Barney's and Tatonka pack frames

[brno375]

Does anyone here have experience with these? What were they like under load?

http://www.barneyssports.com/itemDes...d=2&prodid=283

http://www.sherpa-mtn.com/qs/category/-1/2399/0/0

[bigwhiteys]

Brno,

I've been looking at new externals as well. The Barney is obviously a great pack with a solid following in Alaska (as you'll know from some of the AK hunting forums), BCRams can also attest to the quality and durability. My only sticking point with the Barney is the weight... it's almost 12 pounds...! That just seems to much for a pack.

Have not looked at the Tatonka yet...

The Kifaru also looks like a good pack and one that I am leaning towards as well... Lots of good reviews.

Happy Hunting!
Carl

[270WIN]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showth...?t=9627&page=2

here is some info i recieved from the guys on hbc a wile back when i was looking fora back i just recieved my tanoka pack and so far very happy with it i have not had a lot of weight in in but i can belived how comfortable it is

hope this helps

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Don't pay much attention to the weight of the pack itself. What's more important is how the pack carries the weight. I had a Kelty external (pretty light) and now I have a Wilderness Wanderer. Wanderer is a lot heavier but I can pack the same weight all day without having to rest my back as I had to with my old pack.
The two packs are night and day.
I haven't tried the Barney but trust BCRams experience. If I didn't already have a W.W., I'd buy a Barney (as long as it comes with a guarentee to shoot one of those cranker Dall's!! ).

Bruno-88Dodge from HS has a Barney and is down your direction. I'm sure he wouldn't mind you checking it out!! My buddy ran into him in the Ashnola last summmer and thought his pack was pretty skookum!

SSS

[Fisher-Dude]

I haven't tried the Barney but trust BCRams experience. SSS

SSS, you are confused. Rams hunts with a little guy named Barney Rubble, from Clearwater!

[brno375]

Bruno-88Dodge from HS has a Barney and is down your direction. I'm sure he wouldn't mind you checking it out!! My buddy ran into him in the Ashnola last summmer and thought his pack was pretty skookum!

SSS

Thanks SSS, I sent him a pm.

[kutenay]

My partner and I both tried on weighted Tatonkas, didn't like them and he gave me one of their internals to try out in '05, pretty mediocre.

I have not tried a Barney's, but, they are a much strenghtened version of the old Camptrails "Freighter" and I have packed tons on those. There is a bit more sway than I prefer, however, I like these more than the Wilderness Wanderer which I have tried and do not care for, YMMV.

I have two Kifaru packs, a Longhunter Rondy and a Siwash, these are better and right up there in comfort and quality. I also have a Bullpac Alaskan which is the best external I have ever used, but, the suspension could be improved.

The BEST packs, for me, anyway, I have owned/used are from www.Mysteryranch.com. Their NICE frame combo, with 6500 bag, load hauler, Crew Cab and two Fliptop pockets plus a Kifaru long Universal Gunbearer is just perfect for me and my favourite by far of the packs I have. I also have and use their BDSB and Futura Deluxe packs and I love them as they allow me to carry loads in comfort that are too much for an old phart using most packs.

I cannot recommend MR packs too highly and they have a new super-duty NICE frame/combo coming out for those who hump huge loads as well as an "off-chore" line that they guarantee and costs substantially less.

Of all the gear that I have seen and used, MR and Integral Designs is the finest and the substantial cost is well worth it.

[Brambles]

My partner and I both tried on weighted Tatonkas, didn't like them

Surprising to hear, I bought a Tatonka last year and i love it. Probably put on a couple hundred kilometers with it on, alway with a minumum of 40 lbs. One day I did 26 kms with 75 lbs on board not including rifle weight and it was fine, great back padding and I love the fact that you can take it off and it will stand there all by itself. Look forward to using it again this year.

Don't rule out the Tatonka

[kutenay]

Different packs fit individuals differently, that is part of my lack of enthusiasm for Tatonka and Wilderness Wanderer frames, they do not fit me as I want a pack to.

I also do not care for the lower shelf arrangement, too complex and can catch on branches to easily. I am from Nelson and have backpacked extensively in the West Kootenays, trekking throughout the Valhallas, over Earl Grey Pass and in Kokanee while hunting Crawford, the Lardeau and so on; in such thickly forested country, I really do not like packs that extend over my head or have features that can hook onto brush and pull me off balance.

But, each of us has certain preferences, mine are as listed and the MR NICE combo will do it all, the only problem is it is very costly.

[Krico]

I have never laid my eyes on the Barney, but it is supposedly quite the pack. I have though checked out the Tatonka, and was pleasantly surprised with the fit, weight etc., especially when you take price into consideration-The frame and pack together were around $250 where I saw them. The few guys on this site who have owned them for a season or two seem to have nothing but good to say about them, so I am seriously considering picking one up for those hunts where my internal frame is not up to the task.