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"The official saddle hunting backpack thread"
- Thread starter JumpingVampire
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2020
- Messages
- 27
This is definitely a minimalist setup. It’s a marsupial gear modular belt with yoke and small pouch. I have a kuiu hydration pack strapped to it for a little extra storage. When I get to the tree the only thing I sit on the ground is my bow. I practiced with it yesterday and had my fastest and I say quietest trip up yet. I’m super happy with it.
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inthewoodsonmostoccasions
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2023
- Messages
- 1
Hey guys, second season saddle hunter here. Just wondering if anyone else is finding that the Trophyline Cays 2.0 is a bit too...big? I carry three Elevate sticks, Trophyline EDP platform, water bottle, flashlight, gutting knife, and occasionally - little debbies. I look like I'm carying a 50lb ruck sack even with nothing in it. It's tightened down as far as it can go (4'10 F) and still seems too big. It even gets in the way trying to climb up the steps. I originally liked the pack because of the waist straps and overall organization, but at this point i'm not sure if the pros outweigh the cons. I feel awful saying I don't like the pack because it was a gift, but I am really wishing I went with something a little smaller in profile.
This season I’ll be staying with my Hill People Gear Tarahumara.
I’ve added an OVI cache and a Hill People Gear Pals Pocket which can both be removed easily if needed.
A few setups.
1. Climbing steps and ROS stowed between pack and OVI cache. Remove at tree and start climbing using bullman step pack or EWO step satchel (not pictured)
2. Sticks and podium. Self explanatory. Uses compression straps. Cleaner without cache, but it can remain attached to carry layers.
3. Cache, pals pocket and climbing steps. My rifle fits in pals pocket or compressed between main back and pocket while climbing. Once setup unzip the pocket and use the organization of the first spear 6/12. Main bag provides additional storage.
I’ve added an OVI cache and a Hill People Gear Pals Pocket which can both be removed easily if needed.
A few setups.
1. Climbing steps and ROS stowed between pack and OVI cache. Remove at tree and start climbing using bullman step pack or EWO step satchel (not pictured)
2. Sticks and podium. Self explanatory. Uses compression straps. Cleaner without cache, but it can remain attached to carry layers.
3. Cache, pals pocket and climbing steps. My rifle fits in pals pocket or compressed between main back and pocket while climbing. Once setup unzip the pocket and use the organization of the first spear 6/12. Main bag provides additional storage.
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2020
- Messages
- 787
Very cool.
I used a Tarahumara last year for scouting my way into hunt areas . I maxed it out in NH with any type of layers.
moved to HPG Junction with Line Pocket.
I don’t have any slick set up photos;
I primarily keep anything I’ll access at height in the line pocket , once set up. ROS on top of leafy top or warmer layer in main bag , next to binos. saddle and ropes on top.
The lid pocket is handy for kill kit and a dedicated spot for keys.
Primarily will 2 stick early, or bolts , 1 stick later in season. have strap on steps too if I want an option to carry in pack.
Pocket can serve as a “ grab it “ for platform or sticks but I prefer a cam jam or gear tie that can double as a pack hanger on weird trees
Big fan of the shoulder harness on HPG’s.
I used a Tarahumara last year for scouting my way into hunt areas . I maxed it out in NH with any type of layers.
moved to HPG Junction with Line Pocket.
I don’t have any slick set up photos;
I primarily keep anything I’ll access at height in the line pocket , once set up. ROS on top of leafy top or warmer layer in main bag , next to binos. saddle and ropes on top.
The lid pocket is handy for kill kit and a dedicated spot for keys.
Primarily will 2 stick early, or bolts , 1 stick later in season. have strap on steps too if I want an option to carry in pack.
Pocket can serve as a “ grab it “ for platform or sticks but I prefer a cam jam or gear tie that can double as a pack hanger on weird trees
Big fan of the shoulder harness on HPG’s.
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You should try the lonewolf Wolfpack. It’s short but roomy. There was one in classifieds for a good deal.
Remember-you can always make a bigger pack smaller...but you can't make a smaller pack bigger! 
I've been using the Badlands Tenet backpack for the last few years and decided to try something a little more geared towards hanging in a tree for saddle hunting. I order the Badlands Connect backpack and received it about a week ago. Too early here to try it out for hunting, but for working my game cameras it's been pretty good so far.
I've got a few pics.... Here it is with my EWO one stick attached (and yes, I use it when hanging cameras)
The sides open up completely, and each side has 3 pockets, plus a zippered pouch. I have my licenses, thermocell refill, Nocturnal tool, etc. in the zippered pack. You can see the straps which were holding my onestick, they rotate around on a rivet and can be used to cinch the sides down.
The lid unzips about 2/3 the way down the pack. If you leave the internal straps buckled then it creates a "shelf" where you can toss stuff like calls, antlers, chicken nuggets, or whatever you feel like setting on it. The zippered pocket is accessible here, and it also has a zipper on the back side which allows you access to that pocket when the backpack is all zipped up like in the first pic.
If you unbuckle the internal limiting straps, the front folds down even further, giving you easier access to the main compartment of the pack plus the slot and zippered pockets which are in between the main compartment and the outside of the pack which is folded down.
Here's a better view of the side, showing the 3 pockets and zippered pouch.
And it uses their grid plates so you can add accessories, which is similar to Molle mounting. I imagine most molle capable expansions will fit just fine on the grid. The grid plate attaches on the sides or on the back of the pack, with some adjustment up/down depending on how you want to use it. I've got mine higher up, but I could move it down if I had something I wanted to mount lower. Since it's hot here still, I have a water bottle holder attached to mine which holds a 1L Nalgene bottle perfectly.
I've got high hopes for it once the season opens up and I can put it through more paces than just in the backyard.
I've got a few pics.... Here it is with my EWO one stick attached (and yes, I use it when hanging cameras)
The sides open up completely, and each side has 3 pockets, plus a zippered pouch. I have my licenses, thermocell refill, Nocturnal tool, etc. in the zippered pack. You can see the straps which were holding my onestick, they rotate around on a rivet and can be used to cinch the sides down.
The lid unzips about 2/3 the way down the pack. If you leave the internal straps buckled then it creates a "shelf" where you can toss stuff like calls, antlers, chicken nuggets, or whatever you feel like setting on it. The zippered pocket is accessible here, and it also has a zipper on the back side which allows you access to that pocket when the backpack is all zipped up like in the first pic.
If you unbuckle the internal limiting straps, the front folds down even further, giving you easier access to the main compartment of the pack plus the slot and zippered pockets which are in between the main compartment and the outside of the pack which is folded down.
Here's a better view of the side, showing the 3 pockets and zippered pouch.
And it uses their grid plates so you can add accessories, which is similar to Molle mounting. I imagine most molle capable expansions will fit just fine on the grid. The grid plate attaches on the sides or on the back of the pack, with some adjustment up/down depending on how you want to use it. I've got mine higher up, but I could move it down if I had something I wanted to mount lower. Since it's hot here still, I have a water bottle holder attached to mine which holds a 1L Nalgene bottle perfectly.
I've got high hopes for it once the season opens up and I can put it through more paces than just in the backyard.
Iron_llama
Well-Known Member
How does it feel in the woods? Bulky? Catching on underbrush? It's easier to fit 5 pounds of crap in a 10 pound bag than vice versa. The CAYS does look like a decently large pack, but not unreasonably so. Then again you've got a much smaller torso than I do. You could put a set of backpack straps on your EDP, attach your sticks and ditty bag to that, and put your water bottle in a belt pouch. Early season I carry a Camelbak and try to attach everything to that with various lashing straps and whatnot.
If you like TL, check out platow pack.
Hlzr
Active Member
That's a nice clean set up.
Ballpark what did that setup cost if you don’t mind me asking
Don’t mind at all. The pack setup is approximately $500 ($300 for the frame, $100 for the bag, $80 for the Sherman, $35 ea for the water bottle pockets).
Thank you it looks like a great setup
The hardest part of getting this together may be finding an Apollo since they are discontinued.
Kifaru Stryker XL with Sherman pocket and CGM belt pockets. First time to put the windwalker on there. Camera is on a peak design clip and LWCG pocket arm is in the Sherman. Versa buttons on the windwalker for platform leveling worked perfect to catch the Sherman straps and hold it tight and in place. Will put the 1S Mission on there this evening if I have time.
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I finally set up my new Cruzr pack last night. (it's been in the cabinet since it arrived)
It's comfortable, holds my 4 Tethrd one sticks at the bottom securely, holds my platform securely, has plenty of room for kneepads and whatever else I throw in there, and most of all - it's quiet. I put my saddle on my waist and added the backpack, walked around the house, very comfortable, no clanging, no gear trying to fall off.
Not sure if I'll hunt out of it Sunday or not, but definitely will be using it in the next few weeks - seems like a solid bit of gear.
It's comfortable, holds my 4 Tethrd one sticks at the bottom securely, holds my platform securely, has plenty of room for kneepads and whatever else I throw in there, and most of all - it's quiet. I put my saddle on my waist and added the backpack, walked around the house, very comfortable, no clanging, no gear trying to fall off.
Not sure if I'll hunt out of it Sunday or not, but definitely will be using it in the next few weeks - seems like a solid bit of gear.
Black Titan
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2023
- Messages
- 681
Nothing super fancy here. Just a tidewe from Amazon. Has plenty of pockets and storage areas, a hip belt and chest strap to distribute weight, a bow/rifle holder with straps, an integrated rain cover that zips out the bottom, and a dedicated pocket for a hydration pack with channels that go up either shoulder strap for the bite tube. Padding up the back panel is super comfortable.
Seems to hold my XOP platform and one stick pretty well. The only thing I don't really like is the lack of molle. Theres just a few loops on the shoulder straps, both horizontal and vertical. Thats what I keep my garmin etrex attached to.
Also pictured is my chest pack/bino harness with range finder pocket. It's also a Tidewe.
BT
Seems to hold my XOP platform and one stick pretty well. The only thing I don't really like is the lack of molle. Theres just a few loops on the shoulder straps, both horizontal and vertical. Thats what I keep my garmin etrex attached to.
Also pictured is my chest pack/bino harness with range finder pocket. It's also a Tidewe.
BT
