Starting to think about gear for my upcoming NM elk hunt and obviously one of the big ones is a good backpack.

The Eberlestock Team Elk backpack looks like a very solid option for the price at $350. I'm planning on mostly day hunting with the potential of possibly an overnight bivy at the most. Not really planning on being away from the truck for several days, so I imagine I don't need one of the larger packs. Really need a pack to carry my gear for a day trip with the ability to pack a critter out. I'm not really looking to buy two packs, so would prefer a dual purpose set up.

Is there anything other than the Eberlestock that I should give consideration to? I'd like to keep the pack at $500 or less. I did look at some Mystery Ranch packs in that price range today at Scheel's, but are they worth the higher price tag over the Team Elk?

Player To Be Named Later said:

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Starting to think about gear for my upcoming NM elk hunt and obviously one of the big ones is a good backpack.

The Eberlestock Team Elk backpack looks like a very solid option for the price at $350. I'm planning on mostly day hunting with the potential of possibly an overnight bivy at the most. Not really planning on being away from the truck for several days, so I imagine I don't need one of the larger packs. Really need a pack to carry my gear for a day trip with the ability to pack a critter out. I'm not really looking to buy two packs, so would prefer a dual purpose set up.

Is there anything other than the Eberlestock that I should give consideration to? I'd like to keep the pack at $500 or less. I did look at some Mystery Ranch packs in that price range today at Scheel's, but are they worth the higher price tag over the Team Elk?

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The Mystery Ranch popup is in that same price range I believe and they consider it a "day pack" with meat hauling capabilities.

I have EXO , it is a great pack, can be used as day pack and haul meat out. I really like it and used it to haul out 2 elk in 2018.

OP - I've used Eberlestock (Dragonfly and X1) with success. Sent you an email with more info.

"Redman"

The basics are covered..... Carry on

I have the Mystery Ranch popup pack and love it. I've only used it on a couple of public land whitetail hunts in texas though. Works great for hauling my treestand, sticks and other stuff. Unfortunately I have not had a chance to test the meat hauling capabilities.

KUIU Pro 2300 or 3600? I was looking for a better daypack setup than my Superday as I found it too large with no hauling capability. We typically hunt close to buggy's on private land so no large pack necessary, but sometimes packing out is required based on location of kill. The Superday ended up just being too large for what I needed, and it has no hauling capability. A buddies KUIU 1800 was perfect daypack size but lacks a frame. I settled on a KUIU 1850 kit for this year. We'll see how it works.

Also, check out the KUIU Facebook groups and Rokslide for great second hand deals. Some people have brand new kits for sale cheaper than retail.

AV8ORAG84 said:

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I have EXO , it is a great pack, can be used as day pack and haul meat out. I really like it and used it to haul out 2 elk in 2018.

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I have exo K2 - great pack with a lot of good hunting features but it is pricey compared to the pack you are looking at.($550)can't discuss how well it handles elk quarters yet - still working on that

Kuiu pro 1800 with load sling

AgDad121619 said:

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AV8ORAG84 said:

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I have EXO , it is a great pack, can be used as day pack and haul meat out. I really like it and used it to haul out 2 elk in 2018.

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I have exo K2 - great pack with a lot of good hunting features but it is pricey compared to the pack you are looking at.($550)can't discuss how well it handles elk quarters yet - still working on that

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Can confirm Exo handles elk (and mule deer) quarters very very well. I've packed out 3 elk and 2 deer so far.

I have the K2 frame with the 2200 and 5500 bags. I swap bags depending on the type of hunt. I know it's over OPs budget, and I guess I wouldn't suggest it unless you thought you'd be hunting/using it for several years... but it's one of the top 3 pieces of hunting gear I've ever spent money on.

slammerag said:

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Kuiu pro 1800 with load sling

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Is it now the 1850? That's all I see up on their website

Same. Old version was 1800. Need the frame and suspension

Eberlestock Elk pack is very uncomfortable. Sold it after one hunt.

I have been satisfied with a Mystery Ranch Marshall. I now have a Stone Glacier that I love. It is the most comfortable pack I've ever used. Other options are Kifaru and Exo.

