Kelly,

I have a folding AICS and it rides in my Eberlestock. With a 27" barrel, it just fits under the butt cover of the pack with the stock unfolded. It's very top heavy. It's tall enough that it'll catch a low hanging branch if I'm not careful.

Folded is much nicer to carry due to the lower center of gravity, and it makes for a more compact package.

The ability to adjust the cheek piece left and right is what sets the AICS apart for me. The closer you can get your head directly behind the scope the less head pressure you will exert to the right (assuming a right handed shooter). Reducing that twisting motion on the stock means you have to counter it less with either your shoulder or, worse, your right hand to keep the rifle level. Cranking the rifle around by the wrist to keep it level just about guarantees poor accuracy. It's all about applying consistent, repeatable forces to the stock wherever you are in contact with it.