Thread: The big wide world of load shelf packs

Sounds like you have your needs pretty dialed. Well done.

The great thing with a meat shelf is you can get away with a "smaller" main pack. I've got the Exo K3200 (previous generation) which is 3200 cubic inches = 52 litres, with lid about 58 litres. If you have some discipline around keeping weight and bulk down, this is more than enough for longer trips. If I'm on a roar trip, I'll utilise the meat shelf to carry food in if really pushing it. The American packs are pretty awesome, and you get what you pay for. Having seen a few of the local versions - be wary about the quality of construction, actual weight and strap quality.

I like the Exo as it has a simple, streamlined, elegant design - main bag, with stretch front panel and side panels (to carry spotting scopes, tent poles, rifle if you want, tripod etc). If you pack the meat shelf correctly - wedge the meat, ideally in a rectangular game bag) and synch up, what you will find with most of these packs is that they will carry heavy weight extremely well and close to your back. Way better than at the bottom of a traditional pack. The meat does vent well, being between the pack and the pack bag. Get high quality meat bags that breath and job done. I can carry 1-2 boned out reds (yearlings/hinds)... the downside being it is sometimes a little too tempting to carry more (just ask the Physio).

Try and test some packs with locals from your area if they have them. You really want the pack to fit your body well. Have a look at the layout, the straps, extra compartments, thickness of cordura (some of the Gucci Kuiu ultralight packs achieve this by using lighter grade cordura) and how it actually carries with say 20kg of rice on the frame. Of note, carbon frame does not equal better. Some of the American packs are way too complicated for what they are. Stone Glacier and Exo are well worth looking at. Initial Ascent look like they are modeled on the Exo to be honest, but have what looks like a much larger capacity pack frame - not quite sure why you'd need that to be honest though.

One last thing I will say, having absolutely used and abused my pack for 5 years (tops and bush hunting)... American manufacturer's view of "lifetime" warranty is probably not the same as ours. I'm guessing given their propensity to have a few hunts a year during hunting season (and buy new bags the next, just sayn') they are probably not going to do the volume or cause the level of violence that we might our packs as regular hunters. I've found Exo to be excellent in honouring warranty commitments. But I've also had to repair the odd minor thing (my bad) locally. It's just too expensive to send back to the States.