DeltaCharlie
Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2021
- Messages
- 84
I have been sewing and making packs for hunting for the last 8 years, since I started elk hunting. I started out making packs to fit on commercially available frames from hunting pack manufacturers like Kifaru, Exo Mountain Gear, Initial Ascent for myself, my friends, and my family. In the last couple years, I have really started changing the way I hunt whitetails and realized that the packs I was using were good at some things, but not always adept at saddle hunting/mobile hunting specifically. I have been working on some different frame systems and testing out different different materials.
There are a ton of threads on every hunting forum about packs for hunting and I understand that there are a lot of variables that determine what needs each individual hunter has in a pack. The number of companies that offer hunting packs is also staggering. This is not an attempt to invade an already saturated market or make money by producing a pack. This is a passion project and I just want to know what features this community values over others. My full time job is firefighter/paramedic, so I'm busy enough as it is.
Here are some of the questions I have been pondering. There are way more answers to the questions I have posted, so feel free to add your preferences if your answer doesn't fit with the ones I have provided.
1. What size pack do you use?
A. Under 1000 c.i. (small backpack or lumbar pack)
B. 1000 c.i. to 2000 c.i. (small daypack)
C. 2000 c.i. to 3000 c.i. (large daypack or small multi-day pack)
D. 3000 c.i. or more (large multi-day or rucksack)
2. What type of frame do you prefer?
A. No frame necessary, just a bag with a little foam padding
B. A flexible frame that moves with me, comfortable with 15 lbs or under
C. A semi-rigid frame that moves with me but is comfortable up to 50 lbs
D. Rigid frame that carries loads in excess of 50 lbs
3. How do you pack your backpack?
A. I like to have pockets for everything, and lots of them.
B. I like pockets for my items and a medium sized main compartment.
C. I use some pockets but I prefer a larger main compartment.
D. I don't need pockets, I use stuff sacks and other small bags to separate my items.
4. Do you attach items to the outside of the pack?
A. I like lots of compression straps/attachment points and a beavertail or flap of material to sandwich items against the pack.
B. I like lots of compression straps/attachment points but no beavertail.
C. I like a couple compression straps/attachment points but a less cluttered exterior to prevent snags.
D. I don't like compression straps or attachment points, I feel like they are bothersome and unnecessary.
5. How do you get your kill out of the woods?
A. I field dress and put them on a motorized vehicle.
B. I drag the deer or use a cart until I can get to a road or trail.
C. I quarter the animal and carry out the parts on my back.
D. I keep the field dress the animal and carry it out on my back.
6. How much gear do you carry?
A. I carry the bare minimum, and try to be as light as possible, no food, no water, and no niceties.
B. I carry what I need for hunting with some food, water, and calls.
C. I carry hunting items, food, water, and some niceties like a book or phone charger.
D. I carry whatever I can fit in my pack, the more the better.
7. What do you prefer for a suspension system?
A. I like a full suspension, thick padding, contoured shoulder straps and a hipbelt.
B. I like a comfortable suspension with enough padding and a decent hipbelt.
C. I like a comfortable shoulder harness and just a webbing belt.
D. I like a minimized shoulder harness only.
8. What kind of material do you prefer?
A. 500d Cordura is good for me, it's durable and water resistant enough.
B. I would prefer a waterproof fabric.
C. I don't care but it has to be camo.
D. I prefer a very quiet material and I don't care what it weighs.
9. What pack are you currently using?
10. What do you wish your pack had that it doesn't currently have?
11. Do you climb the tree with your backpack on?
12. Do you use different packs for different seasons (early, rut, or late season) or different styles (saddle, mobile treestand, preset treestand)?
13. Do you carry extra layers in your backpack or wear them on the walk in?
14. Do you attach a weapon to your pack?
15. Do you prefer a modular pack that can be tailored to your needs?
16. How far do you walk on average to your hunting locations?
Please feel free to add whatever commentary you would like.
There are a ton of threads on every hunting forum about packs for hunting and I understand that there are a lot of variables that determine what needs each individual hunter has in a pack. The number of companies that offer hunting packs is also staggering. This is not an attempt to invade an already saturated market or make money by producing a pack. This is a passion project and I just want to know what features this community values over others. My full time job is firefighter/paramedic, so I'm busy enough as it is.
Here are some of the questions I have been pondering. There are way more answers to the questions I have posted, so feel free to add your preferences if your answer doesn't fit with the ones I have provided.
1. What size pack do you use?
A. Under 1000 c.i. (small backpack or lumbar pack)
B. 1000 c.i. to 2000 c.i. (small daypack)
C. 2000 c.i. to 3000 c.i. (large daypack or small multi-day pack)
D. 3000 c.i. or more (large multi-day or rucksack)
2. What type of frame do you prefer?
A. No frame necessary, just a bag with a little foam padding
B. A flexible frame that moves with me, comfortable with 15 lbs or under
C. A semi-rigid frame that moves with me but is comfortable up to 50 lbs
D. Rigid frame that carries loads in excess of 50 lbs
3. How do you pack your backpack?
A. I like to have pockets for everything, and lots of them.
B. I like pockets for my items and a medium sized main compartment.
C. I use some pockets but I prefer a larger main compartment.
D. I don't need pockets, I use stuff sacks and other small bags to separate my items.
4. Do you attach items to the outside of the pack?
A. I like lots of compression straps/attachment points and a beavertail or flap of material to sandwich items against the pack.
B. I like lots of compression straps/attachment points but no beavertail.
C. I like a couple compression straps/attachment points but a less cluttered exterior to prevent snags.
D. I don't like compression straps or attachment points, I feel like they are bothersome and unnecessary.
5. How do you get your kill out of the woods?
A. I field dress and put them on a motorized vehicle.
B. I drag the deer or use a cart until I can get to a road or trail.
C. I quarter the animal and carry out the parts on my back.
D. I keep the field dress the animal and carry it out on my back.
6. How much gear do you carry?
A. I carry the bare minimum, and try to be as light as possible, no food, no water, and no niceties.
B. I carry what I need for hunting with some food, water, and calls.
C. I carry hunting items, food, water, and some niceties like a book or phone charger.
D. I carry whatever I can fit in my pack, the more the better.
7. What do you prefer for a suspension system?
A. I like a full suspension, thick padding, contoured shoulder straps and a hipbelt.
B. I like a comfortable suspension with enough padding and a decent hipbelt.
C. I like a comfortable shoulder harness and just a webbing belt.
D. I like a minimized shoulder harness only.
8. What kind of material do you prefer?
A. 500d Cordura is good for me, it's durable and water resistant enough.
B. I would prefer a waterproof fabric.
C. I don't care but it has to be camo.
D. I prefer a very quiet material and I don't care what it weighs.
9. What pack are you currently using?
10. What do you wish your pack had that it doesn't currently have?
11. Do you climb the tree with your backpack on?
12. Do you use different packs for different seasons (early, rut, or late season) or different styles (saddle, mobile treestand, preset treestand)?
13. Do you carry extra layers in your backpack or wear them on the walk in?
14. Do you attach a weapon to your pack?
15. Do you prefer a modular pack that can be tailored to your needs?
16. How far do you walk on average to your hunting locations?
Please feel free to add whatever commentary you would like.
Last edited: