I like that bag & wish I could put it on a popup frame. When your in the tree it’s quiet to get in & out of….. but also understand why it’s not for everyone. The pop up is a jumbled mess in the stand vs my treehouse stays organized.
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MR PopUp or Eberlestock MainFrame? Or budget option?
- Thread starter HuumanCreed
- Start date
That's my concern as well, the popup bag look very spartan, which some people preferred. but it would be nice of there was some organization. I'm going to adjust to this placing the pack on the side, and taking out an admin pouch with the things I need and strap it in front of me, or attach it to the belt maybe.
The other thing was my concern that the back of the bag has no padding, it make sense, but would my sticks/platform damage the pack overtime. Have you guys that carry your stand/stick see wearing down the back of the pack due to the teeth?
I'm on the path to getting the popup, but am wondering if I can find a MR guide light frame by itself would fit me better, I rather have the option of using a more efficient bag or switching out the bag based on the situation. Or not using a bag at all when I dont need to pack all that extra layers.
Sounds like you should be shopping for Kifaru. One frame, can swap most any bag in their lineup to suit your needs. The StrykerXL or HellBender would mimic the pop up line.
I will say that you can put any bag on any frame pack with either access to a sewing machine, a cheap tailor or friend who sews, and 3.00 in buckles.
It's incredibly easy to mix and match, really.
What you don't want, is a bag with a built in frame unless two things are true: It fits your torso length and waist size perfectly. And you love the "bag".
It's incredibly easy to mix and match, really.
What you don't want, is a bag with a built in frame unless two things are true: It fits your torso length and waist size perfectly. And you love the "bag".
I was concerned with the lack of organization with the Pop up 28 at first also but, it's not as big of an issue as I though it would be. There is a pocket in the lid and also a pocket on the front that has mesh organizers. I also run a dump pouch on each side of my pack belt that I store tether, aider, gear strap, etc. (all of the stuff I need to access while setting up and climbing.) The lid pocket is pretty convenient after setting up when the pack is hanging on the tree.
I would have no concerns over pack wear. I am on my fourth season and have carried both sticks and platforms between the frame and the bag and strapped to the outside of the bag. You won't wear out this pack. I'm also not sure padding would decrease wear anyway.
I looked at the guide light frame before getting the pop up. The frame is more expensive, wider and you won't have the option to carry it in "daypack mode".
Also, I too thought it would be better to not have the bag in early season when I didn't need layers. I even had a custom molle panel made to fit the frame in place of the bag. After using it this year I am not sure I gained anything. The bag compresses down so small when there is nothing in it that it's really not in the way. The molle panel I had made functioned awesome but, I am not sure I will use it next year.
If you are planning on using the pack out west for multi day backpack trips or something along those lines it might make sense to get a separate frame that you could attach multiple bags to but, IMO being able to have carry around a day pack all year and then simply extending it into a frame pack when needed is a bigger benefit than having the ability to swap out packs.
i agree... to an extent. because i went with the 38 i'm already using a too-big pack most of th year, so that's a big factor for me. very early in the season i used my eberlestock h7 dagger pack, it works really well strapping a one stick on the back but is pretty minimalist, i used it when i didn't need laters, didnt bring much other than a knife, compass, and water 9well lets be honest, i fileld the pack up with extra crap too but that's all i needed/used.
i switch to the popup once i start needing to bring more than an extra shirt, clothes go inside and the bits i want in the tre go in the two pockets on the lid. my biggest complaint is the main pack zipper location - it's running down the right side of the pack when you look at it, so when it's hanging on the right side of the tree the zipper is away from you. realistically i'm not trying to get into the bottom of that section in the tree much anyway though, and if i am its for a bulky layer that i can reach in from the top and grab.
last year i would lay my mission platform and 4 beast sticks down and strap that together as a package with voile straps, and carry the whole thing in the laod shelf, worked great. at forst i tried t obe careful with where the stand offs would contact the bag, but after a few hurried pack outs and no noticeable wear, i don't give it a ton of thought, as long as it's not flopping around it's good.
interstingly i've also had the opposite experience with the water bottle side pockets as well, though typically im using my RTIC insulatedscrewop bottle (covered in hockey tape by my kids). i like how the buckle keeps it secure, but in the tree i can skip the buckle and it slides easily in/out of the pockets. i suppsoe this is why we've got some pretty long backpack threads on here, everyone's got their own preferences.
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2020
- Messages
- 5,990
Popup 28 really does shrink down to normal day pack sized. That is unique amongst the usual suspects in frame pack discussions.
But it is still a frame pack, so it offers a lot more capacity for gear as well as capability for meat hauling when needed.
