"The official saddle hunting backpack thread"

[Bowtie747]

Total weight is one thing, but bulk is another. A heavy, compact load that carries well is actually easier than a lighter load that doesn't balance, shifts around, is too high, or whatever else. I can't imagine your load is all that bulky or awkward but those are factors to consider as well.

It would be 3-4 Shikar minis, a edp platform, and a small few hunting items like rangefinder and what not

 

[Plebe]

It would be 3-4 Shikar minis, a edp platform, and a small few hunting items like rangefinder and what not

Webbing straps are going to dig. Even a lightweight rifle on a webbing sling will dig some over time. Anyway, that's my experience.

 

[Topdog]

It would be 3-4 Shikar minis, a edp platform, and a small few hunting items like rangefinder and what not

Cheap packs suck… that’s all there is to it, the zippers break, the buckles blow, and they carry like ****, not to say everybody needs a $1k pack but buy a bunch of cheap ones or get it over with and save up for one good pack and be done with it, I know that wasn’t your question lol but maybe it helps someone else, I would get a bigger pack that carry's the load better, a small pack stuffed drives me crazy versus a bigger pack half empty, you can always compress a big pack down better than carrying a small pack shaped like a watermelon all day, been there and done that more times than I care to admit. Mystery Ranch makes some real good packs that don’t break the bank.

 

[Iron_llama]

I would get a bigger pack that carry's the load better, a small pack stuffed drives me crazy versus a bigger pack half empty, you can always compress a big pack down better than carrying a small pack shaped like a watermelon all day, been there and done that more times than I care to admit. Mystery Ranch makes some real good packs that don’t break the bank.

It's easier to carry five pounds of crap in a ten pound bag than vice versa. I tend to play 'musical packs' throughout the season, starting with a basic Camelbak all the way up to an internal frame rucksack, depending on how much cold weather snivel gear I want to carry. Orange packs for rifle season and camo packs for archery. I'm sure if I had an excellent, purpose-built, well-thought-out external frame hunting pack I'd just use it and nothing else. From what I can see - not using either sticks or a frame pack - sticks tend to carry easier on frame packs than soft rucksacks.

 

[Topdog]

@Bowtie747 , I tried the super light backpack thing a few times, meaning finding a pack that weighs nothing, like your 1 lb bag your looking at, in my opinion they carry like crap for anything more than a sandwich and extra shirt, 15 lbs in a 1 lb pack will not be fun, 15 lbs in a 3 lb pack is definitely the way to go.

 

[Iron_llama]

@Bowtie747 , I tried the super light backpack thing a few times, meaning finding a pack that weighs nothing, like your 1 lb bag your looking at, in my opinion they carry like crap for anything more than a sandwich and extra shirt, 15 lbs in a 1 lb pack will not be fun, 15 lbs in a 3 lb pack is definitely the way to go.

I was on a (brief) ultralight backpacking kick a couple of decades ago. The packs I remember used the load itself for stability - rolling your sleeping pad into a tube which your sleeping bag and clothes went into, as a substitute for a frame or other structure. The only sticklike things they carry are trekking poles. I agree with Topdog's prediction that this route will leave you frustrated.

 

[Bowtie747]

Hey thanks for the reply’s guys! I’m just thinking way too much to save a stinking pound or two. Will definitely avoid the ultralight packs!

 

[neonomad]

I bought the Hickory and it arrived today, some initial thoughts, first the bad:
-I have a 10-15 year old heavily used Osprey pack, when you put that on you can tell these folks know how to fit a backpack. I don’t get that impression with the Hickory. Of course it’s a one size fits all, I’m 6’ and the frames a little short for me.
-The pack itself rides low, it’s a little weird in the way it carries, a 20 lb bag of flour in there will be pretty much riding on your butt.
-It’s crazy to me there’s no padding along the lower back, just a horizontal aluminum plate… time will tell how this feels but I’m considering wrapping that with a pad which is probably an simple cheap fix, will know more after hiking with a little load.
The good:
-Maybe they aren’t seasoned pack designers, but you can tell they’re hunters, I like all the compression straps and the pockets, and all things considered (especially for the price) I see it meeting my needs just fine… I don’t expect it to be a meat or heavy cargo hauler.
- There’s a considerable gap between most of your back and the bag, expect serious airflow here rather than a huge sweat spot.

