Multi-Day Bomb Proof Packs

JGON

JGON

Joined
Mar 12, 2010
Messages
975
As I acquire new outdoor gear, knives, camera's, and etc, I'm slowly beginning to reach the limits of what my 40 Liter Osprey pack is capable of handling. It's done very well for me to this point, but I'm looking at getting something a little larger for multi-day trips, and I'm hoping to find something that is high quality, comfortable under heavy loads, and bombproof. I think something in the 4000-5000 cubic inches range would be adequate (the higher end of that most likely), and I'm hoping to get some thoughts from those of you that have any experience with packs of this style...

Here is what I have it narrowed down to so far...

Kelty Falcon 4000----$300 and 4000 cubic inches

This is the lowest capacity of all the packs I'm looking at, but also the cheapest. Kelty has a good reputation, so I'm confident the pack will do the job that I ask of it, but I may want a little more than this...

KeltyFalcon.jpg


Eberlestock Terminator----$399 and 5000 cubic inches

This looks like a great all around pack to me, and even though I don't hunt too much, it would be awesome to have a spot for the shotgun if I needed. It looks extremely rugged, and I haven't read any negative feedback on it other than a few complaints about the weight, which I am not overly concerned about as most of the places I go don't have too much change in elevation. This is probably the front-runner for me...

F4MErqpairsm.jpg


Kifaru MMR----$596 and 5200 cubic inches

This pack is getting up there pretty far in price, but it looks like a phenomenal pack that won't fail you. Again, great reviews on this bad boy, but I'm just not sure I can swing the extra cash it will take to snag one up. Somebody mentioned that they can also be found cheaper used, but I'm still not sure... It's the highest capacity pack I've listed, and maybe just a little bit more than I need, but again, a great looking pack.

mmr_main.jpg


I've looked into Mystery Ranch packs as well, although I didn't like them as much as the three that I've listed. I know they have a great reputation as well, but I'm just not sold on them at this point.

What do you guys think about these three? Also, I will take any other recommendations you guys have as well.

Thanks,

JGON
 
i would get Kifaru or Mystery Ranch. Both are made in the USA and are bombproof. I currently have a EMR, Pointman a ZXR. All great packs that are bombproof.
 
I have used a Kelty Super Tioga external frame for over 10yrs. it is bomb proof and can carry everything needed for multi day hikes. kelty makes a good bang for the buck pack. I like external frames for the classic look and the way the load is more on my hips.
 
jgon said:
Kelty Falcon 4000----$300 and 4000 cubic inches
Click to expand...
Whew! I'm no ultralight backpacker, but still I generally use 2000-2500 CI packs for 2-3 day outings. I could probably manage an unsupported 2 week trip with what a pack that big would carry (assuming I didn't buckle under the weight) ;)
 
mdauben said:
Whew! I'm no ultralight backpacker, but still I generally use 2000-2500 CI packs for 2-3 day outings. I could probably manage an unsupported 2 week trip with what a pack that big would carry (assuming I didn't buckle under the weight) ;)
Click to expand...

That's what I'm hoping to do with this pack... ;)

My significant other most likely wouldn't join me on a trek like that, but she does often join me on the 2-3 day trips, and of course, I end up carrying most of the heavy crap for her anyways. So a 2-3 day backpacking trip when you are carrying a 2 person backpacking tent, food and water for two people, cooking equipment, etc, can really add up. On my own, my 40 Liter pack would be more than enough, but we normally go together and I like to lighten her load as much as I can (she's 5' 105 pounds)...

I also realized that I was only looking at a fragment of what Mystery Ranch has to offer last time I visited their site. This is overkill for what I need, but this pack looks like a keeper. I wish they made a lower volume one of the Tactiplane, 6000 cubic inches is a lot! They have lower volume packs, but for some reason this one just does it for me.

medianl.jpg
 
The most BP pack I have ever owned is this http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Arrakis-65 (Blackbird, not "signal flag" Topaz) as MOLLE webbing is no longer important to me.

They have military versions with MOLLE webbing like this http://leaf.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Echo

Owned, used, and sold many other packs over the years in favor of Arcteryx. Suspension rigidity is everything! Their thermoformed frame sheets are incredible. The felt load and ride is so different from anything else it's almost unfair. Too many packs "sag" because they are made from great materials, but lack a suspension system that keeps the pack and load stiff against your back. The pivoting hip belt and load transfer disk feature is likewise incredible.

Expensive....yes. Worth it, absolutely.

My .02.
 
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