Tenzing CF13 Carbon Fiber pack - review

[buglelk]

There's definitely been some controversy over the price of this pack since it came out at the ATA show this spring. I realize it's certainly not for everyone, but based on how many we've sold at Elk101.com in the past 2 weeks, the Tenzing CF13 has captured a lot of attention for sure.

We shot a detailed video review of the pack a couple weeks ago, and I wanted to post it here and get your guys' thoughts on the pack. Would you pay $699 for a pack like this? I know $900 bows have become the norm, but do you have a limit on packs?

Give us some feedback...
[youtube]http://youtu.be/l0dq5sK4rfs[/youtube]

 

[Septemberluvr]

Well, I guess if I were a single guy I could see myself splurging on a pack like this and most likely would. I am certainly all for anything that will be extremely functional and reduce my overall pack weight. But given the fact that I am NOT a single guy and I have two teenagers who 20 dollar me to death, I'll have to stick with my Badlands 4500. Maybe in a few years after I get them through college and out on their own!! 

 

[sumnerhorses]

I would definitely save up to buy a pack in that price range, but I would have to try it out first before I ever bought it. That is a lot of money to spend and not know what I am getting beforehand. I definitely would love to try on this pack as well as a few others that have just been released.

 

[kevinellson]

I agree with sumnerhorses. The problem is that I don't know of anywhere that will let you try the pack out for a couple days. Walking around in a store is okay, but wearing in the woods is a different matter.

 

[Bullhunter]

Great looking pack. Still a tad expensive but you pay what you get for.

 

[MTbowhunter1984]

Knowing Tenzing it's well worth the price.  It's hard to find a frame pack that's lightweight and let alone pack out what it is said to pack out.  I have packed out a hind quarter on the bone tied to by pack, not a frame pack, just a day pack and the very next year I bought an Alaskan frame pack from Cabelas.  The only saving grace with my day pack is that we were only 3/4 mi. from the pickup.  The next year I helped pack out my cow and a cow my brother shot.  What a difference.  I have not had any hands on experience with this pack, but I would say it looks and sounds like the real deal and the price tag is more than reasonable.  Having a good frame pack with any animal is invaluable.  The more you can pack means faster trips and a better chance of saving your meat depending on how far you have to go along with all of the other factors that go along with that.

 

[kevinellson]

You're right MT bowhunter about Tenzing making a good product. I just bought the 2200 and so far I'm really impressed. I already have an Alaskan guide frame pack though so I'm not sure I can justify getting a new frame pack. Problem is though that the Alaskan Guide pack is pretty heavy...but I want new compact binos too!

 

[BowElkStalker]

Looks good and I am in the hunt for another pack.  I have a BL pack but only a day pack.  Looking at the Tenzing 6000. 

 

[Cue772]

At first I said no.. I would not pay $699 for a pack.

But.. I have a kifaru pack on my radar so I guess that isnt true. I would have to try out the Carbon Fiber pack to know if I would pay that much for this one. I still say those load lifters look awful flat.

 

[buglelk]

Cue,


I agree the load lifters aren't at a 45 degree angle, but I have 2 experiences with the pack that make me think it's not a very big deal (aside from the engineering that supports it being a minimal difference)...


#1, I shot the bow with 180 pounds loaded in the pack. I tried with 2 other packs and couldn't draw my bow due to the weight being carried on my shoulders. With the CF13, it wasn't an issue. The weight was effectively transferred to my waist belt (which, BTW, is one of the nicest waist belts I've ever had on a pack).


#2, I carried 70 pounds around in the CF13 last weekend with a severe sunburn on my shoulders, and although any pressure on the shoulders was painful, I didn't have any discomfort carrying the pack. In fact, it was more painful with the pack empty and the straps loose as it moved around more and caused some discomfort...


Comparing one pack with a 45 degree load lifter to another pack without is definitely an apples to oranges comparison. I do agree that the same pack with a higher angled load lifter will be more comfortable than one with a lower angle, but there is a lot more going on with load transfers in packs than just the load lifters. I have played with just about every pack out there (with the exception of Kifaru, which is a great pack), and regardless of load lifter angle, the CF13 carries a heavy load better than any other similar capacity pack I've ever used. With the lower frame height, it also allows me to bust brush and hunt with the pack on, something that is much more difficult with a taller pack with the stepper load lifter angle.

 

[Cue772]

Thats the best feedback I have received yet, and valid points.

I may put too much emphasis on the lifters, I have not tried as many packs but the ones that have served me best have had the lifters at high angles.

Thanks for the input.. I am more curious about this pack.

 

[decoste77]

That pack looks fully functional I use the Outdoorsmans Optics pack and at the time it was by-far the best pack out there only down fall comparison is weight and price I love my Outdoorsman, I've packed 3 elk so far and it supports the weight and comfort for the price.