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The “Missing Link” Pack ... “If Only...”

LoadedLimbs

LoadedLimbs

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2020
Messages
977
Location
Connecticut
Ok guys - there are lots of comments in the forum about saddles hunters endless search for an ideal hunting pack ... so something is missing from what is being offered in the market. This thread is for saddle hunters unsatisfied with current pack offerings.

There are hundreds of pack models out there from dozens of manufacturers. Many are nearly identical copies of competitor’s packs, borne from one of a half-dozen basic designs that are lacking original thinking about saddle hunters’ needs.

In all seriousness, what do you want to see offered that you haven’t found in the marketplace yet? If you are partial to a particular pack but it’s still lacking in some way, which pack “almost” does it for you, but falls short? How and why does it fall short?

What are the essential missing features with current hunting pack offerings that you would drop a good chunk of your next paycheck on “if only” someone out there would offer it?

Recognizing that your definition of the ideal pack probably changes from early to late season as the gear you want to carry changes, it’s fair game to give more than one answer.

Let’s go...




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The Eberlestock X2 almost does it. If the x2 had a reverse tighten waist belt with modular side belt zipper pouches that could be switched to either side to change zipper pull orientation with Mystery ranch padding for the straps and back with more small zip pocket options and a larger expandable main pack with an open top and zipper design like the usmc ilbe2 pack made of durable, but quiet material and a warranty like Badlands offers....... I would take out a second mortgage on my home.
 
But alas........... that creature does not exist. Oh yeah I forgot to add molle webbing attachment straps.
 
peteherbst said:
I currently have the pop up 18 and really like it. It would be perfect for me if it was made with fleece or a quieter material than cordura.
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I just checked that thing out, it is pretty cool. Do you use sticks, steps, or SRT?
 
Myself and a couple others here really like the Horn Hunter G2. That being said there are some issues. The zippers themselves were obviously designed by masochists or hearing challenged persons. I like that you can lash items to either side but I wish it had either a 3rd strap or the straps were elastic to get a better fit. Pockets at the bottom would be sweet. The main compartment is kinda oddly designed, when you unzip it it hinges out so you can root around inside while it's strapped to a tree but I wish it had a divider inside so I could stick my RR in it. The waist belt pockets are suited for a stick of chewing gum or aaa batteries wish they were larger.
 
peteherbst said:
I’m a sticks guy. Lay them flat between the pack and the frame so it’s as tight to my back and low of a profile as possible. MR makes a great frame.
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I have a divide, it is super comfortable, but like you said a little loud.
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I want to securely attach my bow, 1 stick, and predator platform to my pack. I want to walk up to the tree, reach back, grab my stick and start climbing. Bonus points for easy access to bow and meat hauling capabilities.
 
Taste in packs is more personal than taste in women.

I want to see a western pack company marry their suspension to a 15 x 25 ish treestand serving as the frame. That would bastardize the saddle fad pretty quick-like.

I want to see more pop-up style frames and bag options made of saddle cloth and fleece

I'm sure it'll be like trucks and we'll have touchscreens and integrated phone chargers first because no one knows how to polish turds like modern day 'Merica.
 
I'd don't like a big pack. Most places I hunt I just need to carry my sticks, platform, maybe a fleece jacket, and a bottle of water. The rest I carry in pockets. I seriously think a small backpack frame like a cat quiver that's you could lash a platform to would be the ticket.
 
I think the Mystery ranch pop up series is close, you can now take off the 28 or 38 and put a mule pack on the frame. I would like that system with more pack options and with a quiet fabric + more outer attachments. Also the over shape of the current bags is fine, but making them more like a treehouse or badlands pack would be optimal.
 
I love the MR sawtooth 45. For early season it might be a hair to big but for late season the size is perfect. I can put my sticks on the side, platform on the back and if need be bow on the other side. There are enough pockets to sort everything out the way that I want to and have enough room for cold clothes if need be. I know the frame packs can get a little big but I am used to carrying a 29 pound stand on my back with sticks and crap so a frame pack that weights 10 pounds less then when I had a stand packed up is more comfortable and easier to carry.
 
