Which Hunting Pack should I buy?

[Andrewh]

Load shelves suck balls. Buy a big enough bag to fit everything in.

I would love to hear your reasoning and experience with and without a load shelf.

[Weatherby Fan]

Save your pennies and buy an EXO 2200. Or 3500 and be ultra versatile.

Can you tell me what separates this pack from a MR Nice/5500 bag other than about 2.5lbs, are the bags better organized or is the frame that much better as I'm thinking of getting a new pack ? and its either this one or a stone glacier

Thanks
WF

[todbartell]

3500 and 5500 are the same, just different sized main bag. Both are minimal in the organization dept, just a large main compartment with side zip/top access. The lids have a one decent sized pocket and you can attach a 'stash pocket' which is a small zippered mesh pocket that attaches inside the lid via velcro. In the inside of the main bag on a 3500 you can attach 2 or 3 more stash pockets. On the outside of the main bag there is two side pockets and one large stretchy stuff pocket which works well for keeping rain gear handy. Two nice sized waist belt pockets (accessory) can be added and they anchor in place to the web belt via velcro.

2200 has more orgnanization

[albravo2]

If you want to try out a higher end pack. Your welcome to come test mine out, I'm located in kamloops. I run a kifaru EMR ii, a kifaru AMR, and a stone glacier sky 7400. For most hunts I prefer the stone glacier but they are all legit bomber packs. The EMR2 can haul more than i care to carry, i love the amr for the versatility and the easy access rear pockets, i dont have to open the entire pack. I run mine with 2 spotting scope pockets on the side and it works wonders and gives the EMR2 a run for its money.

That is an amazing collection. Pack porn for sure. Nicely done.

[300rum700]

I would love to hear your reasoning and experience with and without a load shelf.

I've used both types, no I'm not going to write every experience I've had with different packs because frankly I don't care to. It's simple physics, put the load out away from your body and it's going to pull you backwards. It doesn't matter if it's just the weight of your gear and the meats against you back it's still going to pull back more than if everything were to be in the main bag. It's just the way it's is, some guys like a cute small bag and like suffering more than necessary packing a big load with a load shelf and that's fine, but you can't argue with science.

[BgBlkDg]

Good point, something to consider when buying a hunting pack. I have never used a load shelf, but, I have wondered about the same thing.

[.264winmag]

You guys don't use a load shelf???
I find deboned meat fairly dense, positioning directly against spine sure helps me. Still need a big main bag for all the light bulky gear, but I'll never go back to stuffing meat in the main compartment for long hikes out the mountains. Really convenient for keeping main compartment clean too, and can remove meat sack quickly to cool off at appropriate spots along the way without unloading 7000 cubic inches of riggin every time.

[300rum700]

You guys don't use a load shelf???
I find deboned meat fairly dense, positioning directly against spine sure helps me. Still need a big main bag for all the light bulky gear, but I'll never go back to stuffing meat in the main compartment for long hikes out the mountains. Really convenient for keeping main compartment clean too, and can remove meat sack quickly to cool off at appropriate spots along the way without unloading 7000 cubic inches of riggin every time.

I put my lighter bulky camp supplies on the bottom, then meat tight against the back usually in a contractor bag or dry bag then cape and horns. It's always on top so no big deal to unload it and not messy at all.

[BgBlkDg]

The load shelf as I understand it, is NOT the same as a Kifaru Cargo Shelf or the Mystery Ranch version used with the NICE rigs.

I am specifically referring to the fabric "shelf" between the frame and bag of contemporary packs such as SG, EXO and SO, among others. I am very aware of how meat (and other load materials) fits into a pack, but, ANY weight positioned further to your rear is going to tend to pull you backwards, whether it is gear or gravel.

I won't buy another pack, have sold all but my SO Divide, a customized Dana Design Terradframe and MR Deluxe, used for an "emerg" pack in my Taco 4x4, when on non-hunting trips home to Nelson. So, it is "academic" for me at my age, but, 300RUM700, is correct in his basic opinion, IMHO.

[.264winmag]

I put my lighter bulky camp supplies on the bottom, then meat tight against the back usually in a contractor bag or dry bag then cape and horns. It's always on top so no big deal to unload it and not messy at all.

Tried that, but all that weight up high don't work for me. Simple physics as said. Start going backwards and she's too top heavy for me. I gotta keep it low or right against the back. Maybe just me though, short little fella HA.