Established in 2021, Akek has become an aggressive pack company in the industry that listens to the end users and adjusts pack and needs based on consumer feedback, and they have relatively good pricing. I have had a chance to try out two other version of their packs. The Alpha 3200 reviewed here, and the Climax 5400 here. Both performed very well for me.
Akek Striker 2100
When given the opportunity to try out a new pack in addition to the above-mentioned packs, I was happy to give it a go. Even though they comp me the packs, per Rokslide advertiser rules, I’m able to say what I want, both good & bad (if I find any).
Introducing the Striker 2100, the little brother to the other two packs, and a great addition to their lineup. When you are looking for a smaller but still robust pack, this may be the way to go. With a price ranging from $330 without the carbon fiber frame to $529 with the carbon fiber frame.
Pack Quality and Design Updates
Same craftsmanship went into this pack as the others, but with a few differences in designs and updated features that the other two packs came with in their Gen II versions. The Striker 2100 comes in at 6.94 pounds when outfitted with the frame and is 21”x12”x7” with frame dimensions of 25”x9.5”. Fairly compact design and not terrible as far as weight goes. The same Cordura 500 material is used, along with YKK water- and dust-resistant zippers, as with the other packs, making it durable. The pack comes standard with a rain cover, two hip belt pouches, two internal removable small bags, and a cool whistle buckle on the chest strap.
Meat Shelf Adds Capability
Like the other models of Akek packs, this one also offers a meat shelf between the pack and the frame. This is great for when you have the main compartment full of essentials and have the meat shelf to carry the meat. This allows you to carry the meat tightly to your back and also allows you to attach the pack back over the meat. It really opens the usability of the pack and offers that much more carrying capacity. If I have room, I usually just use the main compartment to pack meat to fully understand the capabilities during reviews. I also really liked the open compartment that I used for sliding a water bottle in, which offered quick access. There are still water bottle pouches on either side of the pack as well.
Advanced Belt System
With the new packs, they also introduced their Advanced Belt System that will adjust for waists from 28” to 42” but also offer other options if you need larger sizes. It does come with two pouches that can be removed and attached to other areas of the pack. This allows for ease of use with most pistol holsters to allow them to be attached right to the belt system. The lumbar padding is much improved as well and gives you the option to adjust for thicker or thinner padding support. The improved shoulder straps are fully adjustable to the frame to accommodate a wide range of torso sizes as well.
Hydration and Lots of Organization
The Akek Striker 2100 offers a hydration storage area and various organization pockets that left me trying to remember where I pack things away, but I never had a shortage of options, that is for sure. If you don’t like all the storage options, that could be a downside. The optional lid attachment was a cool option as well. It also detaches and offers a separate short-trip pack with enclosed shoulder straps — this gives you the option of dropping the larger pack and continuing with the small pack full of essential items.
Easy To Adjust Fit
When using the pack, it was easy to adjust the pack to fit my body type and torso size. The wide range of adjustments made it easy to get it to fit just right. Also, it’s not hard and takes just a couple minutes to adjust it for other users as well. My son was able to use the pack on his first successful pack out during a spot and stalk muley hunt, and it worked well for him as well.
Easy Access
The Striker 2100 is easy to get into the main compartment of the pack as it is fully accessible by a top draw string and buckle top, and also by the full-length zippers.
The various pockets do make it easy to store things in accessible areas and the 2100 cubic inches of room make it a great pack for hunts that don’t require all the added items of an extended type back country hunt. I liked to use this pack on my day hunts mostly and it accommodated plenty for just that. I think you could use it for multi-day hunting, but you will be a bit limited in space for essentials.
Succesfull Hunts and Packouts
I used the Striker 2100 to pack out an antelope in September with good success–being able to fit the entire deboned pronghorn in the main compartment with the head attached to the outside.
On a November mule deer hunt I used it as well. Anybody who knows what it is like to pack out an entire mule deer in one pack knows what it takes to pull this off. That was a bit much for the Striker using the main compartment alone. I was able to fit all but the backstraps of the mule deer in the main compartment. If I would have used the meat shelf it would have had plenty of room. But on these two hunts I wasn’t carrying much, as it was just short day hunts.
Comfortable With The Weight
On both hunts, the shoulder straps and the waist belt did a good job of keeping the pack tight to my body, aiding the pack out. Using the meat shelf would have been even more effective. Even with a fully boned out muley with head and cape, it completed the job in a satisfactory state. I’m not saying it’s built for this, but if you need to stretch the intended use of the Striker, it can be done.
One Drawback
The only drawback I noticed with the pack is the noise it produces. Unfortunately, over time, the pack developed some squeaks. The squeaks were coming from where the straps attached to the carbon fiber frame in various locations. I remedied this by applying athletic tape to all areas of the frame where the straps come into contact. Not sure if it is because of the dust getting between these points or what the issue was. Regardless, I was able to remedy it.
Conclusion
At the end of the day the Striker 2100 performed great on numerous hunts and did a good job of what I expect a pack to do. The price is very good as well for what you get in the pack. This carries true throughout their entire line of packs.
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