Looking for a backpack to pack in saddle steps and a crossbow. Any recommendations? Really hoping to make it up the tree in one climb.
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Best backpack ?
- Thread starter Tylergarren10
- Start date
You'll get a lot of different answers on this one. Backpacks are very personal. Mystery ranch and Badlands packs are very popular here. I am partial to kifaru packs. They have a pack for just about everything and they are very well built.
There are 500,000 posts on this same question. Read some older posts and you'll find some info more than likely
Take a look at Badlands backpacks and pack rabbit pack frames
I totally agree. Depending on climbing method and other preference, it will greatly decide which pack you would need. I was deciding between the Badlands Diablo Dos or the Mystery Ranch Pop-up 28. I have decided to go with the Mystery Ranch Pop-up 28 for the meat hauling ability. Looking to break down deer in the field this year. I tried it last year with a buddy and it made a world of difference!
Good for you, my setup is a pursuit badlands on a pack rabbit frame... I over loaded it today and hike into a state game area. It was awesome and fit my back great. No noise and very comfortable
Good luck and Good hunting
Yes you can always search; but one of the cool parts about this forum is that you can ask your questions and guys want to help out. Awesome place! That said, gonna throw another one into the mix for ya (like Murph said) and go with a nod for the Eberlestock X2. Tiny enough to be a day pack, but big enough to haul out 60 pounds of meat if ya need to. Pretty versatile.
I don't use my pack to haul in my bow but I have been using 2 Badlands packs for years, Pursuit for scouting and a different model for hunting, can't think of the name. I love badlands packs, they are intuitive with their design and seem to fit any hunting style. They have a bunch of different models, so I am sure you could find one that fits your need. The only 2 issues I saw with shopping for one is web based shopping and price. There was no storefront dealer around me so I could not physically touch or look at the pack which hindered my decision making. I actually bought a Badlands pack and returned it right away as it was not conducive to my hunting style. As with anything you get what you pay for, I have had zero problems with my Badlands packs. Badlands also offers a great warranty on their equipment. I would imagine some of the other brands being mentioned here also offer the same benefits so you will have to do some research on their websites as well. Obviously there is a huge jump in quality and design/functionality when you go to these higher priced packs but to me it is well worth it.
Personally I'd go with the packs that are built and designed for hunters by those that know how to hunt...
Kifaru: I have about or have had 6 of their various packs. Almost indestructible.
Mystery Ranch: Just one...pop-up 28 and I can haul in every last stitch of my saddle, 4 different styles of climbing with comfort. Haven't packed out game yet, but I'm quite confident that it will.
Here is a helpful video that I found, but before that I had badlands and eberstock that failed me miserably..while out on a several days campout where we hiked in miles. Almost threw the eberstock pack off the cliff and would have if I didn't decide to suck it up and bring all my gear out. Sold that pack when I got home and bought the kifaru.
Badlands, I had the 2200, their daypack and fanny pack. each one failed me in a hunt...straps broke, zippers broke etc while on a hunt. It sucked and so do those packs. Won't touch another one if it was free.
Kifaru: I have about or have had 6 of their various packs. Almost indestructible.
Mystery Ranch: Just one...pop-up 28 and I can haul in every last stitch of my saddle, 4 different styles of climbing with comfort. Haven't packed out game yet, but I'm quite confident that it will.
Here is a helpful video that I found, but before that I had badlands and eberstock that failed me miserably..while out on a several days campout where we hiked in miles. Almost threw the eberstock pack off the cliff and would have if I didn't decide to suck it up and bring all my gear out. Sold that pack when I got home and bought the kifaru.
Badlands, I had the 2200, their daypack and fanny pack. each one failed me in a hunt...straps broke, zippers broke etc while on a hunt. It sucked and so do those packs. Won't touch another one if it was free.
I'm coming to the conclusion (at least for me) there are no BEST packs to meet all different needs. Just when I think I find my system, something changes, I find something new, I change an approach... If a guy could design the perfect pack to meet all situations, he'd be a millionaire.
Some of the considerations pack decisions depend on:
For me, it comes down to this
One other lesson I've learned, is that if I have the space, I somehow end up filling it up ...which is NOT meeting my objective of going as light (yet efficient) as possible.
Some of the considerations pack decisions depend on:
- how do we climb (bolts, sticks, WES, SRT, spikes, other)
- what do we stand on (platform, ROS, LWHC, DIY platform, other)
- how much gear do we like to carry (rambo knife only ...or the kitchen sink)
- how do we get our animal out (drag, or quarter in the field & pack out)
- Do we film (no, yes but tactacam/go pro only, yes and I'm I'm producing high end videos for YouTube)
- Need for lots of cold weather gear ...or not so much
- What is our loaded weight? <10lbs, 11-15lbs, 16-20, 20+
- others
For me, it comes down to this
- What is the lightest and most comfortable pack I can find that meets the demands above, whatever they may be. And I've found that I need to have a few different packs for the different scenarios above. I have a scouting pack, ground attack pack, and saddle/stand system for warm weather and cold weather.
One other lesson I've learned, is that if I have the space, I somehow end up filling it up ...which is NOT meeting my objective of going as light (yet efficient) as possible.
When I started bow hunting I had a small fanny pack with 6 screw in steps a homemade swing like saddle to use while standing on a limb and a small bottle of water. Now I take so much stuff it takes a backpack to haul it all. I wouldn't want to go back to standing on a limb but I am going to cut down on what I carry. Saddle or tree stand, climbing method of your choice, water if it's hot and extra cloths if its cold. Most of the time a lot of what is carried never gets used. Some things like a pull up line and a hunting knife are always carried but do you really need a range finder and binoculars to shoot 30 yards or less?
It killed my back and shoulders. It didn’t ride well and the adjustablity was poor. I was in pain the entire trip and was glad when it ended. Sold it as soon as I got home. It was the dragonfly J107 or 106
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Well yes, the pack did fail. The load lifters didn't work, the pack itself weighed in at over 9 lbs empty and the padding on the backside and lumbar was poorly designed. I could go on...as far as packs go...I spend ten years in the infantry in both Marines and Army. While the alice pack left a lot to be desired it didn't kill my back to the point that I was ready to carry everything in my hands. Went to kifaru and bought a custom pack to me as well as one off the shelf (ebay) and both were far superior to the eblerstock, badlands, etc...
I guess I got what I paid for...and do so now with my packs. I think I'm a pack snob.
I guess I got what I paid for...and do so now with my packs. I think I'm a pack snob.
I like the Mystery Ranch Mule.
I just got it over the winter so I haven’t hunted with it but I’ve hauled 40 pound bags of corn, cameras, saddle and lone wolf hand climber without issue. I think there’s 8 clips holding the bag on the frame with plenty of extra strapping so you can put heavy clothes between the bag and frame.
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I just got it over the winter so I haven’t hunted with it but I’ve hauled 40 pound bags of corn, cameras, saddle and lone wolf hand climber without issue. I think there’s 8 clips holding the bag on the frame with plenty of extra strapping so you can put heavy clothes between the bag and frame.
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