"The official saddle hunting backpack thread"

[bowhuntr09]

I had the bowhunter pack. It was pretty large… quiet. Thin wire frame to give it structure. Didn’t seem like it would be very durable so I had to make an executive decision and returned it.

But… I must be one picky dude when it comes to backpacks. I can’t find a single one I like and I have tried them all. Even a custom made TX5 I am selling….lol

I'm sticking with the Wolfpack so far this season. It's surprisingly meeting by needs, but I'm a sucker for a new pack.

 

[BTaylor]

I had the bowhunter pack. It was pretty large… quiet. Thin wire frame to give it structure. Didn’t seem like it would be very durable so I had to make an executive decision and returned it.

But… I must be one picky dude when it comes to backpacks. I can’t find a single one I like and I have tried them all. Even a custom made TX5 I am selling….lol

What and/or how do you want it to perform?

 

[Kyhunter1]

This pack may have already been discussed on here. Asio Gear Mobile Compact model. Its the best layout of any pack Ive had for saddle hunting. Love the external and internal pockets. Like having pockets on one side and a thermos sleeve on the other. The pockets are perfect and it has buckle straps on both the front and bottom of the pack and one side. Its bigger than advertised but not heavy. Plenty of storage inside. Weighs around 3 pounds. Ive passed on alot of packs because of the weight and having a waist belt, rather not have the waist belt. Took out the wire frame and prefer it this way, its still sturdy enough to stand upright and keep its shape but more comfortable on my back. I am too picky when it comes to packs. Its been hard settling on any. This one is about as perfect could be possible. Should be no issues hauling sticks and platforms. Only cons would be the price and the inner cloth layer is a little noisy. Good heavily outweighs the bad with this pack. Looking forward to using it.

I ended up returning this pack. The inner layer was just too noisy and the zippers were stiff. Other than these issues it is a great pack. The pack I settled on is a Nexgen Whitetail Caddy pack. The material and zippers are better on it. Plenty of room for all my gear and room to spare.

 

[JumpingVampire]

Kuiu 1850 pro bag (discontinued) with the aluminum main stays, no carbon frame and the minimal waist belt. Awesome versatile bag for late season 1 sticking.

 

[Lucky13]

I'm sticking with the Wolfpack so far this season. It's surprisingly meeting by needs, but I'm a sucker for a new pack.

I too fall into that sucker category and have unexpectedly found the wolfpack going on just about all my hunts this year. I think it's overpriced at $300 but would recommend to anyone finding one used at a discounted price.. If you don't like it you can get your cash back reselling it but I bet you keep it.
I don't have any plans on selling my Kifaru but for most my whitetail hunts the wolfpack has turned into an excellent solution.

 

[Publiclandowner]

So after running a MR Popup 28, eberlestock x2, a couple other random packs, I moved onto the Trophyline Platow pack which is my favorite so far.

What I WANTED was a pack that I could hike in, and start climbing without having to drop my pack, get out gear, then put the pack back on and then climb.

With the Platow I threw my dump pouches on the pack belt with my s hooks for sticks and it fit over my saddle great. I get to my desired tree, reach behind and unclog my sticks, hook the 550 to my s hooks, sling my bow, and start climbing. I don’t drop my pack or anything until I am in the tree tethered and on my platform. However I am not satisfied with all the buckles, giant belt, the pack is a little big for my liking, and the sticks strapped to the bottom are to wide and grab brush when moving through the river bottoms I hunt.

Does anyone else run a pack that you can access all climbing gear without unpacking at the bottom of the tree and is as narrow as your silhouette? I attached a pick of my setup (going to 3 onesticks this offseason to replace the hawks).

 

[Plebe]

So after running a MR Popup 28, eberlestock x2, a couple other random packs, I moved onto the Trophyline Platow pack which is my favorite so far.

What I WANTED was a pack that I could hike in, and start climbing without having to drop my pack, get out gear, then put the pack back on and then climb.

With the Platow I threw my dump pouches on the pack belt with my s hooks for sticks and it fit over my saddle great. I get to my desired tree, reach behind and unclog my sticks, hook the 550 to my s hooks, sling my bow, and start climbing. I don’t drop my pack or anything until I am in the tree tethered and on my platform. However I am not satisfied with all the buckles, giant belt, the pack is a little big for my liking, and the sticks strapped to the bottom are to wide and grab brush when moving through the river bottoms I hunt.

Does anyone else run a pack that you can access all climbing gear without unpacking at the bottom of the tree and is as narrow as your silhouette? I attached a pick of my setup (going to 3 onesticks this offseason to replace the hawks).

I could never hike in any real distance and not drop my pack to don dry clothing and outerwear. So I guess it’s situational, or personal choice.

Suppose that’s why we have 70 pages of backpack talk.

 

[Publiclandowner]

I could never hike in any real distance and not drop my pack to don dry clothing and outerwear. So I guess it’s situational, or personal choice.

Suppose that’s why we have 70 pages of backpack talk

I don’t have much of a sweat problem, it’s typically cool mid October in Nebraska and move slow and I pack any layers in. My socks occasionally but those I swap once in position and store in a baggy.

