#2274214 - 06/25/08 08:09 AM
Backpack Recommendation
|
Grizzly Albert
Member
Registered: 07/17/06
Posts: 31
Loc: Dauphin Island, Alabama
|
Offline
|
|
I plan to hunt brown bear in a couple of years and I'm starting to put my gear together. So far, I've got a rifle, binoculars and some clothes.
All the lists have backpacks on them and there are over a dozen in Cabella's alone. How big? What style?
When I go deer hunting, I carry all my stuff in blaze cargo vest so I've never fooled wih packs before.
Thanks for any help you can give.
Grizzly
_________________________
A day without gunfire is hardly worth living.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2274228 - 06/25/08 08:19 AM
Re: Backpack Recommendation
[Re: Grizzly Albert]
|
AkMtnHntr
Campfire Guide
Registered: 08/15/06
Posts: 3574
Loc: Alaska
|
|
Offline
|
|
If your going on a guided brown bear hunt there is no need for you to get a fully blown out backpack. I think a simple daypack to carry your day to day stuff will do the trick, your guide or packer will have what it takes to pack out your brown bear should you connect.
_________________________
Let your gun accompany you on your walks, the heft will do you well and it will ward off evil doers. Thomas Jefferson
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2274274 - 06/25/08 08:37 AM
Re: Backpack Recommendation
[Re: AkMtnHntr]
|
1akhunter
Campfire Outfitter
Registered: 09/27/03
Posts: 8653
Loc: Fairbanks, Alaska a piece down...
|
|
Offline
|
|
+1
but with that said, don't get a cheesy backpack or daypack, get you a nice one that you'll get years of service out of.
you'll want it to last and be functional for other stuff, cause after all it's the pack you had with you when you took your big bear!
_________________________
"This ain't dress rehearsal....it's the life you get to live, make it a good one."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2274417 - 06/25/08 09:47 AM
Re: Backpack Recommendation
[Re: 1akhunter]
|
458Win
Campfire Regular
Registered: 01/04/05
Posts: 570
Loc: Circle Hot Spring, AK
|
|
Offline
|
|
Ask your guide what he recommends. You won't need the same pack on a SE boat hunt as you will on a spring Kodiak hunt where you backpack in five miles.
_________________________
Phil Shoemaker
" The problem with the world is that fools & fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubt" Bertrand Russell
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2274472 - 06/25/08 10:12 AM
Re: Backpack Recommendation
[Re: 458Win]
|
muledeer
Campfire Guide
Registered: 06/20/01
Posts: 4885
Loc: Ketchikan, AK, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
+1
And then, when you get the recommendation -- go to the stores and put packs on. Have the sales clerk put enough weight in them to learn how the pack feels weighted down. REI and Cabelas tend to be good about that, but any store that wants to sell you a backpack should accomodate you.
There are a lot of good brands and designs of packs, but only some of them will fit you right and feel good -- and they will likely be different than the ones that fit me and feel good to me.
Packs, like binos, need to be tried first.
Dennis
_________________________
"The more you run over a dead cat, the flatter it gets."
"If you're asking me something technical, you may be looking for My Other Brother Darrell."
"It ain't foot-pounds that kills stuff -- it's broken body parts."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2278463 - 06/27/08 07:38 AM
Re: Backpack Recommendation
[Re: muledeer]
|
daveinthebush
Member
Registered: 01/02/03
Posts: 225
Loc: Valdez, AK
|
|
Offline
|
|
Fanny verus a larger pack in Alaska? A fanny only holds so much and that is it. Can't shove a sleeping bag / bivy in there if you need to spend a day away from camp. Can't attach a rifle to a fanny pack if you need two hands for climbing. Depend on the guide to take care of me? I depend on me!
I think more along the lines of a Cabela's internal frame pack with the outside detachable little pack. It protects the gun or bow and is capable to hold a 3-day camp if need be.
_________________________
Happiness is a complete pass through. >>>>------->
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2278803 - 06/27/08 10:28 AM
Re: Backpack Recommendation
[Re: daveinthebush]
|
458Win
Campfire Regular
Registered: 01/04/05
Posts: 570
Loc: Circle Hot Spring, AK
|
|
Offline
|
|
I have been recommending the Eberlestock "just one" pack to my clients as they have a large middle compartment that can be zippered closed and it makes the pack a mid sized day pack - with a sleeve for rifle or tripod - and if needed it can be opened for carrying anything from a sleeping bag to a bear hide.
_________________________
Phil Shoemaker
" The problem with the world is that fools & fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubt" Bertrand Russell
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2278833 - 06/27/08 10:40 AM
Re: Backpack Recommendation
[Re: daveinthebush]
|
muledeer
Campfire Guide
Registered: 06/20/01
Posts: 4885
Loc: Ketchikan, AK, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Don't think anyone recommended a fanny pack. I know I didn't and won't.
