What Alpine Backpack do you prefer?

[NIGHTHAWK]

What pack do you use in the mountains to hunt sheep, Ibex, goats, tahr, chamois?

How does it carry your rifle?

What do you like about it?

What have you added or changed?

 

[Landlock91]

For me, the pack I keep coming back to, the one that has blood, sweat, and a few tears on it, is the Kifaru Citadel with a Duplex frame.

 

[Josh P]

When I did a multi-week elk trip, it was a Kofaru Duplex frame with AMR bag. The ability to shift weight between hips and shoulders through elevation differentials was a huge deal. Yes, there is a weight penalty with some of the bags of this style, but I later put that setup through the ringer on various infantry training cycles and it never failed.

If doing it again, I would probably go with something lighter and pack way less. However, the prospect of packing out heavy makes it hard to move away from a durable, rigid, external frame bag.

 

[WAB]

I did a lot of serious packing when I lived in Alaska. For that heavy work I used a custom pack from Barney’s in Anchorage. IMO, there is not even a close second for hauling heavy loads out of the wilderness.

For lighter work, like humping hills for Coues, or the type of hunt you describe, I have two Eberlestock packs, the gunrunner and the one pack. If you’re boning and packing the critter out, the one pack is the way to go, if you have a guide who seconds as a mule, the gunrunner is fantastic. Rifles insert in an integral sleeve on these packs.

 

[Elkeater]

Been rocking a kuiu icon pro for years. Packed out many deer and elk. I use the Kuiu fast draw rifle holder on the side and I like it.

 

[Ray B]

My favorite is the EXO 4 frame. To which I attach a 2200; 3600, or 7200 bag. Depending if I'm hauling a camp into the mountains for a several day stay, a weekend, or a day hunt. They have a pouch and strap to hold a rifle either in a quick release side mount or a more secure but less available central location. In addition they are made in Idaho and the customer service is GREAT!!

 

[Nicaburns]

I switched last year to an initial ascent 5k and use their rifle carrier… the added pannier style meat carrier makes for an amazingly functional pack! I’ve only hauled an elk out with it so far but am impressed!

 

[ChuckIII]

My current pack of choice for everything including high mountain Mule deer is a Kifaru hoodlum. I like that my tripod goes on one side and spotter on the other. Quick access to my glassing system without having to get into any other pocket. I run a couple pockets down the back with needed items like headlamp, water filtration, med kit and the bag itself is simple with no unnecessary pockets.

 

[thinchliff]

Kuiu venture divide 3000. Big enough to fit everything in as a carryon, or short backpack overnight, like how tripod or rifle can be secured in center pass thru area.

 

[Wyfox]

I have ExoMountain K3 3200, Kifaru Hellbender with Ark frame, and Stone Glacier Kiowa 3200.

They all have their place, if I'm not packing in camp or packing out meat the Stone Glacier is my go to. The Exo has been my go to pack for the last 5-6 seasons and has done some heavy work, i have their rifle carrier attached to it. I have packed out 140lb Moose loads on the Exo. The Kifaru is fairly new and hasnt seen any real hard use yet but is a really nice pack. Its a simple design, easy to access the meat shelf for packouts.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Great topic, as I’ve been considering getting a new pack next year for my sheep hunt.

Presently I’m running a couple different Mystery Ranch packs depending on the hunt. Nice thing is I can use one frame and swap the pack. Love the load shelf. I’ve done an entire elk (bone-in), in the Gila with one other person on a single pack out. I typically don’t stow my rifles with these packs unless I’m tagged out.

1) Shorter 1-3 day hunts I’m using the Pintler
2) Longer 4-10 day hunts I’m using the Metcalf

I used to use an Eberlestock Gunslinger and Operator pack. I used both in the military and just kept using them because they were what “I had.
Both would work for a boned out animal however you’re putting bloody game bags in with your clothing and sleep system. They’re also not the greatest for packing a head and cape. I could make it work on a mule deer, but it was miserable trying to use it for a bull elk so I quickly went away from them.

 

[baxterb]

I dont hunt those animals, but I love my EXO K2 (with K3 belt). Those are great packs and guys - and they are about 2 miles from where i live. A proud Idhao company employing Idahoans to build amazing packs.

