"The official saddle hunting backpack thread"

[bowhuntr09]

Kiafru prices hurt my heart haha I wanna try one out but man I can’t get over it. I’m sure they are awesome but with my Pintler I have like 300 in it. That’s less than the Frame on a kifaru. If you like your kifaru please don’t tell me. I’ve already been eyeballing them. Haha

Pack addiction is a disease! I remember the first time I looked at their site I said “man they are crazy, I’m not paying that!” Well here I am $700+ dollars later It carries so much different that the Pintler, and yes better in my opinion. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Pintler! Just in October I remember telling myself I’m finally done pack shopping. Then I got tangled up in a Kifaru thread and saw @JCLINE84 setup and the sale and went shopping

 

[xZxCORE]

Pack addiction is a disease! I remember the first time I looked at their site I said “man they are crazy, I’m not paying that!” Well here I am $700+ dollars later It carries so much different that the Pintler, and yes better in my opinion. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Pintler! Just in October I remember telling myself I’m finally done pack shopping. Then I got tangled up in a Kifaru thread and saw @JCLINE84 setup and the sale and went shopping

I wish my addiction with Kifaru has only cost me $700. I’m quite a few grand deep into stuff from them. You can’t quite understand until you own and use their products.

 

[bowhuntr09]

I wish my addiction with Kifaru has only cost me $700. I’m quite a few grand deep into stuff from them. You can’t quite understand until you own and use their products.

Oh god, don’t tell me that

 

[xZxCORE]

Oh god, don’t tell me that

Haha. I can help you narrow down you choices if you’d like. I promise you won’t regret it! And even if you did they will always hold their resale value like no other bag on the market not to mention the customer service is beyond exceptional. Check out kifaru insiders on FB to find some used deals if you’d like. They go quick though.

 

[bowhuntr09]

Haha. I can help you narrow down you choices if you’d like. I promise you won’t regret it! And even if you did they will always hold their resale value like no other bag on the market not to mention the customer service is beyond exceptional. Check out kifaru insiders on FB to find some used deals if you’d like. They go quick though.

I had a complete second pack setup in my cart and didn’t pull the trigger before the sale ended. They will probably get me for another one next sale they have. I have my eye on a StrykerXL

 

[xZxCORE]

I had a complete second pack setup in my cart and didn’t pull the trigger before the sale ended. They will probably get me for another one next sale they have. I have my eye on a StrykerXL

Stryker XL is a good setup! I have the original Stryker and the XL. They carry tree stands and blinds better than anything but will work great for saddle hunting. I’m new to saddle hunting but using a shapecharge with a Sherman pocket. It’s a killer combo. If your not packing out meat the shape charge can save you a few dollars. Just add a grab-it or Sherman for sticks and platforms.

 

[Kurt]

Anybody styling the Alps Impulse pack? With our conversations about zipper noise I was wondering if anyone tried out this pack with it's magnets?

 

[d2ma4c]

Stryker XL is a good setup! I have the original Stryker and the XL. They carry tree stands and blinds better than anything but will work great for saddle hunting. I’m new to saddle hunting but using a shapecharge with a Sherman pocket. It’s a killer combo. If your not packing out meat the shape charge can save you a few dollars. Just add a grab-it or Sherman for sticks and platforms.

I badly want to purchase the Eberlestock X2 pack and call it, search OVA! But... I am worried that the X2 will cost me more in the end because I want a pack that is versatile for more than just my whitetail hunts in the North East. That is why I keep going back to Kifaru packs.

Most of my hunts will be Northeastern Whitetail hunting but I would like to start taking a yearly trip elsewhere to hunt Elk and/or Mule Deer. Mind you, I am real green on those types of game and hunts but those questions are for another thread...

What are your thoughts on starting out with the Duplex Lite Frame and Sherman Pocket Xpac? Mainly just for my Northeastern Saddle hunts. Obviously I'd have to look into additional packs (Camp Bag; Shape Charge) for longer trips. I am also liking the 22 Mag and the 357 Mag. But in the Kifaru product videos it sounds like those are not as comfortable to haul heavier cargo. The packs can but it might not be as comfortable.

 

[xZxCORE]

I badly want to purchase the Eberlestock X2 pack and call it, search OVA! But... I am worried that the X2 will cost me more in the end because I want a pack that is versatile for more than just my whitetail hunts in the North East. That is why I keep going back to Kifaru packs.

Most of my hunts will be Northeastern Whitetail hunting but I would like to start taking a yearly trip elsewhere to hunt Elk and/or Mule Deer. Mind you, I am real green on those types of game and hunts but those questions are for another thread...

