Author Topic: Pack comparisons! (Read 6888 times)

Joe Fehr · « **on:** October 01, 2012, 11:49:32 AM »

Guys I know this topic has been beat to death but I'm looking for a replacement pack for my external frame after my trip up north and it trying to push me off the mountain a couple times.
I've pretty much narrowed it down to the MR NICE 6500 and the Kuiu 5000 or 7000.
I need actual first hand experience with these packs, I like the Kuiu for the weight and lay out of the pack. The MR for layout and it being a well respected name with comfort and longevity.
The Kuiu has also under gone more changes with the 2012 model and I'm hoping some one has laid their hands on one this year.
Let me know what you think.
I'm pretty sure Skinnydipper has used all 3 packs and sold 2 not very long ago so I'm hoping I can get more input from him and other members here.

sheepguide · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2012, 12:00:01 PM »

Been throwing up the idea of guiding next fall again and this is the pack im looking at getting for that is linked below. Been talking with a guy that uses one alot and loves it. Will use it for guiding and packing alot of heavy loads but for personal sheep hunting and most everyday hunting ill never use anything but my Eberlestock J107.

http://www.stoneglacier.com/about.html

Joe Fehr · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2012, 12:20:32 PM »

I looked at the Stone Glacier also but the lack of outside pockets has kind of turned me off. The weight is nice, but I can't find much info on them either.

sheepguide · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2012, 01:32:59 PM »

Ya there isnt much out there on them thats for sure. Ive got an email in to Kurt on a few questions I had. Id probably put the hip belt pockets on. There isnt a ton of pockets for sure. Thats why I like my Eberlestock so much, all the pockets seem to work perfect for what I carry. The Mystery Ranch are great packs but they really need to figure out how to drop the weight of them.

jboutdoors5 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2012, 02:02:53 PM »

Not sure about the two you mentioned specifically, but have you checked out Badlands packs? We've had great luck with them. They have a great warranty on them, and are built very well.

Joe Fehr · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2012, 02:12:38 PM »

I see Kurt has a spotting scope pocket coming too which would be a nice addition. The 2012 Kuiu from what I have seen took some tips from Stone Glacier also on the redesign of their harness and frame. Their bags have way more storage but I'm sure it shows in the weight also. The other thing I wasn't a fan of is that he only has the Solo (3000+ci) and the Terminus (6000+ci) I don't think I need 6000 but I would like more then 3000. Also the 6000 being top load only doesn't really appeal to me.
All that being said I do like Solo and the Krux frame. Being that it is a little beefier then the Kuiu but keeping the weight down too.

Joe Fehr · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2012, 02:17:59 PM »

Quote from: jboutdoors5 on October 01, 2012, 02:02:53 PM

Not sure about the two you mentioned specifically, but have you checked out Badlands packs? We've had great luck with them. They have a great warranty on them, and are built very well.

I did check out Badlands and found the weight of the pack to the CI of the pack to be unacceptable. 8lb 14oz with a 4800CI capacity wasn't real appealing to me. As I look more and more into it I am leaning towards either a Kuiu or a Stone Glacier for the weight of the packs.

sheepguide · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2012, 02:36:49 PM »

I hunted on a Stone sheep back pack hunt with a guy a couple years ago and he had a Badlands and with around 70lbs in it he had a few really sore spots from that pack. And a couple rips due to the weight. Pack choice is on of the hardest choice in gear selection in my opinion. Just pisses my wife off everytime I mention packs anymore LOL

Wrongside · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2012, 02:24:27 PM »

Quote from: sheepguide on October 01, 2012, 01:32:59 PM

The Mystery Ranch are great packs but they really need to figure out how to drop the weight of them.

The MR packs are heavier than some. Eberlestocks aren't lightweights either though.

Eberlestock J107- 8pounds, 8ounces

MR Grizzly- 8pounds, 15ounces

Joe,

You should get a Stone Glacier, use it hard and report back here...

