Best packs out there. Love them been using them since 2019. Dennis and Joe are awesome guys. Amazing product and customer service. Keep it up guys. It was a honor to meet and talk to you Brain and Ryan
Good one guys. I am sold on the initial ascent 5K now that the horseshoe is the main access and the roll top have been added to all models. I think that was absolutely a great move. Love your content and really enjoy your videos. Thanks, Mike
For me I did my first hunt last season and am just using an old (20 year old) pack. I'm not really in the market for a $700+ pack. I'm just trying to hunt closer to home (northern Utah). But I like hearing what you like about these nice packs so i know what to look for in the cheaper packs.
After your recommendation last year my brother and I went from the seek pack to the IA 6k. It is amazing how much better it carries a load. Thank you for sharing all of this information. It has definitely saved us a ton of money and has got us able to do 9 day hunts. Keep up the good work.
Great gear available now. Unfortunately at 70 years old I'm done. Never thought the day would come but when the knees and legs go that's it. Hunted very steep country since I was 12 years old, used to run down the mountain. Maybe I just wore out don't know. I envy your physical capability. I was there once.
I am a bit of a junkie when it comes to this system. I have 2200 and 6k. Now I want a 3 or 5k because I love the horseshoe that unfortunately my 6k does not have. I have the crib panel and side pouches and blah blah blah. I love it and even my buddy who had another brand was jealous after packing out my LE Utah bull last year so he bought an IA at the show this year. And besides a superior pack design IA’s customer service is unmatched from anything I have ever experienced before. Five star rating across the board.
I wish the bags had an “X” shape style straps to help keep gear higher on the bag. (Kinda like the Kuiu bags) I love the frame though. I have the old 4K and thought I could fit 5-6 days worth of food and gear and I couldn’t. 😂 so I had to switch up my hunt style. Kept a few day worth of food, then went back to base camp to get more food. Still, I like the pack. One day I’ll upgrade the hip belt and shoulder strap to the new one.
I'm a small guy - 5'7", 165 #s. I have a hard time finding the right fit. I've been doing the Eberlestock main frame with a big vapor bag, but not loving it. Any advice for a smaller framed guy?
Bit of background, Im military survival instructor and back country hunter which puts me in the mountains a good 4 1/2 to 5 months annually. I have gone through many different packs to include alice packs, tactical tailor, osprey, kafaru, ect ect. Due to a busted up back, I needed something that's strapped to me like a board and held tight. I landed on Eberlestock skycrane, and that pack is perfect for me. All adjusted carrying 85lb loads is a breeze, not to mention how is opens up was nice for packing out. An entire bone in pronghorn with full hide and head fit no problem. I would see a benefit for a larger capacity if I ever venture into elk sized game, but as it stands for black bear, deer, and pronghorn, this pack is serving me well. I do think there is something to be said about folks using the wrong pack for them. On the extreme side, I've seen injuries come from improper fit or style of pack. Speaking from experience, causing disk issues over cheaping out is not worth it in the long run.
I love this bag, but it doesn't look like there is a small zipper to let a bladder or Nalgene be inside the pack (not the lid) and have the hose run up and out over your shoulder like the Kuiu. I carry a 48oz Nalgene and don't want to carry it in the hip carry set up. I can't see from the pics, Gritty, can you chime in?
It does have stretch pockets on both sides of that pack that you could run a bottle and a hose like the hardside hydration setup. When we have ran a bladder we just put it between the bag and then frame.
@@GrittyGearAndPodcast Thanks for the follow-up. I like the pockets for a spotter, tripod, and rifle. Also, running it inside my pack protects it from the sun or cold. I'm a big believer that a small slit or zipper port out of the bag would make this a 10/10.
It’s a film we released years ago and has been exclusive to our Locals Community for about 3 years. But we are making the films public starting this week on a new CZcams Channel that is just for our movies-no podcast content will be on the new channel.
There’s a spot for a medium size water bladder in the top lid-that way you can use the top lid as a day pack on a quick afternoon stalk. Otherwise, the bladder can ride on the frame with the meat shelf setup. 👍🏼
Thanks. Our goal is to continuously evolve as new innovative gear designs and technologies come to market. We are always testing new gear and working with companies to build a better mouse trap. We simply provide our personal experience with our audience-we hope our insights bring a lot of value to you. But it’s inevitable that you’ll disagree with some of our opinions and that’s okay. Thanks again.
@@robtryall9036 - Thank you. It’s a valid question. Some folks get frustrated because they bought a piece of kit that we recommended only to have us recommend something else a year later-but that’s just how fast the innovations are coming; especially on the solar panels and electrical stuff. Hope you have a great season! Thanks for watching!
