packs for gettin out game

[Stinky Coyote]

Originally Posted by Rackmastr

No doubt the Eberlestock is nice gear, but to say that its the same quality for half the price is a bit of a stretch. Its different quality and its different purpose IMO. Great company and great pack (I've owned one) although for certain guys who expect a level of performance in their pack, MR/Kifarue is that next step up.

I know i spend too much time researching this stuff but i know you spend even more....so you may have picked up something i haven't about eberlestock packs quality? from the big picture of years of reading up on it is right up there at the top of the food chain, Its not like the badlands with the splitting frame sheets under load etc. i'm not hearing about any common failures or problems etc. due to lower quality? Only comfort issues under big loads.

The differences are, and you pay for them of course, the MR/Kifaru's handle big loads more comfortably (design/frames etc.)....like you just said...better performance but i don't think this is the same as 'quality'....i guess my definition of quality is does it stand up, is it well built, tough and does what it was designed to do for long time which from all my research the eberlestocks do at top levels?

And for guys doing big loads all the time or have the flow to afford that stuff (which i do btw...and i generally do buy the most expensive stuff i can find) then more comfort is worth it. But for the less than super studs who don't do it quite as often etc. its hard to ignore the capability AND quality for the dollar of the j34. I just read into the original posters question and guessed that he was more in my category than the super pro stud dudes category and figured my opinion might help him out?

All personal opinions here,

is that ok?

so there are some good options out there for guys at all price points

there sure are




about once a year it seems that i forget that yours is longer than mine

[Rackmastr]

Originally Posted by Stinky Coyote

The differences are, and you pay for them of course, the MR/Kifaru's handle big loads more comfortably (design/frames etc.)....like you just said...better performance but i don't think this is the same as 'quality'....i guess my definition of quality is does it stand up, is it well built, tough and does what it was designed to do for long time which from all my research the eberlestocks do at top levels?

Yep...I agree with ya 100% on that. The Eberlestock packs I've owned have been great 'quality' and thats a bad use of the word to say quality is any different. Their BUILD is the big thing and their purpose is what sets them apart. Hauling heavy loads, as sheephunter also pointed out, is what sets a few packs apart and it becomes quite a different ballgame when looking at packs.

But yep...different strokes....depends on what type of hunting you're doing, physical capabilities, financial, body size, abilities, terrain, etc...

And no prob about the reminder, we both know we're guilty of it now and again on different occasions, heck I dont shoot a Blaser and I'm still feeling inadequate.....

[sheepguide]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Backpacking an elk out is a monumental task so it kind of comes down to how many trips you want to do it in. There are very few packs designed for loads in excess of 100 pounds .

this is a very good point as i blew up my Eberlestock this past fall with roughly 125lbs in it(full deboned stone sheep life size cape horns and day gear) so really watch what the strength of the pack is! Had to resort to my old pack that has outlasted 3 other packs and was also the cheapest.
SG

[Stinky Coyote]

Originally Posted by sheepguide

this is a very good point as i blew up my Eberlestock this past fall with roughly 125lbs in it(full deboned stone sheep life size cape horns and day gear) so really watch what the strength of the pack is! Had to resort to my old pack that has outlasted 3 other packs and was also the cheapest.
SG

of course the first time i hear of one blowing up comes right after i post lol

i know it was recommended to me to get the zip in panel for possible extra strength when really filling up the meat area as the netting might not be enough for super loads etc.....is this what happened to you by chance? could the zip in panel have helped out....thats a stout load you put on it forsure

[Stinky Coyote]

Originally Posted by Rackmastr

And no prob about the reminder, we both know we're guilty of it now and again on different occasions, heck I dont shoot a Blaser and I'm still feeling inadequate.....

hilarious you mention that, a lot of my gear positioning of late is to possibly get me inot one of those blaser r93's

Originally Posted by sheepguide

this is a very good point as i blew up my Eberlestock this past fall with roughly 125lbs in it(full deboned stone sheep life size cape horns and day gear) so really watch what the strength of the pack is! Had to resort to my old pack that has outlasted 3 other packs and was also the cheapest.
SG

Certainly pack construction is a factor but you start carrying 100+ pound loads day after day, it's not so much worrying about the stitching giving out but rather whether the suspension system is actually comfortable and stays comfortable under that stress, the pack fits you and is adjustable enough to continue fitting you and a host of other variables. You can throw a 100 pounds in vitually any pack and walk for a few hours but to find a pack that can handle those loads for multi-day trips is challenging. You look at some of the NWT backpack sheep guides and the incredible loads they pack for days on end and then you soon figure out that only a couple packs are really up to the task. It seems that most guys are using Mystery Ranch these days for that type of packing and those that aren't, are switching over. No doubt there are a few other packs that guys use but the Mystery Ranch is well known for it's ability to haul big loads for consecutive days. While Eberlestock is an awesome pack, it's not designed for that type of use.

[sheepguide]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Certainly pack construction is a factor but you start carrying 100+ pound loads day after day, it's not so much worrying about the stitching giving out but rather whether the suspension system is actually comfortable and stays comfortable under that stress, the pack fits you and is adjustable enough to continue fitting you and a host of other variables. You can throw a 100 pounds in vitually any pack and walk for a few hours but to find a pack that can handle those loads for multi-day trips is challenging. You look at some of the NWT backpack sheep guides and the incredible loads they pack for days on end and then you soon figure out that only a couple packs are really up to the task. It seems that most guys are using Mystery Ranch these days for that type of packing and those that aren't, are switching over. No doubt there are a few other packs that guys use but the Mystery Ranch is well known for it's ability to haul big loads for consecutive days. While Eberlestock is an awesome pack, it's not designed for that type of use.

actually my Eberlestock was very comfortable under the heavy loads. Just had some seams pull apart where straps attatched and the waist belt buckle let go. The shoulder harness held up and worked great.I carry alot of my weight on my hips so the waist belt to me is very important.

