What Alpine Backpack do you prefer?

[Mtn_Infantry]

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.

Let us know what you think on the Terminus. Both it and the Exo are the two packs I keep going back and forth on. If I was doing a moose hunt instead of a sheep hunt I’d be looking harder at the Barney’s pack

 

[Olivier]

The Blaser Ultimate Expedition for Chamois Hunting (2-3 days in the wild)
https://store.blaser.de/fr/Blaser-Ultimate-Expedition-Rucksack