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How important is a backpack?

TNbowhunter

TNbowhunter

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2019
Messages
1,030
Location
Middle Tennessee
As a man with more “wants” than dollars (aren’t we all?), I’m trying to figure out how best to spend my money on hunting equipment and clothing. I don’t mind paying for quality where it will make a noticeable difference (e.g., I’ve been very pleased with “spending up” to get some Lowa Renegades instead of sticking with cheap, uncomfortable shoes). At the same time, I don’t want to spend a dime on improving something that works just fine (e.g., I still hunt with my 2013 BowTech RPM 360 instead of buying a new Hoyt every year).
So, I’m trying to figure out how important a good pack is for a guy who rarely hikes in more than a mile and who most often hunts private land presets. Sure, having a Mystery Ranch Pop Up 28 or Eberlestock X2 would be better than my $35 Amazon pack, but would it really be that big of a difference maker over buying 2 more trail cams or whatever else I could buy with that money.
What say you??
 
Depends on how much weight you are going to carry. If you want to pack meat than a frame pack is a good idea. Have a large platform and multiple sticks? I'd lean towards a frame pack.

If you have a single stick with platform and will drag or drive your deer out of the woods than anything will do.

I have a sling pack and pop up 38.
 
Eberlestock is now the cheapest I’ll go. Went through too many Alps packs and others. Tired of busting seams and zippers trying to carry sticks etc. I do put at least 2+ miles on for every hunt. Oddly enough I save my $$ by not buying Sitka and using Cabelas clothing instead. Still get at least 2-3 seasons out of $60 pants.
 
I'm with you. I see a company asking $160 for a frame, no pack, and I can't justify that for my 3-4hr, sub 1 mile hunts.

Right now I'm waiting on delivery of a Wilderness Handi Pak ( https://www.wildernesspacks.net/product-page/handi-pak ). I'm going to mount to a molle frame I already have and test it carrying a 40lb bag of dog food, or stuffing a puffy coat in between it and the frame, then attaching an existing cheap backpack to it, plus my one-stick or predator plus helium's. It's $39 delivered and I can afford to test that.

If I like it, I might sew up a fleece drawstring bag to mount on the frame instead of a "real" backpack and it's extra weight from straps, zippers, compartments, etc.

I know the molle frame and harness is heavier than specialty options, but I don't think I walk far enough to need that.

When I get it and get around to testing it I'll post some pictures and thoughts.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk
 
@TNbowhunter im kinda in the same boat as you, short hike in to my spots but I’m currently using a horn hunter g2 cuz I have sticks and a RR to hump in. I’m gonna mess with one sticking and 2TC this season and if I can make that work I’ll prolly downsize to a fanny pack. I used to use a fanny pack back when I used a summit viper and loved it. Only reason I’ll prolly switch to a fanny is so I have something to secure my coat and RR to and the various other sundries I carry on a hunt
 
It sounds like for your hunting style a top end pack wouldn’t benefit you much. I hunt a mix of private preset areas like you but also hunt LBL a lot. For deep public land hunts a good pack is essential. For the short walks to private, definitely not as important.
If your system currently works well for you then spend that money on a cell camera or two!
 
Depends on what you’re carrying or packing out. The last thing I want to deal with if a pack busts, is juggling a bunch of stuff, or worse… losing items on my way in or out.
 
TNbowhunter said:
As a man with more “wants” than dollars (aren’t we all?), I’m trying to figure out how best to spend my money on hunting equipment and clothing. I don’t mind paying for quality where it will make a noticeable difference (e.g., I’ve been very pleased with “spending up” to get some Lowa Renegades instead of sticking with cheap, uncomfortable shoes). At the same time, I don’t want to spend a dime on improving something that works just fine (e.g., I still hunt with my 2013 BowTech RPM 360 instead of buying a new Hoyt every year).
So, I’m trying to figure out how important a good pack is for a guy who rarely hikes in more than a mile and who most often hunts private land presets. Sure, having a Mystery Ranch Pop Up 28 or Eberlestock X2 would be better than my $35 Amazon pack, but would it really be that big of a difference maker over buying 2 more trail cams or whatever else I could buy with that money.
What say you??
Click to expand...

Since you mostly hunt presets and rarely go more than 1 mile deep, I’d have a hard time justifying an expensive frame pack—regardless of pack comfort or features. However, if you also go on backpacking trips or have plans for a western hunt, such pack may make more sense because you could use it for several different purposes.
I’m like you in the sense of acknowledging the benefits of quality but also refraining from marketing ploys or expenses that just don’t make much sense for my purposes.
With that said, a very good quality pack for whitetail hunting, fishing, or BOB is the Connor by Hill People Gear. It’s feature rich enough to comfortably transport sticks and a platform, but minimalist enough to work as a simple pack for preset stands. It has an internal frame sheet, so hauling meat out is not really going to be an option.
If you rarely hang and hunt, I’d be tempted to ditch a pack entirely and use a vest, chest pack, or Fanny pack to shove the bare essentials. For me, that’s a rangefinder, release, headlamp, water bottle, and mask/gloves. Add a couple bow hooks if not preset.
There is something to be said for going in with the bare minimum—light weight, simple, and more money left in your pocket.
 
Less than a mile and not packing meat? I’d say spend your money elsewhere.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I think I'm a similar hunter to you and I've been real happy with a predator pack with 2 sys haulers, and a chest bino harness + rangefinder pouch. I searched around for a cheap ($50) pack to try (Browning Buck 2500RT) and it's only made it in the woods preseason when I've been working on presets. Just haven't found a reason to take it out on a hunt yet.
 
agree with the above... there are some good tactical packs that'll carry your gear just fine and they can run about $30 bucks... thats all i carry until i start needed winter clothes...
 
I got suckered in to fancy pack from reading on here that it would "help"me.... IMO I'd spend cash elsewhere.... Old Alice pack hauls meat just fine... I got a fancy 1 that just sits there gathering dust.... Ive been holding on to it waiting for a good trade/barter
 
A bag is just a sack unless you use it as part of a system, then its equipment.

Your preferred system will dictate what you need, and that will dictate what type of bag you need.
 
I was perfectly happy with my $30 Walmart pack until the zipper broke off in the first season. If I replace it this year, I'll be $60 into a $30 pack.
 
If you're not planning to haul out meat, I wouldn't recommend a frame pack. The frame helps distribute the weight of a heavy load, making it easier to carry. If you don't have a heavy load, you're just carrying the added weight of the frame for no reason.
 
fraggs said:
I was perfectly happy with my $30 Walmart pack until the zipper broke off in the first season. If I replace it this year, I'll be $60 into a $30 pack.
Click to expand...
If it's the pull that's broken there are zipper repair kits on Amazon for less than $10. You could repair it probably 5 or 10 times over with all the parts you'd get.
 
Yeah, I probably could. And I do appreciate your advice. But, then one of the other zippers will break.

I spend enough of my precious free time fixing my old broken junk. I don't need a new backpack repair hobby.

My advice is to try and buy things that will last.

Very few people can really justify spending $600 on a backpack. But I don't think $200 is unreasonable for a pack that will take the kind of abuse that a hunting pack will take. And, for that price, I think there are many packs available that could last decades.
 
I should add that, if the pack you have now ain't broke, a new kifaru isn't going to make hunting any easier, or more fun than it is now. New cameras will.
 
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