The big wide world of load shelf packs

Gidday everyone,

After a year or so of hunting I am looking at buying myself a flash pack. I use a fourth or fifth hand Karrimor Jaguar IV which appears to be of Falklands War vintage and it has served me well on trips in the 2-5 day range. It's a big, tough bit of kit and incredibly hard wearing - it will probably outlast me. There are some things I don't like about it through accumulated experience:

- One compartment can be a pain to access
- I can't figure out how to use the side pockets effectively (i.e they're a bit shallow for the gear I'd like to put in there with a full pack but don't cinch down enough to put smaller things in them)
- Difficult to tie things out on it, especially meat
- Limited flexibility (tough fabric but no give/adjustability)
- For me, it's not that comfortable for heavy loads or really long walks (a fit issue, but would be good to get something new that I know is my size)

I would like to get something in the 40-60L range which has an extendable load shelf which will cover 80% of the hunting I will do, and if I want I can get another bag to fit on the same frame. Ideally it would also cinch down to daypack size/or could run just a frame and large drybag for that purpose.

I know Kuiu, Stone Glacier, Mystery Ranch, Tatonka & Spika all have options in different price points (and probably heaps more I haven't mentioned). Everyone's a partisan but I'd like to hear about any experiences or recommendations or things you wish you had bought at the time. I am looking at getting a Kuiu tent at the moment & the packs have good reviews on here, but I don't mind shopping around. In an ideal world I would also try something on for size and fit but a lot of these are not stocked locally so advice is welcome.

Also if anyone is flicking anything that suits second hand let me know :thumbsup:

Cheers and happy hunting

I run a Exo K4 and find it amazing, I have not used the load shelf yet just packed meat in the bag but the way it carries is amazing.

There is also initial ascent that BC that a few have and love.

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 :oh noes: 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.

I have a Stone Glacier X-Curve with the 7900 bag. I got it in and the set the KUIU Icon Pro 7200 system I had aside for "just in cases", eventually selling it.
Mates in the states have had issues with the Exo K3s and K4s for heavy load hauling compared to the SGs and end up replacing them (it is an easier process over there).
Like boots, packs are very subjective to your body type, what works for some won't work for others.

Can't rate the SG gear high enough. Will last my lifetime and then some I'd say, 7900 is a bit excessive now I've moved to the North Island, but when I shift back South it'll be ideal again.

Benefit of being able to try them on in store in a couple locations.

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Originally Posted by Snoppernator

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.

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That is a good point. No idea what the Karrimor volume is measured at but I estimate it tops out at about 65-70L full to the gunwales which I have done, only on the way out. But gear alone I have never filled it and would prefer something smaller. Good to know you get around with the 3200 or 3600 in current gen.

RE: Stone Glacier I'm surprised none of the H&F stores here in Auckland stock them, will be down in Hamilton soon so may drop into the store there and give them a good nosey

I have the Mystery ranch Marshall, It is a a beast of a pack @ 105L
Similar designs as the others being carbon fiber frame, load shelf & the ability to swap different size bags onto your existing frame etc...
It's heavier than the other American brands but i suspect its made out of heavier materials, super high quality & very very comfortable even with a heavy as load.

They aren't cheap, but you get what you pay for.

The agent for them is Safari supplies in Taupo, have had really great service from them & the owner Grant.

Another vote for SG packs - running the sky 5900 myself after years of using tramping packs it's unreal how well the SG pack carrys the weight..

Would Def recommend and buy another

I have the 80L spika good strong pack and carries well just could be a bit lighter. But it's what fitted me and my budget. Super expensive imported stuff would require selling my soul.

I run Kuiu in two sizes and absolutely love it for comfort. I have had a couple of parts break but the kuiu warranty is second to none. I havnt tried others but would recommend.

This is an Initial Accent. In day hunt mode without the 60 litre bag on it (which I have). Just the meat shelf and the lid here.
Quite spendy. $900 landed.
Ask me if I love it?

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Originally Posted by veryfuturistic

That is a good point. No idea what the Karrimor volume is measured at but I estimate it tops out at about 65-70L full to the gunwales which I have done, only on the way out. But gear alone I have never filled it and would prefer something smaller. Good to know you get around with the 3200 or 3600 in current gen.

RE: Stone Glacier I'm surprised none of the H&F stores here in Auckland stock them, will be down in Hamilton soon so may drop into the store there and give them a good nosey

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Check out my post on the Stone glacier I've been trying it in a few different ways it's awesome.

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In my experience you need to try packs on I wanted a tatonka pack tried it on in the shop with weigh in it & it was the most uncomfortable pack if had on just didn't fit my body ended up getting the spika & it fits well & if anything happened to this pick I'd buy another one straight away it just works so well for me & I only run the 40-45l bag & that's enough room for fly camping for me

I tried the tatonkas and they wouldn't go short enough in the back length. I also tried the Osprey Aether but hated the million it seems compartments and thought the material vulnerable to spiky stuff like matagouri

I love my kuiu, lightweight robust, carries weigh like a champ. Can be had for not to crazy money on special.

Cheers everyone for the input. Awesome rig on the IA @Tahr

I went and tried on a Stone Glacier and some of the Spika packs at Hunting and Fishing over the weekend. After all the chat on here I'd got a bit of Pack-itis and was really keen to get something new before labour weekend. The Stone Glacier packs are as advertised, great wearing, supremely comfortable and well designed although the price in store was too much for me. The Spika packs also surprised me with their functionality and construction at the price point and I would encourage anyone thinking of getting a load shelf pack to give them a look. Without trying them on, Mystery Ranch and Kuiu both interested me but I ultimately ruled them out, because I think at that price (sans sale) I would go for a new Stone Glacier. There were some going on Trademe but not in the right sizes for me. I also really liked the look of the Exo Mtn gear that was mentioned on here but was again keen to try before I buy.

Everything aligned when I was able to score a secondhand Stone Glacier Col 4800 in my size on Trademe for $700, which was a price I was comfortable paying (in the ballpark of what I had earmarked for the Spika 40L). I think at around 78L this will be a do-it-all pack for me, while also using the frame as 25/08 IMP has shown for frame/drybag rigs for gear.

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Originally Posted by 199p

I run a Exo K4 and find it amazing, I have not used the load shelf yet just packed meat in the bag but the way it carries is amazing.

There is also initial ascent that BC that a few have and love.

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I have worn ALOT of packs and carried serious loads for expedition trips and meat hunts.

The Exo K4 is hands down the best pack I’ve ever worn. I can’t see myself ever changing to anything else for the rest of my hunting career.


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