"The official saddle hunting backpack thread"

[TommyDee]

Don't know if you missed it, but @TommyDee is running this exact setup it looks like. See several posts up on this thread....

He’s right, just scroll up. One possible improvement, you might not need the rubber strap from the platform to the shoulder straps with the bungee in place and when expanded in backpack mode.

Also, I don’t recommended this pack as optimal for saddle hunting, I just don’t have money/energy to buy a new pack right now. Maybe next season.


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[Hunterben86]

He’s right, just scroll up. One possible improvement, you might not need the rubber strap from the platform to the shoulder straps with the bungee in place and when expanded in backpack mode.

Also, I don’t recommended this pack as optimal for saddle hunting, I just don’t have money/energy to buy a new pack right now. Maybe next season.


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Appreciate seeing it before I get all my gear. I have the full length heliums so I was thinking of storing them vertical with the platform between the pack and my back as you have done. I like the bungee idea. I was originally thinking adding a kneepad with the platform for comfort as well for up in the tree. Then attaching everything with cam buckles or a cinch strap.

 

[The_Fit_Ness_Monster]

I Run my army issued multicam assault pack and it’s works fine for me. Holds saddle, predator platform, 80’ Samson rope, my throwball cube and line, extra biners, and attached to it it’s my camelback mule with 3l bladder and all my small hunting stuff, headlamp, rangefinder extra batterie,s, topo maps of all the public land I hunt, compasses etc. I cant bring myself to spend big money on a pack that isn’t a large ruck style pack. But man some of y’all’s setups sure are puurty lol

 

[ThePennsylvanian]

I Run my army issued multicam assault pack and it’s works fine for me. Holds saddle, predator platform, 80’ Samson rope, my throwball cube and line, extra biners, and attached to it it’s my camelback mule with 3l bladder and all my small hunting stuff, headlamp, rangefinder extra batterie,s, topo maps of all the public land I hunt, compasses etc. I cant bring myself to spend big money on a pack that isn’t a large ruck style pack. But man some of y’all’s setups sure are puurty lol

Agreed, not to mention, GI issued is some of the most durable gear you can get your hands on. And it should be after 20+ years of fielding new gear and improvements in actual combat environments. It'll work well for hunting. . .
Plus ebay has a ton of add on gear for relatively cheap...
No way I could spend the money that you'd need to spend to get the same quality.

 

[The_Fit_Ness_Monster]

Agreed, not to mention, GI issued is some of the most durable gear you can get your hands on. And it should be after 20+ years of fielding new gear and improvements in actual combat environments. It'll work well for hunting. . .
Plus ebay has a ton of add on gear for relatively cheap...
No way I could spend the money that you'd need to spend to get the same quality.

Agreed. Not knocking the high end packs, they’re sweet. I rock this for the durability, I’ve deployed multiple times with this pack or same type/material, and I’ll say it’s overkill for hunting but I love it.

 

[Hunterben86]

I Run my army issued multicam assault pack and it’s works fine for me. Holds saddle, predator platform, 80’ Samson rope, my throwball cube and line, extra biners, and attached to it it’s my camelback mule with 3l bladder and all my small hunting stuff, headlamp, rangefinder extra batterie,s, topo maps of all the public land I hunt, compasses etc. I cant bring myself to spend big money on a pack that isn’t a large ruck style pack. But man some of y’all’s setups sure are puurty lol

Thanks, I have been looking at a molle frame set up in conjunction with my current packs. Strap everything nice and tight to the molle frame. Used a similar set up with my hang on and loved it.

 

[JCLINE84]

Kifaru really upped their prices this week. I don’t know that I can recommend people spend that much on a pack now. I’m going to try a Kuiu pro setup with their carbon frame and see how it compares to Kifaru for saddle hunting. Once I get some time with it I’ll post here. Kuiu is about half the price of Kifaru now and has some really cool technology in their gear. Hopefully it’s a more affordable option.

 

[Dave_Collins]

I Run my army issued multicam assault pack and it’s works fine for me. Holds saddle, predator platform, 80’ Samson rope, my throwball cube and line, extra biners, and attached to it it’s my camelback mule with 3l bladder and all my small hunting stuff, headlamp, rangefinder extra batterie,s, topo maps of all the public land I hunt, compasses etc. I cant bring myself to spend big money on a pack that isn’t a large ruck style pack. But man some of y’all’s setups sure are puurty lol

If it ain’t broke why fix it?!? Great packs!

