"The official saddle hunting backpack thread"

[BTaylor]

Since I haven’t seen much else mentioned in this thread…. I bought a K4 with a 7200 bag when it was released. The highest compliment I can give it is that it’s like a well-refined Kifaru frame that is simpler and more comfortable. I have only worn the combo for about 30 miles so far, but am thoroughly impressed with the comfort and design of the frame and suspension. It’s pretty incredible how well the large bag compresses down into a tidy package during day hunts with absolutely zero detected floppiness.

I wouldn’t pick the 7200 bag for saddle hunting, but with a smaller bag attached and one of the shorter frame options, the K4 would be a good saddle hunting pack for those who need a frame. EXO is also working on a smaller bag that might be more suitable.

Got a long pack hunt planned? 7200 is a big go and stay a while bag.

 

[Zero One Actual]

That’s why I like it so much compared to Kifaru and Stone Glacier. All three are winners, no doubt. But Exo is just less strappy for lack of a better term. It’s easier to adjust and to get to the shelf and water bladder, etc. Water bottle holder placement is magical. I’m 6’5 with proportionate arms and the old water bottle attachments and pockets always would make contact with my arms here and there. And after 10-15 miles with poles, it is annoying. That’s not a factor anymore either.
Again, not hating on any bag company. It’s actually really cool to see the advancements of these bags. Just like the climbing stick game over the last day three years. All winners, just up to the end user what they want.

 

[4090Sharps]

Got a long pack hunt planned? 7200 is a big go and stay a while bag.

Not right now. When I go out I generally just do two nights. The extra room is handy when I need to pack in water, and I expect it will be useful for hauling my daughter’s gear when she starts accompanying me into the backcountry this summer.

 

[4090Sharps]

Water bottle holder placement is magical. I’m 6’5 with proportionate arms and the old water bottle attachments and pockets always would make contact with my arms here and there. And after 10-15 miles with poles, it is annoying. That’s not a factor anymore either.

It is pretty amazing.

 

[Zero One Actual]

Not right now. When I go out I generally just do two nights. The extra room is handy when I need to pack in water, and I expect it will be useful for hauling my daughter’s gear when she starts accompanying me into the backcountry this summer.

They make the exo pack in an extra small version. Christmas is coming up.

K4 EXS Pack System

Our EXS ("extra short") Pack System was developed to offer a hunting pack for women and youth that are looking for a quality frame pack without making sacrifices in fit, comfort, features, or load-hauling capability. Smaller frame system, full-size performance. Made in the USA.

exomtngear.com

 

[GeoFish]

If you pack your outerwear in, there are maybe a handful of decent internal frame packs that get the job done pretty well.

But an external frame pack may still be preferable IMO. You don’t have to choose a big bag or a big frame, and it has the advantage of being very configurable and therefore a versatile option.

The minimalist solutions tend to pair better when folks wear their outerwear in. Like, a chest harness is great here...but no fun to pack in bibs and a coat.

What internal frame packs do you like. I am looking for something a little lighter.
I am not packing meat, just saddle gear and some layers.

 

[bowhuntr09]

What internal frame packs do you like. I am looking for something a little lighter.
I am not packing meat, just saddle gear and some layers.

Kifaru has their 357Mag on sale for 25% off.

 

[GeoFish]

Kifaru has their 357Mag on sale for 25% off.

Thanks, I looked at that pack. They don't tell you the color of the bag?
Is Kifaru making some product changes? Alot of stuff out of stock.
Did someone post they were coming out with a whitetail pack?

 

[bowhuntr09]

Thanks, I looked at that pack. They don't tell you the color of the bag?
Is Kifaru making some product changes? Alot of stuff out of stock.
Did someone post they were coming out with a whitetail pack?

Looks like the sale is over. I believe they are only offering ranger green as a color going forward. They made and announces while back and blew out their remaining Multicam and coyote brown.

 

[GeoFish]

It's not going to work for me, same issue as my Duplex Lite.
The lumbar pad puts too much pressure on my lower spine. Most likely a bad disk or arthritis. I need to replace the foam in the lumbar pad with something thiner and softer.
That's why my .75 with the (cheep) LWCG straps and waist belt (no lumbar pad) pack the same weight much better for me. These are the issues you have to deal with when you get older.

 

[Plebe]

Thanks, I looked at that pack. They don't tell you the color of the bag?
Is Kifaru making some product changes? Alot of stuff out of stock.
Did someone post they were coming out with a whitetail pack?

@enkriss I think said they were coming out with a few. Idk.

 

[Plebe]

It's not going to work for me, same issue as my Duplex Lite.
The lumbar pad puts too much pressure on my lower spine. Most likely a bad disk or arthritis. I need to replace the foam in the lumbar pad with something thiner and softer.
That's why my .75 with the (cheep) LWCG straps and waist belt (no lumbar pad) pack the same weight much better for me. These are the issues you have to deal with when you get older.

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.

 

[IndyBowhunter]

For those that may be interested, Kifaru has a ton of stuff on Camofire this morning.

 

[bowhuntr09]

For those that may be interested, Kifaru has a ton of stuff on Camofire this morning.

Wow! Never thought I would see that.

 

[GeoFish]

Kufaru has the sale prices back on their web site.

 

[GeoFish]

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.

What internal frame packs do you like. I am looking to save some weight.

 

[Maverick1]

It's not going to work for me, same issue as my Duplex Lite.
The lumbar pad puts too much pressure on my lower spine. Most likely a bad disk or arthritis. I need to replace the foam in the lumbar pad with something thiner and softer.
That's why my .75 with the (cheep) LWCG straps and waist belt (no lumbar pad) pack the same weight much better for me. These are the issues you have to deal with when you get older.

I had the same problem. What worked for me was to take the Kifaru lumbar pad out of the pocket it sits in and pull it apart. (It is made of two components/halves, loosely adhered to one another. Like two pieces of bread or Texas toast. One is softer foam, the other firmer). Doing so basically made it half the original thickness. Worked very well - for me.

 

[GeoFish]

I had the same problem. What worked for me was to take the Kifaru lumbar pad out of the pocket it sits in and pull it apart. (It is made of two components/halves, loosely adhered to one another. Like two pieces of bread or Texas toast. One is softer foam, the other firmer). Doing so basically made it half the original thickness. Worked very well - for me.

Thanks, I also took mine apart. Did you use the firmer foam or soft foam?

 

[Maverick1]

Thanks, I also took mine apart. Did you use the firmer foam or soft foam?

I used the firmer half. Took the softer section out. I don’t use my Kifaru setup for deer. Only for hunting in the mountains, where I wear it pretty much all day every day, and hope to pack meat out. My average backpack weight under normal conditions is probably 45-55 pounds, and maybe up to 75-100 packing meat, so I felt the firmer would be better. If I was to use it solely for deer hunting from a tree, I might have left the softer foam in.

 

[GeoFish]

I used the firmer half. Took the softer section out. I don’t use my Kifaru setup for deer. Only for hunting in the mountains, where I wear it pretty much all day every day, and hope to pack meat out. My average backpack weight under normal conditions is probably 45-55 pounds, and maybe up to 75-100 packing meat, so I felt the firmer would be better. If I was to use it solely for deer hunting from a tree, I might have left the softer foam in.

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.