I'm kinda looking for a new day pack for elk and deer hunting, I have a cheap little Walmart special one now, but on my recent deer hunt I tried on a friends Badlands (don't know what model) and fell in love. Well other than loving the price I'd like to have one. Is there a different choice for me that offers the same comfort, versatility, and storage as the Badlands. I was looking at the Badlands Diablo, Super day pack, and another one I don't remember right now. I don't really want the 2200 with the frame in it, unless you can convince me otherwise. Thanks for your advice

I like Eberlstock packs better personally. The new generation of Badlands packs have issues with the seams and zippers. Google it and I am sure you will find lots. I had a 2200 and it had 3-broken zippers and 1-stuck on my elk hunt. Just my $.02 good luck!

I have heard about the zippers and seems, but they have a lifetime warranty. I see your point though, if you're in the middle of the woods you don't want a zipper or anything to fail you, leaving your gear trailing behind you. I'll look into the pack you suggested. What model do you like?

Check out the Beretta daypacks that GUOMAHA is selling on eBay. I bought 1 locally for $30 and think that it is a good pack for that $$. The suggested retail on them is over $100, so $30 seems more than fair.

Jeff

A little spendy, but made in USA and guaranteed for life.

http://duluthpack.com/

I used a TimberHawk day pack this year. Worked quite well for me. No issues with zippers, has multiple tie down points, was easy to adjust for fit etc. Held all my essentials (I would be "comfortable" overnight with my daypack)plus my DSLR camera.

I've tried Cabelas, Bianchi (sp), and Badlands.

Badlands edges in for comfort, but the Cabelas is a good choice as well.

The Badlands day pack is a good size, and the super day pack is simply HUGE for a day pack (used both of them).

Spot

I've had the LLBean Hunters Pack for a few years now. I'm very pleased. The build quality is nice, lots of adjustments, a detachable survival kit and some compression straps. There are also 4 or 6 lash points for tying to the pack. It's not lite weight at 5lbs 10oz, but for a lower/mid budget I've been very pleased. Keep in mind that this pack is sized for a longer torso - I'm a 21 +/- and it fits me perfectly.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...gory=8884&feat=8884-tn&cat4=1118

Mike.

"What model do you like?"

I would suggest the X1 or J34. Even better would be a gently used Kifaru Spike Camp or Late Season! I have seen them go around $200-$300 and well worth every cent in my world.

i use a pair by badlands, an older SuperDay, and a Stealth RT rolltop. find i use the stealth RT more often, but both are comfortable 7 do the job for me. no issues with seams or zippers.

Over the years I've learned a few things about hunting packs. Had a cheap model that I bought locally, and I lost a carrying strap on it after several years. So, they need to be tough.
We hunters tend to carry heavy stuff, whereas the average day pack user does not. That means most day packs, particularly the cheap ones, don't carry much weight well at all. And they break down if you force them to do so.
Last of all, I've found that I like the pack to be as small and light as possible. That way, I leave all of the "extra stuff," that means the stuff which sounds good but I'll probably never use, home.
What that means is that I use everything from my little 900 ci Bianchi Hardcore for early season birds, to my 2200 ci. Kifaru Spike Camp for late season deer and elk.
My advice, is to try out what you are considering loaded with all the weight/items you will carry. If it doesn't fit, i.e. feel like it's part of you, I'd pass.
I've tried alot of packs and still own too many. But, for me, even though I thought when I bought them they were way too expensive, Kifaru makes the best hunting packs I've ever tried out. No, I have tested what you are considering, so I don't know. I also don't know how much or how hard you will use yours.
If money is a consideration, you might see what CampMor.com has to offer. E

L.L. Bean makes a couple of daypacks that are pretty rugged and fairly priced. The Classic Continental Rucksack for $40 and the waxed cotton Continental Rucksack for $100.

We have a couple of the Classic style that we leave at our place in CO for visitors to borrow, so they are rugged enough for low to medium impact sort of use. I probably wouldn't take 1 on the hunt of a lifetime, but for hauling stuff to your stand or for carrying the basics when you still-hunt, they are probably a good choice.

Jeff

I like the Crooked Horn Outfitters Trailblazer II for a day pack. It can be either used as a backpack or a fannypack, has good shoulder support, heavy duty waiststrap and chest strap.

It's not huge cubic inches-wise but has many handy compartments.

I think it runs about $ 125 or something like that.

I've been using Duluth Pack stuff for years. Tough packs made of natural materials(canvas/leather) that wear like iron and are ultra quiet in the field. Having lived and hunted in N.Minnesota for years and seeing more than my fair share of 40+ year old DP canoe packs I can certainly say this company builds tough as nails products. Check out this video. It shows one of their bags being built from start to finish...pretty darn cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6nMrJKzDHU

I've really been happy with my Eberlstock X2 as a day pack. Could haul an animal out with it too.

First off, I'm not a serious backpacker by any means but I have hunted the past two seasons with a 2200.

Yes, 3 of the small zipper 'handles' have snapped off but the zippers themselves work fine. It's an easy fix so that issue is a wash IMO.

I like the 2200 because a guy could fit a boned out deer in that sucker and save a trip back to camp. Before I knew any better I literally whacked a pronghorn in half and hauled it out in two trips. Hide, bones and all...I do not recommend that method....(grin)

The water pouch setup, spotting scope pocket(smaller scope fits best) and tripod pocket are all pretty handy. The external flap is also a useful deal.

I don't think the hardcore backpack crowd is really into Badlands stuff but for the weekend warrior type they are just fine.

Looks like it would have good beer-stowage also, Sam.


Hey,nice muley, by the way.
Did you pop him this Fall?

Tim, John Elway offered me the cold beer back at camp....(laughin')


Yeah, got the deer this season. He looks a little bigger in the pic than he really is. Might go 20" on a good day...maybe...(grin)

Sweet!

Sam I bet he eats just as good whether he's 20 or 22.
Merry Christmas NC

Ain't that the truth, and it's about the hunt not the horns anyway.


Merry Christmas to you bud.

Sam,
What is the comfort like on that Badlands?
I had (I believe) the same pack a few years back(2005) and the thing absolutely killed my hips.
Weirdest damn thing, never had that happen with any other pack(and I have owned a few.)

I wound up selling it on here, which was a pity in a way, as I loved the meat shelf and the pockets, zippers, etc.

Tim, I notice the exact same thing.

To be honest with you this is the only pack I have ever really hauled anything in so it's all new to me. Pack fit has got be crucial for true comfort.
I would eventually like to try a MR or something like that but they are $$ and it's hard for me to justify given I don't backpack very often(yet).

I betcha Brad could help you get fitted to a good pack, he seems to be very knowledgeable with same.
I wish I was a bit closer, I would bend Brads ear on that same subject.

Oh yeah, Brad is always hiking out on overnight trips. That would be neat if a guy was prepared for it.


We bring camp in with a pickup.
Little more work bringing camp in on your back!

Overnighters are fun.
Especially winter camping with snowshoes.
I love that sutff.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have some fiting to do I think to make sure the pack I get fits "me".

Look up Kelty!
They are incredible packs.

The following are my thoughts on a day pack.....

http://elk101.com/2009/08/lose-the-boat-anchor-you-call-a-day-pack/


Lots of good choices out there for sure. I am by no means an expert, but the enclosed link explains my fondness for the Sitka Ascent.