Mystery Ranch Vs. Cabela's Alaskan Freighter..I tried both

[Formerly Montana Bob]

Good Posts

Good Posts

This is perfect and just what I am looking for as far as info.
Recently up from Montana looking to see the gear upgrades that are neccesary.
I have the Cabela's Alaskan guide pack/frame and has served me very well with packing out of numerous Elk in the mountains of Montana and from what I am reading should do just fine up here on Moose..
I see some of you local guy's are loyal to local merchants and that's great, but in some instances just can't see investing more on marginal stuff unless it gives a huge advantage.
I have been sold however on a few other things including Wiggy's bags and will be making my way over there shortly.
Thanks guys and keep them coming.

 

[wolfkiller]

not loyal

not loyal

We are not loyal to local merchants. It just so happens that that some of the local merchants seem to know what the local terrain demands. I do not consider myself loyal to anyone but my wife. I have owned both the cabelas and barnys packs and you could not pay me to take a cabelas again. For instance I have not found any wiggys geer that impressed me.

 

[BRWNBR]

for what i do, the barney bag is HUGE advances over the cabela's bags...not a wiggies fan either, or gor tex...lol

 

[Formerly Montana Bob]

Thanks for the input

Thanks for the input

I have owned both the cabelas and barnys packs and you could not pay me to take a cabelas again. For instance I have not found any wiggys geer that impressed me.

Thanks for your opinion.
I think I have gathered enough info from the other posters here on this site and others who have given their REASON for their likes, dislikes for the different types of hunting that goes on here and have made up my mind on most gear selections.
I try and take all of this into account for my purchases.
Example
I have learned that down bags have there down sides here for the type of hunting I wish to do.( Floats, Fly-ins, Winter trips which are new to me) Might apply to Goat or Sheep, but doesn't interest me at this time.
In Montana I hunt out of a Wall tent, out of a base camp and gear is packed in with my horses, wieght is not a great issue and use cots.Pretty much our Elk season is over by the end of Nov.Down Bags work for me here as moisture is not an issue.
Whole different ballgame up here.
No one who has posted say's Wiggy's bags have failed them. The military uses them, Most that own them like them, Lifetime warranty, Company has been in business for awhile. Good resale value ( Checked Ebay) Locally produced.Excellent explanation on web site on how bags work.
Cabela's packs I have personal knowledge of and have both strapped an Elk hind quarter to the frame and stuffed over 100# into the pack itself ( Separate trips)for several 2 and 3 mile high mountain packs back to the horses.Pack was comfortable and held up well and seems others up here use them and they held up.
I am just trying to gather information on what the locals use, try and incorporate that into the style of hunting I wish to do and not spend unnecessary money.
Thanks again for your input.

 

[fishlakehome]

choosing gear

choosing gear

We all have to make decisions based on want or price. Most of the posters on here are just trying to give their honest opions based upon years of experience. It is up to you to make the decision on your own. Myself I like learning from others mistakes, its usually safer and cheaper than making my own. I started hunting with cheaper packs and when I discovered sheep hunting was in my blood I knew I had to upgrade. I looked, borrowed and researched everything I could find and bought the barneys pack. I am sure I made the best decision for me. The pack will haul more than you are able to and stand up to everything you can do to it. My hunting partner bought a Cabelas against my advice and likes it but knows he will be buying the barneys soon.


If you cant afford to do it right the first time, what makes you think you can afford to do it twice.

 

[IFLY4U]

Camptrails made the 1st Barneys pack

Camptrails made the 1st Barneys pack

The original Barneys packs were made by CampTrails to their specs. I have one that I bought from Barneys in 1988. I hauled alot of stuff with it and it has never failed although I a sure that there has been quite a few upgrades over the years. The lifetime warranty is for the life of the pack to be determined by Barneys. If you are guide and wear it out in 3 years, that could be the life of the pack as determined by Barneys. If you do 1 or 2 hunts a year and the frame breaks after 5 years, it may be replaced.

That it the way it was explained to me when I was inquiring about a new harness.

 

[TWA]

I will say this about Barney's...

I will say this about Barney's...

When I stopped by Barneys after my hunt, I showed the owner my Helly Hanson Impertech jacket, where I had ripped off two buttons. They tore off while I was hauling my moose out. He promply took them back and tried finding me a new one in the store, yet was out of my size. He sent me one within a couple weeks. THAT I APPRECIATE; NO QUESTIONS ASKED, JUST GIVE ME A NEW ONE.

I do think the Cabela's pack and frame would work just fine for me; yet I always seem to be looking for the extra edge, a true fault. Thus, If the frame makes the hauling a bit easier, then possibly it's worth it for me.

Kind regards,
TWA