Backpacking Packs for Hunting

[renardsubtil]

I have a Eberlestock V69 Destroyer and it's perfect for a backcountry 3 to 4 day hunt. It's also the perfect price point per performance pack I can get for my high country hunts. I looked long and hard at a Mystery Ranch but couldn't get myself to pull the trigger on that price range.

I just got one of these on sale at OpticsPlanet (last one I think too!)...how much weight have you carried "comfortably" with yours?

[MJB]

MR is a hard pill to swallow dollar wise. Before MR I had 3 packs 1500 2500 & 5500 now the MR covers it all and a nice day hunting pack. it's indestructible and can be configured any way you can dream up.

I'm a gear whore if it's not top of the line it's out or a backup. Tooooo many times I've been on multi day hikes when someone's gear goes bust and takes a toll on all of us or shortens the trip for one.

Buy used if you can.....so many first timers go out then realize it's not for them.

[Bucks n Ducks]

A quality pack is a quality pack and a crappy pack is crappy even if it comes in camo. I killed my elk last season in a wilderness area and packed it out w/ an older (bought it in 94') Dana Designs pack. It's a comfortable pack that I pushed to the limits with each load. This particular pack didn't have a lot of pockets or features mainly just one big compartment and an internal frame.

IMO buy or use a pack like you do boots-Personal Fit and quality are worth more than a camo pattern, brand or price.
I like Eberlestock and would not hesitate to go on an extended pack trip with one one them even if not hunting.
If its well made and fits me and holds my stuff good to go.

[scottz]

Bull pac. Bullpac.com for the long haul

[CL&RR]

I just got one of these on sale at OpticsPlanet (last one I think too!)...how much weight have you carried "comfortably" with yours?

Last year I went up to 10k 4 miles in with 40lbs of gear. Packed out a mule deer along with water logged tents and other items. Total weight back down had to be close to 100lbs. Handled like a champ. The weight distribution is excellent, don't let the thin shoulder straps fool you, most of the weight sits on the hip so your shoulders/back don't get beat up much. My knees however took a few days to recover.

[Bruce]

Bull pac. http://bullpacs.com/ for the long haul

FIFY

[woods]

simple soft small backpack so you dont have to drop it to take a shot.

[NickTheGreek]

simple soft small backpack so you dont have to drop it to take a shot.

Show me a simple soft small backpack that can carry 40lbs - 60lbs comfortably for miles up and down steep terrain. Maybe you are confusing a backpacking pack with a day pack. Two completely different things. For a day pack, I carry a camelback as most of what I need is water and a couple snacks. When I plan on staying overnight or longer, a framed pack is needed to have any comfort in camp. Yes, you CAN sleep on rocks or bring a light hammock, have no fire, eat granola bars, shiver all night, and live out of the same backpack you used in school to carry books. But why would you want that?

[CL&RR]

Show me a simple soft small backpack that can carry 40lbs - 60lbs comfortably for miles up and down steep terrain. Maybe you are confusing a backpacking pack with a day pack. Two completely different things. For a day pack, I carry a camelback as most of what I need is water and a couple snacks. When I plan on staying overnight or longer, a framed pack is needed to have any comfort in camp. Yes, you CAN sleep on rocks or bring a light hammock, have no fire, eat granola bars, shiver all night, and live out of the same backpack you used in school to carry books. But why would you want that?

Your comment is right on. Day pack really? Another in our party had a day pack on our trip, needless to say the 40lbs he was able to haul his body and his back took all that weight. A pack with a nice internal/external frame will distribute the weight allowing you to carry more weight comfortably. Also one of our other hunters (Mr. Cheapo) had a "Hunting Pack" from Walmart loaded to max weight, when he jumped off a log we had to cross guess what broke, yep his shoulder straps. Had to one shoulder a 50lb pack 4 miles back to the car. If you're going to go 3 to 4 days, be prepared and bring good equipment.

[Joe'Bronco]

i use the outdoor Z pack for trips 2-3 days and i have a framed Kelty pack for my 4+ day trips. holds my bow, bed roll and sleeping bag just fine. Packed almost 100lbs last year on a 3 day above bear valley.

The good part about the Zpack is that you can drop the "overnight" part of the pack at camp and have just the day pack "bottom part" thats out of the way when i bow hunt. Great price, great all around pack.