What are your thoughts on starting out with the Duplex Lite Frame and Sherman Pocket Xpac? Mainly just for my Northeastern Saddle hunts. Obviously I'd have to look into additional packs (Camp Bag; Shape Charge) for longer trips. I am also liking the 22 Mag and the 357 Mag. But in the Kifaru product videos it sounds like those are not as comfortable to haul heavier cargo. The packs can but it might not be as comfortable.

I have ran a lot of eberlestock packs in the army and actually used my skyscrane 2 as my first hunting pack. I love their packs for a tactical aspect but never like my tactical bags for hunting that much. Now I have never ran any eberlestock hunting packs in the woods, only wore around some demo packs so I can’t speak on them.
From what your telling me I would definitely say get the duplex lite frame and Stryker xl.
If you want one pack to do everything that’s the way to go. I use both my stykers for day hunts out west and sometimes overnight with the camp bag or OR dry bag in the shelf. My favorite pack for hunting out west though, especially if doing some long hike ins with camp on your back is the hoodlum.

Im sure the Sherman can attach strait to the frame with no problem but I expect it would be a little weird size wise. I really like the Sherman for my shapecharge (internal frame pack) and my hoodlum. 357mag is an internal frame pack so I wouldn’t say it’s best for an out west elk hunt, but the 22 mag would be fine since it mounts to the duplex lite. My hunting partner uses the 22 mag and hoodlum on our elk hunts and I use Stryker and hoodlum.

 

[Brendan]

I badly want to purchase the Eberlestock X2 pack and call it, search OVA! But... I am worried that the X2 will cost me more in the end because I want a pack that is versatile for more than just my whitetail hunts in the North East. That is why I keep going back to Kifaru packs.

Most of my hunts will be Northeastern Whitetail hunting but I would like to start taking a yearly trip elsewhere to hunt Elk and/or Mule Deer. Mind you, I am real green on those types of game and hunts but those questions are for another thread...

What are your thoughts on starting out with the Duplex Lite Frame and Sherman Pocket Xpac? Mainly just for my Northeastern Saddle hunts. Obviously I'd have to look into additional packs (Camp Bag; Shape Charge) for longer trips. I am also liking the 22 Mag and the 357 Mag. But in the Kifaru product videos it sounds like those are not as comfortable to haul heavier cargo. The packs can but it might not be as comfortable.

I'm here in the Northeast too, and have been using Kifaru packs since 2014. If I were to buy only one, it would be the Duplex Lite Frame and a big bag. Something like a Hoodlum. Or, find a used bag to save some coin off of the FB group or Rokslide. I've used that setup to hang-and-hunt with my saddle gear late season when I want to carry my Sitka Bibs and Fanatic jacket. I've carried a 150# ladder stand with that frame - albeit not more than about 500 yards.

The sherman pocket isn't a real bag like the 22 Mag, more of a pocket like the name. Shape Charge has its' own frame but can be attached to the frames. 357 Mag has its' own frame, but don't think you can use it with the external frame. 22 Mag is just a bag, and can only be used with the frame.

Clear as mud, right?

I tried the Stryker XL, sold it. I prefer the 22 Mag but I 'm running two frames / two bags (22 Mag, Hoodlum). I'm selling some extra gear now, and will be picking up a shape charge for lighter weight stuff.

 

[overspined]

Been using Stryker XL with saddle and also treestands

 

[overspined]

I’ll be getting a new saddle this year. That’s an old guidos web. Comfy but heavy and big. Thinking the Drey LL

 

[Beeyuu]

I badly want to purchase the Eberlestock X2 pack and call it, search OVA! But... I am worried that the X2 will cost me more in the end because I want a pack that is versatile for more than just my whitetail hunts in the North East. That is why I keep going back to Kifaru packs.

Most of my hunts will be Northeastern Whitetail hunting but I would like to start taking a yearly trip elsewhere to hunt Elk and/or Mule Deer. Mind you, I am real green on those types of game and hunts but those questions are for another thread...

What are your thoughts on starting out with the Duplex Lite Frame and Sherman Pocket Xpac? Mainly just for my Northeastern Saddle hunts. Obviously I'd have to look into additional packs (Camp Bag; Shape Charge) for longer trips. I am also liking the 22 Mag and the 357 Mag. But in the Kifaru product videos it sounds like those are not as comfortable to haul heavier cargo. The packs can but it might not be as comfortable.

