Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Pack advice getting back into backpacking

Getting back into backpacking and was looking into a new pack. Used an old ILBE for a few years and want to upgrade. Been looking at some of the larger Mystery Ranch packs, as I have a Sawtooth for hunting that I really like. Mostly looking at weekend trips and nothing more than 4-5 nights. Are the hunting style backpacks worth the extra money or are you better off with Osprey, Gregory, Kelty type gear? Thanks

Paid a $100 for a used Dana Design Terraplane that I used for several years. Handled 5 days worth of gear and food just fine. Hauled out a couple elk and deer with that one. Above 60lbs the frame started to flex a bit.

Upgraded to a Kifaru Reckoning three years ago. Make sure you get the stays and belt size that match your body type/size (they have good fitting instructions). This frame and pack really shine with heavy loads. My last trip out last year was 90lbs for 7 miles (I probably won’t do that again). I like putting boned out quarters on the meat shelf. To me the weight carry’s the best in this position.

My wife uses a mystery ranch metcalfe and she loves it.

My uncle and brother have had good luck with their kuiu.

A backpack for hunting where you need to pack in gear and animal out, is totally different ball game than backpacking for recreation. It takes a serious backpack to hold 50lbs + and give the wearer any semblance of comfort and control. But a five day backpack for recreation in an area where water is to be found probably would have a starting weight of maybe 25lbs, with a base weight of 15 or so in the three seasons conditions. A lightweighter would be less, but 25lbs all up is a fair guess. Packed volume is also much smaller. So rather than a 5-7lb pack designed to carry 50-80lbs, a 2lb pack designed to carry 15-25 is more the mark.

I would decide if your looking for a pack for backpack hunting, or for backpacking.

The best hunting pack that I own is a KUIU Ultra 5500.

The best all around backpack that I own is an Osprey Aether 70. If they offered it in camo or even a neutral color, I would use it for hunting also.

Mountain Hardwear AMG 75 or 105:

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/amg-75-backpack-1882261.html?dwvar_1882261_color=675&pos=1

Ospry Aether 70 liter! All day with a heavy load in it. Very comfortable!

I prefer a dedicated backpacking pack for hiking with no intent of hauling out meat.

My go-to is a Kelty 65L Coyote. I tried a 50L and those threads were straining to keep it all in. Depending on season, I can do ok with 60 or maybe even 55 with some stuff attached outside but I hike a lot off-trail and having everything contained, not swinging around hooking branches, etc is a real plus. 70s and larger seemed excessive for me, lead me to carry stuff I truly didn't need just because I had room to carry it.

My favorite 60L is Granite Gear's nimbus access trace. It's a little heavier than some of their other packs but I really like some of the features. Might be out of production? The old Blaze AC 60 was also a great pack.

I still drag out my 1980 vintage Kelty Tioga II from time to time. The external frame is sweet for attaching sleeping pads, fishing tackle, waders or float tube, etc while still having cavernous room inside for food, clothing, sleeping bag, etc.

The only "hunting pack" I've used for backpacking and liked is Badlands' Sacrifice. It's about 60L. Tradeoff .. the back ventilation is crazy good, however, that pushes the load back changing your balance a little bit. I usually carried mine at around 32 pounds so it wasn't a big deal. One thing I really liked about this pack was the low profile for off-trail hiking, ducking under logs, limbs, and so on.

Thanks for all the advice. Might end up with 2 packs.

Why wouldn't something like the Kelly 105 work for hiking or hauling meat? It's all I've ever used.

This is sound advice. Whole different world out there with the just backpacking stuff now a days. I'm down to 24 lbs for 3 nights with some luxury stuff like a chair , coffee press and shoes to switch into for water crossings. Can do 15 miles a day easy peasy.

The Pack I use for backpacking is a ULA Circuit. I think it's a 68 liter roll top that supposed to handle 35 lbs. I haven't had it past 25 lbs and it handles 25 easy and comfortable.

Another vote for the ULA Circuit, or the ULA Ohm, for a hiking pack, where a rugged robust hunting pack is not necessary.

I run a Kifaru Longhunter. I swear by those packs and now so do my friends.

Good luck, have fun, and be safe out there!

I use a Eberlestock pack, It has held up very well for years. They make many different configurations for what ever your needs are. Check them out https://eberlestock.com/ Its a quality Pack.

In my Army days, I would have stuck my arm in a fry vat for three comfortable nights on 24 pounds. I think my web gear weighed that much.


Okie John

i went to the my local REI, I wore both of the packs that I like fitted to me. Then, I asked for wear them in the store for 30 minutes each while I shopped. I also had 35-40 lbs of weight put in the pack to allow them to settle on my back and feel what that weight was like. After an hour of wearing both packs I better able to pick whick one felt better on my back. That was good for me. One of the packs I tried on was an ultra lite version. After 30 minutes it was not the most confortable one to wear. Just my two cents! You milage can and will vary!

Got rid of my Kelty and Gregory after picking up a Kuiu and Exo. They were not even close to the comfort, plus I can add different size bags to them.

It's a learning curve and what works for one might not for another. Since you're a backpacker that wants to use one hunting, here's my recommendation.
If you plan to haul much meat, the hunting packs are designed for heavier weights, while standard backpacks for lighter load comfort. This is a overgeneralization, but you'll want to narrow down your needs. There's too many choices these days.

You can get by with a good quality external frame pack that you might find on a weekend yard sale this Spring. They are stouter and generally made to carry more weight than the typical internal. They also provide the most lash points that cinch a load close to the back. Better than molly IMHO.
That might meet your needs at a fraction of the price and hold you over until you figure out exactly what you want to inve$t in. ...IF you decide later to get a designated hunting pack.

Another good choice would be to pick a decent freighter frame and lash one of your packs to it. That will meet most needs unless camo is important. Then you could always add a cover of your favorite one at the price of yard goods.
Your choice, customized your way, and should meet most needs without spending much and gambling on the fit/ function.

Camo is WAY overrated for big game hunting. It's a fashion trend, not a hunting necessity. Any color of a pack will work just fine.

Yup. Camo doesn't make up for staying still and scent free.
I don't know what the op is looking for, so I threw it out there in case he might think he shouldn't use the gear he already has or can buy at a yard sale..ie backpack of the non hunting variety. If he or anyone else wants camo or anything else, they don't have to spend a fortune to get it. A homemade pack cover or even a waterproof parka would serve double duty. Once he develops his personal preferences is the time he can shell out $500+/- range IMHO.

REI has a no questions asked one year return policy. just an FYI.

I've got an Osprey Crescent 110 in excellent condition I'd let go for $100 plus shipping. Unless your in NezPerce or Latah county then I could do a face to face.

Thanks for all the input. I've decided on the Stone Glacier 5900. Fit good and made in USA.