Day pack that can carry a quarter?

[Elkduds]

Looking @ internal frame daypacks that can bring a load of meat out, then I'll grab my hauling packframe. Possibly a single night bivy out of the daypack, so 2500-3000 capacity. Since it will mainly be a daypack, lighter is better. I tried on Diablo, Superday (no frame!) and 2200 from Badlands, SJK Snare, Alps Falcon, Eberle X2. X2 felt too short, surprising as I'm 5'11". 2200 was heavy and didn't fit great. Diablo and Falcon fit best, both have mesh suspension that leaves an air gap between pack and your middle back. Diablo has low capacity. SJK Snare fit well w padded suspension, but has low capacity and is costly. Yep, that was me walking around the CO Springs Sportsman's Warehouse wearing loaded packs.

Then I saw Easton Pickup 3000 on Camofire, under $100, looks good but have not worn it. All this while reading many online reviews.

My questions: Any experience w durability on Easton, Alps, SJK? Has anyone packed 70+ lb w these? Does mesh suspension balance a heavy load farther back, and require more tension on shoulder straps/load lifters? Anything coming out this spring that will exceed these? Is Packfitters no longer a WT sponsor? Thanks in advance for any user reports.

[redtop]

Elkduds, I can't answer your question about the Alps pack but I purchased a Kuiu Icon Pro 3200 this past season. It's by far the best hunting pack I've ever used. I've been elk hunting and packing elk for over 40 years.
I shot a nice buck early in the season. I was able to load the entire deer and my gear in that pack. It was well over 100 lbs. with my gear. I made it about 2 miles and 1000 ft. down before I had to split the load. The pack carried it well but I couldn't take the weight. Went back the next day for the other half. And instead of my pack frame I used the 3200. That says alot right there. It's so comfortable. Later in the season I shot my elk and carried out an 80 lb. load first trip before going back with horses for the rest.
It's a really well made pack big enough for a night or two out but also a great daypack size and the design works great for carrying out your beast.It's expensive yes but they do go on sale for as much as 25% off now and then. It's probably the last hunting pack I'll ever need, it's that well made and ,well, I guess I'm that old too!
The bow and rifle carriers work great as well. I hate to carry my weapon in my hand when I don't need to. The pack is lighter than many others on the market as well. Why carry extra pounds without even a load in your pack? Anyway that's my 2 cents.

[Elkduds]

Norm, that is solid feedback about a topnotch pack. I have not seen anything (-) about Kuiu Icon. New ones are beyond my budget, but I am watching for used ones. Thanks for the review.

[husky390]

Elkduds, if you can make it up to the Cabela's Lone Tree on a Saturday I have a Kifaru Duplex, Stone Glacier Sky, and a HPG Ute you can try out. There's a trail right next to it that you can hike.
Of the three I've found the Stone Glacier to be the most comfortable and actually fit better with the more weight it carried. Mine's a 7400 ci but compresses down very well and they have different size bags if you don't want one that big. The HPG is second in the comfort factor but is one size only and still compacts down nicely. You can find them for around $300 used. The Kifaru has tons of bag choices but is the least comfortable for me but I like the bag on it so it's a keeper and I'm slowly working with the frame to fit me better. Nothing against the pack, it's just me. Duplex frames are going for around $250 used since Kifaru came out with their new frames. All of the belts are for a 36" up waist.

Shoot me a pm if you're interested.

[Elkduds]

Generous offer, Dave! PM

[Fridaythe13th]

Give Tenzing 2220 a look. I pick one up last year on Amazon for $150. Have not had a chance to try a quarter out yet and was told it was good up to 60 lbs. It does have a frame and about 2 pounds lighter than the badland 2200. It wore nicely for me I'm 6'1"

[husky390]

Generous offer, Dave! PM

PM returned.

[Dr. Rx]

Hard to beat exo 3500.. it was perfect for my hunt this last season as a day pack..only wished I could stain it with some wapiti blood..