There are a number of sound reasons why such an outlet does not and is not likely to exist. The first is that all of the "name" packs are made by highly individualistic people who are competing with each other and are not about to make it "easy" for anyone to try competitor's packs before buying theirs.
Next, contrary to what most seem to think and even with the high markups in the "softgoods", i.e., some "kewl" tourist coming to BC wearing a highend G/T or eVent shell that was built for Everest[and 99% of the dudes do exactly that, makes us howl with laughter,] there is not actually a lot of money in the gear industry. This, is particularly true of the highend gear usually discussed here, MR, Kifaru, Valandre and so on.
Greenhorn, has nailed another important aspect of this and I can say that here in BC, one of big game trophy collecting's real "meccas", relatively FEW hunters actually backpack hunt and "dude hunters" from the US, and other foreign nations almost never do.
There are good reasons for this involving the size of many of our game species, the still very remote and wild country that can be and often is dangerous for any but genuinely skilled persons and the huge number of ATVs, 4x4s, river jet boats and other technical devices that most can now avail themselves of to bring home the "bacon".
I would like to stress here, again, that you DO NOT need to have all of the fancy and costly gear that is discussed here to successfully backpack hunt. The whole "art" has become so commercialized that the original purpose (s) have been smothered in WHO HAS the BEST, blah, blah, blah and also WHO KILLS THE MOST, yada, yada,yada.
Among the most successful hunters I know is my 52 year old cousin in Nelson, BC, a former N.H.L. hockey player and owner of a large construction firm that he has built from the beginning over the past 30+ years. He is VERY fit, large, strong, tough and loves to be out in the bush, all over BC.
I visited him last October and he jokingly said, " you know, Dewey, I see all these guys with all the fancy gear, buying new [bleep] all the time and they never shoot any game"....... This, is a bit of an exaggeration, but, not too far from the truth here in BC, from my observations since I started backpack camping and hunting in 1964 and working in bush for the BCFS the next spring.
Much of my hunting clothing is 20+ years old, some mended, faded and almost ALL of it is Cabela's grade stuff, it has worked for me just fine and the latest COOHOO or whatever matched camo sets, new pack model every year and all sorts of gadgets to supposedly do what real bush skills should do are just a commercial marketing ploy to take your money.
Get a Kelty Cache Hauler, some good USED gear and get out there, you will make mistakes, will sometimes be tired, dirty, smell bad and if solo, you WILL get lonely, but, it will all progress for you until you are a competent and happy backpack hunter.
Then, you get old, like me, and as your abilities decline with age, you will have memories that make life so very much more enjoyable.
^This^ is some of the most sound advice I have read on this forum. I believe it also reflects the voice of experience. Thanks Kute, your wisdom is always welcome by me.
As a relative newcomer to any "serious" backpack hunting, I have learned a couple of things I feel are important, at least to me.
#1. Indeed, not all of us NEED the "top of the line",(read that most expensive) latest, greatest, bestest most technologically advanced whiz-bang product out there. I suspect few truly NEED these, but concede some do. I believe the "best, most expensive" may not necessarily be the best for a particular person, and this has been affirmed by some posts above. However, this is just my opinion.
#2. Fit is everything!!! It is very important to find your correct fit, whether it be a low end or high end pack. If it doesn't fit you, it will be uncomfortable to carry no matter the cost/quality.
I found that I have a short torso length. I'm 6'2" & 215 lbs so I'm not a small guy. However, I tried several packs in what may be considered a medium - large size. I went through several packs before realizing that with a load over 40 lbs, a medium absolutely killed me. It was the size stupid! Long story short, a Dana Design Terraplane in size small is very comfortable and I have carried 60+ pounds in it for miles comfortably. This still isn't ideal as the strap padding is a hair too short but it works for me. I recently aquired an Eberlestock J-107 Dragonfly. It has adjustable suspension and to make it fit, I have to adjust it to it's smallest or shortest adjustment. It carries comfortably all day though I've yet to carry a heavy load in it.
Point is, just because you're a big guy doesn't necessarily mean you need a large size nor is the reverse true if you're of smaller stature. Get yourself measured and make sure your pack fits, regardless of the "quality" or cost of the pack.
And if you pay attention, the voices of experience say this over and over on this forum.
