Stone Glacier 6900 Backpack Review
- Dan
- Feb 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 14
A Long-Term Field Review for Hunting & Extended Backcountry Trips
When it comes to backcountry hunting and long expedition-style hikes, gear doesn’t get judged in a weekend. It gets judged over years—under heavy loads, bad weather, long climbs, and real consequences if something fails.
The Stone Glacier 6900 is one of those packs that has built a reputation in the mountain hunting world, and after four to five years of hard use, it’s been time to sit down and talk honestly about what it does well, where it falls short, and why—despite the clickbait in the video—you’ll still see a Stone Glacier pack on my back.
👉 Watch the full video review here:
Why I Chose the Stone Glacier 6900
I originally picked up the 6900 after moving out west and gearing up specifically for sheep hunting. At the time, I hadn’t owned Stone Glacier gear before. I saw the pack in use, did some research, and took the plunge.
Since then, this pack has done it all:
Day hunts
Multi-day and 11-day solo hunts
Family backpacking trips into the mountains
Heavy loads pushing ~68 pounds
That versatility is the reason the 6900 stayed in rotation for so long.
Layout & Design Philosophy
One thing you’ll notice immediately with Stone Glacier packs is the minimalist design. There aren’t a ton of dividers, pockets, or built-in organization. That’s intentional—and for the most part, I like it.
The Lid (and the Saggy Lid Syndrome)
The lid is one of my favourite features… and one of my biggest complaints.
Pros:
Quick access to essential items
Great place for “grab fast” gear you don’t want buried
Cons:
When the pack isn’t fully loaded, the lid sags—hard
Even with Stone Glacier’s recommended setup, it always wanted to droop
Becomes especially annoying when you’ve set up camp and are running a lighter load
Emptying the lid isn’t really an option because that’s where the essentials live, so the sag was something I constantly fought.
Full-Length Centre Zipper
This is a classic love–hate relationship.
Why I love it:
Full access to the pack whether you’re in day mode or bivy mode
You can get to anything without unloading the pack
Why it can be frustrating:
When fully loaded for extended trips, closing the zipper can feel like you’re stressing it
You often need to physically pull the pack together to zip it
To be fair, I never had a zipper failure—but it feels like something you need to be mindful of when the pack is maxed out.
Side Pockets & Load Balance
This is where the 6900 really shines.
Both sides feature full-length pockets, and they’re excellent.
On one side, I regularly carry:
Spotting scope
Tripod (even larger setups fit without issue)
On the other side:
Water
Additional gear to balance weight
This ability to properly balance the load matters a lot in steep terrain. When you’re hauling heavy optics on one side, having the ability to counterbalance makes a noticeable difference over long miles.
I’ve also added:
Stone Glacier water bottle holder (for a Nalgene)
One minor gripe: the water bottle holder can slide. Some other packs use internal Velcro to prevent that, and it’s something I’d love to see Stone Glacier adopt.
Rifle Carry Performance
With a Blaser R8, the rifle carrier worked extremely well and stayed centrally balanced.
With a lighter mountain rifle and large optic on top of it, things got a little trickier. The rifle tended to flop more, but that’s less about the pack and more about the rifle setup. Better strapping solved most of it.
Frame & Carry Comfort
This pack runs on the Stone Glacier X-Curve frame, and this is a big reason I keep coming back.
Compared to other packs I’ve tested, the frame:
Feels wider
Keeps the load more central
Reduces side-to-side “rocking” under heavy weight
On an 11-day solo hunt, fully loaded at around 68 pounds, the pack carried exceptionally well. While I didn’t get to test it hauling meat, the comfort under load was confidence-inspiring.
Expanding Capacity: The “Beaver Tail” Workaround
One thing the 6900 lacks is a true beaver tail panel, which I missed.
To compensate, I added a front bag that increased capacity by about 500 cubic inches, pushing the pack close to 7400–7800 range.
This setup worked great for:
Day meals
Water
Journal (carry a journal—trust me)
Quick-access items
The downside? Getting into the main pack required loosening everything. A true beaver tail would allow partial access without fully undoing the load, and it’s something I’d still love to see added to this pack.
Why I Didn’t Switch (and Why I Came Back)
I tried switching to another high-end pack and genuinely liked it—but the frame never felt as stable under load as the Stone Glacier.
When Stone Glacier released the updated 6900, I ended up right back where I started:
Improved lid (no more sag)
Updated buckles
Better overall refinement
A new “Ranger” colour that I personally love!
After five years, the small refinements add up.
Final Thoughts: Is the Stone Glacier 6900 Worth It?
The Stone Glacier 6900 isn’t perfect—but it’s proven itself to me!
Best for:
Mountain hunting
Extended backcountry trips
Hunters who prioritize load balance and carry comfort
Minimalist packers who value function over excessive organization
After years of real-world use, it earned its place. Even when I tried to move on, I ended up coming back—just with a newer version.
That should tell you everything you need to know.
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