Modern Packs

Gosh these latest generation of packs are good. Exo, initial Ascent, Stone Glacier etc. Spendy though. For me worth it though - means my old bod can keep carting loads.
Liking my Initial Ascent. Have a 55L bag for it but mostly just use it with the panier/load shelf and lid. Great for day hunts-light and the carrying capacity always in reserve.
This (pic) came up out of a steep bitch of a gully the other night It wasn’t much worse than not having a load, especially using a walking pole. I did have quite a few stops though.

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Here it is on a relation who offered to carry it. Nice boy.

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Yip love my SG I've started taking the bag off and using a dry bag for day hunts, perfect for when you have shot a couple.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d4253204b2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ce636f57b3.jpg

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Are these available retail in NZ ?

Nice work @Thar. A young relative is far more useful as a pack mule. That's wisdom there.

Side note, been doing a little pack training for the roar with my beloved Macpac weka. Been using a couple of 10kg bags of rice (great to change weight easily, and always nice to have handy). Upped the weight over a couple of weeks, then one day decided to pull out the Exo K3200 and load it up. Not too heavy, not too light. It was so much easier to carry. Much more comfortable shoulder straps and strapping the weight to a frame adds to the stability - less sway and weight at the bottom on the hips. I actually like a bit of weight on the shoulders, so this helps. Your right @Thar

Not advocating for heavy heavy pack training as you get older, but do use your quality pack if you have one, it definitely is much easier on the body.

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Originally Posted by chainsaw

Are these available retail in NZ ?

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Stone Glacier are. Not Initial Ascent or Exo. I bought my Initial Ascent from Black Ovis in the States 'cos their freight was cheapest and if you cheekily leave your order in the check out box sometimes they offer a discount.
The value of our dollar is killing stuff from the States. My complete pack cost NZD950.

I thought I was being conned by marketing but have no regerts.

I love how you can lower the head height and do stuff like this comfortably.

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Stone glacier are in some H&F stores. Saw some in Palmy a while back. Cost was a little eye watering

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Originally Posted by chainsaw

Are these available retail in NZ ?

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Yip Rivers to Rangers down south has them

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100% on board.
I spent the coin to give a Mystery Ranch a go and after 40km in 4 days around the mountains behind Hokitika, I fell in love.
Never had a pack this stable and comfortable when loaded to the gills.
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Just thought I'd post these up for those in the know.....when life was so much simpler :thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by NIMROD

Just thought I'd post these up for those in the know.....when life was so much simpler :thumbsup:

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Kidney-rubber pack and bullers. All the things that kill you.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Kidney-rubber pack and bullers. All the things that kill you.

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Hasn’t killed him yet :thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Bush Basher

Hasn’t killed him yet :thumbsup:

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Only 'cos he's still young.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Kidney-rubber pack and bullers. All the things that kill you.

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And no suppressor.

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Originally Posted by nor-west

And no suppressor.

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And just to prove I'm totally classless, I'm Probably using a Mercator too ;)

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Originally Posted by NIMROD

And just to prove I'm totally classless, I'm Probably using a Mercator too ;)

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And you hunt public land. Can you do no wrong?? :thumbsup: :)

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Originally Posted by Tahr

And you hunt public land. Can you do no wrong?? :thumbsup: :)

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I can, and I must apologize, no more hijacking your thread sorry Tahr.

I've had MacPac, Huntech, Exped, Cactus and probably a few others but nothing comes close to the K4 Exo. No more sore shoulders or hot spots since I've used it. It's still got some tests to do but I'm pretty certain is going to pass with a heavy load. There's just so many little details in it that make it so nice to use. I'm lucky my sister lives in the US so freight is one less drama for me. The NZ/USD is the current killer.
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Originally Posted by NIMROD

I can, and I must apologize, no more hijacking your thread sorry Tahr.

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No such thing as a hijack. The more contributors and smiles the better.

Is there anybody of you lucky modern packs owners out there who can directly compare a K4 to a Kuiu pack?
I‘m looking hard into buying such a pack but I‘m not sure yet which one will ruin my pension plan!

The only kuiu I’ve used was a 2300 and it was only on a day hunt. It kind of put me off kuiu to be honest and I never considered going that way for a large pack. I couldn’t reconcile the price with what looked to be pretty fragile fabrics. Very limited experience with it tho.

Try to get hands on with one or the other. It’s a bit like boots, one may just ‘work’ for your body.

I can promise the Exo design and layout won’t disappoint. It’s the fit that should be the main concern.

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Originally Posted by littlemorepork

Is there anybody of you lucky modern packs owners out there who can directly compare a K4 to a Kuiu pack?
I‘m looking hard into buying such a pack but I‘m not sure yet which one will ruin my pension plan!

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@craigc has a Kuiu and a Exo K3.
Craig??

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Originally Posted by littlemorepork

Is there anybody of you lucky modern packs owners out there who can directly compare a K4 to a Kuiu pack?
I‘m looking hard into buying such a pack but I‘m not sure yet which one will ruin my pension plan!

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I've used both, the K4 smokes the kuiu in every regard for me, but like all things it's personal preference.
I don't think the kuiu packs are very good myself, great clothes packs not so much.

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The Mystery Ranch packs are also very good, built tough as but you pay for it in a little extra weight.

