i've asked about this in the backpacking forum a couple of times with little luck...

and i am not a backpacker, but would like a comfortable pack that i can carry a vest, rain gear, water bottles, and etc in... i think hydration bladders are cool , but would settle for any pack that fits and will carry water bottles...

anybody else here truly large and using a comfortable pack?

Im not extremy large, but I'm big atleast. 6'4 292 pounds. I use a Eberlestock Dragonfly pack. It has an adjustable torso length, and the belt is long enough to fit me no problem.

I am bigger than Casey around the waist and I use a backpack from Basspro, forget what model, but it is Redheadbrand. Has a bladder, butt cusion for sitting and folds open for sock changing or setting meat on while yo debone.
It fits me fine and is very comfy. Fits my chest with room on the chest strap to boot and I am a big guy. The waist strap fits my 44" waist.

Kique

I'm 6'4" and 240lbs.(My 5yr old rides in the pack on the hard climbs). The Eberlestock Blue Widow fits nice and can take a load. Lots of strap left too.

6'7 ~250ish

Badlands 2200 fit me better than anything in that price range.

ok then...

i'll look into several of these...

and thanks...

Badlands 2200 is what I would suggest as well. I wish they would make 2-sizes of belt, if you are under 24" waist the belt is too big.

dude...

guessing my arms are more'n 24"....

I think he probably meant 34".

And if you do try out a 2200 and decide to go that route....camofire.com has been having them at a great price pretty often here lately.

I think I have a Badlands Diablo.
When I got it I was 40" waist, 50" chest with a very long torso. Now I'm 36" waist, 48" chest.
It fit well when I was bigger and fits well now.

If you just want a basic hunting pack, I use the Cabela's Bow/Rifle pack.

It isn't a "meat hauler" but works good for general hunting if you carry a lot. It does hold a hydro bladder as well as has side pockets for spotting scopes, etc. I see it now costs about as much as the Badlands 2200, but it is about double that size if you could use the space. I think I paid about $120 for mine, they are about $170 now but look like they are a little more heavy duty.


If I didn't need the space I would go for the 2200 badlands, badlands superday or even the monster fanny or similar which is what I use when i just need basics like you describe.

If I did want bigger I would go for the Badlands Sacrifice of the "meat haulers" this one fits me best. Oh, and I have a 38 waist 48 chest. 6'1"

I have tried on Eberlestock, Tenzing, Sitka, and Badlands. I prefer the fit of the Badlands.

If you aren't carrying anyone than more than say 8 lbs., almost anyhting will do. You don't need a waistbelt to carry the load, or a suspension system to help you.
But, if you need to carry any more weight, then something that fits, and is comfortable under load is a must.
The way most pack makers determine this is by using one's torso lenth - basically the distance between the base of the neck and the flat spot at the end of the spine.
So, find a design that is made in your torso lenth and try it out under load. Any decent shop that sells packs should be able to allow you to do this.
Keep in mind that we hunters sometimes carry alot of gear depending on where, when and what we hunt. Eight pounds is really a bare minimum for hunting.
Have fun. E

REI measured my torso length at 24" and says that there is no pack of any sort that they could recommend...

maybe things have changed more than i realize, but i have carried a number of backpacks in my life including the old alice external frame, an old kelty, and an old himalayan frame pack that many made fun of til they tried it... i was as tall then as i am now... maybe a tad taller even...

i may be too old and too fat to do it well, but i aim to try it...

I'm 6' 2" and just under 200 lbs and for the last 6 years a Bison Gear Lost River pack has seen hundreds of miles on my back

Made in the USA by hand and warranted for life!!

Did I mention MADE IN THE USA

You can go a couple ways, I think.
Try asking EdT, who might be off racing through the high country at the moment if he can recommend something. He's familar with alot of gear.
You can look for such a pack yourself. Try a web search. Just because some guy at REI can't help you doesn't mean it can't be done.
If you really need to carry much in the way of a load, you might see if you can get a custom built item from one of the more prominent makers. Doesn't take much to send them an e-mail and ask. E

i looked ay bison gears web site and determined to call them...
Spoke with Angelo there, this morning, and he will make me a pack that he guarantees will fit, and fit right...
not cheap, but most things that a guy like me can wear correctly aren't...

and still not as expensive as i expected either...

it's been an interesting thread...

What's cool is when you call BisonGear, Angelo is the one who answers the phone. They make your pack to your specs and I love mine! Tell him you want extra long lash straps....I wish I had them many a time.

I have added pockets and a ammo buddy inside mine to keep gear at finger tip reach

crookedhorn also American made

I have 2 models. I am 6'3" and weigh in at 230

You might try KIFARU packs. I'm 6-4 and 245 it works all day, everyday for me. Many different models and custom add ons, used packs are occasionally posted for sale.

I am 6 foot 1 and weight approx 400 lbs. i use a badlands 2800 and a badlands a super daypack. For the things i carry it seems that i get more in the super day than the 2200 even though its less cube. I bought a belt extention from cabelas. I had to reconfigure the extention buckles as they dont interchange but both packs are relatively comfortable for me. I also have an eberlestock with the larger hip band. It is really comfortable but i find its very heavy for my one day hunts.

Sorry i also have a badlands 2200 that is why i mentioned the superday works better for me than the 2200. The 2800 is great if you have meat to pack out or if your out several days.