Unfortunately those 70 pages have lead me down the path I’m on, still seeking the one lol

 

[Plebe]

I don’t have much of a sweat problem, it’s typically cool mid October in Nebraska and move slow and I pack any layers in. My socks occasionally but those I swap once in position and store in a baggy.

Unfortunately those 70 pages have lead me down the path I’m on, still seeking the one lol

So you don layers at height then?

 

[Publiclandowner]

So you don layers at height then?

Yeah I’ll layer once I’m on my platform when I get a little chilled. Either just a warm hoodie like the one on my pack in that pic I shared or my Wooltimate pants and vest if it’s real cold because they are easy to put on while standing on my platform. I have to undo the leg straps for pants unfortunately

 

[Nosaj]

So you don layers at height then?

When I start out if I am not cold then I have too many layers on. I also do not walk in with a hat on or if I do it is mesh. I used to change out my base layers in the tree when I was wearing polypro, now that all my base and mid layers are wool I do not bother, I just layer over them and shortly do not even notice the wet t-shirt.

 

[CooterBrown]

So last week I got a chance to put my Badlands Vario 65 pack to the test. Went on a 3-day hike in and hunt trip. Pack weighed in at 67 pounds without my bow on the back. The pack handled it fine. Didn't kill so didn't get to use the meat shelf. I was impressed.

 

[KHough]

I just got a Code of Silence Double Back. I don't know why these aren't more popular. It's everything I could have asked for. Extremely quite, and holds platform and sticks perfectly. Plenty of room for anything you'd need on a Midwest whitetail hunt.

I picked up the Code of Silence Doubleback Xtreme pack this season and I have been super happy with it. Super quiet and comfortable and the camo blends in well. Beside my saddle, which I wear into the woods, I pack in the TR Mission platform and three Tethrd One sticks strapped on the pack and a variety of snacks, water, clothing, and gear needed for each specific excursion. Mainly used MR Guide Light MT frame and a variety of MR bags suited for each hunt, but MR bags are not hunting quiet and take a slow, patient approach when getting things in and out of the bag while it's hung in the tree due to the noisier material the bags are made out of. The COS Doubleback Xtreme is made out of a super quiet material with a dull camo finish that blends in great with the tree. Even though the material is quiet and soft, it maintains its degree of rigidity and makes it easy to get things in and out of the main compartment. Compartments use zippers to open and close which aren't too noisy depending on how fast or slow you zip or unzip them. I picked up this bag on sale for around $200 and it currently retials for around $240.00. This week I picked up the smaller pack, the Code of Silence Doubleback Pack on the Code of Silence website, CodeofSilence.com to use on light warmer hunts where I don't have the need for a larger pack. They are currenly offering a 40% off discount on their packs so I picked up the Doubleback Pack for $90 +tax instead of paying the $150 retail price. The Doubleback Xtreme Pack is currently $144 instead of the $240 retail price. If you have been looking at getting one of these packs, now is a good time to pick one up. They also have a sale on their Verdigre Hoodie and Verdigre pants which normally cost $150 and $140 respectively, but if you buy the hoodie at $150, they'll give you the pants at no charge. I like hunting in hoodies as an outer layer or as a base layer so I thought I would try this setup out as well as getting the Doubleback pack. I'll post a review on the Verdigre hoodie and pants after I have had a chance to hunt in them several times.

 

[207bowhunter]

Looked at the code of silence pack after your post and ended up ordering the extreme the price and free shipping are great! Hopefully the quality is there and this works for my setup. Tried the fas pack and that didnt work...tried the cruzr escape and not only didnt work it was probably the worst quality pack ive owned buckles and straps were very low quality. So far i haven't found one that works as well as my bandit i would just like a little more room

 

[Buckhorn70]

I’m always on the lookout for a perfect saddle hunting pack……. Not perfect but the Eberestock X2 has performed the best for my needs.

One day someone will make the perfect pack.

 

[K98Al]

I just started saddle hunting in May, hunted out of it dozens of times since. Started with an el cheapo Academy pack that wasn't great. Bought the Cruzr before deer season and used it all fall. I hinestly don't know why I'd need anything else. It's a tad small for my coveralls, but I made it work on the one day that was actually frigid. (it's generally pretty warm here during deer season)

I have a couple changes to make concerning how I use it, but the pack does what I need it to do. (if I was planning on quartering/packing out deer it wouldn't cut it)

 

[Chickenking]

I purchased the Scent Lok pack from Sportsmans Guide. It has been a disappointment. The zipper pullls have already broken in a matter of a month and the straps for securing gear are basically useless. I wished I had spent the extra money and went with Greg Stagg’s pack or something equivalent.


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[LOSTnWoods]

I’m sure glad I didn’t get sucked in. I purchased the Cruzr escape pack and has worked flawlessly this year. Have no reason to try anything else.

 

[Chickenking]

Smart choice. I definitely don’t do my homework.


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[HuumanCreed]

A Kifaru Longhunter, old but from reviews its a great pack. Incase anyone is looking for a bargain. I'm not seller, I would of considered getting it just for the frame itself if I already didnt have enough packs for 5X 'backup'.

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