There has been tons of debate over this and lots of brand loyalty. I am a Mystery Ranch guy did research and liked what I saw plus they had a good veteran discount. I now have three of them the largest the Marshall, beartooth80, and a smaller sawtooth. I love all of them. They no longer offer vet discount 
. So looking for a new brand convince me.
My favorite is EXO. I have used a mystery ranch metcalf and a badlands 2200. They all have worked for hauling out elk meat on day hunts. Last year I got the EXO trained before my hunt and was carrying over 100lbs with it. I was amazed at how much I could handle with that pack. So if your looking to hunt elk and pack it out on your back that’s what I would get. My metcalf works as well but there are a couple things that I wish were different with it
EXO, hands down an awesome pack, great quality!
I have a pretty significant wall of hunting backpacks. I honestly don’t hate any of them. Lots of great brands out there. Personally, though, I find myself grabbing the Akek pack most of the time now. https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=2177027&u=3175382&m=132730&urllink=&afftrack=
I’m really sold on the quick access to the gun. I’ve had multiple times where I have missed out on shots because I didn’t have my gun accessible.
The Akek 3200 is awesome. I just got their bigger pack and it looks great but I’m curious what it’ll feel like on the shoulder straps fully loaded. I’ve carried the small pack heavy and it did well.
I also like my Kuiu pack. It’s comfortable and I like how many sizes they have to offer, but I have had a couple little rips.
I haven’t been such a big fan of the Eberlestock. It’s just too heavy for me personally.
Hey Jim, I know someone mentioned early on a buy/sell forum - could we get that listed as a category so we don’t clutter up the other categories. I have a new (tags still on) Kuiu day pack I would offer up for sale if anyone is interested.
Also, maybe I missed it - is there a way to PM or IM other members? Disregard, I see you can click on the user name and message. This is new format for me.
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Im open to the buy/sell of non-firearms on here. Once I create a category, it’s permanent. So let’s just experiment with it in a normal category and let it grow to whatever it becomes.
Just start the topic you start with “For Sale: X”
If it gets to be too many things for sale, I’ll separate it in a different category.
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That is a great idea Jim!
I’m a Mystery Ranch Metcalf guy. The owner of the company is Dana Gleason. Before he started Mystery Ranch, he started a company called Dana Designs focused on expedition backpacking and mountaineering. I bought one of his packs (made in Bozeman, MT) in 1998 and used it hard leading wilderness expeditions all over the world for 15 years. That pack is STILL going strong. In fact, Dana sold that company 20+ years ago but he STILL warranties every Dana Designs USA pack he made. You just send it to him now at his Mystery Ranch facilities. You can’t beat that. I’m trying hard to not have a wall of packs like Jim mentioned. One and done for me.
I agree I have three mystery ranches 2 large ones for my son and I when we go out west. One smaller for whitetail close to home. I am curious though about why people love the packs they love. The bear tooth 80 is my favorite easy to get in an out of and very versatile.
Mystery Ranch Metcalf. Alaska to Colorado
I have a Eberlestock F1 main frame and a vapor 2500 pack. I also put the bolt action rifle scabbard on it. It goes between the pack and frame. This system is awesome. It’s all modular so you can put bigger bags or smaller day bags and take them all off to haul meat. I have been using this pack a bunch while predator hunting and it is awesome to carry a bunch of gear and the rifle and be hands free.
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What size Akek do you recommend that will carry tent, sleep system, rifle and can pack meat out?
Ok am I old school or am I missing something. Rechecked the mystery ranch and okay don’t feel you could carry much meat out without putting it in your bag which in my opinion is a big no no if you hunt in bear territory. I saw you can put some behind the pack and compress it to the frame but there is no rigid shelf. My frame is rated to 700 lbs ( not that I can carry). Doubt you can put much weight on that frame and not use your bag. A moose quarter can weigh 120 lbs. I won’t put meat in my bag. Once you do you have a bear magnet no matter how you clean it. Just trying to see what and how you carry your bag and meat out with these.
There is really no way to carry meat without getting blood, scent, etc on your pack. I mean, even cleaning and animal and handling your pack in the backcountry is going to leave a scent. I’ve never carried meat inside of my pack but…
The mystery ranch Metcalf (and others) hauls the meat externally on a shelf right up close to your spinal column. In fact, it’s really as close as you can get to your center of gravity vs other packs. When hauling dense, heavy weight, that is right where you want it. You have more stability and more of an upright posture.
The Metcalf looks like an internal frame backpack but it is not. It is a very modern external frame backpack that holds the pack so close to the frame that it LOOKS like an internal frame. I have yet to find a better more comfortable (if you can call it that) way to haul meat than the mystery ranch system.
The meat goes in game bags that are hauled on the shelf. Is there ooze? Sure. But learning how to travel safely in bear country and hauling meat is a part of the whole process.
No I hear ya. I lived in Alaska for 8 years. The Eberlestock carries the meat the same exact way. You can put a load behind the pack compressed to your spine or you can take the bag off and carry a whole quarter out at a time compressed to your spine. Just didn’t look like you could remove the bag for a larger load on the mystery ranch. If you can’t you would have to debone the meat which I don’t like to do until I get it home. Much more chance of spoilage the more cuts you make into the meat. Is the shelf rigid or is it just material? For example the moose shot weighed 1700 lbs estimated by the butcher. I turned in 850 lbs of meat to him not an estimate. The rear hind quarter weighed around 120 lbs. will that pack carry it?
The frame is carbon fiber, lightweight and somewhat flexible. U pull the pack apart and put meat next to frame then tighten the pack back to the frame. Keeps the heavy meat close to your back. It will hold more than a man willing to carry. Most packs these days use same system.
Those kind of packs are just not versatile enough for me. I need to be able to haul anything I can carry. I love to bear bait. You need to be able to haul bait barrels and tree stands and whatever else. Not putting down packs of this nature just won’t work for me. And I want it under 6.5 pounds. My frame is 5 ish and bag is 1. The bigger bag is 1.5 I think
These type of packs are more hikingi g into the backcountry and carrying out quarters and camp. Lightweight versatile packs all packs have their place. I have a pack for carrying my tree stand that’s different. But would never use it to go into the western mountains. It doesn’t handle the miles as well doesn’t carry as well