Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting X1 or J104?

I'm looking for a sturdy day-pack. I like the idea of having the capabilty of hauling out game with a "day-pack" but am concerned the J104/J105 is just too big/cumbersome and heavy for the majority of the time it isn't carrying meat. Would I be better off with the smaller, lighter X1 for day (no overnight) hiking/ hunting and a seperate external packframe for game retrevial? Thanks, Sam

Chuck, anyone?

I bought an X1 when they were on sale at Sierra Trading post. I tried it with 45lbs and I would say that's as heavy as I'd go, carrying rocks anyway. It's plenty big for a day pack. It would probably haul half of a boned out deer OK, especially if the weight is distributed better than my rock load.

I may replace it with one of these: http://nimrodpacks.com/hunt/N325.html or http://nimrodpacks.com/hunt/N400.html

These look to be a good combination/ compromise between a day pack and a game hauling pack. I'm hoping for some feedback on Nimrod packs before I purchase one. Check em out and let me know what you think.

FYI Sierra has the X1 on sale again.

TK

Here's another one to look at.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...mp;feat=8884-tn

Mine arrived last weekend - I've checked it over pretty well and I'm impressed, but I haven't loaded it up as of yet. The web doesn't say, but I had their hunting specialist weigh it - 5lbs 10oz - a little heavier than the some others, but appears very comfortable and has many adjustment areas. I'll be getting out with it shortly, and will let you know how it goes.

NH Hunter - Mike.

I've got the X1 and just love the bow carrier. It is so slick to strap your bow to your back and have it accessable. The rifle deer season starts tomorrow so I'll have some experience with the rifle holder soon. I think a guy could put the loins, ribs, neck in a garbage bag and put it in the pack then stick a quarter in the bow holder and get by pretty easy.(on a deer) I still used my external frame to carry the this years' elk though.

Sam, I've no extperience with the x1 so hate to comment. But as far as the 104 being to bulky, I don't think it is. In fact, it's design keeps things a lot closer to your back than many day packs I've used. I like my 105 alot, even as a day pack.

Chuck

I had a J104 and it did not fit me right, but thats just me. I also thought it to large for a day pack.

I found one of these and tested it out last week on an Oregon deer hunt with my wife's family. I boned out two bucks and hauled them out with it. It rocks in my book! It fit me and performed as I would hope for. I have the Alaskan model.

http://www.blacks-creek.com/jimhorn.php

Thanks for the good links fellas. I have more research to do now. Sam

I don't feel my J104 is to big/bulky as a day pack!!

I don't think the J104 is too big either. You can compress it down pretty well with the straps on it.

I stand 6'2" and weigh in at 210, the 104 was to big and bulky for the thick, thick stuff I was trying to get through. It also didnt balance right for me on the real steep grades on my last back pack hunt. Not knocking Eberle, I just found something that works better for me.

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I've got an X-1 and like it a lot. TKINAK is about right on how much it can haul...about half a boned-out deer is about right. In the attached photo you can't see much of the pack, but there's half of a boned out muley inside the pack and the head and cape strapped on the outside. I think it's a great optics pack, with a separate pocket available for a spotting scope, and the gun sleeve that I use for a tripod.

http:www.blacks-creek.com/jimhorn.php

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I've had 2 J105's and won't own a third! The Blacks Creek Alaskan is better built, weights less, costs less. I have had many packs that have been to hell and back with out a single problem after 5 or 6 years. The two J105's I had didn't even make 6 days between them without problems. And the J105 is supposed to be a new and improved J104?

I hear good things about badlands packs. But in all honestly the Blacks Creek Alaskan is the best $150.00 dollars I've ever spent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's fun to put on! A joy to wear! Good luck with your decision. CD

I had J104 and did not work for me, but have a new J105 and love it. Sold all my other packs and just use this one. Packs are like boots, got to try em all and see which one is the most comftorble.

I have the X1 and I'm not very happy with it. But the problems I have with it are personal the pack functions fine. I don't like the pocket for carrying a bow, it hangs out way to far when not in use. I thought I would like the rifle scabbard, but I live, work, guide, and hunt in grizzly country and I don't dare put my rifle in the scabbard. Though I have packed client's rifles in it a few times. Mostly when they could barely walk, let alone pack their own rifle. It is also pretty heavy. I'd like a slightly smaller pack with a more streamlined design and more compression straps. Where I hunt and guide I usually have almost immediate access to horses so I'm not too worried about packing meat out. Besides with some ingenuity you can pack quite a bit of meat in a decent daypack.