This is my initial review. so please keep in mind that I have very little time/miles with the pack.
I will do a more in depth review of the pack on Monday, but for now I was just trying to see if I could break it.
As I'm typing this review I am screwing around with the loading of the actuall OX pack and with diff ways to attach things as well.
I did not walk a long distance with the pack, but did do a little over a mile with 150 #'s. If I told you that the pack felt great with 150#'s of weight in it----- It would be a lie, the pack help up great and made 150 manageable and that is all I would expect from any pack with that amount of weight. I only walked across the room and back with 200#'s , but I would expect that the pack would last better then I when packing out a load like that.
The only reason I would swap them out, is because for me they would not be needed. I would swap them out with a regular allen wrench bolt and keep the frame and pack together when I was hunting or keep it under the seat of my jeep (with the pack bag rolled up) and use the pack frame after the first load out.
At first, I thought the frame would be a little bit of a hassle and I would drop that part of at camp, but after using it for a limited amount, it looks like this would not be needed, AND FOR ME, I would just hunt with everything attached.
I already started looking at what can be done to cut some weight of the normal pack, and I would guess you could shave almost 2 pounds of total weight of the pack (depending on the person) and have no problem with the actual use of the pack.
Most guys would not need to take anything of the pack, but the OX has a few things that I would not really need and could easily be taken off.
I loaded up the sacrifice with several days of food and gear and then strapped it to the OX pack frame. The total weight of the OX and Sacrifice together was about 6lbs 9oz's. I would obviously drop my OX frame/gear off at camp and then hunt with the Sac throughout the day.
I would guess that most will be more then happy with the OX frame and OX pack as one total unit, but I like the idea of having the Sacrifice with me in the back country and using these two pack in conjunction with each other would give me the best of both worlds.
I agree on the ox + sacrifice.....exactly what I had in mind with my Kelty frame and Ultraday.
Joe
Arron your just a anamial
If I could get it to fit right it would be added to my collection of packs for sure! I have had a few blacks creeks packs and they are pretty nice!
thanks
When you adjust the torso section do you do anything beside move the orange thing in-between the shoulders and slide the shoulder straps up?
Speaking of 150lbs.... "I did not walk a long distance with the pack, but did do a little over a mile with 150 #'s"
I'm second guessing not scrounging up enough jing to come out and spending some time in the mtns this summer. Rig up a seat on the back of that thing and you could carry my scrawny 150 lb butt around the mtns. You're a beast! 200lbs, in a pack, on your back. Uhhggg.
Any thoughts on this folding frame pack?
He could probably run 1/4 mile up hill with 150lbs.....
check out this link with a great demo of the "OX" at work...just picture a part of your elk there instead!
I had the same issue. Let me know if you figure out how to adjust it to fit better. I could not get it even close to long enough for me (22" torso) I like the pack though if it would fit I would buy it for sure.
My sacrifice fits me pretty dang well and I am very happy with that pack so I plan on using it most of the time this year. I am curious on the new sitka 45 looks like that might be a nice pack as well.
anybody know how are the load lifters on the new sitka 45 pack?
Edit for clarity: the load lifter connection point on the frame needs to be 10 degrees or more above the point where it meets the shoulder strap to be effective. If the attachment point is below the top of the shoulder (as it is on many packs) it no workie.
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpacks+adjusting+fit.html
I sent a E mail today to the guys at Badlands asking them what opinions or info that they could provide on some of the "load lifter" questions that people have. ,,,,,,,, This was the response that I got back.
Aron,
Being a manufacturer we usually stay out of these kinds of things, however in this case we could not stand by and watch the comments about the importance of load lifter straps and the role they play in a packs function and performance and not set the record straight. First: any pack which has a frame (internal or external) has to have load lifter straps in order to perform correctly, period. To use a metaphor, the frame of a pack is basically like a cars engine and the load lifters are the transmission and drive train. Horse power means nothing if you cannot transfer it to the road. A packs frame is designed to act as a “second spine” and in order to do that the frame must be taller than your own backbone or shoulders. The load lifters are always at the top of the frame, when they are pulled tight they basically pull the weight off of the pack wearers shoulders and transfer the weight to the frame and down to the hips. The best rule of thumb is that these load lifting straps should go from the top of the shoulder strap to the top of the pack frame at approximately a 45 degree angle, this trajectory will provide the user with an equal amount of lift and stabilization. If the load lifters are at the same height as the pack wearer’s shoulders, it becomes physically impossible to lift and transfer the load off of your back the weight can only be pulled into your body. This does nothing but create a painful amount of pressure in ones chest. This is not meant to be propaganda, however, if you go to the Bad Lands www.badlandspacks.com website and click on the button which says “down load owner’s manual” you will find diagrams and line art to support this law of physics and make it easier to understand. We do not care if you have one of our packs or not, these laws are the same for all packs. Once again there is a science behind carrying gear and the more knowledge you have concerning this science the more you will enjoy your gear and receive the maximum benefits it was designed to provide.
"Precision Lift is the feature that allows you to adjust the angle of your lifter straps. You will see a 3-bar slider on a vertical strip of webbing connected to the frame. The lifter strap is connected to this 3-bar slider. To adjust the angle of the lifter straps, just slide this 3-bar slider up or down. We have found that a 15-30 degree angle works best."