All in all I give it a thumbs up at unboxing, you’re not getting a dialed in $300 backpack but for light / medium loads and function up in the tree it looks good so far.

Edit: I did an elk hunt in 2017 and used a Horn Hunter without a frame as my daypack… even with light loads I disliked the way it felt, it fatigued my back faster than it should have, and I swore off frameless backpacks.

 

[hokiehunter373]

I saw a pack once that had a great fold out feature that looked perfect for hanging in a tree. The center of the pack unzipped and dropped down to give access to a bunch of pockets for all the gear you needed to have handy. I don't recall the name or brand even, anyone possibly know the pack I'm taking about?

Guessing you're talking about the Badlands Treestand pack and they don't make it anymore. Basically had a fold out shelf with pockets included with the the fold out.

 

[weekender21]

Mystery Ranch treehouse 38 arrived today. Pictured with Sitka Fanatic bibs and jacket inside. I think this will be a great late season option.

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[jiwhite86]

Mystery Ranch treehouse 38 arrived today. Pictured with Sitka Fanatic bibs and jacket inside. I think this will be a great late season option.

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Did they add any type of stays to the frame, or is it still just an HDPE sheet?

 

[weekender21]

Did they add any type of stays to the frame, or is it still just an HDPE sheet?

Likely just a sheet, it’s definitely light/medium duty. I think it will be great for packing bulky cold weather gear but if you want a pack to haul 70 pounds of boned out meat Mystery Ranch has several better options.

I use an arrowhead on a NICE frame for hauling meat. It’s discontinued but very similar to the Pintler.

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[Tr33_n1nj@]

Mystery Ranch treehouse 38 arrived today. Pictured with Sitka Fanatic bibs and jacket inside. I think this will be a great late season option.

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I’m thinking the 20 could be the replacement for my big bear x for early season I’ve been looking for. Hmmm.

 

[Empostarr]

I ended up with the Badlands Vario series. Last year was the first season with it, and I really liked it. I got the meat shelf and the smaller day pack for it too. The daypack can attach to the frame with the meat shelf attached or the daypack can be used as a pack without the frame too. The bigger bag is great for my cold weather gear in the winter and I plan on using it for a western hunt at some point. I used it to pack out buck last year, and it was def better than trying to drag.

And their warranty is hard to beat. The fabric and zippers aren't the quietest, but its a small tradeoff for everything else it does good.

 

[Boomah21]

I was looking for an early season pack and a buddy told me he was looking at trying the eberstock bandit a try. I was able to grab on one one of the forums to try out.

I think it will work pretty well for me as an early season pack

in the photos just stuffed with a few pieces of clothing and lwcg fix and 4 17” lwcg single step sticks

 

[Camelcluch]

I used the bandit. It’s a decent pack for early season or if you don’t need too many clothes. Once packed it holds okay. I easily put four beast sticks and my platform on it. There ar e some things that could be a little better but it pretty good.

 

[Tknapp]

Has anybody used the killik K2200? They have them on sale at sportsman’s warehouse and they look solid.

 

[Bowtie747]

I was looking for an early season pack and a buddy told me he was looking at trying the eberstock bandit a try. I was able to grab on one one of the forums to try out.

I think it will work pretty well for me as an early season pack

in the photos just stuffed with a few pieces of clothing and lwcg fix and 4 17” lwcg single step sticks
View attachment 69018View attachment 69019View attachment 69020

Are the edges sharp on your sticks? I see you’re using amsteel. Any problems with that? Thanks. Nice pack setup btw!

 

[Boomah21]

Are the edges sharp on your sticks? I see you’re using amsteel. Any problems with that? Thanks. Nice pack setup btw!

it is something I watch with these sticks but so far have been good. You could prob help your concern by putting hockey tape or stealth strip over the part where the amsteel touches

 

[neonomad]

Has anybody used the killik K2200? They have them on sale at sportsman’s warehouse and they look solid.

So many options out there, had never heard of this one but does look good.

Edit: this Asio pack looks pretty nice as well, I’m kinda having buyers remorse after seeing this one: https://asiogear.com/products/tree-stand-bowhunters-backpack