)
Code of Silence DoubleBak Pack FREE S&H 172003001. Code of Silence Backpacks. (shoptics.com)
 
Any daypacks in the 20 to 35 liter range that have an internal frame, waist belt, and adjustable torso length?

Once you get to smaller packs, most of them are built like you're either only going to carry a few pounds OR you like 20 pounds or more sitting directly on your neck muscles all day. There's a big divide where it's like "built to carry a quarter elk out vs 2 sandwiches and a puffy jacket".

The only fully adjustable smaller pack that is meant to actually carry stuff comfortably that I've found is the Mystery Ranch Scree and Coulee.

The only other ones I know of that will work are small packs on external frames, but that usually doubles the weight. I know that a heavier pack that carries well feels lighter, but Mystery Ranch has shown you can have both.

Any other pack maker out there that makes something equivalent? I'm not limited to hunting brands or packs designed for hunters. Regular backpacking ones are fine.

Scree 33 Pack | MYSTERY RANCH Backpacks

Your next wilderness destination awaits, and so does the pack that’s going to get you there. Streamlined for hauling only the most essential gear, the SCREE 33 stands ready to get you all the way to the top…and back again.
www.mysteryranch.com www.mysteryranch.com
 
raisins said:
Any daypacks in the 20 to 35 liter range that have an internal frame, waist belt, and adjustable torso length?

Once you get to smaller packs, most of them are built like you're either only going to carry a few pounds OR you like 20 pounds or more sitting directly on your neck muscles all day. There's a big divide where it's like "built to carry a quarter elk out vs 2 sandwiches and a puffy jacket".

The only fully adjustable smaller pack that is meant to actually carry stuff comfortably that I've found is the Mystery Ranch Scree and Coulee.

The only other ones I know of that will work are small packs on external frames, but that usually doubles the weight. I know that a heavier pack that carries well feels lighter, but Mystery Ranch has shown you can have both.

Any other pack maker out there that makes something equivalent? I'm not limited to hunting brands or packs designed for hunters. Regular backpacking ones are fine.

Scree 33 Pack | MYSTERY RANCH Backpacks

Your next wilderness destination awaits, and so does the pack that’s going to get you there. Streamlined for hauling only the most essential gear, the SCREE 33 stands ready to get you all the way to the top…and back again.
www.mysteryranch.com www.mysteryranch.com
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No experience with the MR stuff but the Kuiu Venture packs are definitely worth a look. Really enjoyed the one I had. It handled bigger weight than intended way better than I expected.
 
Just picked up the eberlestock switchblade in “doppelgänger” color on clearance this week with a standard hip belt for $180 total!! I really like this thing and I think it’s the right pack for me. I can get my solitude jacket easily and snacks and water, calls and stuff too. I’m not packing and meat out on it but it’ll be a good gear pack. I haven’t seen a post yet on it but there’s a lot of pages so maybe it’s already there.
 
X2 on the kuiu venture. I really like the 2300 for when I need to pack in layers and bring a days supplies. Torso length isn't adjustable but two sizes are available
 
I offloaded my k3 couple months back. Picked up the K4 on release day. Went with the 5000 for the horseshoe zip. Waiting on the smaller bag to drop and May pick it up. But I used the 4800 for a couple seasons and I never thought it was too big so we will see. This thing packs down small as you could imagine for a frame pack and a 5000ci bag.
Last buck that got to take a ride off the mountain in the K3 before upgrading.

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Plebe said:
I'm hesitant to recommend something. I don't know your specific packing system or what might be best for your body. But some general thoughts you might follow up on, here or at Rokslide, etc.:

1. I haven't tried the K4, but it has a lot of flex towards the hips and Exo has a reputation for a softer feel.

2. Honestly, for me, the Seek Outside Revolution frame doesn't need a lumbar pad at all. The frame design is sort of reverse of how others do it, being wider at the base. For me at about 38" waist, it's a great fit.

Seek's integrated packs basically use the same frame design. Search up "Seek Outside Integrated Vs. Breakaway Backpacks (Main Differences)" on Youtube and they explain it all. You might hate their bags though. They got away from cordura and, yes, custom builds a few years ago and moved to waterproof Ultra PE and Spectra fabrics (Now they use Ultra-grid vice Spectra due to supply issues). This makes their bags awesomely waterproof, but noisier than cordura and not camo. (I haven't seen Ultragrid but its sail fabric so, likely very similar to Spectra.) Seek's external Revolution frame is pretty easy to bag to...I've seen where folks are mating Kuiu bags to the Revolution frame with very little work. It opens up options.

