suitable pack for treehopper recon sling, tree suit platform, 4 shortened helium sticks, and misc gear?

[raisins]

Given my description below please recommend a size of pack and maybe pack features or a specific pack and/or critique my approach. My budget is $150 or less for the pack. Thanks.


Context:

I'm about to pull the trigger on a treehopper recon sling and tree suit platform. This will be my first saddle and so I'll need a suitable pack.

I am considering this pack

Dark Timber - Realtree EDGE | ALPS OutdoorZ

www.alpsbrands.com

it is 37 liters. It has a waist belt and sternum strap, which is important.

I walk in a decent way in thick stuff (WV public land hunting). So, I will typically not have the saddle on with stuff hanging off the saddle. It will be in the pack. I can't see walking 2 or 3 miles up and down hills, often times off trail, with a saddle on and dump pouches holding gear (am I being biased here?).

Inside the pack I will have the recon sling saddle, oplux tether, oplux lineman's lanyard, 1 bottle water, 1 energy bar, branch saw, rangefinder, headlamp, extra flashlight, bow pull up rope, ultralight packable rain gear, daisy chain gear hanger, CAYG aider, and when cold I'll have arctic shield boot blankets/hot hands warmers/maybe an extra layer (if super cold I'll lash on a large stuff sack with many clothes to the outside of the pack).

I do not carry any deer processing gear with me and hardly ever take the deer out with my bow and gear. I walk back to the truck, drop everything off, and then get my kill pack (so after the shot is not a consideration for my setup).

I'll somehow tie the tree suit platform to the outside of the pack but haven't found any examples of that yet (suggestions?). I suppose bungee cord it to the back with the little legs sticking straight backward (?).

I will put 2 hawk heliums on each side. With the steps folded up, the heliums are around 29" total length because I barely cut them and left the step length long at 23".

I usually nest the sticks in pairs. I nest them by rotating them so that the brackets go past each other (like two people hugging, not spooning the way most people stack them). The pack I showed has some webbing on each side. I'll probably use it and also sew on some of my own lashing points made out of webbing. I have a bunch of bungees, shock cord, and gear ties. I am considering getting some treehopper steps and the mesh sacks (like dump pouches) I will use for those steps can also go on the sides where the sticks would go otherwise.

My only packs I own right now are small 20L packs and a big overnight camping pack that is way too big (I think it is like 75L or so). So, I don't have anything to go off and try for size.

 

[iamcorey]

I’d check out the Horn Hunter Mainbeam for sticks and that platform. It’s got lots of room for expansion if needed or you can compress it up as tight as you want.

Hill People Connor as well. New one will be outside your budget but a V1 can be found for $150.

There is a Eberlestock X2 on Rokslide for $100. Never used one but saddle guys chub out over them. Not made in US like the first two.

Trophyline has one coming out soon that will be $140.


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[Flee]

I just ordered a mystery ranch pop up 18 for $195. I know it’s a little out of you price range but not by much. It would be big enough to fit your essentials and then you can put everything else in the load carrying compartment. You’d have to check it out on YouTube. It would also give you the ability to just pack out a fully boned whitetail in one trip. Maybe not what you’re looking for but it will tick a lot of boxes for me.

I really think a 37 liter is a big pack. That’s a lot of pack to get caught up on brush walking that far in on those hills. But everyone has their own idea of a perfect pack.

 

[bloodsoakedberber]

I think the biggest hangup you'll encounter is hiking in with those four sticks on your pack and not the saddle around your waist. Four nearly full length sticks plus platform and potentially cold weather layers strapped to the outside in a dry bag becomes a tall order for a pack unless you just enjoy punishment (or maybe I'm a big wuss). What public are you hunting in WV?

 

[backstrap19]

I have that pack, and I think once you add the 4 heliums, you will be pushing the limits of what it can do. I love the pack, I use it for scouting trips in the off season, but it isn't really set up to carry all of that external weight you want. I have bought and returned SOOOO many packs. I still havent found what suits me best. part of my problem was trying to be a "budget" guy. that doesn't work for backpacks!

 

[raisins]

I have that pack, and I think once you add the 4 heliums, you will be pushing the limits of what it can do. I love the pack, I use it for scouting trips in the off season, but it isn't really set up to carry all of that external weight you want. I have bought and returned SOOOO many packs. I still havent found what suits me best. part of my problem was trying to be a "budget" guy. that doesn't work for backpacks!

Is it because it lacks an internal frame? If I went with another pack, what attributes would you add that the Alps pack lacks?

 

[Ryanp1212]

I had an eberlestock x2 it's a nice pack but if your over 6ft tall I think it's too short for the waist belt to work. I have the eberlestock transformer and I love it. It has straps that go from top to bottom and across the sides if that makes sense..I could take some pics when I get home if u want. I strap my beast sticks to sides and predator platform in the center stays pretty low profile for humping in. I put my saddle inside and when it's cold I have room for bibs coat and couple layers inside the pack. There's 2 tall side pockets and a pouch on top for all your extra stuff.

 

[backstrap19]

Is it because it lacks an internal frame? If I went with another pack, what attributes would you add that the Alps pack lacks?

i don't think you NEED an internal frame, but a more rigid pack does help. one of the reasons i don't think it will work is the side straps where you would attach the sticks are not really designed for that kind of weight. there are some alps packs that would work, but i dont think the dark timber is the best choice. i'm currently using a g3 from horn hunter. However, i switched to Wild Edge steps this year. You'll need a pack with straps reinforced enough to take the weight of the sticks and bouncing of you walking with them on there. I ran a pack last year that had bedroll straps on the bottom, and I strapped my sticks on that way. it worked well.

 

[bloodsoakedberber]

If you are of average height or don't have a long torso the x2 should do what you're looking for.

 

[raisins]

i don't think you NEED an internal frame, but a more rigid pack does help. one of the reasons i don't think it will work is the side straps where you would attach the sticks are not really designed for that kind of weight. there are some alps packs that would work, but i dont think the dark timber is the best choice. i'm currently using a g3 from horn hunter. However, i switched to Wild Edge steps this year. You'll need a pack with straps reinforced enough to take the weight of the sticks and bouncing of you walking with them on there. I ran a pack last year that had bedroll straps on the bottom, and I strapped my sticks on that way. it worked well.

I ordered the Dark Timber on pretty serious sale (sportsman's warehouse for like $40) a few days ago. I just couldn't pass that up.

I'll try it out and worst case scenario is I'll have another day pack.

I'm decent at hand sewing, and have strong thread, webbing, and various buckles.

My plan is to customize it to hold the sticks and platform. I've done molle webbing and other attachments points on several packs in the past.

If it doesn't work, I'll save some cash and get something better.

 

[backstrap19]

I ordered the Dark Timber on pretty serious sale (sportsman's warehouse for like $40) a few days ago. I just couldn't pass that up.

I'll try it out and worst case scenario is I'll have another day pack.

I'm decent at hand sewing, and have strong thread, webbing, and various buckles.

My plan is to customize it to hold the sticks and platform. I've done molle webbing and other attachments points on several packs in the past.

If it doesn't work, I'll save some cash and get something better.

In that case, you sound like you may have the ability to make something awesome! post up some pics when you're done.