Customer Reviews

Kelty Cache Hauler/Complete

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This pack needs a little more publicity than it gets on reviews! This thing is the hummer of packs, its not light (almost ten pounds) but it more than makes up for this by how well the weight is borne. I saddled it up with 60+ pounds and feel it can probably do twice that without flinching. Definitely not for everybody, I like the utility of having a fold down shelf, and the pack pops off by removing two pins in no more than two minutes. And the frame (with pack removed) can handle as a big a load as you would want to put on your back. You could easily use the flap/strap setup to attach a full size duffel bag, or a quartered whitetail to the system. The shelf is really nice for stashing whatever it is you may be stashing, I had my buddy put about half his body weight on it and i was still able to stand (+ the full pack) The cloth that the pack is made from is 900 denier (twice that of most packs) and the quality is second to none, very supple. Plus Kelty stands behind it with a lifetime warranty... Pictures really dont do it justice, this thing is bombproof and military simple. You dont see many folks backpacking with external frames now, but this pack lets you stand up straight in a normal comfy posture, something i dont think any internal pack can do with a significant load. And the load never touches you, so you can pack without worrying if something is going to be jabbing you in the back. You always have the same comfy back to pack connection. And, when you do roll up on some of those folks with their bright yellow arcteryx 3 pound internal frame packs, you'll make em look like they are riding a 6 year old girl's bike as you drop the pack part and bring back 100 pounds fire wood.

Amen Jacob, amen, and amen to your review. I do a lot of big game hunting in the Rockies, frequently miles from a road. We've hauled animals out 4-5 miles since I was a teenager, with packs ranging from the typical old-school aluminum frame to lightweight plastic frame packs.

When I bought this pack 4 years ago we had about a 3 mile hike out with an average-sized elk. I loved the way the pack distributed the weight. It was phenomenal. The only problem was that since I had the best pack I "got" to carry the most weight. That only happened that year - as soon as I got home I bought 3 more Kelty Cache Haulers to spread the wealth. Now we all carry the packs in and share the weight.

Two years ago we knocked down a big elk and a smaller yearling about 3.5 miles from the road. Not wanting to make a second trip in for the rest of the meat, we loaded up both of them and hauled them out in one trip - all 4 quarters, both backstraps, the loins and stripped neck meat from both. Each of us carried 1 hind and 1 front quarter plus whatever else we could fit.

Being a masochist I also decided to bring the hide out too. The load was huge . . . the heaviest I've ever had on my back. We made it to the truck and just took the packs off our backs and put them in the bed - still fully loaded. It was December and we were leaving the next day, so we just left the packs covered in the truck for the night. When we got back to town I weighed my pack - 120 lbs! I was shocked. I knew it was heavy, but had no clue it was THAT heavy. I'm 5'10" and 185 lbs and was 35 at the time. I'm fit and generally athletic. I had guessed the pack was about 100 lbs before weighing it.

The pack is just amazing. Though I'm not advocating carrying out 120 lbs. in one trip (hide or not), this pack can do it without a problem. I will never haul another animal out without this pack. I'm planning a trip to AK for moose and will take it without a second thought. It's just that tough. The frame is solid, the fabric is rugged, the seams and stitching are stout. I cannot praise the construction of the pack enough. And the pack loads and carries like a dream. To be sure, a heavy pack is a heavy pack - there's no escaping that, but the padding on the shoulder and waist straps are very comfortable. The weight distribution is like none I've ever seen in another pack.

Other than high-quality scopes for my rifles, buying these packs for the whole hunting party was the best investment I've ever made for hunting. I can't say enough about them. GREAT product, Kelty.