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Hunting Backpack Needs

RMcDonald7

RMcDonald7

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2021
Messages
385
Location
WV
I just turned 40 in June and i've hunted my whole life since I was 8. Born and raised in WV I've never hunted outside of my home state. Hunted my states large game and small game (Black Bear, Deer, Squirrel, Rabbit, Coyote, etc...) Now, myself and a few close friends are all in on making the trip to Colorado next year to hunt Elk.
I'm looking to get a versatile pack to use here in the northeast (saddle/ground) hunting and still be able to use it out west for gear and possible meat carry.
I am currently looking at Eberlestock (F1 frame combined with Vapor 5000 and maybe a batwing for around $470)
Any thoughts on this setup?
Recommendations on another setup close on price?

Thanks!
 
@RMcDonald7 - Eberlestock is nice stuff - good quality, and durable. Let me start off by saying that I think you'll be happy with that F1 frame and Vapor bag / batwing setup, if you go that route. I have several of their packs, and they are really nice. Be aware, however, that all their packs are made in "Vietnam or Cambodia", not made in the USA. (I wrote their customer service and asked, and that's what they told me.)

@kyler1945 has hunted elk for multiple seasons, and can probably make some good recommendations. I think he prefers the EXO product line, but he can chime in and give you his recommendations. When it comes to what works for elk hunting - listen to him over me. I haven't done an elk hunt.

Here are my thoughts, however: If you're looking for a top-notch modular frame pack, don't overlook the Kifaru line. All Kifaru products are 100% made in the USA, and come with a limited lifetime warranty. Pairing the Kifaru Duplex Lite frame with the bag that best meets your needs would be a purchase you won't regret. And once you have the pack frame, you can buy any other bag later to make it optimal for chasing whitetails or other pursuits if your first bag isn't ideal for that. (I have the 22Mag Gen2 bag and I love it for whitetail hunting.) I don't know if your elk hunt will be archery or long gun, but Kifaru's "gun-bearer" system is excellent. It attaches your long gun to your pack while maintaining the ability to instantly get it into play and shoulder it for a shot.

When you consider that you're 40 now, you'll likely be using whatever you buy for the next 20+ years, so keep that in mind. With that frame of reference, looking at competitive product lines that cost more (even 2X more), the price is less important than getting equipment that will serve your needs the best for the next 20 years. Too many guys buy on the cheap and end up buying replacements or alternatives over and over when they're not fully satisfied with their equipment. In the long run, it costs them MORE.

@JCLINE84 - produced a thoughtful gear dump video last year and it's definitely worth watching before you finalize your decision. You'll want to fast forward right to the 18:34 mark in the video to start right at his discussion on his backpack.

 
@LoadedLimbs - amazing brother! thanks for all the advice.
I will definitely "buy once, cry once" with the pack. I just want to buy for all that i do and plan to do.
I will be mainly archery hunting.

I will mention as well, i'm apart of law enforcement and will look closely at companies that offer discounts.
 
I have the mainframe and batwings from Eberlestock. I used it in my elk hunt and also some in the big timber public where I hunt. Nothing bad to say about it at all and I think you’d be happy with it.
My deer setup when I use it is two batwings and two accessory pouches. The bow bucket is also a great accessory. I also have the dry bag that zips in and the multi-lid. Lots a great modular system that is Adaptable to a lot of hunting styles
 
LoadedLimbs said:
@RMcDonald7 - Eberlestock is nice stuff - good quality, and durable. Let me start off by saying that I think you'll be happy with that F1 frame and Vapor bag / batwing setup, if you go that route. I have several of their packs, and they are really nice. Be aware, however, that all their packs are made in "Vietnam or Cambodia", not made in the USA. (I wrote their customer service and asked, and that's what they told me.)

@kyler1945 has hunted elk for multiple seasons, and can probably make some good recommendations. I think he prefers the EXO product line, but he can chime in and give you his recommendations. When it comes to what works for elk hunting - listen to him over me. I haven't done an elk hunt.

Here are my thoughts, however: If you're looking for a top-notch modular frame pack, don't overlook the Kifaru line. All Kifaru products are 100% made in the USA, and come with a limited lifetime warranty. Pairing the Kifaru Duplex Lite frame with the bag that best meets your needs would be a purchase you won't regret. And once you have the pack frame, you can buy any other bag later to make it optimal for chasing whitetails or other pursuits if your first bag isn't ideal for that. (I have the 22Mag Gen2 bag and I love it for whitetail hunting.) I don't know if your elk hunt will be archery or long gun, but Kifaru's "gun-bearer" system is excellent. It attaches your long gun to your pack while maintaining the ability to instantly get it into play and shoulder it for a shot.

