Thread: Packs for heavy loads

A well designed pack with a quality meat shelf is so good when back a ways in the bush or tops. Makes a huge difference in terms of pack comfort, balance and therefore ride. No Kiwi brands provide this feature yet to my knowledge. Managed to break my Exo K3200 last trip carrying a couple of animals out, but done a tonne of miles since 2019 with big loads. Easy repair at Twin Needle. The if you are buying a quality US backpack, is make sure you bought it 5 years ago [/U]when the currency conversion was friendlier. If you do end up buying a pack from the States, buy the accessories and other bits and pieces on the same order. Exo charged $60 US for freight which wasn't unreasonable at the time. TwinNeedle are great should you need general repairs done.

Noticed, a lot of the US packs have too many zips/stash pockets/compartments/b**sh*t all over them, so take a good look before buying if that's your thing. In my view the slimmer/simplier the better. A 60litre pack is more than sufficient if you have a lightweight tent/quilt/sleeping pad set up, and manage your clothing and food. The meatshelf adds the extra capacity. Mindful Hunter (he bought 5 packs) did a comprehensive pack review of Exo,Stone Glacier, Kifaru, Mystery Ranch and Kuiu last year. The Stone Glacier and Exo (no1) were by far the best packs across the board, and particularly when performing under actual meat carrying load.

Is anyone running the Hunters Element Arete Pach System. The concept looks good.
Keen to hear the good bad and the ugly. Sorry if this is a hijack.

Originally Posted by Snoppernator

A well designed pack with a quality meat shelf is so good when back a ways in the bush or tops. Makes a huge difference in terms of pack comfort, balance and therefore ride. No Kiwi brands provide this feature yet to my knowledge. Managed to break my Exo K3200 last trip carrying a couple of animals out, but done a tonne of miles since 2019 with big loads. Easy repair at Twin Needle. The if you are buying a quality US backpack, is make sure you bought it 5 years ago [/U]when the currency conversion was friendlier. If you do end up buying a pack from the States, buy the accessories and other bits and pieces on the same order. Exo charged $60 US for freight which wasn't unreasonable at the time. TwinNeedle are great should you need general repairs done.

Noticed, a lot of the US packs have too many zips/stash pockets/compartments/b**sh*t all over them, so take a good look before buying if that's your thing. In my view the slimmer/simplier the better. A 60litre pack is more than sufficient if you have a lightweight tent/quilt/sleeping pad set up, and manage your clothing and food. The meatshelf adds the extra capacity. Mindful Hunter (he bought 5 packs) did a comprehensive pack review of Exo,Stone Glacier, Kifaru, Mystery Ranch and Kuiu last year. The Stone Glacier and Exo (no1) were by far the best packs across the board, and particularly when performing under actual meat carrying load.

Love my SG

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Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

Love my SG

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Yeah. I think that there is a cluster of US made packs that you could chuck a blanket over and call them the best.

This is my Southern Lite pack loaded with 2 bone-in red spiker HQ's and back steaks plus day hunting gear. Not sure what it would weigh? but it is comfortable enough but at about its limit for load carrying. Hell of a good pack though. Im hoping a better harness and stiffer frame will make it less stressful on my bod. And hopefully allow me to chuck in a shoulder or 2 as well if not shot up. Currently when Im looking for a downed deer I'm just hoping the shoulders are ruined

Pic is the pack back on. It was a bugger of a place to process it and get it out from. Fortunately it was only a 40 minute or a bit less carry.

@Thar and there in lies the problem with the lighter packs (I think they are awesome). The ability to carry heavy weight. A Southern Lite with a meat shelf would be awesome - but will be post 1.5kg in reality.

Exo are working on an ultra light pack. Hopefully a single main bag design with meat shelf.