Seek stuff wins in ultra light.
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I haven’t had it out in the cold, but I ordered a sample of Ultra 200 fabric from Ripstop by the Roll and that stuff is sweet. Doesn’t seem like it would be overly loud, waterproof, feels soft and extremely durable.
 
4090Sharps said:
I haven’t had it out in the cold, but I ordered a sample of Ultra 200 fabric from Ripstop by the Roll and that stuff is sweet. Doesn’t seem like it would be overly loud, waterproof, feels soft and extremely durable.
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A little fabric noise is not a deal breaker if it isnt that crinkly noise that xpac makes.
 
I bought the Exo K4 5000. Will get the 1800 bag for day trips and saddle hunting when they release it this summer.

Phenomenal packs!
 
Anyone got the real world weight on the K4 frame?
 
bowhunthard88 said:
No lid lol. I was trying to get a comparable weight!
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:tearsofjoy: What it takes to make gear spec.

Again, thanks. It's a good point of reference.

Probably they weigh it with 22" stays and XS belt. idk. Kifaru was doing something like that to put up a good number on their DL frame. Still, at 5lb 9oz, that's very light even at 1/2 lb over listed weight. I'd need a L belt, so probably still a few ounces more for me though.

I have the MR Popup28 with XL Seek hipbelt at 5lb 2.3oz, and 6lb 6oz for a Kifaru 24" Duplex Lite with L belt and L shoulder straps and Stryker XL (frame comes in over spec, bag under). Haven't weighed the Seek revo frame and pack yet, it's light though.

I know Steve said the K3 frame is lighter than the K4, but the proof is in the pudding I think. Sometimes heavier is lighter.
 
I’ve not done a side by side comparison but it just seems like Kifaru has the most durable packs and frames…. I would think a pound and a third or thereabouts heavier overall frame equates to more durable but I’m no pack expert. All of these systems are USGI military grade or better I would think are they not? Not sure about the expandable pockets on the K4 you don’t see that material on anything military grade so that could also be a reason why they are lighter weight overall. Going through snags and thorns all the while may tear that material up. Out west more open so may not be a need for most folks using that system. I’m sure the west has some thick stuff too though.
 
woodsdog2 said:
I’ve not done a side by side comparison but it just seems like Kifaru has the most durable packs and frames…. I would think a pound and a third or thereabouts heavier overall frame equates to more durable but I’m no pack expert. All of these systems are USGI military grade or better I would think are they not? Not sure about the expandable pockets on the K4 you don’t see that material on anything military grade so that could also be a reason why they are lighter weight overall. Going through snags and thorns all the while may tear that material up. Out west more open so may not be a need for most folks using that system. I’m sure the west has some thick stuff too though.
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Exo did quite a bit of reinforcing on the K4 frame. It should be robust.

A couple of structural differences to note:
-Kifaru uses a composite CF and Wood laminate for their stays, after abandoning pure CF to take out flex. But Steve at Exo seems really confident in his CF's strength and notes an advantage to it's slight spring.
- Kifru runs their stays through a full frame sheet, probably where much of the "extra" weight comes from. It appear the K4 frame just has rigid plastic at the lumbar to transfer load and belt wings to spread load and reduce squeezing at the hips.

I would assume a full frame sheet protects the stays and adds a degree of extra structure to the Kifaru frame. But is it necessary? Is it overbuilt?

If Exo's frame holds up as well, it is more dynamic which will make for a more natural feel on the back, an advantage imo. However, I contend a stiffer beefier frame may have some upside as well.

As for the bags, Exo without a doubt makes generally lighter bags. No MOLLE, generally fewer pockets, fewer compression straps, mostly roll tops with simple zippers, of 500d cordura.

They can be pretty comparable though. For example:
- K4 5000 (5010ci) = 2lb 6oz per spec
-Kifaru Gnargali (5090ci) = 2lb 11oz on my postal scale
Much of that delta could be attributed to Kifaru's use of three compression straps instead of K4's two.

I do find the Kifaru bags pretty bombproof, but it sounds like the Exo bags hold up great too and when there's sort of apples to apples bags, maybe aren't so different. Exo does use some of that stretch fabric here and there, probably not as durable as the cordura, but functional.

Anyway, from what I've read, Seek Outside bags use materially stronger fabric than both of these companies.
 
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