 

[Crcusmonky]

I Run my army issued multicam assault pack and it’s works fine for me. Holds saddle, predator platform, 80’ Samson rope, my throwball cube and line, extra biners, and attached to it it’s my camelback mule with 3l bladder and all my small hunting stuff, headlamp, rangefinder extra batterie,s, topo maps of all the public land I hunt, compasses etc. I cant bring myself to spend big money on a pack that isn’t a large ruck style pack. But man some of y’all’s setups sure are puurty lol

Do you have pic of your setup?


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[The_Fit_Ness_Monster]

Do you have pic of your setup?


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Yes! Will post shortly.

 

[Crcusmonky]

Yes! Will post shortly.

Thanks a bunch. It’s always helpful to see different setups.


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[The_Fit_Ness_Monster]

this is what i walk in with, i put my saddle on at the tree. This is the main reason i switched from a climber, the footprint of all my gear on my back-was significantly reduced.

 

[Plebe]

Kifaru really upped their prices this week. I don’t know that I can recommend people spend that much on a pack now. I’m going to try a Kuiu pro setup with their carbon frame and see how it compares to Kifaru for saddle hunting. Once I get some time with it I’ll post here. Kuiu is about half the price of Kifaru now and has some really cool technology in their gear. Hopefully it’s a more affordable option.

Kuiu offered 25% off on them twice last year. If you aren't in a rush, I bet you can get a deal.

 

[bowhuntr09]

Kuiu offered 25% off on them twice last year. If you aren't in a rush, I bet you can get a deal.

And if Kifaru were to offer their Black Friday 20% off again it would just get the prices back to previous retail.

 

[Plebe]

And if Kifaru were to offer their Black Friday 20% off again it would just get the prices back to previous retail.

You can put other brand packs on Kifaru frames. Lots of info on that kind of thing at Rokslide.

Ranger Green and Coyote Kifaru DL frames ($368) are still at retail pricing from last year. Cheaper than the Exo K3 frame ($375) and others actually. Only a bit more than the Kuiu pro ($320).

The main attraction of a Kuiu frame, imo, is it's ultralight and may fit better (or not).

 

[JCLINE84]

You can put other brand packs on Kifaru frames. Lots of info on that kind of thing at Rokslide.

Ranger Green and Coyote Kifaru DL frames ($368) are still at retail pricing from last year. Cheaper than the Exo K3 frame ($375) and others actually. Only a bit more than the Kuiu pro ($320).

The main attraction of a Kuiu frame, imo, is it's ultralight and may fit better (or not).

I built my ranger green frame on the website just like the one I have and it was over $400. I’m thinking 425ish. Still love mine and think it’s the best pack system out there. But I need to buy my gf a pack and thought I’d try a cheaper option. If it works well I’ll share with the boys and keep pushing people to better packs

 

[sconnieman]

Kifaru really upped their prices this week. I don’t know that I can recommend people spend that much on a pack now. I’m going to try a Kuiu pro setup with their carbon frame and see how it compares to Kifaru for saddle hunting. Once I get some time with it I’ll post here. Kuiu is about half the price of Kifaru now and has some really cool technology in their gear. Hopefully it’s a more affordable option.

Ok I’m not going crazy. Went on there for the first time this year and thought the prices were up


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[Squirrels]

Ok I’m not going crazy. Went on there for the first time this year and thought the prices were up


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Appear to be fairly significant. Have a 20% off Black Friday sale and then raise prices by 10-15%…

 

[Plebe]

I built my ranger green frame on the website just like the one I have and it was over $400. I’m thinking 425ish. Still love mine and think it’s the best pack system out there. But I need to buy my gf a pack and thought I’d try a cheaper option. If it works well I’ll share with the boys and keep pushing people to better packs

Wow, this is weird.

It's the belt. Any combo in large, $368. Change the belt to another size and it's $423.

 

[bowhuntr09]

Wow, this is weird.

It's the belt. Any combo in large, $368. Change the belt to another size and it's $423.

They just missed one