I am very curious to see how these packs shake out.

Joe Fehr · « **Reply #9 on:** October 03, 2012, 08:39:45 PM »

Quote from: Wrongside on October 03, 2012, 02:24:27 PM

The MR packs are heavier than some. Eberlestocks aren't lightweights either though.

Eberlestock J107- 8pounds, 8ounces

MR Grizzly- 8pounds, 15ounces

Joe,

You should get a Stone Glacier, use it hard and report back here... I am very curious to see how these packs shake out.

Maybe we should take up a collection get a Stone Glacier, Kuiu, and a MR and I'll compare all three over the winter

Joe Fehr · « **Reply #10 on:** October 04, 2012, 08:24:18 PM »

I am thinking I will be ordering a Solo in the near future, I would like more feed back from end users tho so if anyone can put me in touch with someone who has used one that would be greatly appreciated.

Wrongside · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2012, 10:57:37 AM »

Quote from: Joe Fehr on October 03, 2012, 08:39:45 PM

Maybe we should take up a collection get a Stone Glacier, Kuiu, and a MR and I'll compare all three over the winter

You're a slippery one aren't ya?...

Wrongside · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2012, 10:58:43 AM »

Quote from: Joe Fehr on October 04, 2012, 08:24:18 PM

I am thinking I will be ordering a Solo in the near future, I would like more feed back from end users tho so if anyone can put me in touch with someone who has used one that would be greatly appreciated.

PM sent.

Dark Wing · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2012, 12:01:02 PM »

I bumped into a couple of guys out sheep hunting that were using MEC mountain ibex packs. They were packing heavy into their base camp, packs around 100lbs so the packs looked fairly durable and comfortable. Price wise they were running around $170.00 .

I use an old kifaru pack and am also looking for an upgrade next year.

sheepguide · « **Reply #14 on:** October 12, 2012, 03:56:03 PM »

Quote from: Joe Fehr on October 04, 2012, 08:24:18 PM

I am thinking I will be ordering a Solo in the near future, I would like more feed back from end users tho so if anyone can put me in touch with someone who has used one that would be greatly appreciated.

Hey Joe look up Mike Monnin at CaptivateM Outdoors out of Barrow Alaska. He has probably some of the most experience with these packs. He is a great guy to talk with(just received some Mont Bell clothing I ordered through him) and will give you the straight up on this pack. He just had a baby and is heading over seas on a sheep hunt right away so may be tough to contact him but he will be your best bet for info!

Here is the website, http://www.captivatemoutdoors.com or he is also on FB if you have that.

Joe Fehr · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2013, 01:32:03 AM »

Well I bit the bullet and ordered the Solo today. Got one hip pouch, spotting scope pocket and the dry bag for it also. It sure wasn't cheap but if I don't like it I'm sure the wife will bury me in it.

If it isn't big enough for my needs I'll strap on the Approach bag for another $260, should make sure the wife can hid my body well enough........

Joe Fehr · « **Reply #16 on:** February 16, 2013, 01:34:11 AM »

I did take another look at the MR Metcalf also, looks like they got the weight down on their packs quite a bit with that bag.

nube · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2013, 10:52:58 PM »

I have narrowed it down to the Timberline XTL top Kifaru and will order it in the next week or 2
http://www.kifaru.net/timberline.html
Light weight pack and all the pockets I need.
I found the eberlstock too heavy and I am not fond of the rifle holder.
I liked the Mystery ranch as well but I like the Timberline the best.

sheepguide · « **Reply #18 on:** February 27, 2013, 08:12:22 AM »

Looks like a decent pack Nube. I'll look forward to seeing how it works for double the price of my eberlestock.

sheepguide · « **Reply #19 on:** February 27, 2013, 08:24:02 AM »

Quote from: sheepguide on February 27, 2013, 08:12:22 AM

Looks like a decent pack Nube. I'll look forward to seeing how it works for double the price of my Eberlestock as I take it your getting the Timberline 1 pack and XTL top.