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

I have had good luck with Alps Mountaineering products.

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

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.

Don't buy a "cheap" pack.

Look for a clean,used, piece of quality gear. Craig's list is a great place to shop.

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).

Alps Outdoorz are priced very reasonably on Amazon.

Dana Design internal or external depending on preference would fit the bill. They can be had on eBay for south of $200.

Find a duplex frame (kifaru) used, and then get a compatible kifaru bag on closeout. Done.

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 !

What's your budget?

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.

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.html

Prices 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!

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?

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!

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!

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

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=1077114

I 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.

REI is also having a 25% off offer for online items already on clearance, which includes a few backpacks. It's valid TODAY ONLY.

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.

Thanks for all the info, I think I'll throw the Nimrod up for sale and see what I can scrounge.

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/

I like the Alps Pursuit pack--lots of pockets, modest pack weight, good waist and shoulder padded straps.

This is some good advice.

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.

PM sent

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.

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?

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.

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.

Hill People Gear's Prairie Belt and Shoulder Harness work better than the original Dana pieces.

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.

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.

Mkay. What have you carried that is heavy?

Go to Camofire.com . Register to start getting their daily specials. They have a lot of packs and gear at killer prices.

Sandbags. Training walks with 85#, which is half my body weight. The Dana belt was MOST uncomfortable for me with over 60#.

Exactly this. I have hiked and hunted the schidt out of mine. For your budget nothing compares.

ILBEs are great if they fit. Solid solid solid