"Precision Lift is the feature that allows you to adjust the angle of your lifter straps. You will see a 3-bar slider on a vertical strip of webbing connected to the frame. The lifter strap is connected to this 3-bar slider. To adjust the angle of the lifter straps, just slide this 3-bar slider up or down. We have found that a 15-30 degree angle works best."
0-2,000 Cubic inches or 20 lbs = angle not important
2,000-3,800 Cubic inches or 25-45 pounds = 10-25 degree angle
3,800 + or 45+ pounds = 30-45 degree angle
What I typed above is what I have found that works best for me and the people that I have hunted with.
If you know the adjustments of your pack and it's capabilities, it will make for a much more enjoyable trip.
I will post more reviews on the OX soon, not done screwing around with it yet:)
I would give him a call and he can go over pricing and materials with you. 303-761-2070 Gary @ DayOne
Sure they can, lots of people do.
I picked up a gregory z65. ER wrote bout it some so far i am happy.I plan on having a freighter at the truck like ya said too. Pack is way light too under 4LBS.And on sale in REI outlet for $159.
mike
http://www.mountain-archery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3773
http://www.mountain-archery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3773
On camofire.com today they have an interesting external frame pack for those of you who like the idea of having an external frame pack for packing out meat. I don't have any experience with this pack but there may be some out there who have tried it that will chime in. anyway 55% off for those interested.
Pack adjusts well and has some attachment options on the suspension to fit just about anyone it seems to me. Well padded. Load Lifters are well above your shoulders and really take the load off and transfer it to the hips. Not much for attachment points on the belt itself is a downside.
Biggest disappointment was the middle bar on the frame where the should straps attach. It presses on my back when I have the pack tight to me and makes my shoulder blades sore. There is a mess panel back there to keep you cool but what it really needs is some padding between your shoulder blades and that damn bar. So I took a padded panel out of an old worn out pack and retrofitted it with slots for the Kelty's shoulder straps to go through and that seems to have fixed the issue.
I will get some pics and give it a workout on a hike this weekend. Otherwise very pleased with the pack. I plan to pack in my gear in the kelty pack and just strap my ultraday empty on the back for a daypack.
I do also hunt with a gun so i do not mind guns that carry both guns and bows.
I have be debating between the three and just can't decide and it is starting to drive my wife cray that I cannot decide.
My 3 choices:
Blacks Creek Canadian Eberlestock J34 Eberlestck X2
Please help me decide???
If your looking for just a day pack I would not recommend the Canadian pack. I have one of the old style Canadians before they added that extra zip on pack to it. They are not bad but a bit heavy. If you have a thing for blacks creeks packs check into the 2.5. Its also a bit heavy but its built like a tank! and supper comfortable. I used the 2.5 for a few years for day trips and bivy hunts. I had an old x2 and really liked it for a light day pack. I would lean more in that direction if I were you. The new X2 will be out in not to long and should be a really nice day pack! I have never used the J34 so cant say anything about that one.
Good luck and remember to try them on if you can first so you can get a better idea.
I have a long torso as well but not broad shoulders. I think you should be fine with the 2200 as far as torso but idk about your shoulders you would have to get feed back from another guy other then me in that departments. The 2200 is a bad a$$ pack! I have used one a couple times, but as of now I am using the 2800 instead of the 2200. Its just personal preferance when it comes down to it. But I think you would be very happy with the 2200!
X2!!
Essentially harvested back pad out of a little bitty old day pack that had seen better days then cut slits for my shoulder straps to go through and slipped it on. Not sure how long until it rips apart but for now it is the fix.
The 2200 should fit your torso length. Very nice pack. I went with the 2800 instead also.
Some dude is selling them on ebay for $275
Also saw a slightly used badlands 4500 go for just under $150 this week......it was tempting.
I'm not sure if I could handle A pack that big:) or break it...I have broken just about every other pack that I have been using. My Gregory took a chit on me earlier this week and a few others are not standing the test of time either.
I'll be posting reviews on the Mystery Ranch Longbow and Nice 6500 on Monday, been using them for a while now and I don't think it's possible to break the MR stuff, but I'm going to keep trying:):)
Have you had any more use with the OX? Is it worth the money for a load hauler? I like the idea of the ox/sacrifice combo for a backpack hunt.
I ordered an ox frame but sent it back b/c I needed the medium belt. It's about 3 weeks backordered according to the guys at badlands.
thanks.
Mike @ story creek inc. is having a 10% off everything he sells sale. Including his badlands packs if any one is looking for a deal its worth checking out.
I like the 2800 because I can just skin, bone out ( I don’t like carry extra so I don’t carry quartered animals, but you could do it just the same) roll it in between the wings of the pack and head on your way. It keeps my gear clean and it is easy on easy off.
Excuse the poor quality of photos but it will give you an idea of how I use it anyways.
The 6500 is a pack that I had not used before, but I am very impresses so far. It will compress down to nothing for a day pack and will handle #300 pound loads(I tried it). I did a little searching (on the 6500) and found that one guide in B.C uses this type of pack. Look up Brian Martin on facebook....The pictures he has are pretty amazing. I found several reviews on the 6500, but his stuff will make your head turn:)
I will go into much deeper deatial when I get back from my scouting trip.
Thanks everyone and have a great weekend.
Reaper, how is the Osprey holding up?
"Reaper, how is the Osprey holding up?" Send a PM if you would like!!!!