There’s always new products that come out. And I appreciate people like them that are always trying to find the best out there! Idc about the same brand you been rocking with for 20 years and you just say it’s the best because you’ve been using it for so long…
You’re 100% right I’m paid-every IA backpack that someone buys using the code “GRITTY” helps my show. The TRUTH: two things can be true at the same time; I get paid, AND everything we say about this backpack is 100% true. Try me out. There’s a reason why people value my opinion-because I’ve been doing this for a decade and I don’t steer anyone wrong. People try me and over time they confirm that I don’t lie to make a buck. I would be undermining my long term value to sell-out for a quick buck-I never betray my audience. At the same time, I’ll never be ashamed to make money with my talent and hard work. Again, multiple things can be true at the same time.
There is no doubt you are a great hunter Brian, its just the amount of product endorsement your crew does. I would need a semi trailer to cart all that around not a pack@@GrittyGearAndPodcast
Best packs out there. Love them been using them since 2019. Dennis and Joe are awesome guys. Amazing product and customer service. Keep it up guys. It was a honor to meet and talk to you Brain and Ryan
Thank you Gritty and Initial crew to give me and many others this information! I am saving up for the 8 k bag!
Good one guys. I am sold on the initial ascent 5K now that the horseshoe is the main access and the roll top have been added to all models. I think that was absolutely a great move. Love your content and really enjoy your videos. Thanks, Mike
For me I did my first hunt last season and am just using an old (20 year old) pack. I'm not really in the market for a $700+ pack. I'm just trying to hunt closer to home (northern Utah). But I like hearing what you like about these nice packs so i know what to look for in the cheaper packs.
Bought one of these, way way better than the previous two Gregory backpacks I owned. Great customer service too.
After your recommendation last year my brother and I went from the seek pack to the IA 6k. It is amazing how much better it carries a load. Thank you for sharing all of this information. It has definitely saved us a ton of money and has got us able to do 9 day hunts. Keep up the good work.
Finally bought the 8K, after maxing out my SG 6900 on 8 days this spring and knowing I’ll be doing my first 10 day in Oct it was a no brainer.
Enjoyed this guys and really appreciate it! Glad you guys made it to HQ!
Great vlog guys but I find when you have the gear in front of you it helps a lot in the explanation.
Best packs out there! Keep grinding Dennis and Joe!
because of this podcast i am driving out to idaho next spring to spend a week hunting black bear. cant wait!
Packs and boots. Never go cheap on either.
Great gear available now. Unfortunately at 70 years old I'm done. Never thought the day would come but when the knees and legs go that's it. Hunted very steep country since I was 12 years old, used to run down the mountain. Maybe I just wore out don't know. I envy your physical capability. I was there once.
I am a bit of a junkie when it comes to this system. I have 2200 and 6k. Now I want a 3 or 5k because I love the horseshoe that unfortunately my 6k does not have. I have the crib panel and side pouches and blah blah blah. I love it and even my buddy who had another brand was jealous after packing out my LE Utah bull last year so he bought an IA at the show this year. And besides a superior pack design IA’s customer service is unmatched from anything I have ever experienced before. Five star rating across the board.
Awesome podcast like always. Been saving for a good pack .Having a hard time picking between intial asent and Kifaru...
I wish the bags had an “X” shape style straps to help keep gear higher on the bag. (Kinda like the Kuiu bags) I love the frame though. I have the old 4K and thought I could fit 5-6 days worth of food and gear and I couldn’t. 😂 so I had to switch up my hunt style. Kept a few day worth of food, then went back to base camp to get more food. Still, I like the pack. One day I’ll upgrade the hip belt and shoulder strap to the new one.
I'm a small guy - 5'7", 165 #s. I have a hard time finding the right fit. I've been doing the Eberlestock main frame with a big vapor bag, but not loving it. Any advice for a smaller framed guy?
Had to by one 😂
LOL 🤘🏼
You guys need to read up on those giant feral cats in Australia wrecking the ecosystem.
Hey guys when is the moose video coming out on CZcams? Or is there another way to check it out? Thanks!
It will be coming out soon 👍
Thanx
Has the frame been altered or improved like the bag and belt or still the same frame?
They made minor changes to the frame. All the changes with the hip belt, bag and frame make the entire setup perform better.
Bit of background, Im military survival instructor and back country hunter which puts me in the mountains a good 4 1/2 to 5 months annually.
I have gone through many different packs to include alice packs, tactical tailor, osprey, kafaru, ect ect. Due to a busted up back, I needed something that's strapped to me like a board and held tight.
I landed on Eberlestock skycrane, and that pack is perfect for me. All adjusted carrying 85lb loads is a breeze, not to mention how is opens up was nice for packing out. An entire bone in pronghorn with full hide and head fit no problem.