Pretty versatile as an all season deer pack, IMO.
There are, imo, better frames for carrying heavy loads comfortably. But keep in mind the Popup 28 is unique in that it collapses to true daypack dimensions. For an all season whitetail pack, it fits the bill pretty well. I personally think the belt stinks, and have changed mine out.
I don't know what you use during a hunt, but the Popup 28 has enough isolated storage for the things I like to separate from bulk storage. As you've said, adding pouches is an option. It will just depend on your specific needs.
I don't know of any frame pack that is reinforced specifically for carrying toothy sticks and stands. It just goes with the territory. If you think it'll be an issue, find a way to cover up those sharp contact points. Usually just packing in a coat is enough of a buffer that I don't put more thought into that.
I have 3 frame packs now, and they each offer some things I like over another. I like the 28 because of it's daypack size. Hump your platform, sticks, outerwear in the load shelf, collapse it, and it hangs in the tree just like the pack the private land hunters use.
If you aren't hiking in more than a mike or two, it'll do the trick without skipping much of a beat.
I thought I was hot stuff for figuring out to pack sticks in a jacket in the frame shelf or on the back of the hybrid. Till I discovered that my hunting buddies did this almost to a man.
It really is a simple way to keep them quiet and from tearing up stuff.
Still hate sticks.
Argh you guys are enablers. Going to prepare myself for the wife's look when I finally get the Popup 28. I'm gonna give away majority of my packs in a few days on the pay it forward.
Ok, getting cold feet about the planned PopUp28 purchase. I blame @GCTerpfan. I was all set on my decision but then I saw his modification to his PopUp that removes the bag and added a molle panel. Which is basically what I want in the F1 Mainframe! I really like the idea of just leaving the frame at the base of the tree and detaching a small pack to take up to the tree with me.
The Width of the Mainframe and Popup are the same 11". The Mainframe height is 26" while the Popup is 21" not deployed. Which I don't think would bother me that much since I'm already strapping a bow to the pack either way.
I can see myself going minimal like @GCTerpfan for early season and adding layers for late season without even needing a bag. I do want to use a ground blind some day and the Mainframe might be able to carry a blind and chair/stool better too.
The Width of the Mainframe and Popup are the same 11". The Mainframe height is 26" while the Popup is 21" not deployed. Which I don't think would bother me that much since I'm already strapping a bow to the pack either way.
I can see myself going minimal like @GCTerpfan for early season and adding layers for late season without even needing a bag. I do want to use a ground blind some day and the Mainframe might be able to carry a blind and chair/stool better too.
How long is the axle to axle on your bow? It will stick up that distance, minus 26”, above the pack, and your head.
The pop up is still a significantly smaller frame around. My popup is not 11” wide. Maybe something is different on new ones but I doubt it.
If you’re going to not tote it up the tree, buy a cabelas or alps true hauler for half the money. More comfortable and will carry a whole deer out if you want.
That shelf is convenient till it’s not. Unless it hinges and folds up.
My Creed is 30". But you are right, I got the 11" wide from the actual site and that may be the size of the pack. The frame itself should be smaller. Which I have decided is not a big factor for me because even if the frame is smaller, the profile of my body is already set haha. The wider frame logically should feel more stable, as long as its not expending too far, you want to maximizes the balance.
You can study them all on paper and on YouTube but you won’t know until you get a bag and use it a few times. That’s why you are constantly seeing them for sale in the classifieds. Before saddle hunting I used a fleece fanny pack for years. Since I picked up a saddle in 2018, I can’t tell you how many different packs I have owned looking for the perfect solution. The PopUp is a great bag, and certainly one I should have picked up sooner in my quest for the perfect bag.
the pop up frame is 7” wide, the bag is 11” and for what it’s worth the molle panel didn’t pan out like I was hoping. The design and construction was perfect but the savings over just carrying the bag was insignificant. The bag sucks down so small when nothings in it that it’s no bigger than the molle panel and pouches I had. With the pop up there’s no reason to leave the frame at the bottom of the tree. It really doesn’t take up anymore space than just the bag would. But as @bowhuntr09 said you won’t know for sure until you see one in person.
I can learn from your mistake I guess. So how are you running it now? How did you remove the bag? Is the molle panel still on it since you still want the built in game bag?
Im just running it with the original bag now. The bag is easily removable. It’s just attached with buckles and ladder locks. No, the panel is not on with the bag, I just use regular game bags in the meat shelf. There may be times I go back to the panel. It’s nice but not a huge upgrade. If I remember tomorrow I’ll take some pics for you of the popup when the bag is sucked down tight to the frame.
My mystery popup 28 is the bomb. I love it.
Bro, wait for next year's PopUps.