Which pack for elk??

[Beau J]

I would think an internal frame would be the way to go for backpack hunting because they will pack all your stuff to camp then fold in tight against your back for the hunt. I use a Kelty external frame that works just fine but it is bulky while hunting and there is no way I'm walking all the way back to camp or the truck to drop my daypack so I can get my frame pack then walk all the way back to the kill sight to start packin meat. If you've never carried a heavy pack before I'd do a little research on how to load your pack... the heavy stuff should be high and tight so it's not pulling you over backwards...BeauJ

[NBK]

Interesting that the much hyped Kuiu Icon with the carbon fiber frame hasn't been mentioned. I've never used one and so far it appears that most of you don't put it in the top three either.

[bucknut]

The kuiu was my next choice. The fact the Outdoorsman was made 100% in the USA sealed the deal. I am happy with everything about mine. As far as packing down small for a day pack and being external frame. Mine does that perfectly, it is a smaller frame and doesn't get in the way. the compression straps suck the bag in tight for day packing.

[T Sunstone]

I have a Kuiu 1800 and 5200 with 1 frame.  You can pack in with the 5200 then switch to the 1800.  The 1800 bag just tucks inside the frame and the pack.  This year didn't get a chance to try the 5200 just hunted out of base camp.

[Stixbowdrew]

Surprised no one is mentioning the Horn Hunter Full Curl, great price, extremely versatile, and comfortable! Wore mine for a week straight in Idaho this past fall.
 

[kbetts]

I just got a Kuiu for Christmas....it's going back.  Not especially excited about the quality for the price.  

Mystery Ranch Metcalf is on sale right now for $100 less than usual.  If I don't go that route, I'm going to look at a Blacks Creek.  USA made and their Cure 1200 cu is my go to for just about everything.  It's a lumbar design but has the integrated meat shelf and half frame.  Money well spent IMO.

[Biathlonman]

I went to a backpack hunting class put on by a hard core backpack hunting guy with very experienced folks in attendance a few years back.  We put about 100 lbs. In a number of different packs.  The carbon fiber kuiu barely made it off the ground before the fiber started cracking and no one was willing to put it on for fear of total failure. Mystery Ranch (don't recall model) did ok and Kifaru was far and away the most comfortable as judged by the 4-5 folks willing to try the load.  This was probably 5 years ago so many of the packs mentioned weren't available then but it was eye opening to me.

[old_goat2]

Originally posted by Biathlonman:
I went to a backpack hunting class put on by a hard core backpack hunting guy with very experienced folks in attendance a few years back.  We put about 100 lbs. In a number of different packs.  The carbon fiber kuiu barely made it off the ground before the fiber started cracking and no one was willing to put it on for fear of total failure. Mystery Ranch (don't recall model) did ok and Kifaru was far and away the most comfortable as judged by the 4-5 folks willing to try the load.  This was probably 5 years ago so many of the packs mentioned weren't available then but it was eye opening to me.

The new kifaru frame is even more comfortable!