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Best saddle pack with no hip belt

wyetterp

Well-Known Member
Jan 2, 2019
239
312
63
LowCountry, SC
I switched over to a messenger style bag from direct action. It holds everything I need & then some. I really like it for moving through brush but especially the ability to grab anything I need out of it while I'm climbing. With all the molle you can do all kinds of stuff.

 

HuumanCreed

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Aug 21, 2020
2,718
5,012
113
40
Westminster Maryland
Depends on how much you are carrying? I have the Eberlestock Dagger which I love and its my main setup. But I think the Bandit might be the best when it comes to doing everything well with no hip belt.
 

Muskyhunter

Active Member
Oct 15, 2019
133
102
43
43
I really like a satchel. I have a few different sizes. I get them from EWO. I have one minimalist for a platform setup, one for a ring of steps setup and one for an all day platform setup. What I like about them is easy access while setting up. It's like having dump pouches but not having a dump pouch on my saddle is even better. The material is super quiet yet durable. Once I am setup the pack has a tiny profile. Check them out.
 

BowhunterXC

Well-Known Member
Feb 14, 2021
620
1,954
93
66
N.W. Ohio
I purchased a military molle pack at a local military surplus store, for $40.
It has plenty of storage, lots of molle loops to attach gear, several straps to attach gear and good pack straps. :cool:
Cruzr XC 1.jpg
 

Iron_llama

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2020
2,236
2,765
113
44
NW MN
I haven't used it for hunting but I have a Camelbak pack, I think the Motherlode. The hip belt is removable, as is the frame sheet. I ran it for years with neither as a general use knapsack and recently re-assembled it with the thought I might hunt with it this year.

No MOLLE on it, but nothing wrong with a medium ALICE pack, especially if you upgrade the shoulder straps.
 
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Exhumis

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Mar 12, 2019
3,961
6,806
113
45
Northern Virginia
I used my old military pack when I first started, a condor venture, which worked pretty good. It has a removable hip belt. Platform fits pretty good in the large pocket.
C5FBABB5-4376-403F-87B8-E7327F4B606C.png
 
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Iron_llama

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2020
2,236
2,765
113
44
NW MN
I used my old military pack when I first started, a condor venture, which worked pretty good. It has a removable hip belt. Platform fits pretty good in the large pocket.
View attachment 71422
I've got a 5.11 pack very similar to that Condor. A bit too busy to hunt with IMHO - no large compartment for layers - but I like the MOLLE on the drop-down front compartment. Someone could probably make a few bucks selling add-on marsupial packs like this to attach to other packs.
 

Plebe

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Sep 14, 2020
5,989
10,255
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Anyone got one they love!? Hate the hip belt for wearing my saddle in. Drives me up a wall.

What are you trying to carry?

A pack with no waist belt puts all the weight on the shoulders/back. Imo, they kinda suck for anything other than very light loads and/or short distances. In many situations you'd be better served by packing your saddle in a more accommodating pack that shifts some load to the hips.

Otherwise find a pack that will organize your stuff in a way you like that has wide and/or nicely padded shoulder straps. That's where the weight will ride. Some folks like a yoke style best. Idk.

Beyond that, maybe something that provides ventilation would be better than something that doesn't. Haven't tried it, but there is an option to add an air gap to a pack that otherwise would ride against the back.

 

Exhumis

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Mar 12, 2019
3,961
6,806
113
45
Northern Virginia
I've got a 5.11 pack very similar to that Condor. A bit too busy to hunt with IMHO - no large compartment for layers - but I like the MOLLE on the drop-down front compartment. Someone could probably make a few bucks selling add-on marsupial packs like this to attach to other packs.
Yeah it was really busy that’s why I stopped using it lol.