I've been testing for many years. As budget and experience has increased I can tell you what I've learned and what I'm currently using.
I had used a mil surplus pack with molle (budget was very tight back then), it was heavy awkward and very uncomfortable. Then I went to an external mountain smith pack (no longer made) and it was lighter but still uncomfortable. then I tried a kelty cache hauler- which I've used for many many years, hauling out several animals a year.
The kelty is pretty adequate for the task at hand, durable, and a bit heavy. Good value price though and will work.
Last season I looked at the tenzing TZCF13- wow very expensive...tried it on liked it but didn't "love it" and decided to keep looking for another option, especially at the $800+ price point. Left me wondering if anybody actually owns one, besides the TV personalities who tout the amazing features.
I also had looked at the badlands OX frame. Was ok, but not in love. Weight savings looked decent, pack frame fit was not quite comfortable.
If money was no object then I would go head and go the Kifaru route. Get the suspension pack, add a cargo panel, and of course a gunbearer (PS I have used a gunbearer for many years- I had one on my kelty cache hauler too.) You will be into the system for a fair bit of money, but it will be the last pack you ever need. Also one of the best as far as construction. Kifaru has been doing hunting packs for a long time. They are worth the money if you have it.
And then there's another option- the one I'm currently using. Eberlestock F1 Mainframe (4lbs 5oz) and adding the Kifaru Camp Bag (12.7 oz) plus a kifaru gunbearer. This packs comes in at near 5 lbs.
Last year I was losing light fast and in a somewhat motivated/desperate state of mind, also alone 6 miles from camp with a bull down. I loaded the rear quarter of the bull (with bone in), a front quarter (bone in), the head with antlers (no cape just head for european mount), and one of the backstraps all to the F1 mainframe. It was a very heavy load, and the F1 handled it without issue. My body however felt it for sure. And I did not make it back to camp with the load. I had to cache it a few miles in, hanging from a tree.
Point being, you can spend more and possibly get lighter materials, but at 5 lbs plus or minus a few oz, I'm very satisfied. Also the cost F1 mainframe ($169), and kifaru camp bag ($96-$110) seems to be a very affordable option.
The camp bag is not necessary for meat hauling, but it is what I carry my extra clothes and supplies in. I hike with my pack on, carrying extra gear (clothing, food, water, emergency kit, knives) the best feature of a bag like that- is that I roll the size down to the perfect fit of its contents.
I have looked into the Kuiu packs, but without seeing them in person (no store fronts unless you live in Cali), I really don't know how they fit, and no idea how they feel with a quarter of an elk strapped to them. I do know that they cost more than the $265 I've spent on my set-up.
Western Hunter magazine also put a pack review in one of their magazines a while back. Very informative. If memory serves me correct they examined exo mountain pack, kuiu, as well as several other popular options, check out their blog
The Blog | Western Hunter
Good luck this season.
