2024 Gear thread

[Plebe]

I was listening to an Exo podcast with listener questions. One listener asked the question about how much they thought about whitetail hunting when designing the K4. I believe Steve's answer was something like "Exactly 0". I thought it was refreshingly honest. lol.

A well known member of this site approached Steve about a Whitetail specific setup once, and as the story goes Steve‘s reply was that the bags have that covered already (or words to that effect).

I’d be refreshed by a couple smart whitetail specific designs (one stand oriented, one saddle oriented).

I haven’t found any frame packs to be really dialed in for that. Guess it could just be me, lol.

 

[Plebe]

I forgot about the frame weight. I think I either read or heard in Trail's review 12 ounces difference in the frame. The rest might be in the bag itself.

New 2024 Mystery Ranch Metcalf hunting backpacks just released! // GOHUNT. The Hunting Company

A look at several improvements and thoughts after hunting with this backpack this fall

www.gohunt.com

I think I am mostly disappointed in the change back to the 3 piece belt, although Trail said it's just as comfortable. I really liked the 5 piece belt.

I’ve not tried the Metcalf, but my impression of MR Popup (3 piece?) belts is not favorable. (even though I liked the frame setup). I wouldn’t want to be taking steps backwards there.

 

[GCTerpfan]

A well known member of this site approached Steve about a Whitetail specific setup once, and as the story goes Steve‘s reply was that the bags have that covered already (or words to that effect).

That was his less refreshingly honest answer.

 

[GCTerpfan]

I’ve not tried the Metcalf, but my impression of MR Popup (3 piece?) belts is not favorable. (even though I liked the frame setup). I wouldn’t want to be taking steps backwards there.

I love the belt on my Beartooth. It's significantly better than my PU belt. I even like it better than the Kifaru Duplex belt on my PU.

 

[Camelcluch]

I like Exo a lot. I liked my Kifaru a lot. Any weight difference between the two wasn’t noticeable. However, I’m just a guy with average smarts. Figuring out a Kifaru was like brain surgery. Kifaru makes great products but unless they make things simple, I’m Exo.

 

[BTaylor]

I’d love to see that from EXO too, but allegedly they think the current lineup can do it all.

Nothing allegedly too it. That is almost verbatim what they told me when I tried to ask about some mods to make their pack more whitetail friendly. I wasnt talking to Steve but the guy that is second in command apparently. Forgot his name. He didnt seem to grasp that there is a difference in hauling everything versus functioning smoothly and efficiently in a whitetail hunting scenario. That or he just didnt give a flip. Maybe both.

 

[Plebe]

I like Exo a lot. I liked my Kifaru a lot. Any weight difference between the two wasn’t noticeable. However, I’m just a guy with average smarts. Figuring out a Kifaru was like brain surgery. Kifaru makes great products but unless they make things simple, I’m Exo.

Is it the lower bag connections you find confounding about Kifaru? They are definitely busier than what EXO did.

Don’t have to mess with them when using the Stryker XL pack though, just 6 buckles to the load shelf. I find that super easy and quick.

Having stuff from both, there’s things I like and dislike about each.

Frankly, the Seek Outside Revolution frame is lighter than either and may be even more comfortable under medium loads (for me) as well. But there’s little things I dislike about it too.

This is the year these backpack companies get it all fixed, lol. Happy new (gear) year!

 

[BTaylor]

Is it the lower bag connections you find confounding about Kifaru? They are definitely busier than what EXO did.

Don’t have to mess with them when using the Stryker XL pack though, just 6 buckles to the load shelf. I find that super easy and quick.

Having stuff from both, there’s things I like and dislike about each.

Frankly, the Seek Outside Revolution frame is lighter than either and may be even more comfortable under medium loads (for me) as well. But there’s little things I dislike about it too.

This is the year these backpack companies get it all fixed, lol. Happy new (gear) year!

Seek packs definitely have some benefits but they would need to add another material choice for a dedicated whitetail pack. Will be hard for me to ever buy from them again though after Kevin's crap on social media a while back.

 

[Plebe]

Nothing allegedly too it. That is almost verbatim what they told me when I tried to ask about some mods to make their pack more whitetail friendly. I wasnt talking to Steve but the guy that is second in command apparently. Forgot his name. He didnt seem to grasp that there is a difference in hauling everything versus functioning smoothly and efficiently in a whitetail hunting scenario. That or he just didnt give a flip. Maybe both.

Probably Mark. He’s the main EXO spokesperson on Rokslide. He was good enough to answer some of my inquiries over there and break K4 weights down to size by size differences. He and Steve were kind of hearing folks out on the 2200 build. Lot’s of opinions to cater to…ultimately they were always going to go with what they know and where they see their base.…I understand that.

It would be cool if they could recognize this other potential consumer sector as well. And solicit good input about what works.

Kifaru is seeing that market, but I’m not sure where the input is coming from.

 

[BTaylor]

Probably Mark. He’s the main EXO spokesperson on Rokslide. He was good enough to answer some of my inquiries over there and break K4 weights down to size by size differences. He and Steve were kind of hearing folks out on the 2200 build. Lot’s of opinions to cater to…ultimately they were always going to go with what they know and where they see their base.…I understand that.

It would be cool if they could recognize this other potential consumer sector as well. And solicit good input about what works.

Kifaru is seeing that market, but I’m not sure where the input is coming from.

