Best pack for mountain hunting

[Aoudad shooter1975]

It has been my opinion that my Kuiu has been the most comfortable pack..I have used my Outdoorsman Optics hunter the most and while not the most comfortable it has been very durable. I guess it depends on what you want to do. I used a Eberlestock J107 for a few years and was a good pack, but was not a load hauler like some of the others I have. I tried Kifaru--and the pack looked great--don't think my fit was quite right and was not comfortable--top teir pack for sure though. The barneys pack mentioned above would be my pack of choice for long multiple day pack ins--as far as durability. Stone Glaicer and Exo make good stuff too. If I can draw a bighorn one year--I have one good multi day pack hunt in me and my Kuiu carbon 7200 will have to work for my Stone sheep. Other wise I will continue to use my Outdoorsman and my small bag (3200) on my Kuiu as a big day pack...

 

[Country Bumpkin]

EXO, I don't own one yet, but after seeing the quality and experiencing their customer service first hand, that's the direction I'm headed this summer. I've convinced 5 of my coworkers to buy EXO after one friend allowed me to borrow his on a family backpack trip.

 

[ponderosa11]

I have owned and used Kifaru and they are great packs. My statement about the board is about the stiffness of the frame, not the quality of the padding. In my opinion, SO packs are much more comfortable under lightweight loads and equally if not more comfortable under very heavy loads. You have to be more careful how you pack, however. Pack fit is very personal and everyone's experience could be different.

 

[Country Bumpkin]

EXO, I don't own one yet, but after seeing the quality and experiencing their customer service first hand, that's the direction I'm headed this summer. I've convinced 5 of my coworkers to buy EXO after one friend allowed me to borrow his on a family backpack trip.

Now that I think about this, I feel like I should get a commission.... or at least a discount when I come in to buy mine this spring.

 

[GW Hunter]

Looking at the Eberlestock series...

Yes they are on the heavy side, but they are indestructible. I've got the Dragonfly and have had 100lbs+ in it many times and it can handle it if you can. I hunt the Sierras which is basically granite. I could not imagine a Kuiu or similar pack of similar material as a Kuiu to survive 2 years of what I put my Eberlestock through. Just my two cents...

 

[DV4LF3]

Yes they are on the heavy side, but they are indestructible. I've got the Dragonfly and have had 100lbs+ in it many times and it can handle it if you can. I hunt the Sierras which is basically granite. I could not imagine a Kuiu or similar pack of similar material as a Kuiu to survive 2 years of what I put my Eberlestock through. Just my two cents...

I ended up going with the Eberlestock G4 operator pack and it is remarkable. I can't wait to use it this upcoming year!

 

[Professor]

Exactly what Iceking said. Depends on your hunt duration. I am also running a Barney's pack for my longer hunts. Very comfortable and can help distribute weight for long duration trips.

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If I am going in deep I take my Barney's pack. If I am only a few miles from my truck I will wear my mystery ranch. If you want light, see if you can find a MR Selway. Mine weighs 5 lbs. Pack weight can be misleading though. My Barney's weighs more than 9 lbs empty, but it rides so well that it feels lighter than my MR packs.

 

[509TrophyHusband]

Kuiu here

 

[steel2]

Im liking all the different points n opinions and following

 

[steve p]

Why don't you get a Kuiu pack or Kifaru

 

[Maineak]

Been using the EXO K2 3200 since 2017. Great pack, comfortable, light, packs heavy loads well, has a system to pack out meat between the frame and pack. I'll do 5 days mountain hunting in CO (tent & sleeping bag). Anything longer then that and you will probably need a bigger pack. The new EXO K3 came out in 2019 and is an updated version of my K2. Made in USA!

 

[Blacktailhunter78]

Have run kuiu, eberlestock and exo. Last 3 years have been running the exo with 5500 or 2200 bag.

 

[brandon lamp]

I will recommend a Kuiu

 

[Str8shooter1]

Badlands and eberlestock make good packs but are not the best at heavy load packouts...ie anything over 80lbs for a mile or longer. Kifaru was the beat gear purchase ive made and I can now pack out a full mule deer. Do that with a badlands and youll be flirting with nerve damage or compressed disks.