Thread: Packs for heavy loads

What’s the stone glacier worth now they are in NZ?

Can’t seem to get their store locator to work or find anyone that’s selling their gear/advertising NZ pricing

Found it. Mansfield H&f website

Originally Posted by Tahr

Yes. Great little packs and Ive still got one. But Im ready for a Rolls Royce.

If you are have a look at the Stone Glacier I have the 6900 tallus and 4800 COL awesome packs

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Originally Posted by kimber08

Ha! You can’t beat that Wairarapa muddy for stickiness ����

oh mate.....you havent been to lake opuha/opuha dam near fairlie yet..... thats stuff sticks like a crappy nappy on Gandmas best rug,and just doesnt come off again easily.....

Originally Posted by TeRei

I bought a Weka off you. Can take boned out back legs and back steaks of a stag. Full load but it is an impressive pack.

Great little pack but I think we are inclined to push them past what they were designed for. Ok for a young buck like you through I guess

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.

My Exo continues to impress me with a load of meat in it.
A mate had a Kuiu pack that was a very similar design but in a smaller volume to mine. Looked pretty good, was a bit lighter but the fabric wasn't as grunty as the Exo.
Good luck wearing out an Exo. I'm going to try!

Originally Posted by Gkp

My Exo continues to impress me with a load of meat in it.
A mate had a Kuiu pack that was a very similar design but in a smaller volume to mine. Looked pretty good, was a bit lighter but the fabric wasn't as grunty as the Exo.
Good luck wearing out an Exo. I'm going to try!

Is yours a 3 or a 4?

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.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Is yours a 3 or a 4?

K4 7200

Originally Posted by Gkp

K4 7200

Nice

@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.