Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting What pack are you all using on 4-10 day hunts?

Ok frame, is the SAME frame, but, wider yoke and the five-segment belt from the BDSB-G-packs rather than the three-segment belt now used. NO, you cannot retrofit, I asked!

I don't buy Asian gear and Andrew knows I want the Bozo-made stuff, so, it will be a bit more $$$$$, so what, I prefer to keep employment in North America. I understand that they gotta go offshore for some stuff, but, that is not my concern.

I'm not really sure what it weights. If I had to guess i'd say 4pds 6 ozs. grin. All I know is that for a day pack it's much lighter than my J105 was. The kelty dose have a good suspension system IMO. Very comfortable. Load lifter straps, belt stablizer straps. It really is a nice pack frame.

Thanks.

j105... can't beat it. i pack out two elk last year in it. each elk i was able to get out in two trips (boned) i pack each elk up hill,down hill, through the down fall no issue. the pack can handle more weight than you can handle. i was sold when i was able to load a whole mnt goat and gear in one trip.

here a pic of the pack in action

animalstacker,
Nice goat!

I kinda like my J104 as well, but, are we ever completely satisfied??? grin

I'm of the opinion that for just plain hauling heavy loads, I like the Barney's frame pack.

For a bit less heavy duty use but a good hauling frame that is not too bulky, the Kelty. I'm still using one that is over 20years old, but it is basically the same thing you have. I don't have the shelf and wrap around sides, but I can cinch down an awkward load fairly well using a diamond hitch. I'll probably replace this pack frame within the year w/ the current Cache Hauler w/ the pack bag.

As for an all around do all pack, I've been using the J105. It's not light like some daypacks and will not haul the biggest loads like the Barney's, but it is one hell of a versitile pack. It's just so simple and easy to use that it's genius. Most of my daypack needs require me to hunt w/ my pack and haul game back. The J105 does this better than my other packs as it carries well and it is a very athletic design, yet will haul decent loads when needed.

GVA

Thats a photo for sure. Couldn't bone him out eh? Seems a shame to have to pack the extra weight.

Have seen so far one piece of stitching out of 5 J105s come loose. And FWIW have a highly rated Kifaru tipi that has a tab sewn in the wrong place. No big deal either issue.

Jeff

Brad,
My primary pack is a Dana Astraplane, circa early 90's. Are they still offering the Terraframe?

I haven't kept up on the latest backpack technology/offerings, been wondering how the hybrid frames work?

Casey

Phasmid,

I just spoke with Jay at Blacks Creek today and he said he didn't know the exact weight of the Alaskan but he thought it was near 6 lbs. I was hoping it would be lighter but it does look impressive. They now have a video about it on their website and they claim it can comfortably handle 100+ pounds.

Ty-W, I can flat out tell you that the Blacks Creek Alaskan can carry as much weight as you can load into it but there is no way It's a comfortable 100 pd pack.. I packed out two boned deer on different trips last year. Both times prolly 100+ pds. Couldn't wait to get it off. The Alaskan is a great day pack that will get meat to the truck. But if alot of weight is to be involved put it on a frame for extended trips.

As far as a day pack. Kicks butt on the J105. The Alaskan is a great DAY pack. I got rid of my J105. Felt comfort went out the window at about 65-70 pds.. And tooo heavy to use as an every day day pack.

The Alaskan is also one tough pack. On one of those boned out deer pack trips I fully expected to need to replace the pack after the beating it took. When all was said and done not a stich or anything outa place!! If I'd treated my J105 that way it woulda been toast. All three of my J105's couldn't withstand anything I put them through.

Creep death,

I really like the looks of you set up and want to find out more about that Black's Creek day pack. Couldn't find it on their web site. It would also be a tough choice between that Kelty or the Barney's Carnivore.

I'm a fair sized guy at about 6' and 260 lbs. Thicker in build, large back and shoulders. Will these packframes accomidate this type of build?

My old Osprey Aether 75 fit like a dream, and the NF Perserverance rides well, but I have a Mystery Ranch that I've never been able to fit quite right. The Osprey is lightly built and fits well but isn't for hunting. I like your system better than anything I am currently using. Very inspiring to see what people put together.

I have a somewhat smaller, but, very similar build and I find the MR NICE fits superbly; I have an 18.5" neck, 48" chest, 42" waist and big, sloping shoulders just as a comparison. so, I think that the new NICE Overkill frame with the wider suspension might fit you very well and I may buy one and sell my Kifaru Longhunter which doesn't fit me as well as my MR packs. Something to consider, anyway.

Packs can take a bit of time to get sorted out and CD's rig IS a dammed good way to meet his needs. I decided to try the NICE frame, found it perfect for me and then bought the 6500 bag and almost a year later, I just ordered a Crew Cab a couple days ago.

So, there are various options to investigate.

SU35 and I went on a high country hunt with his cousin Otis. Otis is built like Howie Long. He used a kelty that was prolly 15 yrs old. It worked great for him.

We had a J104,J105,and a 15 yr old kelty pack that didn't even have a shelf. And that Kelty handled the weight better and more Comfortable than those Eberlestocks could of ever dreamed about.

The J105 is worlds better than the J104. No comparison. But, glad I don't own a Eberlestock anymore.

Elk Creek - go to www.blacks-creek.com and click on "Jim Horn Packs" to see the Alaskan. Also, at the top is a link called "videos". Got to that and watch a 15 minute video about the pack.

CD - Thanks for that info. I'm not sure the word comfort should even be brought up when talking about putting 100 lbs on your back. I have been looking at the exact same setup you have only with a Bull Pac. Question....how tall are you and does it fit real well? Jay said the Alaskan would fit me but it is built more for big guys. I'm 5'11" 180.

Ty W. I have to suggest trying a different pack frame then the bullpac. I have never seen a suspension as schitty as the one on the bullpac. The waist belt is sewed only in the middle back so it basically doesn't do anything, shoulder straps with no adjustments for the length of the torso, no load lifters, it is just a horrible suspension design. The only reason I don't get rid of the one I have is because I would not wish that on anybody. The actual frame is outstanding though. later

Thanks Kutenay. I may have to go with the new NICE, and I've checked out that Crew CAb in person. Like the Crew cab for certain, nice rig and that load sling looks cool.

Also I'm looking the Granite Gear freight frame. Might also do the trick. I love my old American made Ospreys, but I seen them for what they are. Light and fast packs not for packing out meat or real heavy loads. We are so lucky to have so many pack choices these days.

thanks again

How come the "Crewcab" doesn't come up in much conversation when the GG hauler is discussed? Just curious.

Ty W,

Thanks for the info and the link to the videos. The Alaskan/Canadian design looks like it is designed for exactly what I want do. Probably the Canadian pack will fit me better according to the video as I am small framed and it will still carry more meat than I want to even attempt to pick up.

Hello all,
Just wanted to get out the word that my J104 is up for sale $180 shipped anyware stateside. Pack with rain cover, back panel and camp duffel. Is listed in the classifieds this site and monster muleys.
THanks,
MIke