I have looked at Kifaru, Eberlestock, and Mystery Ranch packs all on-line. The problem is, you really don't know about them until you put your hans on em, or from people with experience. I need to carry at least 120lbs. for up to five miles at atime. Does anyone have experience with this kind of weight. Whick pack will be the most comfortable over long distances?

Hunter

None until you train with 120lbs over 5 miles. That is a crippling load and unless you are a ranger its gonna hurt no matter what you use unless you got time under that load.

All 3 makers will handle that weight.

Mystery ranch is better at the waist belt than the others but they are all quality.

Consider a cart or sherpa <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hound

Yea, no kidding. I'm using a True North SAR pack right now, and it's loaded to 55lbs. It feels a little over weighted for the size. I will slowly work my way up to 120 but I cant go up in weight anymore because of the small pack.

Hunter

Hunter, listen to what SARhound was saying. Unless you are in PEAK PHYSICAL CONDITION you shouldn't try to carry over 25% of your body weight.

SARHound, I saw a bumper sticker yesterday and thought of you. It said,"Support search and rescue....get lost." <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'll be the one to ask the obvious...

Why in God's name do you need to pack that much? The answer may help our answers.

I had one on the old car. Got lots of comments both good and bad haha.

My favorite SAR motto of all time:

"(Location) Search & Rescue: Battling Natural Selection Since (Date)" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

HOund

A big, big pack huh? Like this? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

It seemed a little heavy to me also. I will be going on a Northern Tier canoe trip in July of this year. From Ely up into Canada with my sons Scout troop. The canoes and packs will be approx. 80lbs. each. This is the weight our Scout Troop physical instructor say I need to work up to because of my size. Right now I'm supposed to be carrying 65 lbs. which is 60% of my total pack weight. I can't stuff that much weight in my True North short of using lead. I don't want to destroy this pack from over weight. Will this help?

Hunter

I seriously question the advice you've been given. Sounds like someone went a bit overboard. The key point is that you'll be portaging a bit of weight at various times during the trip, and that it would be a good idea to start improving your fitness level. There is no reason you should be "training" with a 120lb pack. Focus on general fitness, stamina, upper body strength, and ideally (but I don't know where you live) do some hiking in the hills with ~50lbs on your back 8-10 miles per weekend. This is a scout trip afterall. (If you insist, however, any reasonable backpack suspension should have no problem handling 3X 25lb sacks of lead shot... I have a couple tons on my garage floor if you need to borrow any <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)

I only carry about 20 pounds for a 3 day trip, but then again I am a mad man.

pshhh 20 lbs?
I carry more than that in books...
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
there is this weird competition between me and mac these days.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

other than that I think you could carry 120 lbs on your back for sure, you just need to keep fit and maybe train and stuff.