Think my Marshall is 3kg empty!

I've already commented on this thread, tick for Exo Mountain Gear. I just want to add a shout out to Kiwi brand - Twin Needle for their accessories, kit and service. I use their radio/gps pouch on both the Exo, and separately on the Capsule 2 bumbag when bush hunting. Robust, robust, robust. Just cannot kill them. I've used them to sew on their accessories to the Capsule 2. They are reasonably priced and just great to deal with.

I'm sold on a dedicated meat shelf on packs. Helps with stability with large weight, and you can also load up a week long food bag separate to the main pack on a big walk in. Otherwise, I'd be seriously looking at the Twin Needle Big Molly V2 https://twinneedle.co.nz/products/big-molly-v2 This has the ability for the main bag to come off, top lid to be clipped to the waist belt as what appears to be a large bumbag. Brilliant for bush or mountain hunting if you are dumping your pack at camp and want to travel light. Close, just a meat shelf please!

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Originally Posted by kiwijames

I've had MacPac, Huntech, Exped, Cactus and probably a few others but nothing comes close to the K4 Exo. No more sore shoulders or hot spots since I've used it. It's still got some tests to do but I'm pretty certain is going to pass with a heavy load. There's just so many little details in it that make it so nice to use. I'm lucky my sister lives in the US so freight is one less drama for me. The NZ/USD is the current killer.
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What size Exo is that, I think ill go down this track as they look like they have everything I'm after

Thanks guys for your feedback. The K4 seems to be very well designed the top lid though is not my favourite.

Cheers LMP

I have had the SG sky 5900 for a year or so now. Sold my cactus packs, (foray and huntaway) as i could never get them to carry a load without smashing my shoulders, well made tho.
Bit the bullet and brought the SG, waited for a sale from the states, ended up only costing $1150 landed. I see the same pack is $1450 here, so i saved a a few hundy.
Amazing pack, i have the x curve frame, it carrys weight like its not there.
Had 4 red hind legs, back straps and gear in it last weekend and i was not sore anywhere after the carry out.
Load shelf is great, keeps weight close to the body. Seems tough enough i have been hard on it and no signs of wear yet.
Highly recommend.

Twinneedles new big molly v2 looks good aslo and at half the price of the SG id be looking at one of them if i didn't already have the SG. Just lacks the load shelf like snoppernator mentioned.

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Originally Posted by BK10

What size Exo is that, I think ill go down this track as they look like they have everything I'm after

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It’s the 3600 bag. Large belt with 27.5 frame. I cut the frame down ½”

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Originally Posted by littlemorepork

Thanks guys for your feedback. The K4 seems to be very well designed the top lid though is not my favourite.

Cheers LMP

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The bag has a roll top so you don’t have the run the lid. If it’s the colour you don't like I bought the blaze lid as an extra.

What about those packs made down Queenstown way?

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Originally Posted by Happy Jack

What about those packs made down Queenstown way?

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Too light for heavy loads. Not suitable for bush bashing. Some will disagree, but I doubt they've owned one for long enough top really know.

I could be wrong, it won't be the first. time.

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Originally Posted by Happy Jack

What about those packs made down Queenstown way?

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Is that the aarn? I've got one, very good pack but like craigc said bit light for bush bashing, great for tramping

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Originally Posted by witchcraft

Is that the aarn? I've got one, very good pack but like craigc said bit light for bush bashing, great for tramping

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No not the Aarn, I had one of those and it didn't quite work for me but loved the concept. I finally remembered the name its the Southernlite packs

Southernlite 60L. Ive got one (down to 3 packs now). Craigc knows nothing. They are light and durable. Ive carried a couple of HQ and back straps a distance no trouble. I would recommend them for the young, fit, and mobile. Not so suitable for the old, unfit and senile. Ask me how I know...

Will post a pic (of the pack).

Later. Here 'tis. Light alloy 2 x strut frame. Nicely padded. Superbly made. Nothing not to like. Just made for a different purpose to the load carrying meat sling packs.

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I recently looked at one of those, but l wanted a hood, back pocket and heavier frame added, and by then the muscles in my backside were starting to tighten up :o

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Southernlite 60L. Ive got one (down to 3 packs now). Craigc knows nothing. They are light and durable. Ive carried a couple of HQ and back straps a distance no trouble. I would recommend them for the young, fit, and mobile. Not so suitable for the old, unfit and senile. Ask me how I know...

Will post a pic (of the pack).

Later. Here 'tis. Light alloy 2 x strut frame. Nicely padded. Superbly made. Nothing not to like. Just made for a different purpose to the load carrying meat sling packs.

Attachment 269447

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it looks very similar to my Exped pack.

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Originally Posted by craigc

Too light for heavy loads. Not suitable for bush bashing. Some will disagree, but I doubt they've owned one for long enough top really know.

I could be wrong, it won't be the first. time.

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I hear ya, I was also wrong once back in 1992, ended up divorcing her though :)

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Originally Posted by ANTSMAN

I hear ya, I was also wrong once back in 1992, ended up divorcing her though :)

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Not suitable for bush bashing? Or too light for heavy loads ?

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Originally Posted by ANTSMAN

it looks very similar to my Exped pack.

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Yes they are, but way more robust. I had an exped like that - very good - but didn't last. The expeds are good though.