You are better off buying a used high end pack then a new low end pack. They may feel comfortable but when they are under 60-100lbs of weight the low end backs are miserable. You get what you pay for here.

Kifaru.

I bought a pack for the exact scenario you're describing. Stryker XL. Get you a couple belt pouches or the sherman pocket or organizer pocket to put on the webbing and add easy-access exterior storage.

Very well designed gear with tons of versatility. You can buy the "camp bag" in the event you need to tote extra gear for an overnighter, and you can put that in the meat shelf then, just know you'll likely be making an extra trip out if you have an animal down and need to get back to the truck. I also bought the 44 mag pack which would allow ample space in the pack itself for all your camp gear and then has a meat shelf for you to be able to haul a front quarter or horns on your first trip out.

https://kifaru.net/store/packs/day-packs/kifaru-stryker-xl-hauler-daypack/

That link is to just the pack so make sure you buy the frame too. Duplex Lite is what I bought for mine and I love it.

NFXAg09 said:

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Kifaru.

I bought a pack for the exact scenario you're describing. Stryker XL. Get you a couple belt pouches or the sherman pocket or organizer pocket to put on the webbing and add easy-access exterior storage.

Very well designed gear with tons of versatility. You can buy the "camp bag" in the event you need to tote extra gear for an overnighter, and you can put that in the meat shelf then, just know you'll likely be making an extra trip out if you have an animal down and need to get back to the truck. I also bought the 44 mag pack which would allow ample space in the pack itself for all your camp gear and then has a meat shelf for you to be able to haul a front quarter or horns on your first trip out.

https://kifaru.net/store/packs/day-packs/kifaru-stryker-xl-hauler-daypack/

That link is to just the pack so make sure you buy the frame too. Duplex Lite is what I bought for mine and I love it.

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I have An older kifaru, it's a great pack!

This is one of those things that will always have multiple opinions on what is best. I have a Kifaru that I've done 4 years worth of week long backpack hunts out of. Finally packed an elk with it last year. I love it, but I don't have any experience with Exo or SG packs to compare. I will say from what I know the Kifaru packs have a much wider range of pack options and configurations (multiple main bags and attachment pouch options). The higher end packs will definitely be more expensive, but for hauling weight they are worth every penny for me. For what you're saying I'd look at the Kifaru day pack styles or the Exo 4800. You can also find some pretty solid deals on packs on the Rokslide classifieds if you watch it daily and are patient.

JeremiahJohnson said:

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Eberlestock Elk pack is very uncomfortable. Sold it after one hunt.

I have been satisfied with a Mystery Ranch Marshall. I now have a Stone Glacier that I love. It is the most comfortable pack I've ever used. Other options are Kifaru and Exo.

You are better off buying a used high end pack then a new low end pack. They may feel comfortable but when they are under 60-100lbs of weight the low end backs are miserable. You get what you pay for here.

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The Mystery Ranch packs are very intriguing to me at the moment. Just learned I can get a fairly substantial discount on them. The pricing will be great, but need to make sure they'd be comfortable or it won't matter how good the price was.

Player To Be Named Later said:

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JeremiahJohnson said:

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Eberlestock Elk pack is very uncomfortable. Sold it after one hunt.

I have been satisfied with a Mystery Ranch Marshall. I now have a Stone Glacier that I love. It is the most comfortable pack I've ever used. Other options are Kifaru and Exo.

You are better off buying a used high end pack then a new low end pack. They may feel comfortable but when they are under 60-100lbs of weight the low end backs are miserable. You get what you pay for here.

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The Mystery Ranch packs are very intriguing to me at the moment. Just learned I can get a fairly substantial discount on them. The pricing will be great, but need to make sure they'd be comfortable or it won't matter how good the price was.

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Mystery Ranch are a high quality pack. I also have that discount. You will like it.

