First high end pack purchased

[Jebuwh]

Well I sold my Horn Hunter at the end of this past season, and finally saved up enough coin to buy a high end pack. Headed to the hunt expo this morning with plans to try on all of the good packs I could.

I initially went in thinking that with all the research and reading I had done, that I would end up with a stone hglacier for sure. But I'll write a little about each pack and company I looked at, maybe someone else is in a similar boat.

Exo- First guys I talked to. Super helpful and friendly, helped me setup and try on their packs, answered all my questions and even were honest and recommended I not get certain accessories based on my use, even though it was money in their pocket. Offered a 10% show discount which was nice!
Pack was really really comfortable with I think they said 50lbs or so in it. Fit me well, great bag layout, well made. I was tempted to order one right then and there, but I wanted to check out all my options.

Next up was Kuiu-
My dad just picked one up recently and I've tried it on a few times. It just does not fit me at all for some reason, the frame is just weird on me. Guys over there were super nice, very knowledgeable. Obviously busy over there at Kuiuland.

Hill people gear-
Seem to be well made stuff, just wasn't what I was looking for. Very nice guys and seemed to be pretty knowledgeable.

Stone Glacier-
So like I said I really thought this was the pack I was going to buy. I headed over there and the sales guy was with someone else, no big deal, so I started browsing through the different bags. I loved the simple bags and layouts. As soon as he finished up I turned to ask about trying on packs and what not, and I guess I didn't look serious enough because he went to help some other dude checking out Tshirts lol. Another sales guy showed up and showed me the two frames, briefly explained the differences and pointed out the two loaded frames to try on. Both of them fit a little weird compared to the others I tried, and put weird pressure on my back. I asked about any kind of show deals and was told, the price is the price. Alrighty.

Kifaru-
I finally figured out where they were hiding in the back corner in the Alpha Bowhunting booth. They had a couple of packs setup heavy and ready to test. Dayna over there is awesome. Answered all my questions, no BS. I had been eyeing the Muskeg as dealing with pack covers sucks, and they happened to have one. Tried it on, definitely the heaviest pack of the day, and also the most comfortable. Dayna had me open it all up, check out the zippers, buckles, pockets, all that. Super in depth. Offered 15% off for the expo.

I narrowed it down right there to Exo and Kifaru. Headed back to Exo to try that on, then Kifaru directly after.

The hype is real! I thought before I had tried it that the Kifaru hype on Rokslide was just that. It's some seriously well made stuff. The design and layout, bag options, all of it. I could not believe how comfortable it was under load. Blew my mind. So needless to say I ordered up a new lite frame and a Muskeg 5000. So stoked for it to get here and start testing.

Thanks again to Dayna and Kifaru!

Hopefully this helps somebody out, if not it's the incoherent ramblings of some guy. Oh well!

 

[hunterman_78]

I just bought that same pack last week should be here Monday. Can’t wait man.

 

[Jwhitney]

Great review. I haven't tried a kifaru but for people on the fence, I can say Steve at Exo is a great guy to work with. They stand behind there bags and will help you out with any issues you have. He is also a good resource for general backcountry hunting questions.

 

[Jebuwh]

Great review. I haven't tried a kifaru but for people on the fence, I can say Steve at Exo is a great guy to work with. They stand behind there bags and will help you out with any issues you have. He is also a good resource for general backcountry hunting questions.

I agree 100%. He and everyone else over there are top notch. Their podcast is great too.That 3500 is a killer setup, it was close between that and Kifaru.

 

[Jebuwh]

I just bought that same pack last week should be here Monday. Can’t wait man.

Oh nice! Yeah I can't wait to get it in my hands!

 

[Joseph08]

Congrats...Thanks for the review.

 

[jwpenn]

Thanks for putting in the time to post. It's great to hear that from a guy who had the opportunity to see all/most the choices and give honest feedback. I have a mystery ranch Metcalf on a nice frame and a couple of kuiu packs. I've never had the chance to try a kifaru but love hearing the hype confirmed by a guy who had the opportunity to try them out all in one day. I may have to convince my wife why I need a $1000 backpack to add to my collection.