 

[Woodcarver]

I've been using a Badlands 2200 for 15+ years now, but only as a daypack. It carried a full body cape and head of my bighorn off the backside of Pikes Peak in 2012; est pack weight about 140#. If I were looking for a backpack to carry camp in, the Badlands MRK series is what I would get. The meat shelf is between the bag and the frame, putting the weight tighter to the body. IIRC, the large version is around 7000cu, more than adequate for a 10 day mountain hunt. Made in the USA with a no question lifetime warranty as well.

 

[Carcajou]

Hello, I have been using this backpack for several years. I can use my weapon in a matter of seconds. I don't pull it out by the barrel, but with my right hand by the pistol grip, which is easier and more effective because my right hand is already in position on the rifle.

 

[SaintPanzer]

I guess it depends on if you're talking about a day pack, or a longer trip pack.

That said, I really like my Vorn far more than I thought I would. I have the medium sized one, the smaller one may work as a better day pack in the mountains if you're not carrying much. Yes, it holds the rifle better than a sling would, leaving your hands free. Only thing resembling an issue I've ever had with mine is my preference for stützens and my torn rotator cuff sometimes makes the carry part more difficult than it needs to be, but that's on me.

QRR - VORN EQUIPMENT EN

vorn-equipment.com

edited to add: someone beat me on the Vorn by a couple of minutes. Great minds, etc., etc.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I’ve had several Kifaru (still have a Hoodlum but it’s mostly a back up) but have really only hunted Stone Glacier for backpack hunts since I got a Sky Guide back in 2017, then swapped over to a Terminus 7000, ran that two years and finally went with the bigger Terminus 8700, super comfortable and lighter than most.

 

[Uncontrolled_round_feed]

Great topic
I’ve owned: Exo K2 5500, Kifaru, Mystery Ranch Pintler, and just got a Stone Glacier Terminus 8700

My thoughts: EXO…best designed bag, hands down, I had some initial frustrations with the belt slipping when I packed out bison quarters in Alaska (heavy!) but I think it could have been user error. Handles elk fine. It wouldn’t be my pick if I was regularly schlepping moose but for an all around winner it probably wins.

Mystery Ranch: actually kind of loved this one for short day hikes … simple design, but felt duplicative so sold off. Can’t fully rate this one

Kifaru: best for packing heavy loads, but also kinda heavy itself…I use it less than I thought…bag designs (I’ve had a couple, currently the Reckoning) seem childish compared to the well thought out EXO

SG Terminus: new guy, bought to shave off a little weight…should be great for ultimate deep backcountry week+ trips. Not a utility player as you can’t pack quarters out with it (need to bone out in field).

Regarding carrying rifle, mine is usually in one hand, trekking pole in the other.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I did a lot of serious packing when I lived in Alaska. For that heavy work I used a custom pack from Barney’s in Anchorage. IMO, there is not even a close second for hauling heavy loads out of the wilderness.

For lighter work, like humping hills for Coues, or the type of hunt you describe, I have two Eberlestock packs, the gunrunner and the one pack. If you’re boning and packing the critter out, the one pack is the way to go, if you have a guide who seconds as a mule, the gunrunner is fantastic. Rifles insert in an integral sleeve on these packs.

Big +1 on the Barneys pack. 20 years later and there still has not been a measurable second place pack by another company that I have found.

 

[BJH65]

Mystery Ranch Marshall backpack used for BC mountain goat and Bob Marshall Wilderness elk hunts.

Rifle very secure when strapped to pack but when traversing through thick deadfall’s with overhead branches, my 26 inch barrel rifle was catching on branches so I carried my rifle by hand in that type of terrain.

Excellent for heavy loads and I think one of the best internal frame backpacks which I prefer over external frame backpacks for overall comfort.

 

[Legion]

After going through more packs than I care to admit, I landed on the Kifaru Citadel with a Duplex frame. I know, I know. Kifaru is the cool kid on the block. But there's a reason for that. The frame is bombproof, the load transfer to your hips is ridiculous, and the modularity means I can run a smaller day pack or a full-on expedition load with the same frame.