Thread: Modern Packs

i got mine on the black friday sales, that was the cheap bit,
Fedx and customs is when some lub might come in handy

Up the hill again. Initial Ascent in day mode. Certainly makes this stupidity more bearable.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Up the hill again. Initial Ascent in day mode. Certainly makes this stupidity more bearable.

Attachment 270319

Movement is medicine Bruce!! Our nation would be a lot healthier if this was a more common mindset.

Great to see a few of you are liking my packs here (southern lite packs). If anyone is passing by Kingston and wanted to check out a pack then your welcome to drop by my workshop for a look.

Here is a couple of photos of my packs loaded up. The heavyest one was 48.9kg. just goes to show a pack the weights less then 1.5kg can infact handle a bit of weight. Also the UHMWPE fabrics can definitely handle the roughest bush bashing just aswell as heavier fabrics.

Here is another meat shelf frame I have. It's an Outdoorsman. I have a couple of bags for it. They are horrendously expensive now.



I have this set up. NZD1719! Ouch
https://outdoorsmans.com/collections...90-pack-system

And here it is with their day pack attached (which can also be used without the frame as a fanny pack).

Originally Posted by Tahr

Here is another meat shelf frame I have. It's an Outdoorsman. I have a couple of bags for it. They are horrendously expensive now.

Attachment 270432

I have this set up. NZD1719! Ouch
https://outdoorsmans.com/collections...90-pack-system

And here it is with their day pack attached (which can also be used without the frame as a fanny pack).

Attachment 270433

I don’t feel too bad now after seeing that price.

Originally Posted by McNotty

I don’t feel too bad now after seeing that price.

And they aren't as good as what you got, albeit that they are bomb proof and very handy.

A useful work around in terms of the pain of purchasing quality is to think about value for money. How many times have you purchased an entry level product, only to upgrade later on - in effect spending 30-40% more on gear over time. My brother-in-law whom I respect greatly said always buy quality when you are investing in your equipment. A well designed pack with a solid meat shelf is not only going to last a lot longer, it is also going to look after your body as it positions meat centrally on the frame. Exo and I'm sure the other leading brands will stand behind their product, Exo certainly have with me. Southern Lite would be the one I'd be looking at if I was in the market for a pack without a frame, and I was intending on carrying lighter loads than presently.

I've had a look at some of the entry level packs. Pay attention to the quality of the padding around the shoulder straps, and have a look at the all up weight. In order to keep up with the higher end packs, they will generally possess similar features, but at a substantial weight penalty. At the end ond of the scale, the more traditional Tatonka type designs are going to be robust, but super heavy. So pick wisely. I notice NZ Hunter are rocking the Stone Glacier packs, and even the odd sneaky ranger green unbranded Kuiu pack during the "Tatonka days"... just say'n

I've been using a K2 3500 since 2018. The thing is built to last, has done me well on every hunt and can really load it up HEAVY. Will actually be looking at selling it but as per the forum rules, I'll wait until I can post on the buy & sell threads first (New Member)
Highly recommend the Exo's though, yes they're $$$ but worth every cent.

Just wondering how much weight are people carrying with these external frame packs with a meat shelf? My knees and hips get sore with anything over 35kg after a km or two. Once I'm over 40km I'm really struggling. My limiting factor is me, not the pack and I'm only early 40s. Would any pack stop sore knees with over 40kg? Surely you still have all that weight going through you knees and hip joint with whatever packs on you back? Just wondering ��

Originally Posted by Southern lite

Just wondering how much weight are people carrying with these external frame packs with a meat shelf? My knees and hips get sore with anything over 35kg after a km or two. Once I'm over 40km I'm really struggling. My limiting factor is me, not the pack and I'm only early 40s. Would any pack stop sore knees with over 40kg? Surely you still have all that weight going through you knees and hip joint with whatever packs on you back? Just wondering ��

I think with the meat sling/carbon frame packs you are getting a good reliable sit of the hip belt high on your hips and with the meat sling the load centred and close to your back. There is very little lateral movement of the pack too and the pack doesn't pull back on your neck and shoulders. When well set up the load feels lighter.
Im 76 so the my loads aren't huge anymore, but I can still carry the bone in legs and shoulders of a deer up a good hill without much stress. I feel well balanced and my legs and back bits don't hurt - although they do in lots of other situations.

Your pack is excellent but the configuration of just the 2 alloy struts for support and less optimal distribution of the load in the bag means that it is unfair to compare it with the carbon frame meat shelf options.
Your packs are a still a revelation of lightness, robustness and utility and I hugely recommend them. Horses for courses.

Originally Posted by Southern lite

Just wondering how much weight are people carrying with these external frame packs with a meat shelf? My knees and hips get sore with anything over 35kg after a km or two. Once I'm over 40km I'm really struggling. My limiting factor is me, not the pack and I'm only early 40s. Would any pack stop sore knees with over 40kg? Surely you still have all that weight going through you knees and hip joint with whatever packs on you back? Just wondering ��

The biggest difference for me going from, macpac, Tontoka, osprey, expeed and going to the exo was getting the weight off my shoulders' and back,
The weight sits on my hips and can feel it on my legs

I have only had mine up2 45kg but i was fine the next day.
I have major back issues ( was told i would never carry a backpack again) and would normally be crippled after carrying that much.

Thanks for the reply. I've never used a big external framed pack. Was interested in hearing how they feel/carry, that's why I was asking. When I started making packs I honestly never thought hunters would be using them.
Would these bigger packs just give your shoulders and back an easier time or also the knees and hips with the better weight distribution do you think?

From experience with my Exo and also the terrible issued Terminators in the army which have no frame and use terrible internal stays that bend... the ability for the exo to distribute weight through the hips comfortable and also hug the body helps stop the pack moving around which causes you to be pulled off balance / fighting for balance which all adds to fatigue through your knees. I've had my exo somewhere north of 45kg and though it did slow me down drastically, especially on the inclines, and I was pretty knackered by the end of it all, there wasn't a time where I was in pain or having to constantly adjust the pack or take long breaks. Where as I've had the terminator at 30kg and it's caused me to turn salty real fast with the way it slides down your back over time, pulls on your shoulders and moves side to side on uneven ground