My pack consists of 4 muddy sticks a pred platform , my sony cam , lens, camera arm and etc items for a daily hunt. I am running a horn hunter main beam and it seems really heavy . Curious on what bags guys are running that hang and hunt while filming. Thanks
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Backpack preferences
- Thread starter Sodfather
- Start date
Have fun.
"The official saddle hunting backpack thread"
Let's see them post it up with pics. In these photos (Kuiu 1850 Pro). As of today I run the Kuiu Suspension with the Lone Wolf Custom Gear .5 shown in the last picture. I've eliminated the water bladder and the foam pad. This pack allowed me to pack out couple deers already. Very nice a...
saddlehunter.com
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- Sep 14, 2020
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- 5,990
4 Muddy sticks are quite heavy. Perhaps that's the problem?
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2020
- Messages
- 5,990
I don't have experience with Horn Hunter or Alps or camera gear. I couldn't find a weight on the Main Beam, but it looks like a nifty pack. Given it's an internal frame style pack, I'd expect it to ride ok loaded up. However, that's not always the case with frame packs. In this case I don't see any load lifters, which can help distribute weight to your liking.
I'd say you've got two points of attack: 1. System Weight 2. Pack Comfort (ride).
1. If you bring your system weight down, it'll be less heavy. The Muddy sticks are responsible for much of your system weight.
BUT
2. It might not feel less heavy if you choose a bag that doesn't fit properly / carry the weight comfortably. That's where bag selection is crucial. Going to a trimmer bag might cause you more backaches even if it's less weight than what you've got.
In frame packs, the Exo and Kifaru Duplex Lite frames are popular. Kuiu has the lightest frame and suspension.
Outside of frame packs, idk. So many options; it's going to come down to you and your needs so I couldn't recommend anything based on experience as I run a different setup.
Have you played with the adjustments? The weight should be rising mostly on your lumbar or waist not your shoulders.
A quality good fitting pack will haul the weight comfortably. What’s your budget for a pack?
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Distance between centerline of hip belt, and highest point of shoulder harness is critical. If this doesn’t fit you properly, it won’t be comfortable.
Load lifters need to be above the highest point of the shoulder harness by at least an inch.
the heaviest part of the load needs to be as close to your back as possible.
the load needs to be secured tight so it doesn’t wobble, sway, move around on rough terrain.
Anything below 20-25lbs, and the above are not necessities, they’ll just make everyone comfortable. Some people have broader stronger shoulders, and loose hamstrings, and can carry 20-30lbs with no hip belt or load lifters. 90% of people don’t.
For everyone else, you can complain about the bulk, weight, or crunchy granola annoyance of a frame pack all you want. If you’re ready to be healthy, efficient, and cover a lot of ground with less discomfort, risk of injury, or worse, wounded pride for giving up too soon on hikes or hunts, get one.
You can make the argument that a load shelf isn’t necessary. But it gets the heaviest part of the load against your back, where it should be. If that load is bloody, it will save a lot of cleaning other gear if you’re shoving meat inside a pack.
The first version of the mystery ranch pop up really is the best pack Ive found for anyone who covers more than a mile in a day, and either films, or packs out deer. And I used it exclusively on my elk hunt this year too. It worked surprisingly well with 90lbs loaded out for a really crappy pack out.
it’s sort of like the JX3 hybrid for me. Are there lighter more compact ways to do the thing? Yes. But I’m not an armchair quarterback. I walk more distance, through thicker and steeper and muddier stuff, And pack out more deer and gear, than 99% of hunters. The weight and bulk of the hybrid(set up as a frame pack like I have it) or the pop up have NEVER caused me to stop short, take a different easier route, or complain to an Internet forum about how my shoulders hurt. They do the opposite. They make me WANT to climb a tree MORE after walking miles.
If you walk under a half mile over open flat terrain each way to get to your set, the above doesn’t apply. Just suck it up.
For everyone else, get a properly fitted frame with load lifters and a meat shelf. You’re welcome.
Load lifters need to be above the highest point of the shoulder harness by at least an inch.
the heaviest part of the load needs to be as close to your back as possible.
the load needs to be secured tight so it doesn’t wobble, sway, move around on rough terrain.
