Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Help me pick a pack!

Hey guys,

I'm after a new pack. Generally i'll be using it for trips up to three days long. I already have a few packs in mind, but im just trying to decide on pack size.

How much capacity would you say is adequate for what I want to do? I will have to carry in sleeping bag/tent, food and water plus all the other usual stuff. I was thinking around 2800ci should be adequate?

What is your intended use? 2800 ci is a good size for summer backpacking, but it will get small fast in winter, or if you throw a hunting or scouting trip into the mix due to the extra gear you will likely take. If you have young kids you'll also be taking some extra gear.

Another thing to consider is that cubic inches have a very small weight penalty. The weight on our packs is in the suspension, webbing, buckles, etc. There is only about an ounce difference in weight between a 3900 ci pack and a 4800 ci pack.

Sorry, I should have mentioned I'm only using the pack to hunt. No kids, I'm only 22 and not married so it only has to cater for me. Mostly winter use, but our winter here in Aus is much milder than you guys have in the states. An extreme low overnight temp would be -10c in the mountains that I hunt.

I haven't really thought about weight as such, but you make a very good point. The only reason I havn't considered a bigger pack is because I think maybe it would be too big to carry around whilst stalking, or am I wrong to think so? Even so, I probably wouldn't go bigger than 4500ci.

Lots of people will have opinions. My opinion is get bigger than you think you'll need. Things can start getting small in a hurry when you start packing in a camp.
I would suggest the Paradox.
It is very versatile, rugged, and extremely light weight. It can be used in a daypack mode or loaded down, even throwing on a dry bag in addition to the pack bag if necessary. You can drop all the bags and use it as a pack frame alone if that's what you need.

If 10C / 50F is as cold as you'll expect, you can definitely downsize. What do you have in the way of tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag? Those are usually going to be your bulkiest items.

Are you backpacking, or backpack hunting with the chance of having to pack out meat? What type of terrain? Hilly or canyon country, or flatlands?

Will it be rainy or dry?

He said MINUS 10C, about 15F. That's a different story.

Stone Glacier Solo.

I'd suggest not less than 3500 cubic inches.

I simply can't get my pack load under 30 pounds without leaving something critical behind. That's for backpacking / fishing, not hunting. That's for warm weather, nights down to 50 deg F. That pile of gear will not fit well into a 3100 cubic inch pack. It will fit but the seams are screaming for mercy.

My main backpacking pack the last 2 years has been a Badlands Sacrifice. It lists at 3450 cu in expanding to 3800. Mine is not expanded and generally not quite, but darn near, full. I would think 3300 is probably my practical minimum.

That's not hauling meat, just enough stuff for a couple nights in fairly decent weather.

Tom

I must've failed reading comprehension....

That definitely does change things. -10C or 15F with a 2800 ci pack is pushing it. Those temps with a 4000 ci pack would be pushing it for most folks.

Although a 3500"+ pack would be the better setup, I currently use a Badlands 2800 pack on September Colorado elk hunts. My <30# loaded (base) 2800 fits me perfect and carries my 15*f down bag, tent, BA IAC pad, cook kit, extra clothes, 3-4 days of food and water, etc. With its wing design it will carry a load of meat out while loaded with gear.

I appreciate all the input everyone thanks. My gear such as bag, tent etc are not lightweight so that is something i need to consider. I will be backpack hunting and carrying out meat, this being my first foray into backpacking.

What about the ILBEsurplus marine packs? They look great, big enough and are affordable. Thoughts?

Stone Glaicer.

How much do you wanna spend? A Bozeman Dana will run you about $200, Post K2 $100, and Stone Glacier $600. I don't think the SG Sky 5100 can be beat.

Dont waste your time with a Kuiu Ultra 6000

I'm trying to keep cost down to about $300USD shipped, hence why im interested in the ILBE

I'd be/ have been taking a look at the new Kuiu Ultra line.

Aleks,

IMO, $300 is way too much for a ILBE. They are ok packs, but not the best design for carrying weight comfortably. I had one and sold it.

A used Arcteryx Bora would be a great choice. But, in your shoes, I'd get a Paradox Evolution frame and Talon. Drybags or contractor bags and you can load almost anything up. It carries very very well and can have pack bags added as money or desire allows.

I've owned/own lots of packs. ( it's a weakness of mine ) Between the Paradox and a MR Bighorn, everything else stays on the shelf. And it's mostly the former that goes for walks now.

Yep, my 6,000 cc version weighs 3lb-9oz and is very comfortable.

If you want a high end light pack and can spend $600 - stone glacier is the way to go. Other higher priced, great quality pack is Kifaru ($800 plus but very nice as well). These two are about as good as you will find.

If looking to spend $300 take a look at the Kelty

The Kuiu ultra is nice for light loads (under 40 pounds) but the hip belt did not fit me properly (very small) and with the extra weight became uncomfortable. Everyone is different so it is best to try one out if possible.

I would get something 6000 plus. Normally the larger pack is very little extra weight (a couple of ounces) and they compress very nicely. Why not have the option of a bigger pack.

Here's the Kuiu replacement. Old skool, but proven and only $180...

You may want to rethink a little in terms of how you'll likely use the pack. I don't like carrying a big pack with my gear while actually hunting. I carry in, drop the big pack with my camping gear and switch to a small pack or waist pack while I'm hunting. When an animal is down, I go back to my camp to retrieve the big pack for the carry out. Others carry the whole load the entire time or do something in between. Your preference will really affect which packs fit your style the best.

The surplus pack will work fine but it is really heavy compared the better packs mentioned above. I think you are correct to wonder whether you really want to hunt in such a big pack. I find I don't, especially where I'll be moving through close timber, heavy brush, or any kind of thicket. It hangs up and makes a lot of noise.
I'd suggest picking out an adequate pack with a strong enough frame for the carryout. Borrow, rent or buy used if you can. Get a big enough size to carry your basic camping gear but not any larger. (2800 is pretty small but doable in mild or hot weather. Figure out ahead of time how to secure meat/cape for the walk out and have the stuff packed to make that happen as part of the basic load.) Don't worry about winter trips yet. Get the pack and use it. As you do, you'll have a much better idea of what you'd like going forward. Also, over time I expect you'll find your basic load decreases in size and weight.