The Most Versatile Packs Available
Hello fellow Roksliders,
A few days ago I made the following post and it was titled "Choosing the Right Pack". However after several other individuals have brought up how versatile the Kifaru EMR2 is for extended hunts, as a daypack and for hauling meat I decided to rename it in order to catch the reader's attention as it seems many people are currently looking for pack solutions for the upcoming seasons. Regardless of which option you choose, the following posts bring up qualities which are definitely worth considering and several excellent options from Kifaru. Regardless of whether you agree with me regarding using the Cargo Panel/Duplex setup as an all-around platform, the knowledge shared can help you make the right selection for your hunting and training style. I hope this helps.
When it comes to choosing a pack there are several factors to consider. From reading others' posts on this forum I have found that many are concerned with the weight of an empty pack. This does matter to a point, but there is much more to consider than this factor alone and I believe these other factors are much more critical. The three most important factors I consider when choosing a pack are: weight dispersion (which equals relative comfort), durability and versatility. Weight dispersion is obviously critical because this factor alone will significantly impact the wearer's ability to move a load but it also determines the relative comfort of the individual. The weight must be on your hips not your shoulders, period. Proper weight dispersion does result from a pack fitting you correctly but it also results from a proper pack design. Durability is another factor which I look at seriously. If you use a pack once or twice a year this may not be your greatest concern, but if you are like me and use your pack weekly then durability is of the utmost importance. Even if I am not in the mountains, I train like hell with my pack several times a week. A great customer service department is critical to durability as well because even the best packs can require repair if you push them hard enough. Lastly, versatility is huge when it comes to choosing a pack and this factor is the main reason I am writing this post. Versatility means getting the most for your money. Can you buy a $200-400 pack and get by with it, maybe. I have tried that approach and have never been satisfied. Once I did more research and tried several products I found a solution that works for both my hunting and training styles.
I am sure that this post is going to ruffle the feathers of some people, however after over a decade of carrying various packs on my back in the military and for nearly as many years hunting out West I found what I believe is the most versatile all-around pack system on the market today and that is the Kifaru Cargo Panel and Duplex Frame combination. I have worn many brands of packs to include: Mystery Ranch, Eberlestock, Badlands, Kifaru and several variations of "fast packer" designs. I will admit that I have not worn a Kuiu pack and probably never will considering the reviews of others and the fact that they consistently bounce back and forth between designs.
I have seen several people asking what pack they should buy. After testing the Kifaru Cargo Panel and Duplex Frame setup thoroughly over the past 9 months I can honestly say this is the most versatile available. I have ran this pack hard during this time period while carrying loads ranging from 45 pounds all the way up to 150 pounds. This has been my primary source of training getting ready for the Meat Pack Challenge portion of Train to Hunt and it has never let me down.
This setup is so versatile because of its ability to be customized for any given task that you may come across. The pack can be used for extended hunts, day trips and of course dedicated hauling of heavy or bulky loads such as packing out meat, gear or anything else. If you're interested check out the videos that are linked from Kifaru's website where Aron Snyder demonstrates the possible configurations that will meet any of the missions I mentioned above. I won't waste your time with my setup, but check out the videos and you will see how versatile the system is. Another advantage is to this setup is that once you have the Duplex Frame you can swap out the Cargo Panel for any other Kifaru pack that will fit on the Duplex Frame should the need arise.
I will be using this setup this year in Colorado on an extended backpack archery elk hunt, bear hunt, antelope hunt and a Midwestern Whitetail trip. It's also my go to pack for training and for the Train to Hunt Challenge. I also own a Kifaru Duplex Timberline 1 which I also really like, but the versatility of this new setup makes it my go to.
I hope this post helps shed some light on the critical factors when selecting a pack.
Thanks,
Dan
Hello fellow Roksliders,
A few days ago I made the following post and it was titled "Choosing the Right Pack". However after several other individuals have brought up how versatile the Kifaru EMR2 is for extended hunts, as a daypack and for hauling meat I decided to rename it in order to catch the reader's attention as it seems many people are currently looking for pack solutions for the upcoming seasons. Regardless of which option you choose, the following posts bring up qualities which are definitely worth considering and several excellent options from Kifaru. Regardless of whether you agree with me regarding using the Cargo Panel/Duplex setup as an all-around platform, the knowledge shared can help you make the right selection for your hunting and training style. I hope this helps.
When it comes to choosing a pack there are several factors to consider. From reading others' posts on this forum I have found that many are concerned with the weight of an empty pack. This does matter to a point, but there is much more to consider than this factor alone and I believe these other factors are much more critical. The three most important factors I consider when choosing a pack are: weight dispersion (which equals relative comfort), durability and versatility. Weight dispersion is obviously critical because this factor alone will significantly impact the wearer's ability to move a load but it also determines the relative comfort of the individual. The weight must be on your hips not your shoulders, period. Proper weight dispersion does result from a pack fitting you correctly but it also results from a proper pack design. Durability is another factor which I look at seriously. If you use a pack once or twice a year this may not be your greatest concern, but if you are like me and use your pack weekly then durability is of the utmost importance. Even if I am not in the mountains, I train like hell with my pack several times a week. A great customer service department is critical to durability as well because even the best packs can require repair if you push them hard enough. Lastly, versatility is huge when it comes to choosing a pack and this factor is the main reason I am writing this post. Versatility means getting the most for your money. Can you buy a $200-400 pack and get by with it, maybe. I have tried that approach and have never been satisfied. Once I did more research and tried several products I found a solution that works for both my hunting and training styles.
I am sure that this post is going to ruffle the feathers of some people, however after over a decade of carrying various packs on my back in the military and for nearly as many years hunting out West I found what I believe is the most versatile all-around pack system on the market today and that is the Kifaru Cargo Panel and Duplex Frame combination. I have worn many brands of packs to include: Mystery Ranch, Eberlestock, Badlands, Kifaru and several variations of "fast packer" designs. I will admit that I have not worn a Kuiu pack and probably never will considering the reviews of others and the fact that they consistently bounce back and forth between designs.
I have seen several people asking what pack they should buy. After testing the Kifaru Cargo Panel and Duplex Frame setup thoroughly over the past 9 months I can honestly say this is the most versatile available. I have ran this pack hard during this time period while carrying loads ranging from 45 pounds all the way up to 150 pounds. This has been my primary source of training getting ready for the Meat Pack Challenge portion of Train to Hunt and it has never let me down.
This setup is so versatile because of its ability to be customized for any given task that you may come across. The pack can be used for extended hunts, day trips and of course dedicated hauling of heavy or bulky loads such as packing out meat, gear or anything else. If you're interested check out the videos that are linked from Kifaru's website where Aron Snyder demonstrates the possible configurations that will meet any of the missions I mentioned above. I won't waste your time with my setup, but check out the videos and you will see how versatile the system is. Another advantage is to this setup is that once you have the Duplex Frame you can swap out the Cargo Panel for any other Kifaru pack that will fit on the Duplex Frame should the need arise.
I will be using this setup this year in Colorado on an extended backpack archery elk hunt, bear hunt, antelope hunt and a Midwestern Whitetail trip. It's also my go to pack for training and for the Train to Hunt Challenge. I also own a Kifaru Duplex Timberline 1 which I also really like, but the versatility of this new setup makes it my go to.
I hope this post helps shed some light on the critical factors when selecting a pack.
Thanks,
Dan
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