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OP
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So I'm attempting to get back into backpacking and hunting. My old pack is old and decrepit not to mention stinky and falling apart. I've been drooling over all the "cool kid" packs, Kifuru, Mystery Ranch and so forth. However there is no way I can swing one of those, does anyone have any opinions on other off brand/no-name brands to check out? Thanks
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I have had good luck with Alps Mountaineering products.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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tcb22:
I started backpacking in 1958. I currently own ten backpacks and have worn out, discarded or given away half a dozen more.
My current go to backpack for multi-day trips is an Osprey Aether 85, which costs $310 at REI. I also own an Osprey Exposure 66, which I use as a larger daypack. Both packs have the same suspension system and it is the most comfortable system that I have worn.
The cheaper your gear is, the tougher you have to be. I've aged beyond the tough stage.
KC
Wind in my hair, Sun on my face, I gazed at the wide open spaces, And I was at home.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Ive got one that I got in college that Ive used seldom (like twice) I could let go of. I think it is a Jansport, but was/is a good pack.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2007
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Don't buy a "cheap" pack.
Look for a clean,used, piece of quality gear. Craig's list is a great place to shop.
“Life is life and fun is fun, but it's all so quiet when the goldfish die.”
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What is budget ? Yes $500 - $1000 for a pack is a lot of money, but you don't need to do it all at once. You can get into a suspension, or a very good pack that will allow you to grow with it for $350 - $400. At the very budget end, I'd get an old external (lots of hunters still use them).
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Campfire Regular
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Alps Outdoorz are priced very reasonably on Amazon.
NRA Benefactor Life Member NAHC Life Member
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Dana Design internal or external depending on preference would fit the bill. They can be had on eBay for south of $200.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Find a duplex frame (kifaru) used, and then get a compatible kifaru bag on closeout. Done.
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Campfire Tracker
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Cheap packs are like cheap glass... they work, but you're always wishing you'd have spent the money more wisely.
Try to save up for the best that you're budget will allow.
We all wish that we could afford a $3000 pair of binoculars, but reality is that some of us can only afford a $300 pair.
Do your best. Good Luck !
James Pepper: There's no law west of Dodge and no God west of the Pecos. Right, Mr. Chisum? John Chisum: Wrong, Mr. Pepper. Because no matter where people go, sooner or later there's the law. And sooner or later they find God's already been there.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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So I'm attempting to get back into backpacking and hunting. My old pack is old and decrepit not to mention stinky and falling apart. I've been drooling over all the "cool kid" packs, Kifuru, Mystery Ranch and so forth. However there is no way I can swing one of those, does anyone have any opinions on other off brand/no-name brands to check out? Thanks What's your budget?
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,030
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2005
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REI has a yearly "garage sale" where high quality camping / hiking gear goes for 50-60% off (sometimes more). I'm going to one this Saturday - check your area for a store, ask them when the next garage sale is and consider a $20 membership.
One tip - my store opens at 10am, and if you want the really good stuff (e.g. $700 mountain bike for $300), you have to get there at 6:30 and get in line!
The last one I went to, I got a pair of $135 Vasque hikers for $26.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing -- Edmund Burke
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I like my Nimrod backpack system - quiet material, rugged zippers, all the nice attachments like bino bag, padded spotting scope holder, ammo bag, rifle scabbard, detachable fanny pack, etc. Nimrod makes packs for firefighters / SAR personnel, too, which is where I got to know them. Here are some testimonials: http://www.nimrodpacks.com/testimonials.htmlPrices are generally $350-400, but I got mine for nearly nothing at an Elk Foundation auction. Good luck! P.S. Nimrod is made in America!
Last edited by czech1022; 03/07/16.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing -- Edmund Burke
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Joined: Sep 2011
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thanks all for the input, as far as budget goes I would be hard pressed to squeeze $200 out for one. I am a REI member however the nearest store is a 2 hour drive. Kinda sucks for the touch before you purchase mentality. I forgot all about Nimrod, somewhere in the garage I do have my old fire pack. I'll look into them, how do they compare with the others?
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Campfire Tracker
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Can't really compare with others - my only other pack is an old Cabelas external frame pack with the flip-down "shelf" to carry heavy loads. I usually leave this in spike camp and grab it after bringing in the first (light) load of meat in my daypack. It has tons of room and enough adjustability to be comfortable for most people.
By the way, external frame packs seem to be out of style these days, so getting a used one can be a real bargain - but they certainly work, especially for heavy loads!
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing -- Edmund Burke
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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If your old fire pack is the standard lumbar pack I've seen of around 1,300 cu in, it should make a great daypack - and if it's part of the modular Nimrod system, you can easily add their Wilderness Gear Bag (B200f) for another 3,400 cu in of space for about $140. That should be as big as anyone needs!
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing -- Edmund Burke
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Joined: Mar 2001
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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REI has a yearly "garage sale" where high quality camping / hiking gear goes for 50-60% off (sometimes more). I'm going to one this Saturday - check your area for a store, ask them when the next garage sale is and consider a $20 membership.
One tip - my store opens at 10am, and if you want the really good stuff (e.g. $700 mountain bike for $300), you have to get there at 6:30 and get in line!
This is a really good idea. Much of the gear that goes on sale in the springs falls into three categories: 1. Rental gear. Some has been used hard and some not so hard. Inspect carefully, but don't rule it out. 2. Last year's models. New gear that was the best stuff on the market last spring. 3. Winter over stocked items like ski gear, winter clothing, etc. These are also new items that they just ordered too many of and they don't want to store them until next fall. Good luck. KC
Wind in my hair, Sun on my face, I gazed at the wide open spaces, And I was at home.