Just curious how big are you?

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[NDGuy]

Stone Glacier-
I guess I didn't look serious enough because he went to help some other dude checking out Tshirts lol.

God nothin pisses me off more than when sales people do this. Happens at my local Scheels sometimes. If you don't look like you are buying something that day and they don't give you a seconds notice. Okay guess I will go spend $1000 elsewhere when it is time to buy then, thanks for letting me check it over before I buy it from Blackovis...

 

[Young Blood]

Did Exo have their 2019 models there?

 

[FLAK]

Hey Young Blood. Just wondering about your screen name, my last name is Youngblood.

 

[Young Blood]

Hey Young Blood. Just wondering about your screen name, my last name is Youngblood.

Ha that's funny! I tend to get a lot of bloody noses and when I was in college I was back home working for the summer and joined a softball league with some older guys. I got a bloody nose several games in a row and they started calling me young blood and the name just kinda stuck.

 

[jspradley]

I'm a "Kifaru guy" but I don't think you can go wrong with either a Kifaru or an Exo.

Welcome to your new addiction! :-D

 

[Rob5589]

Congrats. I have an EXO myself. You don't know how comfortable a pack can be until you try out some quality gear.

 

[Jebuwh]

Thanks for putting in the time to post. It's great to hear that from a guy who had the opportunity to see all/most the choices and give honest feedback. I have a mystery ranch Metcalf on a nice frame and a couple of kuiu packs. I've never had the chance to try a kifaru but love hearing the hype confirmed by a guy who had the opportunity to try them out all in one day. I may have to convince my wife why I need a $1000 backpack to add to my collection.

Just curious how big are you?

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I totally forgot Mystery Ranch, I tried on a couple at Black Ovis as well. Great quality build, I just wanted a more simple bag setup I think. It was fairly comfortable on me as well.

I'm not big at all height wise. I'm like 5'9, 200 or so. Little fluff I'm working on haha.

 

[Jebuwh]

Did Exo have their 2019 models there?

That is a good question. I didn't see them and they didn't offer that when i said i was probably looking in between the two smaller packs they have. So maybe not yet. I have heard around they are looking at Spring release? Not sure though.

 

[backcountryshaffer]

Welcome to the dark side! I can assure you that this is just the beginning.
I appreciate your thoughtful review and letting us know what you experience was with the different companies. It's always nice to know what to expect from a company when you're trading arms and legs for gear.

 

[Zbot]

I hope SG takes notice.....stuff like that pisses me off. Had it happen to me more than once.

 

[Loco4dux]

I don't like reading that about SG. I have zero tolerance for that.

Good report though that's definitely the best way to chose a pack!

 

[Y2JJ]

God nothin pisses me off more than when sales people do this. Happens at my local Scheels sometimes. If you don't look like you are buying something that day and they don't give you a seconds notice. Okay guess I will go spend $1000 elsewhere when it is time to buy then, thanks for letting me check it over before I buy it from Blackovis...

Cabela’s near me has the absolute worst customer service! I’ve been looking for products and get zero help or even a hello from employees walking right past me. I go there now only to try on gear if they even have anything I’m interested in.

 

[eltaco]

Thanks for the write up. It’s good to hear from guys who have had the opportunity to try on multiple options and come to a conclusion.

I bought a Kifaru based on many of the reviews here and found it didn’t work for me at all. I’m a much different build at 6’, 165#. That pack absolutely crushed my lower back. It was a costly learning experience but I didn’t have the opportunity to try before buying. I tried so hard to love it, but in the end found it was hampering my ability to carry heavy loads, which was the whole intent of my purchase.

In the end, the Exo was a much better pack for me, personally. I’m convinced every body build benefits from a different pack design after my experience. I find I can bear much more weight on the Exo, and comfortably hike without any pain to my lower back. Of the options I’ve had the opportunity to try, it’s the best fit for my body type.