Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Daypack Recommendation Needed

FYI: Try EBAY for USMC assault pack Gen ll. They're about $45 and hold enough "stuff" for a long day afield. The pack will also accept a hydration bladder, viz; Camelbak.

Good luck

Yes it does. Sorry for the delayed response.

I am in love with my Mystery Ranch Crew Cab. Works great as a day pack, yet has the capability to pack our quarters and accommodate larger loads than a day pack.

I have an Eberlestock X-2 and think it's a great day+ pack. It can fold up small, or expand to haul quite a bit. Much smaller than that and I really don't think you need to worry much about specific design criteria. There are probably 100 or more small day packs that will work fine.

I have Badlands 2200, its a great day pack. I would prefer more outside pockets,but it fits well, is not wide or bulky and really works for me.

I used my Cabelas pack vest. Not a pack, but between that and my well-pocketed Cabelas parka, I had plenty of storage spots and able to distribute any bulk & weight. I lean toward being a minimalist on what I carry while hunting. I did bring an REI Flash pack, which I use all the time, but didn't find the need for on the trip I just got back from. The great thing about the Flash pack is that it's extremely lightweight and takes up almost no room inside your luggage. It's not framed or supported pack, just a sack with nice shoulder straps, a chest strap, and a waist strap. Supports a water bladder. During my hunt, I left pre-light and returned after dark most days from camp, and did a lot of elevation each day.

Interesting idea on using the Flash Pack...I wouldn't have thought of that.

I purchased the Eberlestock Gunrunner pack last fall and have not had a chance to use it on an Elk hunt in the mountains yet but I did use it during deer season and really liked it.

I use an older model of the Kifaru Spike Camp for a cold weather hunting day pack. I can and have spent the night out with what I carry in it.
http://www.kifaru.net/spikecamp.html

Hi Setch, I'm not sure of your needs, like outer pockets and such. I have an older Jansport topload mountaineering type pack I've been using since the 90's (93 I think) and it has served my purposes well. Similar to this one or the Katadhin 20 they also have on the website.

http://jansport.com/js_product_detail.php?cid=1&pid=TXQ3

Personally, I'm a fan of toploaders as they don't have zippers to fail and dump my stuff all over the mt. Someone else here mentioned using stuff sacks or ditty bags so it seems at least one other person thinks like me. My older pack doesn't have "hydration bladder" capability, that would be a benefit sometimes.

I can't speak for their quality nowadays, but Jansport made some good stuff and as I recall had a very good warranty program (one of the reasons I bought mine back then). Oh, I used mine for four summers doing stream research in N Cal, have hunted with it every year from N Cal to NE PA to the White mts of AZ, Deserts near Kingman AZ, and now up here. I've been looking at it wondering if I'm ever going to have to send it back to them for repair. Looks like it will at least get me through this season.

Good luck on your search for the right pack. My experience tells me, for day packs at least, don't forget to look at the mountaineering pack companies. They work pretty good for folks climbing mts, why not for hunting (of course, you may not be able to get it in the hottest new camo/scentblocker style )

Geno

Added: have you looked at Surplus ALICE packs?

A couple of good suggestions Valsdad, I'll check them out

I would highly recommend the Badlands 2200. Plenty of room for your food and gear, and doubles as a pack frame, capable of packing out a quarter or head after the tag is full. Awesome warranty also.

If you don,t want to spend a lot of money Walmart had
several day packs at very reasonable prices. One worked
on my wyoming Elk hunt.

I have a badlands and it is by far the worst pack I have ever spent time with. Great for a mid west hunter to go from truck to stand, but for the west, its crap. Very uncomfortable when loaded down with just 15 lbs. Sitka would be a better choice and in the same range if you need one that is has camo. I don't like eb because they have not changed materials to keep up with the rest of the industry and makes their bags heavy. I can't see starting out with 5 to 9 lbs for a bag. Don't get to caught up packs marketed towards hunters, there is a lot of good day packs on the market for hikers that will do just fine for us hunters. Kifaru is still the best if you can drop the money. Here are some sites for packs that you might want to look at.

http://www.altrec.com/
http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm/BD1071
http://www.sierradesigns.com/p-453-discovery-30.aspx
http://www.backcountry.com/
http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/home____

If you can get them in the States, I can highly recommend any of the packs in the Karrimor SF range.

I use a Delta 25, although i wish I'd bought the large Delta 35 now..

I agree! Badlands packs absolutely suck for any kind of serious use. At least the one I had did(Superday).
I would check out a Mystery Ranch Crew Cab and try it on if possible. If it fits you well, you will love it. It folds up into a day pack or can be expanded for larger loads. It also has a load shelf that is great for hauling meat.

I bought a Badlands Pursuit backpack and one strap broke one month after I got it. Thankfully I was on vacation with my family and not hunting. Never expected such a disappointment from Badlands given everything I'd read

I am another one with the Eberlestock X-2. I took it out on a very hiking intensive Deer hunt this fall and it performed great. I did a minimalist overnight backpacking hunt with it and it carried a good load of food, sleeping bag, extra clothes, water, and misc stuff. I didn't get to haul meat with it but the sleeping bag went on the meat shelf very well and was rock solid. Good luck.