Stone Glacier, Kifaru or Exo?

[Elkwhisperer]

Any help in deciding which of these packs I should get? I am 5-8 147 29-30 waist with a normal arched back. I will hunt max of twice a year and will probably hike a few miles in to hunt, so i will be hauling Elk quarters for a few miles and feet in elevation.

 

[buglelk]

Elkwhisperer,


You have definitely picked the top 3packs (in my opinion). I don't think you will go wrong with any of those. I personally use the EXO, and I can't think of a better pack for me and the way I hunt. It is light and compact, but has all the features I need. The huge plus for me is that I can day hunt in it without any compromise, but I can also load 1/2 an elk in it and make it back to the truck (if I do my part in the off-season). The pack is bulletproof and extremely well thought-out and built. I would highly recommend the EXO. Again, either of the other two packs would be great choices as well, but my vote goes to EXO.


Just in case you aren't aware, Members of the University of Elk Hunting Online Course get a 10% discount on EXO...if you aren't a member already, that discount will just about pay for the course... 


http://www.elk101.com/product/university-of-elk-hunting-online-course/

 

[backcountry_hunter]

I bought a kifaru late last fall and it has definitely lived up to the hype. I was skeptical at first but I see now why there's so many kifaru kool-aid drinkers. No animals in it yet but just the training I've done with it it's high quality for sure and makes 90lbs about as comfortable as 90lbs can be.


You'll have a tough time finding anything wrong with any of the three you mentioned however.

 

[Elkwhisperer]

Elkwhisperer,


You have definitely picked the top 3 packs (in my opinion). I don't think you will go wrong with any of those. I personally use the EXO, and I can't think of a better pack for me and the way I hunt. It is light and compact, but has all the features I need. The huge plus for me is that I can day hunt in it without any compromise, but I can also load 1/2 an elk in it and make it back to the truck (if I do my part in the off-season). The pack is bulletproof and extremely well thought-out and built. I would highly recommend the EXO. Again, either of the other two packs would be great choices as well, but my vote goes to EXO.


Just in case you aren't aware, Members of the University of Elk Hunting Online Course get a 10% discount on EXO...if you aren't a member already, that discount will just about pay for the course... 


http://www.elk101.com/product/university-of-elk-hunting-online-course/

Thanks for your feedback.  It'd be awesome if I could try all three.  Maybe the packs fit best based on body types.  I see you like your Exo. Could you share your height, weight and back profile?

The discount is interesting except that I am studying for registration exams, so i wouldn't have any time for the Elk101 course right now. 

 

[montanaelk31]

I run kuiu. My hunting buddies run Exo and stone glacier. Exo gets my vote. Simple, quiet, lightweight. Load hauling pig when you need it. So is mine, so is the sg, Exo just a little better design IMHO. They are your size.

 

[Elkwhisperer]

I bought a kifaru late last fall and it has definitely lived up to the hype. I was skeptical at first but I see now why there's so many kifaru kool-aid drinkers. No animals in it yet but just the training I've done with it it's high quality for sure and makes 90lbs about as comfortable as 90lbs can be.


You'll have a tough time finding anything wrong with any of the three you mentioned however.

Thank you backcountry_hunter.  I feel the same. I am a bit skeptical because of all the hype. Could you share your height, weight, waist and back profile. Wondering if the build has anything to do with the pack preference.

 

[Elkwhisperer]

I run kuiu. My hunting buddies run Exo and stone glacier. Exo gets my vote. Simple, quiet, lightweight. Load hauling pig when you need it. So is mine, so is the sg, Exo just a little better design IMHO. They are your size.

Thank you for your feedback montanaelk31.  I am looking for straight on feedback like that.  I mostly hear SG or Kifaru, and then some Exo. I am interested in Exo because it seems to allow some mobility and might provide some useful pockets that the others don't make as accessible.  On the other hand Kifaru just gets so many good reviews.  However most of them are in Rokslide, and sometimes I feel like it might have to do with Aaron being part of the chat and part of Kifaru.  So it makes me skeptical of it. 

 

[montanaelk31]

I run kuiu. My hunting buddies run Exo and stone glacier. Exo gets my vote. Simple, quiet, lightweight. Load hauling pig when you need it. So is mine, so is the sg, Exo just a little better design IMHO. They are your size.

Thank you for your feedback montanaelk31.  I am looking for straight on feedback like that.  I mostly hear SG or Kifaru, and then some Exo. I am interested in Exo because it seems to allow some mobility and might provide some useful pockets that the others don't make as accessible.  On the other hand Kifaru just gets so many good reviews.  However most of them are in Rokslide, and sometimes I feel like it might have to do with Aaron being part of the chat and part of Kifaru.  So it makes me skeptical of it. 
[/quote]

Stone glacier and kuiu are neck and neck for sure. Really no difference between the two for the way I hunt.  EXO is a little quieter when drawing the bow with the pack on, seems more comfy, nice thick shoulder straps and such. Just a lot of thought went into it. I have no experience with kifaru but Aaron is a hardcore bivy guy where every ounce counts. I don't bivy much, my philosophy is kill them or run them off. No patience for bivying. I did sleep in a kifaru teepee this past season and it was super high quality. To be honest, I think you will do great with any of the packs your debating. Just make sure you get the right size, know how to fit it to yourself, and know how to get it to load sling config for pack outs. Good luck!

