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Gonna retire the nearly 20 year old one, & treat myself. What are some good options that...

* Will get me through a day in the field, with an overnight if need be
* Will be quiet (no crinkly noises)
* Have some amount of structure (not always collapse into a blob when I set it down).
* Be somewhat organized (not a b!tch to get into all the compartments 'cause they're hidden way down inside)

* Doesn't have to be the be$t, most indestructible, bomb-proof offering.
* Brands don't impress me - just functionality & value.
* Not looking for a meat-hauler, or 10 day sheep hunt bag. Just water, bins/rangefinder, ammo, knives, emergency kit, drag rope, lunch, headlamp, extra layers, rain gear, kinda stuff. I'm thinking < 30#, all-up. Probably < 25#, as lazy as I'm getting these days.

Which offerings come to mind?

Thanks in advance,

FC
Posted By: beretzs Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/27/23
Mystery Ranch Pop Up 28 is what I use for what you describe.
Posted By: Lonny Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/27/23
Not sure if its still in their line-up, but several years ago I got a Kifaru Doorgunner daypack and found it to be pretty much what I need for my day-hunts and hiking.

The DG fits like a glove, gets under overhanging brush nicely. Tough as nails with zippers and pockets that work and are in handy places. It does have some rigidity, I've used it for an elbow rest many times when shooting from a sitting position.

I wear it 50 plus days a year for hunting and hiking. Holds what I need, spotting scope/tripod, nalgene bottle, food, butt pad, extra jacket, meat bags, etc... It isn't a big pack by any stretch. I wear my binos and RF on my chest so they aren't in the pack.

You might pay a bit for Kifaru, but this thing just flat works for my needs, where most day packs at half the cost last about 5 years for me before the stitching and zippers start to give out.
Posted By: IDnative Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/27/23
Mystery Ranch Sawtooth... Best pack I've ever used/owned
I use a Kifaru Antero and it’s been great.
Posted By: huntsman22 Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/27/23
Antero here, too. With an organizer pouch, sherman and grab-it......
Thanks for the suggestions. I was looking at an Eberlestock Renegade, but I don't like playing with straps to access the goodies.

KUIU's Divide 1500 looks like a better built, and better thought-out version of what I have, and they're comparatively cheap.

The Kifaru Antero 2.0 and Echo are probably closest to what I'm looking for.

Now I gotta figure out what a Sherman is. I think Peter Frampton talked about 'em back in the day...

FC
Posted By: huntsman22 Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/27/23
extry zippered pouch
Posted By: pathfinder76 Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/27/23
SG Kiowa
Originally Posted by huntsman22
Antero here, too. With an organizer pouch, sherman and grab-it......

That’s my exact setup!
Posted By: TakeEm Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/27/23
Stone Glacier Avail 2200 is what I use currently.
Posted By: BRISTECD Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/27/23
I’ve been looking at these because I HATE zippers!

https://alderstream.wcha.org/packs.html
Posted By: JLH3 Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/28/23
Originally Posted by TakeEm
Stone Glacier Avail 2200 is what I use currently.


I love mine
Posted By: Buckstopper Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/28/23
Originally Posted by BRISTECD
I’ve been looking at these because I HATE zippers!

https://alderstream.wcha.org/packs.html
Those are canoe packs. They're designed to carry fairly heavy loads across portages, but not all day. They are rugged and flexible to be able to pack into a canoe. There's no internal frame. They are great for their intended purpose, but you probably wouldn't be happy with one as a day pack.
Posted By: wytex Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/28/23
Badlands makes decent daypack. They have some smaller packs with internal frames and most of their daypacks have stays for support.
Been using them for a few years now, no real issues other than zippers but they repair quickly and back their products.

Yep, zippers can be noisy and a pain.
Posted By: TimberRunner Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/29/23
Originally Posted by JLH3
Originally Posted by TakeEm
Stone Glacier Avail 2200 is what I use currently.


I love mine


Love mine too, but I've never viewed it as an overnight option.
Posted By: NH Hunter Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/29/23
I've always had good.luck with llbean packs. This.may fit the bill. Always good quality and reasonable pricing.

