I'm going to be buying a pack frame in the next month. I plan on doing some elk and moose hunts over the next 10yrs and primarily deer hunt. This summer I'll be doing some hiking in national parks and will need a frame i can strap a child carrier to when my kids are tired of walking that will be more comfortable than a child carrier. I have been looking mainly at Kifaru, Exo and SG. I'd prefer to only try out 2 of the 3 due to adding up the shipping costs for returns (likely $40-50 per returned pack). Which brands would you recommend i test or should I just take the hit on return shipping and try all of them? Most threads I've read seem to like the exo bags but can these bags be put on a SG frame like they can on a kifaru when I'm ready to add a bag to the frame of my choice? I live in the midwest (IA) so trying the packs at the company headquarters is not feasible. If build makes any difference I'm 6' 195lbs and my kids weigh about 45lbs. I would like the pack to cover weights from 30lbs to 100+. Thanks for any input.
i have tried a pile of packs, the only one i haven't tried that you're interested in is the SG because they don't fit my needs.... the 2 "keepers" are my EXO K2 and Kifaru duplex lite. i am fairly new to kifaru, but it didn't take long to realize why they are so popular..... it's my favorite pack.
i personally like the kifaru bags fine, for a day pack, the stryker xl is flippin' awesome. i also have the reckoning, which i like as well when more volume is needed.
pack fit is very personal, so trying all 3 would be ideal. i know many like the SG setup, so it's hard to rule out if you are ok with a 26" frame. the Kifaru and EXO are both top shelf, one will fit you better than the other, but i wouldn't say either is "better"
EXO does a great job of riding that perfect line of lightweight and durability, and in hunting mode, it truly is hard to beat the comfort of their frame. Kifaru has a lot more modularity, it feels like it gets really solid with a heavy load.... it sucks up to your body and turns into the most stable feeling pack with a lot of weight.... EXO is good in that regard too, but the Kifaru is just a step up there.
they both handle heavy loads very well on my back..... if i was climbing through blowdown with 100# in my pack, i would prefer the kifaru, but the EXO does great with heavy loads too.
it's a toss up to me between those 2, and those 2 are the clear stand alones to me.... i wouldn't want to have to pick between the 2, but if i had to, i would keep the kifaru.