Yeah, I wasnt asking them to reinvent the wheel, simply add material panel with pockets to the outside of the small bag at the time, maybe 1800. Something that would function like a sherman pocket over a stryker xl where you could carry a small stand or about any platform and gain some small external pockets for the small things whitetail hunters need and use regularly.

I'm curious where Kifaru is getting imput from as well. Hopefully, somebody that hunts public a fair bit instead of just private pre-set stuff. And hopefully not just Cody at LWCG.

 

[Plebe]

Seek packs definitely have some benefits but they would need to add another material choice for a dedicated whitetail pack. Will be hard for me to ever buy from them again though after Kevin's crap on social media a while back.

Don’t know anything about whatever happened on Social media, but I hear you on the current fabric not being suited for an everyday whitetail pack. But for those extremely foul weather days, it’s bomber for dry clothes. They should at least offer a MC Merlin Talon like they used to. Seems likely the only new stuff the’ve in the works for this year is camp gear related, so I’m not holding my breath for a pack brake-through from them.

 

[BTaylor]

Don’t know anything about whatever happened on Social media, but I hear you on the current fabric not being suited for an everyday whitetail pack. But for those extremely foul weather days, it’s bomber for dry clothes. They should at least offer a MC Merlin Talon like they used to. Seems likely the only new stuff the’ve in the works for this year is camp gear related, so I’m not holding my breath for a pack brake-through from them.

It was on RS, big thread and lots of folks dumped their seek stuff or at least said they were. I did. They definitely have dry worked out.

 

[Plebe]

I love the belt on my Beartooth. It's significantly better than my PU belt. I even like it better than the Kifaru Duplex belt on my PU.

I never did get around to trying that combo. I swapped in a Seek belt and Exo K3.

I was in on that Crossfire DG16 mix up with Jerry at Wiggy’s. While it all got sorted satisfactorily, I would have liked to have tried the legit Crossfire suspension. I think Crossfire and MR collaborated (partnered) during a time, and can see similarities in those 5 piece belts.

Crossfire has a US branch as of a year or two ago, and they have recently added stock and items that are new or at least new to me:

Packs - Crossfire Packs

www.crossfirepacks.com

 

[Camelcluch]

Is it the lower bag connections you find confounding about Kifaru? They are definitely busier than what EXO did.

Don’t have to mess with them when using the Stryker XL pack though, just 6 buckles to the load shelf. I find that super easy and quick.

Having stuff from both, there’s things I like and dislike about each.

Frankly, the Seek Outside Revolution frame is lighter than either and may be even more comfortable under medium loads (for me) as well. But there’s little things I dislike about it too.

This is the year these backpack companies get it all fixed, lol. Happy new (gear) year!

I had a Kifaru before they really had load shelves. So, it was all the adjustments and bag removal. It took me about an hour to get the bag back onto the frame. Straps were everywhere and my brain hurt. The bags have gotten better. What I like about Exo over Kifaru is the simple bag layout and function. I don’t really want to add pockets, because I will. Then I fill the pockets. Both companies are great. I like that Exo is made here and Kifaru is compliant for military use. Both are built tough and have great service. Exo just wins because a dundt ta dundt can use it. So this dundt ta dundt is using it.

 

[Zero One Actual]

I had a Kifaru before they really had load shelves. So, it was all the adjustments and bag removal. It took me about an hour to get the bag back onto the frame. Straps were everywhere and my brain hurt. The bags have gotten better. What I like about Exo over Kifaru is the simple bag layout and function. I don’t really want to add pockets, because I will. Then I fill the pockets. Both companies are great. I like that Exo is made here and Kifaru is compliant for military use. Both are built tough and have great service. Exo just wins because a dundt ta dundt can use it. So this dundt ta dundt is using it.

Exo is also mil compliant as is stone glacier. Several teams are using and have tested and approved their packs for purchase and use. At the moment, it is at a very small specialized team level, so they don't market it or discuss it. Not saying it's top secret, hush hush level stuff but they just don't market it for publicity.

 

[rhagenw]

@bigcat93 @Camelcluch where did you guys see that magnus is releasing a single bevel?

 

[Ajbradley]

Has anyone heard about Elevate’s release of their saddle platform?

 

[kbetts]

@bigcat93 @Camelcluch where did you guys see that magnus is releasing a single bevel?

Ranch Fairy on IG is where I saw them.

 

[kbetts]

I don't need more gear. I need to go a little harder.
Not that I'm not successful, I just want something more. And in order to do that I have to find one to hunt.

 

[elk yinzer]

I was listening to an Exo podcast with listener questions. One listener asked the question about how much they thought about whitetail hunting when designing the K4. I believe Steve's answer was something like "Exactly 0". I thought it was refreshingly honest. lol.

Westies can be downright pricks about whitetails and eastern hunting, but really, does the species matter at all elk vs. mulies vs. whitetail? If you're mountain hunting, you're mountain hunting. The pack capabilities don't really change. What changes it is carrying 10-15 pounds of metal crap to climb a tree, and why the big pack companies have ignored that there is a huge opportunity there, well, I've been saying it for 10 years now. Clearly, I have no influence. Nor do I want to, I'm sick and tired of mountin hunting being a trendy fad. Eventually someone is going to work on it. Maybe someone is, great, I don't keep up with this stuff anymore.