Mystery Ranch Pintler
The Mystery Ranch Pintler is a lightweight, hunt-focused load-bearing pack that balances nimble trail performance with reliable load support for day-to-multi-day hunts. It holds its position by delivering Mystery Ranch's proven frame and efficient access at a lower weight and price than full-size market leaders, making it a better choice for fast approaches compared with heavier rigs like the Metcalf or the Stone Glacier.
Featherlight carry
3-zip access!
Featherlight carry
3-zip access!
Review Summary
"Users consistently praise the Pintler for its superb load-carrying comfort, durable build, and simple, hunter-focused layout that performs well on multi-day backcountry hunts. Some users note it can be a bit heavier than ultra-light alternatives and the ventilation is average under sustained exertion."
Rugged minimalist
3-ZIP main compartment for fast access to core items
Rugged minimalist
3-ZIP main compartment for fast access to core items
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The Mystery Ranch Pintler is a lightweight, hunt-focused load-bearing pack that balances nimble trail performance with reliable load support for day-to-multi-day hunts. It holds its position by delivering Mystery Ranch's proven frame and efficient access at a lower weight and price than full-size market leaders, making it a better choice for fast approaches compared with heavier rigs like the Metcalf or the Stone Glacier.
Featherlight carry
3-zip access!
Rugged minimalist
3-ZIP main compartment for fast access to core items
Internal load-bearing frame and padded hipbelt for stable carry
Featherlight carry
3-zip access!
Rugged minimalist
3-ZIP main compartment for fast access to core items
Internal load-bearing frame and padded hipbelt for stable carry
$450-650 CAD
Stone Glacier Solo
The Stone Glacier Solo is a market-leading, high-performance hunting pack prized for its elite suspension and superior load-transfer design that excels during heavy pack-outs and sustained carries. It carries a premium price but justifies it with best-in-class comfort and durability for heavy loads, outperforming lighter, more affordable packs such as the Pintler and Sitka on raw load-bearing capability.
Body-conforming fit
Whisper-quiet
Body-conforming fit
Whisper-quiet
Review Summary
"Owners laud the Stone Glacier Solo for exceptional suspension, stability under very heavy loads and premium materials that stand up to repeated alpine hunting seasons. The main complaints are the high price and minimalistic organization compared with more feature-rich packs."
Carbon backbone
Lightweight, high-strength frame ideal for long approaches
Carbon backbone
Lightweight, high-strength frame ideal for long approaches
Increased Safety & Security
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Stone Glacier Solo is a market-leading, high-performance hunting pack prized for its elite suspension and superior load-transfer design that excels during heavy pack-outs and sustained carries. It carries a premium price but justifies it with best-in-class comfort and durability for heavy loads, outperforming lighter, more affordable packs such as the Pintler and Sitka on raw load-bearing capability.
Body-conforming fit
Whisper-quiet
Carbon backbone
Lightweight, high-strength frame ideal for long approaches
Minimalist profile with surprisingly high load comfort
Body-conforming fit
Whisper-quiet
Carbon backbone
Lightweight, high-strength frame ideal for long approaches
Minimalist profile with surprisingly high load comfort
$700-950 CAD
Sitka Mountain 2700
The Sitka Mountain 2700 occupies the sweet spot between ultralight and full-size hunting packs, combining rugged, weather-resistant materials with a balanced suspension tuned for multi-day hunts. Its mid-range cost and modular features offer strong value for hunters who want more carrying capability than the Pintler without stepping up to the premium, heavy-haul focus of the Stone Glacier or Metcalf.
Big-game ready
Rock-solid stability
Big-game ready
Rock-solid stability
Review Summary
"Reviewers appreciate the Sitka Mountain 2700 for its comfortable harness, smart hunter-focused features and capacity for extended hunts, making it a reliable workhorse. Some users find it relatively heavy and pricey, and a few report faster wear on accessory fabrics than expected."