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/127...0=Mossy%20Oak%20Country%20DNA&pos=10
I would recommend the Pop Up 28 as well. It checks all your boxes.The meat shelf, which you say you don't need, could even be used for your overnight camp.
Posted By: longarm Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/29/23
Originally Posted by Oklahomahunter
I use a Kifaru Antero and it’s been great.

With a belt it looks like $475? For a nylon day pack? Insanity... ain't gonna happen.
Posted By: BigDave39355 Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/29/23
I carry a small Tactical Tailor pack ( 1000 c.i. Or so ) for whitetail hunting.

Big enough for binos, range finder, couple lights, gloves..


Snacks. 😂😂.
Posted By: beretzs Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/29/23
I have been using this while cruising around the woods this year. Holds, gloves, knife, bins, etc stuff pretty nicely.

[Linked Image from hosting.photobucket.com]

[Linked Image from hosting.photobucket.com]


https://store.bigwoodsbucks.com/big-woods-bucks-mid-size-fanny-pack

It works good for day trekking around the deer woods. It'd hold a decent sized lunch, as a nice liner.

Figured I'd through it out as another option.
Posted By: longarm Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/29/23
Geez, real nice guns there!
Posted By: beretzs Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 11/29/23
Thanks Longarm. Appreciate it.
After too much looking, I finally made a choice.

I considered how often I get afield, and how much of that is for daypack hunts vs. big pack hunts. Going through all the stuff I dislike about the current pack really helped whittle down the list of contenders. Several were ruled-out because of layout, ease of compartment/pocket access, size, weight, and cost. Free shipping and return policy were also considerations.

In the end, I went with the KUIU Divide 1500 in Valo pattern. It seems to be the best all-around match for me. Should it rub me the wrong way when it arrives, I can send it back.

I will say the process reaffirmed my thoughts about guns, boots, & optics: there's a lot of stuff that will work for a lot of people, and just because they like it or hate it doesn't mean it will or won't work for you. We each gotta make the best choice for ourselves.

Thanks for the input!

FC
Posted By: pathfinder76 Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 12/01/23
Originally Posted by TimberRunner
Originally Posted by JLH3
Originally Posted by TakeEm
Stone Glacier Avail 2200 is what I use currently.


I love mine


Love mine too, but I've never viewed it as an overnight option.

That’s why I prefer the Kiowa to the Avail.
Originally Posted by longarm
Originally Posted by Oklahomahunter
I use a Kifaru Antero and it’s been great.

With a belt it looks like $475? For a nylon day pack? Insanity... ain't gonna happen.

You don’t need a belt with it the way it’s designed. They just get in the way with a day pack anyway.

There’s a couple things that go along with this. It’s a 100% made in the USA pack, and by that every component in the pack is sourced on the US as well as every ounce of labor to hand sew it. If you ever used one you’d be sold. Not only is it (in my and many other opinions) the best pack made, but their customer service and support is second to none. Kifaru actually is made for, supported by, and designed for the outdoors. They support real outdoor and hunting organizations and not a single penny you see goes back to another country. They just moved shop from CO to WY.

In the end I’ll buy once and cry once. I use the hell out of my gear and this holds up. It’s with me everyday whether I’m on a plane, going on a hike, taking Boy Scouts camping, or running to my office. I’m happy with the purchase and the value. Obviously YMMV.
Originally Posted by Folically_Challenged
In the end, I went with the KUIU Divide 1500 in Valo pattern.

And naturally, they mark it down almost a third yesterday. I thought it was a solid value @ $179, & now it's $130. Might be worth a look if you're considering a new pack.

FC
Posted By: VarmintGuy Re: Daypack Suggestions? - 12/02/23
Folically Challenged: I won't be much help here other than to offer its hard to find the "perfect" Day Hunting back pack!
My search centered on "quietness" because I often Hunt Elk in thick cover. I finally found one and it IS quiet - I mean you can't make it make a sound!
BUT.... the soft clothey material it is made from picks up EVERY burr, EVERY twig, EVERY pine needle, every cactus needle (I use this camo'ed cloth day pack for Antelope Hunting) that it touches.
If YOU find a quiet (soft) daypack that does not pickup everything it touches let me know.
I will say this once I set down to rest or get to a lookout spot it helps pass the time while I pick off the gathered debris on this otherwise wonderful day pack.
Good luck in your search.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
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