 

[Elkwhisperer]

I run kuiu. My hunting buddies run Exo and stone glacier. Exo gets my vote. Simple, quiet, lightweight. Load hauling pig when you need it. So is mine, so is the sg, Exo just a little better design IMHO. They are your size.

Thank you for your feedback montanaelk31.  I am looking for straight on feedback like that.  I mostly hear SG or Kifaru, and then some Exo. I am interested in Exo because it seems to allow some mobility and might provide some useful pockets that the others don't make as accessible.  On the other hand Kifaru just gets so many good reviews.  However most of them are in Rokslide, and sometimes I feel like it might have to do with Aaron being part of the chat and part of Kifaru.  So it makes me skeptical of it. 

Stone glacier and kuiu are neck and neck for sure. Really no difference between the two for the way I hunt.  EXO is a little quieter when drawing the bow with the pack on, seems more comfy, nice thick shoulder straps and such. Just a lot of thought went into it. I have no experience with kifaru but Aaron is a hardcore bivy guy where every ounce counts. I don't bivy much, my philosophy is kill them or run them off. No patience for bivying. I did sleep in a kifaru teepee this past season and it was super high quality. To be honest, I think you will do great with any of the packs your debating. Just make sure you get the right size, know how to fit it to yourself, and know how to get it to load sling config for pack outs. Good luck!

I am not as hardcore as Aaron,  but I do go out for miles and hundreds to thousands feet in elevation and every ounce counts.  Interestingly, Exo Frame is lighter than Kifaru but with bag they are about the same.

 

[tysond.hill@gmail.com]

Elkwhisperer,


I am also trying to buy a new pack and have the same questions.  I am lucky enough to live close to Kifaru and visited their store.  They have some awesome stuff...the quality is fantastic.  They had an 80lb sand bag hooked to a frame to let me try on and it didn't feel like 80lbs (keep in mind I only had it on for 5 minutes.)  It was as comfortable as 80lbs can be.  Overall, I was impressed with their stuff.  They are $$$ though.  My friend uses their system and loves it!  I am torn because the EXO seems really nice as well.  I may just order one of each and send back the one I end up not wanting.  I am 6'0" and have a 34" waste.  Kifaru recommended the 26" frame with a small belt (34" waste would be the cut off for the small/medium).  I am trying to decide between the EXO 5500 and the Kifaru Reckoning.  Both great packs so it makes the decision difficult.  It may come down to budget.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

Thank you backcountry_hunter.  I feel the same. I am a bit skeptical because of all the hype. Could you share your height, weight, waist and back profile. Wondering if the build has anything to do with the pack preference.

6'0, 175lbs.... 32" waist, somedays its a 31"...... I have packs from a Mystery Ranch & kuiu as well as others. The kifaru is better for what I'm doing. Universally you'll have a tough time finding someone that doesn't like their kifaru, they seem to fit everyone. The only complaint is the price tag. The kuiu pack is nice for when I really get into counting ounces (10+ days usually). MR's are bombproof but heavier....


I've been nothing short of amazed however at horn hunters full curl system either. It's a little on the heavy side but for the price point it is a fantastic pack.


Despite having kifaru I don't anticipate any of my packs collecting dust, I generally use different ones for different applications.

 

[Boom]

I have a Kifaru. I got caught up in the rabid following of kifaru from another forum. You hear things like: makes 50 lbs feel like 30....  I was yippee! Sold!  So I ordered the lastest offering.  The timberline with the brand new Bikini frame. After I got it, I was so shaky with the knife cutting open the big box. Pull the pack out,; yes it was light. Very light. But once the pixie dust settled, it was just a very good backpack. It had more attachment points for things like bows and fly rods. But it was just a pack. In an outdoorsy color.  All the extra things to make it hunt friendly I had to buy.  Grab-it, extra straps, extra pockets. After all said and done, I spent an embarrassing amount of money. But once fate smiles on me and I kill something, all that meat is going inside with all my gear.  Oh, I need to buy a kifaru meat bag!  I used that pack. Packed out some meat for friends. It was okay. 60 lbs felt exactly like 60 lbs.  no magic altering the laws of physics.


I wanted a meat shelf. So I got a mystery ranch metcalf. The meat shelf is gonna work. I put a big bag of rice in there and it held up. I now have options on loading my meat. If I have room it can go inside, if not. Meat shelf option!


You really load up that bikini frame and sometimes you feel a piece of gear poking you in the back from between the frame rails.  Usually, it's my campstove.  I know some guys used arrow shafts to buttress the frame to prevent this, but nah. I drop that kinda cash I'm not modding jack. The pack is now my Cadillac comfy backwoods trout-fishing pack. I use the grab it to hold a tiny cheap daypack for fishing days.  'Daypack mode" was an utter failure for me as well.  I love the pack for what it is.  Comfy, light, foliage color, etc. it just honestly didn't work for me as a hunt pack.