Quick-access pockets
Large volume (≈2700 cu in) designed for extended hunts
Quick-access pockets
Large volume (≈2700 cu in) designed for extended hunts
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
The Sitka Mountain 2700 occupies the sweet spot between ultralight and full-size hunting packs, combining rugged, weather-resistant materials with a balanced suspension tuned for multi-day hunts. Its mid-range cost and modular features offer strong value for hunters who want more carrying capability than the Pintler without stepping up to the premium, heavy-haul focus of the Stone Glacier or Metcalf.
Big-game ready
Rock-solid stability
Quick-access pockets
Large volume (≈2700 cu in) designed for extended hunts
Adjustable suspension and robust hipbelt for long-distance comfort
Big-game ready
Rock-solid stability
Quick-access pockets
Large volume (≈2700 cu in) designed for extended hunts
Adjustable suspension and robust hipbelt for long-distance comfort
Exo Mountain Gear 3600
The Exo Mountain Gear 3600 targets hunters who need high-volume capacity with a minimal weight penalty, using efficient load geometry and modern materials to move heavy gear without the bulk of traditional frames. It is competitively priced against premium competitors and often delivers better price-per-liter and comparable carrying performance, making it a smart option for big pack-outs that would overmatch lighter models like the Pintler or Mountain 2700.
Ultra-haul capacity
Modular rigging
Ultra-haul capacity
Modular rigging
Review Summary
"The Exo Mountain Gear 3600 is praised for rugged construction and ability to carry very heavy, awkward loads comfortably over long distances; long-term users cite excellent durability. Downsides noted are its bulk and weight for lighter-gear trips and a spartan organization layout."
Aluminum-frame tough
3600 cu in capacity with modular pocket options for customization
Aluminum-frame tough
3600 cu in capacity with modular pocket options for customization
Time-Saving Convenience
Sustained Energy & Focus
The Exo Mountain Gear 3600 targets hunters who need high-volume capacity with a minimal weight penalty, using efficient load geometry and modern materials to move heavy gear without the bulk of traditional frames. It is competitively priced against premium competitors and often delivers better price-per-liter and comparable carrying performance, making it a smart option for big pack-outs that would overmatch lighter models like the Pintler or Mountain 2700.
Ultra-haul capacity
Modular rigging
Aluminum-frame tough
3600 cu in capacity with modular pocket options for customization
External frame and reinforced hipbelt to handle heavy loads
Ultra-haul capacity
Modular rigging
Aluminum-frame tough
3600 cu in capacity with modular pocket options for customization
External frame and reinforced hipbelt to handle heavy loads
$550-750 CAD
Mystery Ranch Metcalf 75
The Mystery Ranch Metcalf 75 is the heavy-duty workhorse of the list, engineered for long-range, high-volume hunts and intensive field work with an oversized chassis and exceptional load stability. It sits at the premium end like the Stone Glacier Solo but distinguishes itself with enormous carrying capacity and modularity for pro-level, load-bearing hunting tasks that outstrip smaller packs such as the Pintler and Mountain 2700.
Haul-monster
Load-levelling hipbelt
Haul-monster
Load-levelling hipbelt
Review Summary
"The Mystery Ranch Metcalf 75 earns strong marks for large-capacity load stability, roomy carry and a proven frame that endures multi-season hunts; users say it carries heavy game well. Common negatives are its overall weight, premium price, and that some organization/features are less refined than its cost implies."
Organized abyss
75L/large-volume design built for long trips and meat hauling
Organized abyss
75L/large-volume design built for long trips and meat hauling
Recreational Enjoyment
Increased Safety & Security
The Mystery Ranch Metcalf 75 is the heavy-duty workhorse of the list, engineered for long-range, high-volume hunts and intensive field work with an oversized chassis and exceptional load stability. It sits at the premium end like the Stone Glacier Solo but distinguishes itself with enormous carrying capacity and modularity for pro-level, load-bearing hunting tasks that outstrip smaller packs such as the Pintler and Mountain 2700.
Haul-monster
Load-levelling hipbelt
Organized abyss
75L/large-volume design built for long trips and meat hauling
Sturdy, supportive frame and wide hipbelt for maximal load support
Haul-monster
Load-levelling hipbelt
Organized abyss
75L/large-volume design built for long trips and meat hauling
Sturdy, supportive frame and wide hipbelt for maximal load support
$900-1,200 CAD