I ran a Mystery Ranch Sawtooth 45 the last two years in basically the same situation as you. Day hunts with the chance to overnight a max of 1-2 days. While we didn't end up doing anything other than day hunts the Sawtooth was perfect. My buddy ran the Popup 28 and in my opinion the frame was a bit of a let down. We made 3 different trips hauling meat 4-5 miles each time and he really suffered when loaded down. That was just with mule deer as well. I would strongly recommend looking at one of their packs on the Guide Light MT frame if you do go the way of Mystery Ranch. Bags are interchangeable on the frame, so this year I will be using the Beartooth 80 with the intention of being out 5-6 days.

JeremiahJohnson said:

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Player To Be Named Later said:

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JeremiahJohnson said:

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Eberlestock Elk pack is very uncomfortable. Sold it after one hunt.

I have been satisfied with a Mystery Ranch Marshall. I now have a Stone Glacier that I love. It is the most comfortable pack I've ever used. Other options are Kifaru and Exo.

You are better off buying a used high end pack then a new low end pack. They may feel comfortable but when they are under 60-100lbs of weight the low end backs are miserable. You get what you pay for here.

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The Mystery Ranch packs are very intriguing to me at the moment. Just learned I can get a fairly substantial discount on them. The pricing will be great, but need to make sure they'd be comfortable or it won't matter how good the price was.

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Mystery Ranch are a high quality pack. I also have that discount. You will like it.

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What discount are you guys talking about? Law enforcement?

Just curious.

First Responder/Military

I have used the Alps OutdoorZ packs for 7 years now, and love them. I primarily use my Commander-X, because of it's versatility on multi-day hunt. But I also just pop the bag off, and use the frame for meat hauling very regularly. It is more comfortable than any external frame pack I have hauled meat on. I haul way more than my fair share of meat annually, and have put extremely heavy loads on my Commander-X in some exceptionally remote and rugged terrain. It is very adjustable, so you can dial it in and get it very comfortable.

For your purposes, you might even look at the Hybrid X pack, if you are really looking for a smaller pack that can still haul heavy loads. Their packs are well within your budget, and have exceptional quality and value. Customer service was A++ the one time I had to contact them with a small issue, and shipped me a brand new frame without hassle. So now I have 2 frame packs!

https://www.alpsbrands.com/alpsoutdoorz/products/extreme

I'm not a first responder but have an outfitter company and they gave me the discount too.

That discount is actually meant for industry professionals / guides, but they recently extended it to military and first responders it looks like.

Have had EXO & Mystery Ranch sold them for a Kifaru. Hands down the best pack made along with

Had an Eberlestock and used for one season and sold it. Couldn't get it comfortable. Wouldn't recommend.

Bought and Exo and worth every penny.Have a buddies with kifaru, stone glacier, seek outside packs and they seem great as well. Got my dad a mystery ranch pop up, seems great for him but may be a little rough if loaded up to the max packing out (not an issue for my dad since I'm the pack mule)....rokslide classified for deals on used packs

I have run Kifaru, Stone Glacier and Exo over the past few years. I have also packed with a friends mystery ranch metcalf. All make good packs. I will say if you are weight conscious, the Kifaru and MR tend to run a couple pounds heavier than the SG and Exo.

other good options are Seek Outside, Kuiu and Sitka for upper end backpacks.

As far as comfort goes, that is purely subjective to the user. The EXO K3 frame and SG x-curve frames fit me better than the MR and Kifaru frames, which lends those packs to being more comfortable when carrying heavy loads FOR ME. I probably could have spent more time (i.e. $$$) changing the stays on the Kifaru to make it fit me better, but I didn't like the idea of having to hunt from frame stays.

I sold the SG Sky Talus 6900 I had for the EXO last year. Both frames fit me like a glove, but I preferred the Bag layout of the Exo more than the SG, with more external pockets for organization.

Ultimately shop them all, and if possible buy 2-3 on a CC and test them for a week. The top end manufacturers allow for a 30-day no questions asked return. Put weight in them and go for a 2-mile walk to see how the carry heavy, awkward loads. See how the systems fatigue different parts of your body. Afterwards, return the ones that dont fit you as well, and keep the best of the bunch!

If you really want to go down the research rabbit hole before buying, visit the rokslide forum, and dig into the backpacks subforum.

Get an EXO and be done with it. Buy once cry once.

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