I recently saw and tried on a Kelty pack frame that has been out for a few years and it just amazed me how it was built and how much lighter it was than the rest of them offered.

Just wondering if anyone had any first hand experience with it?

Magnum

I have a couple of them and I've been very happy with both. Some of the other packs are made more for meat packing and are a little more rugged but the light weight of the Kelly more than makes up for it. Also I have used it for several moose and it worked fine.

Regards,

Mark

Thanks for the reply, I'm mostly wondering about their new one that is made specifically for meat packing.

I was considering the new Cabelas pack frame but this new Kelty seems to be tougher, lighter, and less bulky with the ability to still do a heavy pack out if needed.

Thanks again

Mag61,

I didn't think Kelty made a production freighter frame pack anymore, but when I checked their website, sure enough there it was. Where or who do you know that stocks this model for sale? I tried searching the links on the Kelty site but can't find anyone that carries the freighter.

I have a standard Kelty external frame that has been used hard for two decades. I've carried as heavy as 75 pounds w/out problems. I now train w/ this pack during the off season. I will run cross country wearing the pack loaded w/ 40-50 pounds of sand. It has the original old style suspension w/ the metal buckle. It has held up well.

On a side note. I don't know who makes the current Barney frame pack now that Camp Trails is belly up? Maybe Kelty does. But, if the current Kelty is as tough as the older one, I'm sure it would hold up well to modest loads and abuse.

Gary

IT was stocked by Sportsmans Warehouse and the pack frame seems to be quite stout and strong. It also is less bulky than the Cabelas frame I was looking at and it just was flat comfortable and non-restricing.

I liked it, a lot, that's all I can say.

I noticed two versions of this Kelty Pack. One version is identical to the Kelty web site having four side pockets w/ a retail price of $275 w/ the the asking price of $239. The second version has three side pockets (one long for scope) and is described as having extra shoulder straps for the pack when removed from frame w/ a retail price of $214 and w/ the asking price of $150 - $200. This second pack may be last years model but I'm unsure.

Which pack did you look at?

Gary

I honestly just looked at the frame itself. That's all I'm looking at buying right now but from that, I was extremly impressed. It's so light and comfortable but it's built like a battle ship. They did sound proof the pins on it, for the very few pins there were.

To me, the frame seems worth it even if I have to brainstorm a simple solution for the pins, just for confidence, I think they would be fine by themselves on a hunt.

Think I figured it out. Spoke w/ Kelty tech about the product:

2005 is the first regular production run. The current ones out are $209 retail. The newer fall models to come out will be $214 retail.

The original 2004 models in circulation are pre-production that actually cost more w/ the retail running about $275. Some if not all of these have fewer features such as not being hydration compatible. Because they are now making more of them in regular production they lowered the price.

W/ my past experience w/ Kelty frame packs I would say short of being a packer at a moose camp, the new Kelty should hold up well and should be superior to the old and now defunct Camp Trails freighter. If their customer service is as good as in the past, I wouldn't worry about it at all if it did break. I'm glad Kelty has stepped up to fill the "freighter" void created since Camp Trails is gone.

Gary

I have a Cabelas that seems to work real well
and costs less. Last year T helped a friend
pack out a huge bull elk in unit 1 in Co.,
When we got to the cape and head and horns
my Cabelas pack was the only one it fit on.
We estimated the pack weighed in excess of 165
lbs. We had rounded up 5 people and it was a good thing as it took 3 people to put the pack
on. We took shifts and I think the longest carry was about 200 yards before knees started buckling.
The pack worked real well with no damage.
Charlie

In the price range mentioned, I would strongly suggest the Bullpac, I have the "Alaskan" model and it is much superior to anything else I have ever used or seen. The frame is simply bombproof and it would take a cutting torch to damage it, yet, the weight is comparable to the light tubing frames.