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Dana Design internal or external depending on preference would fit the bill. They can be had on eBay for south of $200. This^^ Specifically, an old DD Terraplane which is what I used on my first solo BP hunt. I think I paid $110 or so on ebay. Another option is the LLBean carry-all pack, used with drybags. http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/6439...;attrValue_0=Olive&productId=1077114I bought this a few years ago, later buying Kevin's Paradox pack from SeekOutside. I still have the LL Bean carry-all pack and just can't let it go. For the money it is a great pack IMO and very versatile. I can strap on a tree stand or a 50 pound bag of fertilizer(for what reason I don't know) but gear can be loaded in dry bags and meat packed out. Very comfortable to carry.
Last edited by snubbie; 03/08/16.
Gloria In Excelsis Deo!As far as gear goes.. The poorer (or cheaper) you are, the tougher you need to be. gpopecustomknives.com
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REI is also having a 25% off offer for online items already on clearance, which includes a few backpacks. It's valid TODAY ONLY.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing -- Edmund Burke
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Go to ebay and buy a marine corp. ILBE pack. Should be into it less then a $100 and have 95% of the pack the cool kids have.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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OP
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Thanks for all the info, I think I'll throw the Nimrod up for sale and see what I can scrounge.
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Used a Polish military combat pack last week with a 38 lb. load. 14 miles overnight hike. No issues. Can't beat it for the money spent. Made in Poland, better than most of the China made packs under $150.00. https://colemans.com/shop/pouches-bags/polish-military-combat-backpack/
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Campfire Regular
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I like the Alps Pursuit pack--lots of pockets, modest pack weight, good waist and shoulder padded straps.
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Go to ebay and buy a marine corp. ILBE pack. Should be into it less then a $100 and have 95% of the pack the cool kids have. This is some good advice.
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Posts: 1,473
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Campfire Regular
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I've got a mint condition Mystery Ranch G6000 that I'm about to post in the garage sales for $400. Pretty much a Cadillac with very low miles, lol. Regardless, don't buy the "cheap" packs for hunting or any other serious stuff. There really isn't much of a forgiveness margin with packs or boots.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Your Every Liberal vote promotes Socialism and is an attack on the Second Amendment. You will suffer the consequences.
GOA,Idaho2AIAlliance,AmericanFirearmsAssociation,IdahoTrappersAssociation,FoundationForWildlifeManagement ID and MT.
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Dana terraplane or alpine. Don't spend more than $100 unless it's mint.
Dana externals are fine too, but they work best borrowing a waist belt from a Dana internal...
There is sizing information online if you look around. Don't buy without knowing what size to get. If it's too long or too short, it won't work well.
I could buy whatever I want, and I hunt with a Dana.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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What's different between the internal and external belts? I put a Hill People Gear Prairie Belt on a Loadmaster frame and like it. It ain't cheap but I needed a bigger belt. I thought I saw you post something about straying away from the Danas, no?
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2007
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I picked up an older Arcteryx Bora 80 for maybe a $100 or $150 a year or so ago. It was pretty much brand new, fits great, and is well built.
I'd hit a REI or similar, get sized, and start looking at Craigslist and eBay.
“Life is life and fun is fun, but it's all so quiet when the goldfish die.”
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
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Don't buy a "cheap" pack.
Look for a clean,used, piece of quality gear. Craig's list is a great place to shop. This. Budget and backpack should not be used in the same sentence.... Backpacks and boots are the last great bastion of you get what you pay for. Used gear is great because someone else bought quality, and you get the discount. Also try sierra trading post and backcountry.com for deals on quality gear, mostly last year's models at a discount.
“Live free or die. Death is not the worst of evils.” - General John Stark.
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Campfire Regular
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Dana externals are fine too, but they work best borrowing a waist belt from a Dana internal... Hill People Gear's Prairie Belt and Shoulder Harness work better than the original Dana pieces.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
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I have a budget backpack - a Cabelas Alaskan I. I didn't pay much and I got less than I paid for. I didn't get it for backpacking, though. I got it for meat. It's a Freighter frame with a big nylon bag. The bag has a big pocket on each side. The biggest problem is the waist belt. It's too big and bulky and it's made of a very slick nylon than won't stay tight.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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No. My eyes wander from time to time, but I've not acted. Were I to act, I'd be taking a hard look at Stone Glacier. What's different between the internal and external belts? I put a Hill People Gear Prairie Belt on a Loadmaster frame and like it. It ain't cheap but I needed a bigger belt. I thought I saw you post something about straying away from the Danas, no?
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Mkay. What have you carried that is heavy?
Dana externals are fine too, but they work best borrowing a waist belt from a Dana internal... Hill People Gear's Prairie Belt and Shoulder Harness work better than the original Dana pieces.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Go to Camofire.com . Register to start getting their daily specials. They have a lot of packs and gear at killer prices.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Mkay. What have you carried that is heavy?
Dana externals are fine too, but they work best borrowing a waist belt from a Dana internal... Hill People Gear's Prairie Belt and Shoulder Harness work better than the original Dana pieces. Sandbags. Training walks with 85#, which is half my body weight. The Dana belt was MOST uncomfortable for me with over 60#.
Last edited by Bluemonday; 03/15/16.
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Campfire Tracker
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Go to ebay and buy a marine corp. ILBE pack. Should be into it less then a $100 and have 95% of the pack the cool kids have. Exactly this. I have hiked and hunted the schidt out of mine. For your budget nothing compares.
I do not entertain hypotheticals. The world itself is vexing enough. -- Col. Stonehill
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Campfire Member
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ILBEs are great if they fit. Solid solid solid
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