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Best backpacks for saddle hunting?

Love my Badlands Superday, has everything I need. Sticks strap to the bottom and platform of the face of the pack. Plenty of pockets too.
 
I am new to saddle hunting and need to replace my backpack. I'm using a predator platform and four hawk helium sticks and want to be able to hook all of it to or carry it all in my pack. I am fairly minimalist so I don't need anything huge, but enough for my equipment plus binos, rangefinder, calls, knife, tags, etc. What backpacks do you like best for saddle hunting?
I am using the Eberlestock X2 pack and love it. This year I did switch to Lone Wolf Custom Gear double step sticks and still using the Predator Platform. Although last year I ran with 3 Hawk Helium sticks along with the Predator. The X2 pack handles the load with ease and then some. It is a medium size frame pack and weighs a few pounds but is nicely adjustable with the shoulders straps and waste belt. Definitely works well for saddle hunting.
 
What do y’all think about the new Kuiu divide?

 
I have put my X2 through hell this year and it just keeps impressing me more. It’s not perfect but for me it is a true jack of all trades, master on none sorta thing. With my LWCG Doublesteps and Predator platform it is the best pack. I don’t have any advice for Hawks though.
 
Used a mystery ranch scree 32 last few hunts and really like it.

I don’t need meat hauling.
 
What do y’all think about the new Kuiu divide?

Doesn't look like it's got a good spot to strap on sticks. Not sure if that outside pocket would work? Looks like the top doesn't open, and it kinda hinges off the bottom? The picture on kuiu website, not sure how that tripod is staying in there. I'm sure it's a quality pack. But I really am liking my venture with the 4 straps that are able to attach the sticks to, and cinch everything up nice and tight.

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Doesn't look like it's got a good spot to strap on sticks. Not sure if that outside pocket would work? Looks like the top doesn't open, and it kinda hinges off the bottom? The picture on kuiu website, not sure how that tripod is staying in there. I'm sure it's a quality pack. But I really am liking my venture with the 4 straps that are able to attach the sticks to, and cinch everything up nice and tight.

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My thoughts exactly.
 
As an update, I gave the Kuiu Divide 1500 a try and I really like it. I think it may end up as my preferred SRT or one stick bag, but here it is with a predator, five EWO sticks, and some stuff in it just to see how it feels. Obviously the 5th stick here is a bit much but its always the odd one out in my EWO set.
 

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As an update, I gave the Kuiu Divide 1500 a try and I really like it. I think it may end up as my preferred SRT or one stick bag, but here it is with a predator, five EWO sticks, and some stuff in it just to see how it feels. Obviously the 5th stick here is a bit much but its always the odd one out in my EWO set.

Are you using a platform? If so, where are you putting that?
 
I am, it is a predator (smaller size) and it fits perfectly in the "divide" pocket from which the pack gets its name. You cannot see at all in the pics, but the 5th stick is sitting right on top of it. That big pocket has a zipper on bottom which is how Kuiu showed a tripod fitting down through it. When closed it holds the predator with no strapping needed.
 
I’m a novice here so my digs might not be as slick as some more refined saddle hunters, but I’m enjoying my setup. Picked up this $40 Timber Hawk pack at Wal-Mart a few years ago, before saddle hunting and it’s adapted well to my pack in needs. The flap pocket on the front has been money. I have 2 DIY platforms, both a bit smaller than the predator but I believe it would work here as well. I can take either platform, 4 sticks and my normal stuff. I’m probably going to get a new pack soon just because I can’t leave well enough alone, but whatever I get will have a front flap pocket. Hopefully pics are decent. Lighting is tough in my dungeon office


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A backpack that has a good waste belt and shoulder straps and that holds all your gear and that's tough. I personally use this old hiking backpack that I've had for years that I bought at Gander Mountain. It's green and gray and has a ton of room for my set up. This is one of those questions that's like "what's the best driver or putter?" "What's the best hockey stick?" "What's the best running shoe" The answer is, the one that works best for your needs.
 
Eberlestock X2 works great for me. I have a lot of packs and that one is easily the most versatile.
 
Kuiu Venture. This was my first Kuiu product to own. I'm now a fan.
 
I was searching for best backpack for saddle hunting and I got this comprehensive blogpost about it which is more detailed about it.
https://backpackets.com/10-best-backpack-for-saddle-hunting/

this blogpost is laughable. obviously an ESL blogger and probably never hunted a day in their life. I do actually have the SOG Opord Tactical Day pack mentioned in the post as one of my many packs (it's a disease) and use it some. It's cheap and works well enough for shorter hunts. If you plan on hauling gear or a lot of weight in clothes/gear, I would invest more into some of the packs mentioned earlier in this thread. If you need to haul any kind of weight very long, you need a waist belt and a pack with some kind of rigidity/frame. I'd say buy once, cry once, yet here I am like 7 packs in and still searching for the holy grail....:tearsofjoy:
 
Going off what the OP is using - when I used sticks I liked the Superday as well. Not sure how long those Heliums are so maybe another pack would be better suited. For me, the pack depends on my climbing method. If I were to go back to sticks the Superday would work just fine for me. I am sure there are better ones out there. The Badlands Monster is my new go to but I no longer use sticks.
 
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