Anything below 20-25lbs, and the above are not necessities, they’ll just make everyone comfortable. Some people have broader stronger shoulders, and loose hamstrings, and can carry 20-30lbs with no hip belt or load lifters. 90% of people don’t.
For everyone else, you can complain about the bulk, weight, or crunchy granola annoyance of a frame pack all you want. If you’re ready to be healthy, efficient, and cover a lot of ground with less discomfort, risk of injury, or worse, wounded pride for giving up too soon on hikes or hunts, get one.
You can make the argument that a load shelf isn’t necessary. But it gets the heaviest part of the load against your back, where it should be. If that load is bloody, it will save a lot of cleaning other gear if you’re shoving meat inside a pack.
The first version of the mystery ranch pop up really is the best pack Ive found for anyone who covers more than a mile in a day, and either films, or packs out deer. And I used it exclusively on my elk hunt this year too. It worked surprisingly well with 90lbs loaded out for a really crappy pack out.
it’s sort of like the JX3 hybrid for me. Are there lighter more compact ways to do the thing? Yes. But I’m not an armchair quarterback. I walk more distance, through thicker and steeper and muddier stuff, And pack out more deer and gear, than 99% of hunters. The weight and bulk of the hybrid(set up as a frame pack like I have it) or the pop up have NEVER caused me to stop short, take a different easier route, or complain to an Internet forum about how my shoulders hurt. They do the opposite. They make me WANT to climb a tree MORE after walking miles.
If you walk under a half mile over open flat terrain each way to get to your set, the above doesn’t apply. Just suck it up.
For everyone else, get a properly fitted frame with load lifters and a meat shelf. You’re welcome.
Last edited:
Empostarr
Well-Known Member
I just kind of went through this and agree with @kyler1945 . I have a day pack from cabelas, and can fit my SRT rope (45 ft Canyon IV), hand ascender, safeguard, tether, linemans, and any other gear I need/want for the hunt, and I can strap my platform to the pack. Its an extremely small package and doesn't weigh too much. I went out hunting last season without a tree in mind, just checking out a new area that I'd never been to and figured if I found good sign I'd climb there. After walking all day with that pack, my shoulders killed!
This year, I invested in a Badlands Vario system. The 33 Bag, the day pack, and the meat hauler. I do have plans to go out west, I do plan to pack out my deer this year if I'm deep in the woods because dragging sucks, and I do want the ability to pack in my winter gear without tying it to outside of my pack. Does it all weigh more now because of the pack? Yes, it probably all weighs in the 20-30 lbs range now. Does it carry way better because of the waist belt and the load lifters? Yes!
I try and preset when I can, but if I want to scout around and find hot sign to hang above, I need that comfort. The Cabelas pack is now my scouting pack for the preseason, where I just have my throw ball, line, and paracord for preset loops. If when hunting I decide I don't want to climb, or I have to go to a new unfamiliar area and may not climb, I can remove the badlands day pack from the frame and just use that for a lighter option.
A proper pack makes all the difference! It might be heavier, but if it carries better and is more comfortable, then it's worth it for the few extra lbs.
This year, I invested in a Badlands Vario system. The 33 Bag, the day pack, and the meat hauler. I do have plans to go out west, I do plan to pack out my deer this year if I'm deep in the woods because dragging sucks, and I do want the ability to pack in my winter gear without tying it to outside of my pack. Does it all weigh more now because of the pack? Yes, it probably all weighs in the 20-30 lbs range now. Does it carry way better because of the waist belt and the load lifters? Yes!
I try and preset when I can, but if I want to scout around and find hot sign to hang above, I need that comfort. The Cabelas pack is now my scouting pack for the preseason, where I just have my throw ball, line, and paracord for preset loops. If when hunting I decide I don't want to climb, or I have to go to a new unfamiliar area and may not climb, I can remove the badlands day pack from the frame and just use that for a lighter option.
A proper pack makes all the difference! It might be heavier, but if it carries better and is more comfortable, then it's worth it for the few extra lbs.