Is cost an issue for you? I love my stone glacier pack. But it is ridiculously expensive.

 

Yep I went to a Stone Glacier pack 12yrs ago and love it. I’ve owned various packs in my lifetime and the Stone Glacier has been the best. I live out west and like a pack that you can pack out meat from the kill site especially elk. Yes they are pricey but imo well worth the money.

 

I would like one under $225

 

I think it will be a tall order to find the pack you are looking for at that price point these days.

Best bet in my opinion would be looking for a used Exo or Kifaru in their tallest frames (24-26in). They will be well built, light, versatile, and relatively comfortable packing your max 75lbs. They have a variety of bags that will work in your 3000cu in range and if you decide to go on a longer overnight or multi day excursion you can get a larger bag to do that as well, all on the same frame.

 

I think it will be a tall order to find the pack you are looking for at that price point these days.

Best bet in my opinion would be looking for a used Exo or Kifaru in their tallest frames (24-26in). T

+1 because they compress so flat if you aren't using the whole pack, they carry large amounts of meat better and are so light why fight for a smaller pack?

I have the EXO K4 3600 and it gets plenty small if you take off the lid and strap it down....but I can pack out of it for 5+ days as well...........one pack for everything. IMHO you are going to have a hard time finding a small day pack that'll carry 75 pounds of meat comfortably if at all.

 

Can you clarify what you mean by “internal soft frame”? 75 pounds and I would definitely want a frame/load lifting capability (but I’m half your size, so that may not be a problem for you.) Also, do you want to put your meat in the bag, or have a load shelf and separate bag?
Fwiw, I use a stone glacier avail on their x curve frame, and it sounds like our uses are similar (day load out, water, emergency stuff and extra clothing). That bag is a little over 2000ci, and it’s pretty full-no way could I fit more than a grouse in there.
Have you tried mystery ranch? (my local sportsman’s warehouse carries them)-their packs come up on camofire for 40% off sometimes, you may be able to pick one up around your budget.

 

Kuiu is having a %40 off sale this weekend, worth checking out

 

Buy once , cry once , Kifaru.
excellent products, great customer service.
made in the USA.

 

I went with mystery ranch pop up and added the side pockets and a few other molle attachments to my liking. Not stone glacier or kifaru fit or light but price wise with an expandable frame and meat hauling ability it’s perfect for me and my style of lightweight spike and bivy hunting elk.

 

The packs mentioned so far are very good. But for what you described you might want to check out the Badlands 2200. It's got just about everything you are looking for, except the price is higher than you want.

 

Get a good used pack....Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, Kifaru, or a new one that will do the job like Horn Hunter or an Eberlestock, both of which are VERY under rated.....keep an eye on the classifieds here on AT.

 

Kifaru Stryker XL would fit the bill for you. God sized day pack with options to expand... The easiest and most intuitive meat shelf/load bearing system Ive seen. Id say StoneGlacier and Kifaru are probably the top of the tops when looking at packs. After that, EXO. Eberlestock, kuiu, Mystery Ranch have to be mentioned as well. Im sure Im missing a couple other good options..

For $225, you just will not get what you are looking for in 2024. Prices for quality items have gone WAY UP

 

Mystery Ranch Pintler may work great, cost a bit more than you want but you can change bags to a larger one down the road if needed. Frames are solid and proven, not the lightest you can find but very durable and versatile. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

I personally have been using a kelty pack for the last 12 years, its not dead yet. IDK how well it would do for elk but i do routinely use it on back country hikes/hunting trips and find its good. the external frame is great for tying off to.

 

Ebelestock definitely flys under the radar. Quality stuff. They have sales on the regular, and quite a few options.

 

Find an older model used Exo and you'll be very happy!

 

Find an older model used Exo and you'll be very happy!

I expect Ill need to get purchase a used pack,

Can you clarify what you mean by “internal soft frame”? 75 pounds and I would definitely want a frame/load lifting capability (but I’m half your size, so that may not be a problem for you.) Also, do you want to put your meat in the bag, or have a load shelf and separate bag?
Have you tried Mystery Ranch? (my local sportsman’s warehouse carries them)-their packs come up on camofire for 40% off sometimes, you may be able to pick one up around your budget.

My last pack did not have a solid frame, plastic or aluminum. My general backpacking Teton hiking pack fits me great. Its the only pack that had fit me right.

I will only be using this pack day hunting,, or an emergency overnighter. But I cantan imagine an overnighter. My biggest day the past few years is 2000 feet up and down and 7 miles. But my typical in deep day is about 1/2,,, I just can't do much more Severe neuropathy
I also have some pretty good Packers,,, My daughter, her boyfriend and Bud,, a Clydesdale cross.

Buy once , cry once , Kifaru.
excellent products, great customer service.
made in the USA.