When you consider that you're 40 now, you'll likely be using whatever you buy for the next 20+ years, so keep that in mind. With that frame of reference, looking at competitive product lines that cost more (even 2X more), the price is less important than getting equipment that will serve your needs the best for the next 20 years. Too many guys buy on the cheap and end up buying replacements or alternatives over and over when they're not fully satisfied with their equipment. In the long run, it costs them MORE.

@JCLINE84 - produced a thoughtful gear dump video last year and it's definitely worth watching before you finalize your decision. You'll want to fast forward right to the 18:34 mark in the video to start right at his discussion on his backpack.

Click to expand...

I’ve hunted with a kifaru frame out west for 3 seasons. On about 20% of the days I used my popup. As luck would have it both pack outs last year we’re the popup. It did way better than anticipated. The pack doesn’t get enough credit. Still, I’d take the kifaru for anything over 50lbs.

I don’t have enough run time to make a recommendation for western hunting. Other than to say if you don’t have a properly fitted pack, anything over 30-40lbs will make you miserable.

I chirp on the exo shoulder harness as being the most comfortable - only because I’ve added it to all my custom jobs. It’s perfect. I’ve only carried one of their packs a single time and it seems nice. My hybrid will be outfitted with their waist belt in the next few days to go along with the shoulder harness I added last season.

I am not a fan of eberlestock packs. Heavy, poor quality(relative to other options, not in general), and just seem clunky and made for the average human. I owned two and just couldn’t make them work. This is just my opinion and don’t have a ton of experience.

My advice is to buy and try used packs that you can get out of cheap, unless you can go to one of the shops and try all their packs on with weight.

And final advice - anything that sells a feature or feels gimmicky, even just a little, it is. If you can’t try it for minimal cost and effort, don’t go outside the box on this one. There’s too many good options that have plenty of run time.

I’ll be honest. Given how often I don’t kill an elk, and how often I don’t go on 5+ day spike trips, If I had it to do all over again, I’d buy 3 pop ups and put two in storage, and call it a day. That pack has been awesome. I can’t speak to the new ones. I bet I’ve hiked 2000 miles at this point with that pack. It’s great.
 
Last edited:
KYHunter said:
I have the mainframe and batwings from Eberlestock. I used it in my elk hunt and also some in the big timber public where I hunt. Nothing bad to say about it at all and I think you’d be happy with it.
My deer setup when I use it is two batwings and two accessory pouches. The bow bucket is also a great accessory. I also have the dry bag that zips in and the multi-lid. Lots a great modular system that is Adaptable to a lot of hunting styles
Click to expand...
Exactly what I like about the Eberlestock, and i'm sure other companies have the same functionality.
Pictures of your setup?

Love seeing pictures! lol
 
I run the mystery ranch pack for my moose, elk, and deer hunts. It is large enough for me to carry all my needs for a 15 day back country (Metcalf) and still allows me to bring out quartered animals. I honestly love the pack and don’t envision changing any time soon. I also bought the Pintler bag and use that as my day pack.
If money were no object, I’d be looking towards kifaru, but as luck would have it, the military doesn’t pay me enough to afford that so I went with the MR who has a nice MIL/LE discount.
 
Jumping on the Kifaru train, I would go with their frame paired with the StrykerXL bag and a camp bag. It’s going to do anything you want on a western hunt and transition nicely into the whitetail woods. Kifaru in general are so customizable you can configure for any need and they carry weight like nothing else.
 
I think i'm going with a Mystery Ranch Metcalf. (what color to get lol..... Tan, Green, camo???)
 
I think you're making a good choice w/ MR-their packs are top quality & the "overload" feature is very valuable. I originally bought a Sawtooth 45 with the frame, & over the last few years have added a Mule, Pintler, & Beartooth 80-these I bought as "bag only" options, so I have the 1 frame, & 4 packs of different sizes to fit it. Another thing I found was that I can use the packs without the frame when I use my JX3. Depending on what season it is & how much gear/extra layers I feel like lugging around, those bags store it without the added weight of the frame, & I can hang them on the hook in the JX3 for transport in & out, & on the tree while I'm up.

As far as color goes, get what you like-they are all good choices, & I doubt you'll be disappointed. I love camo, so I got all of mine in sub-alpine!
 
TradBowGuy said:
I think you're making a good choice w/ MR-their packs are top quality & the "overload" feature is very valuable. I originally bought a Sawtooth 45 with the frame, & over the last few years have added a Mule, Pintler, & Beartooth 80-these I bought as "bag only" options, so I have the 1 frame, & 4 packs of different sizes to fit it. Another thing I found was that I can use the packs without the frame when I use my JX3. Depending on what season it is & how much gear/extra layers I feel like lugging around, those bags store it without the added weight of the frame, & I can hang them on the hook in the JX3 for transport in & out, & on the tree while I'm up.

As far as color goes, get what you like-they are all good choices, & I doubt you'll be disappointed. I love camo, so I got all of mine in sub-alpine!
Click to expand...
should be in the mail today or tomorrow!
 
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