BTaylor said:
There is almost nothing I would change on the Kuiu Venture 1800 other than the material.
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Your post prompted me to take a look at their website. I am a big fan of the Kuiu brand, and that looks like a great pack. Your comment about changing the material is understandable ... there are many customer reviews that echo that remark about the 330D Cordura fabric used for this pack. Seems most owners think the fabric is noisier than they would prefer in a hunting pack, but passable.

How do you use this pack?
Do you keep the removable waist belt in place, or take it off?
Do you take this pack up the tree with you and use it while saddle hunting at height?
Also, is it possible to remove the internal frame to launder the pack in a machine washer?
 
Lots of good comments guys - thanks for your thoughts. My hunt for the optimal pack has been ongoing. I'm not looking for a backpack to carry out my quarry ... just for a daypack to carry and organize my saddle hunting system and the hunting gear I bring. I'd love the freedom of going without a pack at all, but the reality is that I'm not a true minimalist. I DO moderate what I bring, but there are a few redundant pieces of gear and a few convenience items I use on all-day hunts which necessitate a pack for efficient carry & organization.

My current preferences in my quest for the optimal pack:

Early Season: I'm partial to the Eberlestock H31 Bandit. It's a light, compact pack with clean exterior. It has an excellent MOLLE panel for attaching a saddle hunting platform, and good internal access & organization that is very usable in the tree at height. I wish it was made of quieter material, but it's "okay" for my purposes. If they made it in waterproof fleece, I'd pay a premium for that version!

Late Season: I'm going to try out the Eberlestock X2 that I purchased, once it arrives. I like the way it can cradle your items between the two side pouches, and that it has a nice top load stuff-sack-style main compartment for late season extra layers. The "microsuede" fabric is supposed to be pretty quiet - that's a plus. Downsides: it's heavier than a lot of other daypack options. At about 4.5 lbs unloaded, there are lots of other daypack options that weigh less. (Several that weigh half as much.) It's also not looking optimal to bring up the tree with me, but I'm going to see if it's passable at hunting height, or just too much of an impediment during a saddle hunt. Finally, I'm doubtful that the internal frame will be able to be removed to permit machine washing of the pack. Nevertheless, I'm going to put it through the paces to decide if my hunt for a late season pack is over, or if it needs to continue to drain my time and my wallet!
 
LoadedLimbs said:
Your post prompted me to take a look at their website. I am a big fan of the Kuiu brand, and that looks like a great pack. Your comment about changing the material is understandable ... there are many customer reviews that echo that remark about the 330D Cordura fabric used for this pack. Seems most owners think the fabric is noisier than they would prefer in a hunting pack, but passable.

How do you use this pack?
Do you keep the removable waist belt in place, or take it off?
Do you take this pack up the tree with you and use it while saddle hunting at height?
Also, is it possible to remove the internal frame to launder the pack in a machine washer?
Click to expand...
It is my primary pack for saddle hunting and was purchased specifically for that very thing. A lot of my hunting is done on large public ground areas and hunting further than a mile from the truck is very common. For that reason I want a pack that I can field quarter and haul most deer out in one trip. I do not take the waist belt off for that reason. Not sure about removing the frame. I do wear it all the way up the tree and hang it once up. It is a non-issue in the tree. The material is not as loud as x-pac but it is certainly not fleece either. I do not carry much gear to the tree so I seldom have a reason to touch the pack once I am set for the hunt so the material is pretty much a non-issue as well. The pack wears very nicely and the way the strap system is configured there is an absurd number of ways to secure gear.
 
BTaylor said:
It is my primary pack for saddle hunting and was purchased specifically for that very thing. A lot of my hunting is done on large public ground areas and hunting further than a mile from the truck is very common. For that reason, I want a pack that I can field quarter and haul most deer out in one trip. I do not take the waist belt off for that reason. Not sure about removing the frame. I do wear it all the way up the tree and hang it once up. It is a non-issue in the tree. The material is not as loud as x-pac but it is certainly not fleece either. I do not carry much gear to the tree so I seldom have a reason to touch the pack once I am set for the hunt so the material is pretty much a non-issue as well. The pack wears very nicely and the way the strap system is configured there is an absurd number of ways to secure gear.
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Do you put the meat in the pack, or does the 1800 have a meat shelf that I cannot see from the pics?
 
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