In Need of New Pack Recommendations

[CaneBrake]

Hope everyone had a great time during the holidays!

I decided to do my yearly gear cleaning and servicing this week. Tidying up loose threads, cleaning out leaves, etc. Sadly, it appears my pack is finally ready to retire after this hunting season. It's been to the sandbox a couple times, been jettisoned off a cliff face while rappelling when things got sideways (literally), has 100s of hard miles on it, and it was my home for a good duration of time. It's a USMC FILBE pack on a Mystery Ranch NICE frame. I've repaired the frame multiple times but the sewing just keeps failing in different places, the padding is completely gone in the shoulder pads from time and weight, and I think it's just time to hang it up. The bag, however, is still in great shape.

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So I'm in the market for a new ruck and looking for recommendations. Preferably something that is MOLLE as all my equipment is based on that and I like being able to change the pack setup for the situation. Something also around the same capacity, around 5000 cu in +/- . I liked the NICE frame but once loaded over 90lbs it started to get a too flexible and wobbly. Mystery Ranch's new military offerings are pretty steep in price and don't necessarily inspire confidence based on user reviews. Thanks!

 

[CaneBrake]

Bump for some good suggestions and the possibility someone has an old military style Kifaru laying around.

 

[adk hunter]

EXO. Comfort, performance and excellence of ownership.

 

[CaneBrake]

EXO. Comfort, performance and excellence of ownership.

They seem to have some great performance from reviews. I'm am curious to know if the K4 frame fits ALICE interface bags like the MR NICE frame does. I could just buy the frame and use some bags I currently have.

 

[gpaw94]

Exo Mtn. I've had 2 back surgeries and the Exo has been a dream to carry.

 

[Teekerguy]

Another one for EXO. I tested it with 120 pounds when I first got it and it was incredibly stable and comfortable. But usually do my rucks with 40-60 pounds with anywhere from 500-1200 feet in elevation gain and rarely have a lumbar slip. It's definitely a step up from the older K3 frame

 

[gpaw94]

Another one for EXO. I tested it with 120 pounds when I first got it and it was incredibly stable and comfortable. But usually do my rucks with 40-60 pounds with anywhere from 500-1200 feet in elevation gain and rarely have a lumbar slip. It's definitely a step up from the older K3 frame

You got the K4? I've been extremely please with the K3

 

[California hog hunter]

I have the kifaru ark, kifaru tactical and the exo k4. Just packed a 175 pound hog out of the mountains with the k4 last night it was very comfortable. Honestly the k4 and ark don't feel much different to me. They are both a step up from. The tactal and duplex light. I use my tactical frame for rucks and working out now. It is a lot better than other frames I have used. I have packed hogs with it and the duplex light I would get some lumber slip. I wouldn't hesitate to use any of them depending on your budget.

 

[Teekerguy]

You got the K4? I've been extremely please with the K3

Yes I'm running the K4 now. Both great packs/frames but the new lumbar design was a much better fit for me.

 

[gpaw94]

Yes I'm running the K4 now. Both great packs/frames but the new lumbar design was a much better fit for me.

Good to know. I've thought about upgrading for the new molle on the hip belt.

 

[Teekerguy]

Good to know. I've thought about upgrading for the new molle on the hip belt.

It's really nice for the new water bottle holster if running a bottle is your thing. You'll forget it's even there it distributes the weight fantastic to the hip.

 

[CaneBrake]

I have the kifaru ark, kifaru tactical and the exo k4. Just packed a 175 pound hog out of the mountains with the k4 last night it was very comfortable. Honestly the k4 and ark don't feel much different to me. They are both a step up from. The tactal and duplex light. I use my tactical frame for rucks and working out now. It is a lot better than other frames I have used. I have packed hogs with it and the duplex light I would get some lumber slip. I wouldn't hesitate to use any of them depending on your budget.

Thanks. That's awesome to hear and give me a little hope. Exo and Kifaru are both within my price range but the current offerings of bags aren't necessarily ideal for my needs. MR has the bags that fit my needs but I'm not paying $1000+ for a pack that gets wobbly at super high weights. My NICE frame is miserable when packing out a medium sized animal in one trip. Last year on the pack out my ruck weighed 152lbs not counting my rifle and my frame was not happy. I'm researching now (I haven't found anything yet) to see if either EXO or Kifaru frames can be made to work with an ALICE style interface (11"-12" wide) since I have a few bags in that style.

 

[gpaw94]

It's really nice for the new water bottle holster if running a bottle is your thing. You'll forget it's even there it distributes the weight fantastic to the hip.

I run a camelbak, but they suck and freeze up on cold mornings, so would probably run both