MEC Ibex 80

[Moe.JKU]

Looking to start getting ready for multi day sheep hunts, and 7-10 day trips exploring. Just wondering if anyone has used the MEC Ibex 80, and has any reviews on it for these types of ventures. Is it big enough for these sorts of hikes/trips. Can it haul a deboned deer or sheep out of the back country?

Any information is helpful, i'm on a budget and have heard good things in the hiking community about this bag but does it stand up to hunting conditions. I'm on a budget so the MR and other bags are out of question.

Thanks,
Moe

[Tarp Man]

80L is on the small side. I used the Ibex, and for the typical internal frame pack it is really well thought out. But I'd go with 95L at least.

[Andrewh]

My wife carried the 80l Ibex on our sheep hunt...great bag and worked well for her. No complaints over the 13 days.

Andrew

[snow]

I find the MEC backpacks too small - in my opinion MEC does not have anything for expeditions size and I always have to shop in the US. I am 5'5 and always carry at least 100L pack for expeditions.

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

i would look for a Arcteryx Bora 80 or 95 if you can find them . i have the 80 and its the best pack you will even use.. the waist belt and shoulder straps are the most comftable ones you will find.. look a the the MEC outdoor gear swap . you will get a good deal and there way better than the Ibex .

[1/2 slam]

MEC supports anti hunting groups. Do a search here. Don't spend a dime on their gear.

[Iltasyuko]

MEC supports anti hunting groups. Do a search here. Don't spend a dime on their gear.

A couple years ago I sent an email to MEC asking about their position on hunting – this is the reply I received.

Thanks for getting in touch with us. MEC's position on hunting is fairly simple - officially, we are completely neutral on the subject. While hunting isn't a recreation that we specifically cater to (so you won't find things like camouflage gear in our stores) we don't have any official stance against it. MEC's mandate, as far as sustainability and environmental issues are concerned, is the protection of wild spaces, so that future generations can continue to enjoy them. You can find more information about MEC's mandate on the Sustainability section of our website.

At one point, a few years back, MEC briefly gained a reputation as being anti-hunting. This was due to a single incident where we allowed an anti-hunting lobby group to hand out leaflets in front of one of our stores. We had no actual connection to this group though, and it is not an issue that we feel we need, or want to get involved with - on either side. Considering the confusion this caused, both in the media and with our members, it is unlikely we would do this again.

I hope this helps to clarify things for you - as always, please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions, regarding this policy or anything else.

MEC Service Centre
ext. 423
Mountain Equipment Co-op
130 W. Broadway
Vancouver BC V5Y 1P3

[Iltasyuko]

I have the Arc’teryx Bora 80 – I do wish I bought the 95 though, just for more space. 80 litres can work for a 2 week trip if all the rest of your gear is small – small stove, small fuel canister(s), small sleeping bag, small sleeping pad etc. etc. Removing your mountain house meals from the original bag and vacuum sealing each meal with a FoodSaver can also save you lots of space – the air inside MH bags takes up a lot of backpack space – bring a few of the original MH bags along for cooking and burn the vacuum seal bags after each meal, so you don’t have to pack them around. Buying a bigger bag would work too.

[Wentrot]

MEC supports anti hunting groups. Do a search here. Don't spend a dime on their gear.

Get your facts right before yappin-the entire thing started because "he said she said"

[1/2 slam]

Get your facts right before yappin-the entire thing started because "he said she said"

Really? Perhaps you should learn to do some research. This is not a "he said she said". Pacificwild.org, a group that wants to stop grizzly hunting got money from MEC. So you should get your facts right before yappin. I refuse to do business with any group that is trying to stop hunting or any group that supports them. That includes MEC. We are loosing the battle for a number of reasons. One is that a lot of hunters are to stupid to recognize the enemy that is right in front of them. They continue to do business with them and thus aid the enemy. Which one are you. The stupid one?

[BiG Boar]

So hostile everyone....
Get out and kill some wolves to make pacific wild mad. Then drop the "all so good meat" on their door step.

[Iltasyuko]

Pacific Wild lead a campaign against the draft grey wolf management plan for BC, as the plan includes lethal measures. Definitely not a pro hunting organization - if MEC floats PW expenses that for sure is not a good thing. It would be nice to see a list of organizations that recieve funds from MEC.

[1/2 slam]

Pacific Wild lead a campaign against the draft grey wolf management plan for BC, as the plan includes lethal measures. Definitely not a pro hunting organization - if MEC floats PW expenses that for sure is not a good thing. It would be nice to see a list of organizations that recieve funds from MEC.

Do a search then. It's there for all to see.

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

I dont care what M.E.C. view or OPINION or Anyone elses for that matter is, on hunting or buying or selling gear from M.E.C. .. I have buying gear from them for years .. they have gear i want or need . and i have cash . .end of story ..And i wish i could have got my hands on a Bora 95 myself , first chance i get im going to pick one up .

[Xenomorph]

MEC has a lot of good stuff for out-of-hunting but personally I wouldn't be happy if they really are outright against hunting. Do you guys have some proof that they're contributing to anti-hunting groups or lobbying as such?

[Buck]

Couple other packs that carry big loads

REI xt 85 supposedly can fit a Kifaru waistbelt on it.
Deuter air contact pro 70+15
These both carry big loads

[RiverOtter]

MEC has a lot of good stuff for out-of-hunting but personally I wouldn't be happy if they really are outright against hunting. Do you guys have some proof that they're contributing to anti-hunting groups or lobbying as such?

It's all been posted here before, they do give money to groups that bridge the gap, so to speak.

[BiG Boar]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?38630-Shop-at-MEC-and-turn-your-backyard-into-a-National-Park!

[Timberjack]

Well - hopefully this is a more useful response to the OP... I tried the Ibex, because for an internal frame pack, I found it to have a ton of extra storage pockets that most don't have. Also the price point was good. But in the end, I ended up going for the Arcteryx Bora. Absolutely hands down a way better pack. Better fit, better quality, better design, though I will concede not better price (by a long shot). My opinion is that there is no better internal frame pack for mountain hunting than the boras.

BTW, the built in water bottle holders that are on both sides work perfectly for a water bottle (one one side) and a rifle butt stock on the other. The bottle holder plus the side straps makes for the most secure rifle holding system for a non-hunting specific pack I've ever seen.

Long and the short of it is that I've totally abused mine for over 5 years now, massive weights etc etc and it's performed flawlessly.

TJ

[Tarp Man]

PI've used several different internal frame packs, including an Ibex. Save your money and buy the Bora 95. The weight difference between a Bora 80 and 95 is well worth the extra space. Plus the 95 has actual load stabilizer rods for big loads. The Ibex would be great for smaller trips and what it was meant for... Backpacking on a budget. The Arc' Teryx Bora is the bomb. Simple. I've also used the Gregory Whitney, another 95 litre pack. The harness and backpad are a major weak point. One other huge load hauler is the Osprey argon 110. Expensive, but they have great reviews.