Frame backpacks

WW.

Well-Known Member
I've a friend who does a lot of mountain stalking, roes and reds mostly. He's after a frame backpack which can be used to carry out carcases, a bit like some of the lumberjack type ones (basically just a frame).

Something along these lines.

Does anyone have any recommendations?
 
I can't attest to this one personally, but fjallraven kit is generally of very good quality, and it's currently reduced here 👍🏻

 
K
 

I have one of these. It is very comfortable under weight. Very easy to strap roe to. I think a whole red carcass would be fine weight wise but some prior thought needed re the placement. No problem if quartered and stacked.

It is an extremely versatile pack. I have strapped an oil barrel to it to carry items.
 
I can see the sensible safety related element of hauling a deer out of clear fell with an element of hi-viz orange to catch the eye of any onlooker!

K
 
Also have an eberlestock as Jimmy says above very comfortable under load.
The only thing about the backpack I have found you'd want to be very very careful going down hill over rough ground with them you want a good walking stick or use your shooting sticks for stability even at that in my opinion it still safer drag them downhill over steep rough ground.
 
Not sure if you can import them here but Stone Glacier makes a really nice pack. Instead of a shelf it uses a sling. Very comfortable to pack fairly heavy weight. Then you can swap out to different size bags on the frame depending what you want to do.
 

I have one of these. It is very comfortable under weight. Very easy to strap roe to. I think a whole red carcass would be fine weight wise but some prior thought needed re the placement. No problem if quartered and stacked.

It is an extremely versatile pack. I have strapped an oil barrel to it to carry items.
I've also got the Mainframe. It's a solid frame pack that's very light but very strong. Best part is the modularity of all the various packs and bags up can add to it.

The Eberlestock Basin is a great bag to attach and use with it plus it can be taken off and used as a kit holdall if needed.
 
Not sure if you can import them here but Stone Glacier makes a really nice pack. Instead of a shelf it uses a sling. Very comfortable to pack fairly heavy weight. Then you can swap out to different size bags on the frame depending what you want to do.
I had one of these and just couldn’t get on with it.

It was just too over complicated and the very pale blue colour made it stand out horribly.

I now have an EXO which I much prefer.
 
As @SSN100 said earlier you could try a Clansman frame, the same frame was used on the GS rucksack and also the larger SAS rucksack version.
If you did go this way, pick up a quick release belt which helps sit on your hips, as without it the frame bounces around.
Will post some pics of my long time ago issue one later.
 
I had one of these and just couldn’t get on with it.

It was just too over complicated and the very pale blue colour made it stand out horribly.

I now have an EXO which I much prefer.
Yeah I get it. I started with a Sitka pack and it killed my back. Not sure what it was but it didn't agree with me. Once adjusted the SG fit me like a glove.
 
I had one of these and just couldn’t get on with it.

It was just too over complicated and the very pale blue colour made it stand out horribly.

I now have an EXO which I much prefer.
I have an EXO too. Great pack. Doubt that there are many in the UK.
 
I have an EXO too. Great pack. Doubt that there are many in the UK.
No - but they do mail to the UK if you can swallow the import tax.

I actually got mine during COVID, and I think due to the prevailing chaos, didn’t get charged! It was amazing: during the very early stages of the summer 2020 ‘relaxation’ of the rules, I ordered it from the States, thinking I might be lucky to have it by Christmas. It arrived in 8 days, with no tax.

Since then, I’ve ordered a few smaller things from EXO and corresponded with them. They are really responsive and seem to go out of their way to try to help.
 
The GS frame is approx 70 cm tall and the tray in the third pic is about 12 cm deep, so not ideal for a big red but good enough to lash a Roe to or if you were able to pick up a full Bergen you can drop a Roe in it and plenty of pouches to put more kit in.
 

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No - but they do mail to the UK if you can swallow the import tax.

I actually got mine during COVID, and I think due to the prevailing chaos, didn’t get charged! It was amazing: during the very early stages of the summer 2020 ‘relaxation’ of the rules, I ordered it from the States, thinking I might be lucky to have it by Christmas. It arrived in 8 days, with no tax.

Since then, I’ve ordered a few smaller things from EXO and corresponded with them. They are really responsive and seem to go out of their way to try to help.
Yes, great company, I love their podcast too (Hunt the Backcountry). I did even better than you, I had my first main order shipped to a mate who was in the States on an army exercise, got the military discount, no overseas shipping and no extra taxes. I later got another smaller order shipped to another mate in the states, also working on an exchange with the US military, and he posted it to me as a gift. Got to take the small wins when you can! This is the k3 1800 bag with a whole CWD buck in it. I also have the 3500 bag
IMG_7892.jpeg
 
I have an EXO K4 and the load panel. 3 of my mates here have all went for the same after seeing and using mine.
I jerry rigged a rifle holder to it to keep it hands free when packing out animals. It will easily carry a pair of sika hinds in the one load.
 

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