Thread: Packs for heavy loads

Im spending too much time on this forum. But I'm batching in the country with no TV and these are long nights...

I'm really over carting deer out of places like this (from the circled clearing to where I took the pic, and then beyond). Ive done that haul several times recently , and off the face above it. It really does piss me off. It might not look far to you, but for my old bod it is.



So the other day I started researching load carrying packs. It's not that I don't have a couple of good packs - but Im a bit of a gear freak - and am always on the look out for something better. After all of my researching my heart (not my brain) told me to go straight to the Exo 4 like Brads has but I nearly died when I saw the price. Something like $1,800 NZD landed. Nah. (But if I was in Brads shoes -years in front of him -I certainly would have).

So then after some more feretting around I came across the Initial Accent. Not the very best across the board but universally (it seems) recognised as one of the best for load carrying. An advantage for me ('cos Im mostly a day hunter) is that the bag can be stripped off and the hood and pannier left on to make a light day hunting rig that will carry heavy shit. Still real spendy but not Exo spendy.

Here 'tis. https://initialascent.com/products/i...ck-system-2024
Ive bought the pannier too. This is how it looks set up for a day hunt. https://initialascent.com/products/ia-day-pack-2024

I dont anticipate carrying loads like this, but it shows what these Initial Accent and other modern packs can do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvjb7gfg1p0

When I went to the cart I found that the freight was something like $400NZD. Holly shit. I contacted IA and they adjusted the freight down. Nice move. But then I found that Black Ovis sell their packs and their freight was another $100 cheaper still. So I put one in their cart and went off to think about it. Next day Black Ovis emailed me and said "hey dude you left something in the cart - buy it and we will give you a 10% discount". So I bought it.

I know it wont fix my body, but Im hoping it might ease my pain. We will see.

I just hope I get some good use out of it before my boys inherit it.

Cactus Huntaway or larger will suit if you have suitable core strength

The best advice is tailor the load to your body/capabilities/type of return trip under load

And take your time, no prizes for rushing the whole thing and not enjoying it, all things you already know

Can fit two boned out Sika in the Huntaway

I surely hope it works for you...I was chuckling about a member using winch rope and multiple winch bites on a longer rope some time back....in open country where you can get your quadbike close its not silly. in mean time just sing out and get Brian to carry them for you LOL.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Cactus Huntaway or larger will suit if you have suitable core strength

The best advice is tailor the load to your body/capabilities/type of return trip under load

And take your time, no prizes for rushing the whole thing and not enjoying it, all things you already know

Can fit two boned out Sika in the Huntaway
Attachment 250349

Look mate, don't come at me with your frameless kidney rubbers . Im spending nearly 3 times what thats worth, so Im expecting that my new one has a motor and wings.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I surely hope it works for you...I was chuckling about a member using winch rope and multiple winch bites on a longer rope some time back....in open country where you can get your quadbike close its not silly. in mean time just sing out and get Brian to carry them for you LOL.

Hah. Brian is fighting the same battle with gravity as I am. The main difference being that anything lighter in his hands than a 30lb Bren gun seems like a feather to him.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Cactus Huntaway or larger will suit if you have suitable core strength

The best advice is tailor the load to your body/capabilities/type of return trip under load

And take your time, no prizes for rushing the whole thing and not enjoying it, all things you already know

Can fit two boned out Sika in the Huntaway
Attachment 250349

I've done a few trips in my huntaway now and but find I end up with bruised shoulders and collar bones. Do you get this over 40ish kg? The best part of two reds and then a red and a fallow wasn't fun times at all.

I’ve heard very good reports about Initial Ascent packs, especially when carrying very heavy loads. Brian Call/ Gritty has some good info about them.

Originally Posted by Hahn

I've done a few trips in my huntaway now and but find I end up with bruised shoulders and collar bones. Do you get this over 40ish kg? The best part of two reds and then a red and a fallow wasn't fun times at all.

Cinch up the hip strap so the weight is mostly on your hips, and not your shoulders

Tatonka

Catus hunter away had nothing on the IA bags
They have great but very limited reviews. From what i found when i was looking is any bag of the top brands are all very similar its more about what ones fits better and the exo fits more people better then the others so i thought they would be the safest choice to go with.

You get a discount with gritty too not sure how it compares

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cant recommend the K2 range of packs enough not cheap built in NZ tough packs below from their web site - and yes The K2 jungle was partly designed by me - we wanted a pack that did not sit up to high and one that we could take the bag of and strap trap boxes to frame - I mainly used them to carry traps and we had K2 make up a heavy canvas inner bag to protect the pack


​K-2 Jungle pack features a lower frame height so that the pack sits at shoulder level eliminating the bush catching problem and the harness bar has been strengthened for heavier use. This pack has proven to be highly successful in the bush with contractors. It was designed and tested in conjunction with Barry of the Department of Conservation, Stratford branch.

Nathan and Barry. You are watching a real old guy lead you into the future. Get with the program.

Originally Posted by stug

I’ve heard very good reports about Initial Ascent packs, especially when carrying very heavy loads. Brian Call/ Gritty has some good info about them.

Thanks! Starts at 21.00.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARw2PLyjUgI

Originally Posted by Hahn

I've done a few trips in my huntaway now and but find I end up with bruised shoulders and collar bones. Do you get this over 40ish kg? The best part of two reds and then a red and a fallow wasn't fun times at all.

I agree, after a lot of weighted pack walking with the huntaway at 28-30kg the difference in a larger pack for carrying weight is night and day. I have a macpac 80l and was way nicer. Huntaway awesome for overnight trips and tighter scrub walking and can handle carrying the load that other packs in my experience can’t handle, but comfort wise once u really load them up they cut in on ya.
Still really enjoy my huntaway due to how it pulls down to day pack as well but I don’t rekon it fits his brief here.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Nathan and Barry. You are watching a real old guy lead you into the future. Get with the program.

seen the info on the ascent packs I would stick to the K2 Jungle pack in North Island bush -- that ascent is just to tall more suited to open country