Just curiouse there TJ on how much you figure them NWT backpackers carry every day? What do you carry?
Not alot of guys out there that will(or can) carry an honest 100+lbs pack day in and day out.
SG

Originally Posted by sheepguide

actually my Eberlestock was very comfortable under the heavy loads. Just had some seams pull apart where straps attatched and the waist belt buckle let go. The shoulder harness held up and worked great.I carry alot of my weight on my hips so the waist belt to me is very important.

Just curiouse there TJ on how much you figure them NWT backpackers carry every day? What do you carry?
Not alot of guys out there that will(or can) carry an honest 100+lbs pack day in and day out.
SG

Going into camp and then moving throughout the country I'm 60-70 pounds .....coming out that can easily double. Backpack guides in the NWT and Yukon often end up carrying much more than their share if you know what I mean. Certainly 140 pound loads coming out are not that uncommon. Trips back to a strip or river can often be several days...at least that's what the numerous backpack guides that I know tell me.

[sheepguide]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Going into camp and then moving throughout the country I'm 60-70 pounds .....coming out that can easily double.

Had a good response here but im thinking it wasnt really polite. But just gunna say that I really wanna watch you pack 130-140lbs for a full ady TJ!
SG

Whatever Darcy........I know I'll never be the man you are but I do what I can.....ugh

[sheepguide]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Whatever Darcy........I know I'll never be the man you are but I do what I can.....ugh

Relax man, I never said you couldnt just that I wanted to watch.

[crazy_davey]

Double tap.

[crazy_davey]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Backpack guides in the NWT and Yukon often end up carrying much more than their share if you know what I mean. Certainly 140 pound loads coming out are not that uncommon. Trips back to a strip or river can often be several days...at least that's what the numerous backpack guides that I know tell me.

My father was a backpack guide in NWT and the Yukon for around 25 years. One thing he has told me numerous times is that lots of guys grossly over estimate their pack weights when packing out animals. You are right about trips to a river or strip can be many days. But there are not many average guys who can pack a "true" 140 pounds for two or three full days in a row. Remember, I said not many.

I know what my limit is when packing animals out by backpack and if it is any serious distance my limit is nowhere near 140 pounds. Last year when three of us packed out my sheep each of our packs were around 90-95 pounds not including rifles(I know as I weighed mine when we got back) we had 16 km's to go in one day from start to finish and the pack felt like 200 by the time we were done. I could do quite a bit more than that but I wouldn't be making it no 16 km's in a day in the mountains.

I know what my limit is when packing animals out by backpack and if it is any serious distance my limit is nowhere near 140 pounds. Last year when three of us packed out my sheep each of our packs were around 90-95 pounds not including rifles(I know as I weighed mine when we got back) we had 16 km's to go in one day from start to finish and the pack felt like 200 by the time we were done. I could do quite a bit more than that but I wouldn't be making it no 16 km's in a day in the mountains.

There's no question that big weight slows you down and decreases travel distance. As I mentioned earlier, 100 pounds is a huge load. Your body will definitely pay for those loads later in life.

You figure your packs were 95-pounds with three guys, it's not unreasonable to imagine a guide carrying 120-140 when a client is likely maxed at 80 pounds or less. I've packed out a couple sheep over the years, in addition to full camps with just two of us and there were definitely no races being won!

[crazy_davey]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

You figure your packs were 95-pounds with three guys, it's not unreasonable to imagine a guide carrying 120-140 when a client is likely maxed at 80 pounds or less. I've packed out a couple sheep over the years, in addition to full camps with just two of us and there were definitely no races being won!

I don't figure, I know (on the weight I mean). We did those 16km in about 5 1/2 hours and I was just about dead at the end.

You are right about what backpack hunting guides can carry on a hunt if they have to. As I said above my father was a backpack hunting guide for around 25 years. But those guys do that almost everyday for 3-5 months.

As I was saying most average backpack hunters could do no where near that, especially for a long period of time in the mountains. I have heard quite a few guys say they could though and I have also heard many guys carrying 70-90 pound packs saying that they were carrying 120-140.

Over the past twenty or so years I have also packed out my fair share of animals with full camps as well and you are right, no races being won on those trips either...

I don't figure, I know (on the weight I mean).

LOL...no, I meant you figure that into the weight......math like

[foothillsman]

Thanks guys, I'm going to look them over carefully. I'm particularly interested in the Rhino alum take down frame mentioned by Rackmastr.

While I'm at it, I should ask you guys how to get something as large as an elk into the trees quickly and easily as possible. The place that I am hunting has grizzlys and I want to keep the meat from being claimed. Usually I just bust my ass to get the meat out, but , I'm no longer a kid and this spot is a bit further back in rough country known to me as Misery Ridge.

One of the reasons that I want to make that first trip productive is that I usually hunt alone and I had a bad experience with a bear. So the less trips back to a kill sight for me is important.

One of the reasons that I want to make that first trip productive is that I usually hunt alone and I had a bad experience with a bear.

We had one of those ourselves this year. I'm glad we had our full-sized packs with us or we'd have got no meat at all.