I would see a benefit for a larger capacity if I ever venture into elk sized game, but as it stands for black bear, deer, and pronghorn, this pack is serving me well.
I do think there is something to be said about folks using the wrong pack for them. On the extreme side, I've seen injuries come from improper fit or style of pack. Speaking from experience, causing disk issues over cheaping out is not worth it in the long run.
Just go ahead and say it gritty. You
Made them popular and need a sthealthy-Gritty edition pack lol.
I love this bag, but it doesn't look like there is a small zipper to let a bladder or Nalgene be inside the pack (not the lid) and have the hose run up and out over your shoulder like the Kuiu. I carry a 48oz Nalgene and don't want to carry it in the hip carry set up. I can't see from the pics, Gritty, can you chime in?
It does have stretch pockets on both sides of that pack that you could run a bottle and a hose like the hardside hydration setup. When we have ran a bladder we just put it between the bag and then frame.
@@GrittyGearAndPodcast Thanks for the follow-up. I like the pockets for a spotter, tripod, and rifle. Also, running it inside my pack protects it from the sun or cold. I'm a big believer that a small slit or zipper port out of the bag would make this a 10/10.
Does anyone have a video of loading the initial ascent pack with meat AND the pack with camp in the same load.
We will be doing a couple gear dumps as well as a video on how to load the pack. This will be included in that podcast.
@BrianCallGritty thank you very much, this is my only obstacle holding me back until I fly to Idaho and purchase a pack
I bought a 6k pack just before the beginning of the year and it has the old hip belt do you know if they’re doing a trade in or up on the belt
Hit them up. IA works hard to serve their customers.
By throwing on an Exo k4-7200 and never buying another bag again
No offense, but the Exo doesn’t compete with the IA Pack.
@@GrittyGearAndPodcast I’m always up for a healthy debate! Haha!!!
@@Alberta_MTN_Bear-
Me too! 🤘🏼😆
@@GrittyGearAndPodcast that’s it, I’m going back on locals! Had a hiatus.
which bear hunt video did ryan had a bad pack experience?
It’s a film we released years ago and has been exclusive to our Locals Community for about 3 years. But we are making the films public starting this week on a new CZcams Channel that is just for our movies-no podcast content will be on the new channel.
Sounds good!!
Is the moose hunt with Brady miller getting dropped on CZcams?
Movie drops on April 14th 🎥 🍿 🫎
Where does the water bladder go?
There’s a spot for a medium size water bladder in the top lid-that way you can use the top lid as a day pack on a quick afternoon stalk. Otherwise, the bladder can ride on the frame with the meat shelf setup. 👍🏼
@@GrittyGearAndPodcast thank you
you guys are coooool and all but flip on the product all the time.
Thanks. Our goal is to continuously evolve as new innovative gear designs and technologies come to market. We are always testing new gear and working with companies to build a better mouse trap. We simply provide our personal experience with our audience-we hope our insights bring a lot of value to you. But it’s inevitable that you’ll disagree with some of our opinions and that’s okay. Thanks again.
@@GrittyGearAndPodcast No disagreement, just wonder why you switch all the time, but you answered that.
@@robtryall9036 - Thank you. It’s a valid question. Some folks get frustrated because they bought a piece of kit that we recommended only to have us recommend something else a year later-but that’s just how fast the innovations are coming; especially on the solar panels and electrical stuff. Hope you have a great season! Thanks for watching!
There’s always new products that come out. And I appreciate people like them that are always trying to find the best out there! Idc about the same brand you been rocking with for 20 years and you just say it’s the best because you’ve been using it for so long…
seems like paid advertizing used to be mean hunters. unsubed
You’re 100% right I’m paid-every IA backpack that someone buys using the code “GRITTY” helps my show. The TRUTH: two things can be true at the same time; I get paid, AND everything we say about this backpack is 100% true. Try me out. There’s a reason why people value my opinion-because I’ve been doing this for a decade and I don’t steer anyone wrong. People try me and over time they confirm that I don’t lie to make a buck. I would be undermining my long term value to sell-out for a quick buck-I never betray my audience. At the same time, I’ll never be ashamed to make money with my talent and hard work. Again, multiple things can be true at the same time.
There is no doubt you are a great hunter Brian, its just the amount of product endorsement your crew does. I would need a semi trailer to cart all that around not a pack@@GrittyGearAndPodcast
What tarp is Ryan always pulling out.
Time to buy a good one before bear starts.
Gotta love the Zpacks tarp. Seek Outside also makes a good one. Ryan is using a PEAX prototype right now. Go 10x8 or bigger.