I know I know,,, but my wife and I got hit hard with Bidennomics

 

Take a look at the kuiu divide 3000 and stone glacier Kiowa 3200 (the kuiu is close to your budget new). Badlands may have something that would work for you as well-my buddies have been using their badlands for years and really like em.

It sounds like you’re pretty well covered for packing meat, and given your distances I think you could get away with a “non hauling” pack.

Given how we’ve been “46’ed” these last few years and the outrageous inflation, I’d strongly encourage you to look for a higher end, used pack. If you keep an eye on various classifieds/facebook pages I bet you’ll find something well before the season. *and if it doesn’t work you won’t take it in the shorts so bad on resale. I got my stone glacier frame for about 40% of what a new one would cost on rokslide.

If it’s in the cards for you, maybe make a trip to a store with a good selection of hunting packs-try everything on and at least you’ll have an idea of what may fit you (time and fuel well invested to be sure).

 

I think you could get away with a “non hauling” pack.

Given how we’ve been “46’ed” these last few years and the outrageous inflation, I’d strongly encourage you to look for a higher end, used pack. If you keep an eye on various classifieds/facebook pages I bet you’ll find something well before the season. *and if it doesn’t work you won’t take it in the shorts so bad on resale. I got my stone glacier frame for about 40% of what a new one would cost on rokslide.

If it’s in the cards for you, maybe make a trip to a store with a good selection of hunting packs-try everything on and at least you’ll have an idea of what may fit you (time and fuel well invested to be sure).

Our local and regional Sportsmans and Cabelas did not have anything that fit decent.
My daughter worked at Sportsman the people at Teton got me a great pack That fit me perfectly My old hunting pack was pretty good .


Ive been looking for a pack on FB marketplace and KSL I havent found anything that fits

And yeah I want to get out of packing too much meat at one time

 

😂 😂
Spoke to a big guy at the airport.
Found the pack I want , but is $450 beyond my budget

 

😂 😂
Spoke to a big guy at the airport.
Found the pack I want , but is $450 beyond my budget

What is it? If you found something you want, that’s gonna be in the back of you mind and I know buyers remorse can be a heavy burden as you’re hiking haha.

But really, the brand/size/configuration is valuable data-you can try to narrow your search to very similar options (that are more in your price range).

 

For the price you're probably not going to beat a the previous year model Mystery Ranch.

 

For that price range the horn hunter full curl would be my only personal consideration. I’m an Idaho resident as well we have a plethora of great pack companies here but could have to double the budget at minimum to get into one of those packs. I love my SG solo but my next pack will be either blacks creek or intial ascent both great local companies

 

I've seen good packs on sale online at Mountain Archery in Idaho. Any chance you can take a drive there and check out packs for yourself? It appears they offer several brands to look at.

At the advice of other people, I picked up a new Mystery Ranch pop-up 38 on a close-out sale late last year for under $200. I like the fit and quality, but have yet to try it out. I did add a couple side pouches and holster to the hip belt to better fit my needs.

 

After 17 years my pack is dead, ripping out straps, zippers are shot, and broken buckles.
I'm retired, 6,2, 270 lbs, often solo archery elk hunting. I haven't found a pack that fits me, our regional Cabelas( poor selection) or Sportsman's warehouse.
I need more than a small day pack, but not something too big. I'm thinking around 3000 cubic inches. I want an internal soft frame.
I ill be using the pack for a full day's hunt, and with a kill I may pack out up to 75 lbs . I don't want a large multiday type pack, I do bring emergency overnight and appropriate first aid, kill kit the day's food, but more than anything enough room to put away clothes used in the early hours of a hunt. Some days Ill stand hunt and pack in bibs and heavy jackets.
I would like hip pockets, eyeglasses storage, and -hydration storage, well-padded hip and shoulder straps. I often hunt with the pack on..
I don't need a rain cover or a gazillion pockets and storage inside storage pockets.

We are about the same size but you have a few pounds on me.
Key is fit as you know…and getting something 6# or under pack weight.

The Yoke is the key measurement. I’m 6’3” but have a longer torso so hard to fit. Measure your back dimension- yoke when you talk to these folks.
I like my long EXO, fits like my old McHale custom Though it doesnt have pockets everywhere- just enough for me.

EXO, MysteryRanch, SG, Seek outside and Kifaru maybe KUIU all have good packs that should work for you…find an outfit that will let yo7 try before you buy. Gotta try these with some weight in them to know. 👍🏼

.

 

Well I'm in the market for a SG Kiowa 3200.

Part of my past hesitation on soo many things,,, I wasn't planning on reaching 66 years old, and didnt want my wife to deal with trying to recoup some money on many of my outdoor hobby items after I kick the bucket., I had always made do, shopping for bargains.
I told my wife if I don't spend it the feds will take it