My son and I are going on a backpack archery elk hunt this fall.
We have never done this before and I am gearing up for two. I bought a MR Glacier for both of us based upon the generally very positive reviews I have found on the Web as well as seeing Aron Snyder say he recommends the brand when someone can't fit in the Kifaru pack on the Gritty Bowmen podcasts.
Unfortunately my son is 6'5" with a 23" torso. According to MR website it says it will fit to a 24" torso. Well if you want the load lifters to work this is a lie. I fit the pack according to their instructions on a youtube video and the lifters are maybe even with the shoulders. I have already laid out $2000 in equipment togo on this trip and a $7-800 pack isn't factored into the budget.
Everyone is telling me to get a Kifaru. I have looked on the various classifieds for a used and it seems most of the ones referring to 26-28 inch frame are people looking to buy that size and not sell.
Whats the downside to keeping the MR? If I go to a new Kifaru I think I would do the Hunting Frame, the Grab It with some straps and a dry bag for just under 500 which is almost double what I paid for the MR. But significantly less than what a Kifaru bag would add. Would this be a good system?
As I said I am trying to get the best bang for my buck and am gearing up for two and have no idea how often we could do this in the future since we live in NJ and neither of us have done this before so I have no idea if this is going to be a one and done with him or not?
We have never done this before and I am gearing up for two. I bought a MR Glacier for both of us based upon the generally very positive reviews I have found on the Web as well as seeing Aron Snyder say he recommends the brand when someone can't fit in the Kifaru pack on the Gritty Bowmen podcasts.
Unfortunately my son is 6'5" with a 23" torso. According to MR website it says it will fit to a 24" torso. Well if you want the load lifters to work this is a lie. I fit the pack according to their instructions on a youtube video and the lifters are maybe even with the shoulders. I have already laid out $2000 in equipment togo on this trip and a $7-800 pack isn't factored into the budget.
Everyone is telling me to get a Kifaru. I have looked on the various classifieds for a used and it seems most of the ones referring to 26-28 inch frame are people looking to buy that size and not sell.
Whats the downside to keeping the MR? If I go to a new Kifaru I think I would do the Hunting Frame, the Grab It with some straps and a dry bag for just under 500 which is almost double what I paid for the MR. But significantly less than what a Kifaru bag would add. Would this be a good system?
As I said I am trying to get the best bang for my buck and am gearing up for two and have no idea how often we could do this in the future since we live in NJ and neither of us have done this before so I have no idea if this is going to be a one and done with him or not?