Love my X2. Only downside to it for me is its almost a little bit too big for whitetail hunting for me. I ran it all last year and never put a single thing in the main compartment of the pack. The side pouches hold an unbelievable amount of gear. I may be looking to downsize next year but I was very impressed with the X2 last year

 

[shoot2thrill25]

I love my Sitka tool belt. But since I film I needed just a fuzz more room. Really just needed a good way to carry my lwcg pocket arm. I didn’t care for the “laundry bag” on the Sitka shoulder straps. I used it but it wasn’t really worth having on there IMO. I only carry a vest or a hoody on my pack so I don’t need all that bag material and when I wasn’t packing extra layers. If the laundry bag was detachable from the shoulder straps I think they’d have been better off. So after a lot of thought and a little luck I came up with a perfect system for me. The kuiu stalker has the exact same buckles as the tool belt. I was able to swap some male and female ends around and add two I stole from the laundry bag straps and combine the too perfectly. I put my camera arm in the big kuiu pocket. The shoulder strap setup I have on here now actually tightens and loosens more conveniently than the Sitka ones. I can still throw my layers on the bottom. I have the option for a bladder now also. The kuiu straps are awesome bc they are super low profile but nice and wide to distribute weight with out bulk. I can carry my lwcg ambush and sticks on my back with those backpack straps and don’t have a lot of bulk. Love this setup.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[overspined]

Sweet set up, man I need a bigger pack it just gets too cold to wear my stuff in, I’ll sweat too much. 1/2 the time I’m hiking in my long Johns. Plus I often hunt a long way in so weight is a major factor

 

[bowhuntr09]

Sweet set up, man I need a bigger pack it just gets too cold to wear my stuff in, I’ll sweat too much. 1/2 the time I’m hiking in my long Johns. Plus I often hunt a long way in so weight is a major factor

I have just the thing for you in the classifieds

 

[Plebe]

Kiafru prices hurt my heart haha I wanna try one out but man I can’t get over it. I’m sure they are awesome but with my Pintler I have like 300 in it. That’s less than the Frame on a kifaru. If you like your kifaru please don’t tell me. I’ve already been eyeballing them. Haha

During the recent sale you could have bought a Kifaru frame for less than $300.

 

[7mmremmag]

Pack addiction is a disease! I remember the first time I looked at their site I said “man they are crazy, I’m not paying that!”

A big Kuiu and two Stone Glacier's later.................... Yup

 

[d2ma4c]

I have ran a lot of eberlestock packs in the army and actually used my skyscrane 2 as my first hunting pack. I love their packs for a tactical aspect but never like my tactical bags for hunting that much. Now I have never ran any eberlestock hunting packs in the woods, only wore around some demo packs so I can’t speak on them.
From what your telling me I would definitely say get the duplex lite frame and Stryker xl.
If you want one pack to do everything that’s the way to go. I use both my stykers for day hunts out west and sometimes overnight with the camp bag or OR dry bag in the shelf. My favorite pack for hunting out west though, especially if doing some long hike ins with camp on your back is the hoodlum.

Im sure the Sherman can attach strait to the frame with no problem but I expect it would be a little weird size wise. I really like the Sherman for my shapecharge (internal frame pack) and my hoodlum. 357mag is an internal frame pack so I wouldn’t say it’s best for an out west elk hunt, but the 22 mag would be fine since it mounts to the duplex lite. My hunting partner uses the 22 mag and hoodlum on our elk hunts and I use Stryker and hoodlum.

Do you have any pictures of your Kifaru packs hanging in the tree, while you are in the saddle? Thanks for all the help here.

 

[d2ma4c]

I'm here in the Northeast too, and have been using Kifaru packs since 2014. If I were to buy only one, it would be the Duplex Lite Frame and a big bag. Something like a Hoodlum. Or, find a used bag to save some coin off of the FB group or Rokslide. I've used that setup to hang-and-hunt with my saddle gear late season when I want to carry my Sitka Bibs and Fanatic jacket. I've carried a 150# ladder stand with that frame - albeit not more than about 500 yards.

The sherman pocket isn't a real bag like the 22 Mag, more of a pocket like the name. Shape Charge has its' own frame but can be attached to the frames. 357 Mag has its' own frame, but don't think you can use it with the external frame. 22 Mag is just a bag, and can only be used with the frame.

Clear as mud, right?

I tried the Stryker XL, sold it. I prefer the 22 Mag but I 'm running two frames / two bags (22 Mag, Hoodlum). I'm selling some extra gear now, and will be picking up a shape charge for lighter weight stuff.

I was leaning towards the 22 Mag for now and in the future go with the Hoodlum. But now you have me seriously thinking to just dive deep and go with the Hoodlum.

I research products to nauseum on purchases. This Backpack search has my head spinning .

Do you have any pictures of your Kifaru packs hanging in the tree, while you are in the saddle?

Thanks for the assistance!