I have gone through a number of pack frames and prefer a Kifaru Longhunter Rendevous and a Mystery Ranch BDSB as my main packs, but, the Bullpac is really a fine piece of equipment. go to http://www.Bullpacs.com

kutenay,

I've considered the Bullpac several times but the same issue kills it for me. I do not like their suspension at all and cannot make it work. It's okay walking in a straight line, but unless they have changed it by adding load lifters and side adjustments to the belt, it just plain sucks. It is way too sloppy and uncomfortable when going through rough terrain. Maybe I tried an older model and it has since improved.

I ran 3 miles cross country yesterday w/ my 20year old Kelty loaded w/ 50lbs(total weight). Though it creeked and groaned, it stayed in place on my back and was no way near as sloppy as the Bullpac. The newer Kelty has an even better suspension and is probably just as tuff as my old one.

I'll give it to you that the Bullpac frame is tuffer. I'd also go w/ the Carnivour if you need the most comfortable pack to haul the biggest loads w/out breaking. I cannot recommend the Bullpac suspension.

Gary

I agree that the Bullpac suspension could be improved, but, I have used mine here in B.C. with general success and it is rather rough country here. I wish that Bullpac would obtain their suspensions from Dana Gleason at Mystery, but, doubt that this will happen. My major reason for not using mine to hunt with is that you cannot shoot with it on, so, I have gone to Kifaru as my do-it-all hunting pack.

The Carnivore you mention is a new one to me, perhaps you could post a link? I have generally found that most packs are not really intended for carrying heavy weight as loads in excess of 75 lbs. are beyond most people in harsh country. I have carried twice that on Trapper Nelson #3's during my employment in the B.C. bush and even the Bullpac feels damned good compared to those torture racks!

kutenay,

Barney's Carnivour, super duty V-truss freighter frame w/ upgraded Y-beam suspension:
http://www.barneyssports.com/itemDescription.jsp?depid=2&prodid=283

Knu-Pac 3rd Generation "Navy Seals" Portaging Frame, super duty V-truss freighter frame w/ Mystery Ranch Works suspension and waterproof bag. This pack was developed and tested at the Northern Warfare Training Center in Alaska:
http://www.knupac.com/products.html

The new 2005 Kelty Frame Pack, classic Kelty H-frame w/ their current suspension:
http://www.kelty.com/Kelty/index.cfm?fuseaction=Packs.S...uct&type=pack&ID=230

The Kelty has a trim suspension w/ load lifter straps, adjustable height sternum strap, reinforced contoured waistbelt and belt stabilizer straps. The frame dimensions are identical to my older version and I can shoot rifle or bow w/ this pack:
http://www.kelty.com/Kelty/PDF/Packs/2005FreighterFrameINST-update.pdf

The Carnivour is proven for professional use. I don't own one but have hauled w/ one. I'd say if you were a packer in the bush and cannot afford for your pack to fail, this would be a top pick.

Knu-Pac Navy Seal military version is not available to the public yet. If and when this becomes available, I think it may be one to consider for professional use, especially those guiding float trips. The bag system will hold everything you would ever need w/ easy access yet be 100% waterproof and warfare tuff.

Back to the Kelty. It is modest sized both frame and bag. It is not obnoxiously too big for those who choose an external frame but wish to hunt w/ their pack. It forces you to carry fewer items as the bag is in the 3000-4000ci range which is good for me as I have a tendency to carry everything that will fit. It is not as stealthy as a small daypack but is just as stealthy as any other frame pack out there.

The older I get, the more I like the older stuff of my youth. This is the main reason keeping me away form an internal frame. I find comfort in the external frame design that I've carried throughout my life.

Gary

Thanks very much, the Knu-Pak military pack sounds very interesting and I will phone them next week concerning availability. I am always interested in gear that will make my life easier. I am "old" too and although my working days are over, I still backpack into very rugged country; I have found that the frame packs usually break and are not as stable as Kifaru and MysteryRanch models.

The Barney's pack looks good, but, I prefer Mystery suspension over anything else I have tried since I put on my first rucksack in '56, each to his own.