Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Kelty Cache hauler

I was thinking about using this strictly as a meat hauler after reaching the truck after the first trip. I figure I can get 40lbs. in the first trip with my Badlands 2200. This little pack amazes me for what it is. I can carry enough gear for an overnighter and probably enough for a couple nights. I'm just looking for something that will haul some weight, and don't want to tote a big pack around all day.

They are great for that application and the built in flies hold everything without rope, etc.

I have the Kelty. Had 95 lbs on it one time. Thank god it was only a two mile hike uphill. Didn't like that much weight. Many smaller loads 60-75lbs. It did well. Not bad for the price.

Gonna give it to my kid so I can get this one.

http://www.granitegear.com/products/backpacks/expedition/flatbed/index.html

That flatbed looks nice Shaq. I've always heard good things about Granite Gear. Foxtrot, have you looked at the Mystery Ranch crewcab or basic load sling? A couple of buddies have gone the MR route and I have to say I REALLY like the idea of the crewcab.

What a result,just came on to ask this very same question.
what are they like with the pack that goes with it?

UKdave, you mean the crewcab? If so, I would describe it as a load sling plus. It's got a sling-like set up for quarters/etc., but includes enough cargo space for quite a bit of gear (as in overnight necessities, at least in my opinion). One of my favorite things about it is that the compression system seems more appropriate than the standard sling.

I know there are others here who have used crewcabs and similar packs and know more than I. Perhaps someone else can give you a better review?

Not interested in spending that much coin for a pack right now (MR). I'm thinking the Badlands pack will do most of what I want right now. I bought both the Osprey Crescent 70 and Aether 70 to compare. Crescent will definitely pack more weight easier, but I liked the Airscape back panel on the Aether much better. I did learn that a 70L pack would be too small for an extended hunt of say 7-10 days, at least for me. I would like to check out the new Argon pack also. I was just thinking the Kelty would be a great meat hauler for 50-60 lb. loads, and only $100, sure felt good in the store, need to bring it home and load it up. Thanks for the replies, anybody else? Shag, That Granite Gear pack looks like the ticket!

I might be wrong here but I tend to think that load lifter straps work much better when they are about earlobe height. When tightened it tends to lift the shoulder straps up away from the top of your shoulder. When I do this with my pack there is a gap and the only pressure is on the front of my shoulder with as much weight on my hips as I can get. This seems to work for me. Am I correct about this??

I saw pics here recently of a member who had a MR crewcab and he had to alter a "top of the line" pack to get the load lifters up where they work the best. That sucks.

FoxTrot,
I looked at a 2200 Badlands for my son as a day pack yesterday. But I didn't like that the water bladder pocket is only a 1 litre. I got home and realized that would be an easy fix that the wife could do on her sewing machine. I like to carry 3 litres of water. Gonna see how it works for him this year and may replace my day pack with the 2800. I think the 2200 and 2800 would make great day packs!! And you can haul meat on the first trip!

Yep, that flatbed seems like a good tool!

Foxtrot, I just got a Schnees catalog with some Badlands packs in it including the 2200. I'm interested in a pack that is slim enough for me to bow hunt with it on and shoot my recurve or long bow. Could you do that with a Badlands 2200 loaded with about 20-25lbs?

Glacier_John,

I have the Badlands 2800 and keep all my essentials in it. While I doubt I'll ever leave my pack on a final stock approach with a bow on an animal, but I wanted to see how it affected shooting my compound bow. Turns out it doesn't really effect me at all even when loaded with about 25 lbs.

I can't speak for how it would affect a stickbow hunter, but I have no problems with it. Plus, like Foxtrot, I like the option for 3 liters of water and to be able to haul small quarters with it if need be, pockets for a tripod and also a spotting scope, and also be able to haul my bow or rifle hands free as well. There are a ton of great day packs out there, but that pack worked great for me.

Shag,
I beleive you are correct about the load lifter straps, if there not up high enough it does tend to pull the shoulder harness up and off the tops of your shoulder, and puts more weight on the front. I can generally play with most packs to get this adjusted just right.

I think the 2200 makes a great slimline pack and I am able to shoot my bow with mine on. I like the fact that I can put enough gear in it to get me by for a couple days, if I go bare bones. Looking for a tarp that I can carry in it, don't think I would like just a Bivy sack in the rain!

I recently bought that Granite Gear flatbed. I haven't done much with it yet besides loading it up with weight in my basement, and playing with the adjustments. So far I have found, that for me, it actually feels more comfortable with 80 or more pounds on it, than it does when it is lightly loaded. It is pretty stable with the big load as well. But at $400 CAN with tax it sure isn't as cheap as the Kelty Cache Hauler. I tried that one on in the store, and although that is a pretty limited experience, my impression was that for the very reasonable price, it was pretty good and it looked a little more burly than the average Camp Trails freighter pack. If all I needed was something to keep in the truck for nothing but meat hauling I would have considered it a little more.