Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting New pack for $300? Which one?

So I'm in the planing stage for next fall. (aren't we all?)

I'm pretty sure that a HC elk/deer muzzy hunt is in the works again. I've pretty much upgraded all my gear or will have by next fall. The one thing that I'm still lacking is a new pack. My old one worked, but I'm not sure it would have been much fun to pack more than I did on the last trip. I'd love to have no spending limit, but.... just go an email from a friend in Africa and he's possibly going to start offering big 5 hunts, so I have to save pennies where I can.

Anyway, with christmas coming up I can probalby talk someone (meaning me) into buying me a new pack, so in your opinion what's the best pack I can get for say $300ish? I'd like to get internal, but if there is a frame pack that is better I'm all ears. I'm kind of a rookie when it comes to backpacking gear. I'm not affraid to buy used if I can find a good deal. The pack has to be big enough for week long trips, and packing elk quarters. I'm 210lbs and 6'2" so fit may also be a concern? I know some of you sawed guys rave about this and that, but for us normal sized men, some of that gear just won't cut it. LOL

Hard to reccomend a specific pack as they fit everyone differently but in that price range and for a larger pack for hunting gear, etc, I'd personally get an Arctryx Bora 80. You'll probably need the "Tall" or large model. I'm 5'10, 165 lbs and that's actually the size I take as I've a long torso (read wavy-gravy spine).

Another to look at would be an Osprey Crescent 85.

Both these packs are comfortable on me but I lean to the Bora 80 overall...

Eberlestok Just One 105 is my vote.

Might try Kifaru.net and see what is on the sale board. Can't beat their packs IMHO.

Save up and get a Kifaru or Mystery Ranch.

'Nother vote for the Eberlestock Just One pack, I love mine.

You can buy a Mystery Ranch NICE frame and Load Hauler for about $260.00 and use stuff sacks to carry your gear. You can add a MR bag(s) later and this is the BEST heavyduty hunting pack that I have ever used, it is worth saving for this whole system, nothing else compares, IMHO.

If your planning on a week long high country hunt your pack will be heavy. Then if you "kill" it's gonna weight alot more! I would opt for an external frame only. You will basicly be packing out as much as you can haul. Trust me 5 miles or more into the bush trying to pack gear and boned out meat you will excede 100pds. And thats just a deer!! A intrenal framed pack will not carry that kinda weight as easily or comfrortable as an external framed pack. CD

I think Kutenay is spot on with his suggestion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CD

I'm continuing to be amazed by how comfortable my Osprey Crescent 70 is turning out to be.

I like the flexibility of the hybrid packs like the mystery ranch, longhunter and flatbed, whatever you choose if you aren't able to load it up and try it on I would be sure to purchase from a retailer that would allow a return in the event it doesn't feel right for you.

I second checking out the Garage Sale section on Kifaru's site and that's not just because I have a Kifaru pack for sale there. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Boys, in the end a Brand X vs. Brand Y debate doesn't matter one bit if the pack doesn't fit a guy's body!

I'd also add I don't think most have enough experience with IF's to know what a good fit really is... I say that based on the way I see most people carrying them on local trails (so please, no one take any offense as that's not directed at anyone here).

IF's are FINICKY with a capital F if not loaded and driven properly. Nothing beats them when they are but I'm of the opinion if you don't understand how (or aren't interested in learning) the various componants are meant to work together and how to "drive" one you're probably better off with an external.

Myster Ranch is just down the road from me. I know the guys at the shop. A good friend is Dana's former business partner. I'd love to own a Mystery Ranch... they don't fit me right so it's a moot point.

A pack's gotta fit your body and if it doesn't it won't matter how well it's constructed, where it's constructed, what color it is or how much it costs.

Jack Wolfskin still make packs???? I have a couple that are 12 years old heavy use and doing well

Yea! and that includes the old school looking BullPacs! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Fits me and another pard like a glove yet another pard hated his!

I'm going to try an internal myself just to see what all the hoopla is about. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Old school MtnHtr (well not quite)

The comments about fit being personal are the most important in this thread. I am not a fan of the fit of ArcTyrex packs, yet my backpacker GF loves hers. I was fully satisfied with my Kifarus (still am) but have had my eyes opened recently by Osprey (bought an Atmos 50) and GG (flatbed).

As always, trying new stuff can open ones eyes. I think the easy modularity of the Flatbed (may) cause it to supplant my Longhunter as my hunting pack. The Atmos is a great fastpacking set up for warm weather and feels like I could trail run with it on.

I plan on trying the Flatbed on a more traditional bacpack trip next year and am considering a lager Osprey or GG Internal as my next 6-10 day pack.

On it goes........... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the comments guys. I think I'm leaning (pushing Santa) toward the MR Nice frame for Christmas, and will supliment the Crew Cab and bag latter in the year.

Its been a while since I had a frame pack and think I'll give this one a go.

I think that you will find that this rig is so good that you will be totally satisfied with it, as I am. Dana Gleason is a genius in terms of pack design and the construction is worldclass, plus, the customer service is second to none.

I do not recommend gear without having both used it and unless it performs flawlessly here in B.C.; Mystery Ranch and Integral Designs have performed better, for me, than anything else I have ever used. Fit IS crucial, but, quality comes next as pack failure on a trip can ruin an outing that you have waited/saved for over years.

I would suggest buying TWO "Fliptop Pockets" and attaching these to the waistband of the NICE frame, then, when you get your Crewcab and 6500 bag, buy a pair of "Longpockets" to go on the 6500 bag. This setup absolutely kicks butt for wilderness BC hunting and is, IMO, the best heavyduty pack available today, plus, it strips down for hunting in settled regions where the conditions do not require as much in terms of emerg. gear, etc.

Let us know how you find it, if you get one as feedback from actual use is really helpful to us all, IMO, regardless of experience level or hunting areas.

Kute, don't suppose you can supply us any pic's of this type of set up can you? I'm also interested! CD

I'm sorry, I have no means of posting pix and won't until late spring, at least. However, there are some pix on the MR site, IRRC.

Next year, my "CEO" is going to get a proper scanner-printer and a dig camera for this computer and then I will be able to supply pix. My buddy, Logan454, has tried to post pix, but, has some type of computer glitch, I will ask him tonight and see if he can post pix now.