Best Elk Hunting Backpack

[NebraskaHunter]

Looking At Buying My First High End Hunting Backpack

 

[mtwarden]

hard to vote for the best when you haven't tried all of them; I own a Stone Glacier and have been very happy with the bag layout, comfort carrying and durability- fairly light for what it's designed for (carrying 100+ lbs)

 

[Mosby]

They all work. The MR is the only one not made in the US, if that matters. I use SG and I am happy with what I have. My son has an EXO. I wouldn't worry about what others use. I would get what fits you the best. Best is a relative term.

 

[Two Roads]

Another vote for Stone Glacier.

 

[slick]

SG user here


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[Huntindog45]

you trying to stir the pot today? get ready for a 23 page debate. and honestly none of the answers will be wrong. there are some great packs out there by about 10 different manufacturers. There are probably 5 that really stand out in the western US...... for the record ... i love mystery ranch

 

[Billy Goat]

You really would be doing yourself a favor if you ordered several to try side by side, then return what you least prefer. Most will allow you to do this. Each pack fits a little different, like a pair of boots. All you listed seem to be of good quality, just a matter of fit.

 

[Jaker_cc]

Kifaru..... now listen for all the exploding heads and people screaming Fanboy


But really, I have had 3 different Kifaru bags and have liked all of them a whole lot.

 

[jmez]

Whichever one fits you and your list of wants/ needs the best. They are all a little different. Sit down and make a list by order of importance the features you are looking for. Then rank the packs as to how each fits your list.

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[Jardo]

SG here.

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[TonySkyline]

Love these threads. Haha. I always find myself coming back to them for reviews and pros vs cons from actual people that use them. I'm in the same boat as op. SG, exo, and sitka are my final 3. So far from lots of hours of research I have gathered that the SG frame is more firm and will hold the load closer to you body in a good way. The exo is the most comfortable frame sub 50lbs but it does not hold the pack as close with more weight in it. Exo has the better bag layout as some people have said SG is more or less a big vertical duffle bag. Personally I'm leaning towards SG for my first setup and if possible adding an exo bag down the line.

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[Btaylor]

The very best backpack for elk hunting is the one hauling your kill out.

 

[Wapiti1]

They all fit differently and have subtle differences that may or may not drive you nuts after several days wearing it. For instance, I find all of the options above hug my back and I sweat a lot in them. My MR Crewcab is like putting on a vest and I get hot on early season hunts with it on. Later season, no issue and it is otherwise a pack that I have no issues with.

Great pack, and I use it, but it isn't as nice to carry early season as my Seek Outside. So, I still have my MR frame and a couple of bags, and an SO Revolution with a couple of bags.

I've used Exo, SG (first gen frame), Kifaru (first gen frame), MR, and Seek. They would all work, but there details I didn't like, or they didn't do anything my current pack didn't do.

Jeremy

 

[WCB]

The one that fits you the best...once that is locked down start worrying about bag "layout". Most companies have multiple bag configurations and accessories. I personally have an original SG and love it packed many complete boned out deer with it 100+pounds with gear rifle etc. Customer service has been great (have not needed for issues just questions on various product and fit instructions)

I tried a Mystery Ranch...didn't like it....my wife loves hers and a couple buddies love theirs. This is as personal of a decision as boots. Anybody that says one is better than the next or the best in general is lying to you. Any of the major manufacturers you see guys using on here (Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, Kifuru, Exo, Seek)....IMO will get the job done.

 

[bloom1gr]

Any preference on external vs internal frame?

 

[fngTony]

Llamas......end of discussion

 

[bloom1gr]

Actually wanting to get into llamas too

How much do you find pack llamas for?

 

[Jacobo2012]

its always nice to try as many of them as you can. and when you try them try them with about 50 lbs or so so you know how itll feel weighed down. I really liked my seek outside being a taller guy at 6 4 but with weight on it it kills my shoulders as I have a narrow build. I wish there straps were a hair thicker and more padded. I packed a 80-100 lb pig out on my buddies exo k2 and fell in love. it felt like it was a 35 lb load luckily I picked up a k2 on closeout when the k3s came out and love it
with that being said I love the seek outside with light loads it really depends on what works for you and whats comfortable
its no fun packing out a heavy haul with your pack hurting your back or shoulders

 

[fngTony]

Actually wanting to get into llamas too

How much do you find pack llamas for?

I don’t myself. A couple friends rent them locally. Definitely helps when you’re ten miles in. They say it’s expensive but the first year (without llamas) one of them shot a bull on the last afternoon causing each of them two extra days off work (unpaid) to pack everything out.

 

[couesjunky]

I doubt anyone here has used all of those packs so you're really casting a vote for who has which pack. Which is pointless. However I have use the Stone Glacier and Kuiu packs and highly recommenced both