A lot of people would probably call my daypack a "backpack". It's stable enough to support a Kifaru Gunbearer, and could haul half a deer or more out in a pinch.
I'm not a big fan of either the Cabelas or REI "house brand" packs, at least the internal frame ones. I couldn't get them to fit right, but tht could just be a personal body dimension thing. My personal favorite brand is Osprey; I have Aethers in two different sizes. But as I said before -- there are a lot of good brands and designs out there -- you have to get what fits you and what you want.
Unless I were going on a full-blown backpack hunt, I would get a good internal frame backpack that is just slightly larger than a good-sized daypack. Make sure it has a good waistbelt, fully adjustable straps and everything else, and enough frame to keep the load off your back.
This is a case where YMM truly V...
Dennis
_________________________
"The more you run over a dead cat, the flatter it gets."
"If you're asking me something technical, you may be looking for My Other Brother Darrell."
"It ain't foot-pounds that kills stuff -- it's broken body parts."
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2280081 - 06/27/08 10:22 PM
Re: Backpack Recommendation
[Re: Grizzly Albert]
|
MontanaCreekHunter
Member
Registered: 06/27/08
Posts: 195
Loc: 99821
|
|
Offline
|
|
Listen to Muledeer he has posted the best post reguarding what you need and want. You really need to try them on. Packs very greatly from company to company. A few things to look for is a good struddy well padded hip belt. Your hips are where you want the force of the weight on. Shoulder straps should be well padded and tapered wider up on the shoulder and narrower as they move down. Make sure it has a breast strap too. Make sure it is comfortable before you buy it. Any little thing you dislike now you will learn to hate in the field. I would recommend checking out Mystery Ranch packs. I personally love them. Three of their packs that may fit what you want are the Nice Frame, the 3 Day Assault pack, and the Crew cab.
_________________________
Eat Fish, Wear Grundens, Drink Alaskan.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2282118 - 06/29/08 06:29 AM
Re: Backpack Recommendation
[Re: MontanaCreekHunter]
|
hunter5325
Campfire Regular
Registered: 01/20/07
Posts: 324
Loc: Elk Country
|
|
Offline
|
|
Badlands 2200 or 4500 would be my picks. But like everyone else said, you've got to try em on with weight and you'll know which one is for you.
Brett
_________________________
100% Public land DIY!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#2282542 - 06/29/08 10:35 AM
Re: Backpack Recommendation
[Re: hunter5325]
|
GSSP
Member
Registered: 09/23/05
Posts: 222
Loc: Near Hobble Creek Canyon, Utah
|
|
Offline
|
|
Another vote for the Eberlestock "Just One" series.
Here was my reasoning. Go in light, come out heavy, if needed. Everything I need for a day, the pack shrinks down quite nicely. If I need more for several days, it will accomodate what I need and still have room to come out heavy if I'm successful. Also, if I decide on an extended backpack hunt, the Just One also work; go in heavy, come out heavy.
And here is something of late that should play in your decision on a pack. Cost of rising fuel! Ie, airlines are, for now, typically charging $25 for the 2nd checked luggage. Some are considering charging for the 1st one too. The 3rd checked luggage currently costs around $125. I have no doubt these cost will increase as time goes by. Start adding more $ if any of those are over size or weight. So, in effect, you'll want to really take advantage of the "carry on" luggage. The "Just One" pack, when the waist belt is "easily" removed will fit inside the airlines size dimensions. Fill that puppy up with what ever spills over from your checked luggage, as long as it fits, they don't place a weight limit on carry on luggage. Then if you're successful and need to pay for more checked luggage on the return home, at least it was only on the homeward bound leg and not heading up.
For me this September. Both my rifles and SxS shotgun will be in soft cases which will be in my Storm 3300 double rifle case. I'll pack what ever else I can in the Storm until it hits the 50 lb max limit.
Then, I'm using a 24 gal Rubbermaid Action Packer storage container for all the rest of my gear. It's 26" x 18.25" x 17" outside dimensions meets the airlines 62" max outside dimensions. It can be locked making a theif who wants to take a quick peek decide to look elsewhere; hopefully. Anything left over goes into my Eberlestock Just One, J107, for carry on. In the box will be an empty duffle bag or two for the return trip gear as I will use the Action Packer for my bear's cape and skull, sealed tightly in plastic bags and "maybe" some dry ice (allowed upto 5 lbs if the box is not airtight (it's not) and marked properly on the outside. No waiting for my cape/skull to arrive weeks or months later. Make a quick stop at my taximidermists shop the day I arrive home; maybe the next if I want to show a few people the cape.
This is my plan!
_________________________
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: RickBin, SYSOP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18521 Members
66 Forums
190486 Topics
2342224 Posts
Max Online: 1366 @ 08/07/07 07:51 PM
|
|
|
