Backpack advice/opinions

[nolanjs55@gmail.com]

OK guys,

was hoping you all could give some advice on a pack. I have bought and returned a bunch of packs recently and fear i may be trying to do too many things with one pack but here we go. I am looking for a decent pack that i can pack in a couple items such as a jet boil personal cooking system for lunch a water bladder, first aid kit, maybe an extra layer or two and various necessities when on an elk hunt....optics , gps walkie talkie etc. In addition, id like this pack to have a decent enough frame and possibly a shelf or roll away shelf that i could pack out an elk quarter with me. Im not opposed to taking the day pack off the frame either if need be but would be ideal to rest the quarter over the bag secure to frame and pack out. My biggest pet peeve is being bulky and the external frame packs i have seen are way too big both in bag and The top bar of the frame extending over my heads annoys me as all hell. I want to be mobile when hiking and i do not plan on doing an over night hike & camp. Im thinking more of a 3-5 mile hike in the morning and back out before dark. Any one that could steer me in the right direction would be a great help. Below are links to some packs ive looked at or own/returned. Once thought im leaning to is having the game shelf pack at camp but then having a pack with sturdy enough frame to take one quarter back then trade out packs for the bigger one.

1.) Badlands OX seems great as its 5 inches shorter than the Cabela's Instinct extreme but its price point at 599.00 is way to steep at this juncture. I love the design of the external frame though and how there is no crossbar above your head.

2. Cabelas instinct Extreme: great design just the bag is way to big for what i need and the top bar above my head annoys me so much. This pack is listed at 4700 cu in and 32" high. I would love it if this pack were 1/3 in size smaller. Its just way too much pack for me.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas- ... 608908.uts

3.) Where im leaning now is towards this Easton Full Bore. I have yet to play with it bc they didnt have it at cabelas but i have it on order after returning my last pack. I hope its not too small

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Easton-F ... 590663.uts


any other thoughts or recommendations would be great.

[Vanish]

I think you're looking way too large for a day pack. You can definitely pack out an elk quarter on more like 2500 cu in.

I do not use one, but something more like an Eberlestock x2 or Badlands 2800. I'm sure others will pipe up.

[Triplebhunters]

Badlands 2200. Works for me. And out almost every day anywhere from six to twelve miles depending on daily goal.

Thought it was too heavy at first, just needed something to complain about. But spent some time preseason adjusting straps and packing. Also trained with a pack that was heavier than 2200. Helped a lot.

Tough material, before using zipper make sure path is very flat and cover is peeled back.

Used mine many days in the rain this year and did not get wet inside.

Water bladder. Yep you want that. Does need a fixture to attach mouthpiece to pack with. Any body have ideas. Shoot them out here.

Couple other threads out here telling their opinions as well. Bought mine in 2012.

[nolanjs55@gmail.com]

I guess my question is not so much as the day pack...im thinking anything in that 2000-3000cu in range is more than adequate, my company makes an 1100 cu in recessed frame backpack and it does fine on day trips fly fishing.

im thinking about more if i am lucky enough to take an elk, will my pack be adequate to haul out meat? trying to find a nice median between a huge frame pack and a backpack. I have hope in this easton.

[WapitiTalk1]

Have you looked at the Eberlestock JP9 Blue Widows? They work great as a daypack (compresses down pretty small) and expands out to carry meat and/or haul in a backwoods camp. They are not that lightweight, weighing in at over 7 pounds but are a very, very tough pack. You can probably find a pre-owned one for $250 or less. Just an option to consider. I really like mine.

Here's a review by Sand's Archery.

[Mikeha33]

I'd second the Eberlestock Blue Widow, although I haven't packed an elk out in one. i did train with 85 lbs in it, and was pleased, and was more than happy with all of my gear packed in for a 7 day elk trip, (52# going in). I picked one up on CL for $300, and that came with the rifle scabbard, super spike duffel, and the blaze orange fly cover. It rode well, distributed weight evenly, and has more than enough room with the super spike duffel, which easily detaches quickly to shed a lot of size and weight, if you pack thoughtfully.
Good luck.

[nolanjs55@gmail.com]

Thanks Guys, great info. Thejp9 looks perfect, im curious to see how similar it is to the Easton. Easton is a tad smaller but similar in design. Ill report back once mine comes in, I played around with the dragonfly pack at cabelas last night and liked it i guess thats a bit larger than the j9. IF the easton fails my liking im going with the Jp9 it looks like.


http://eastonoutfitters.com/shop/pack/fullbore/

Glad to be apart of the forum, best info anywhere ive found.

[Njdiverdan]

I have the Tenzing TZ4000 which I used as a day pack the season. Check it out, may work for what you are looking for.

-dan

[twinkieman]

Blue Widow for me as well, and if you take off the top(fanny pack) it lightens up a pound or so. I have packed out elk with mine, and it works great! I have been packing since age 14 (53 now) and by far the most comfortable pack I have ever used. I have a small waist and some packs the belt section is just too large, but the Blue Widow works great.

[>>>---WW---->]

That Blue Widow J9 looks pretty nice. Another one you might look at is the Mystery Ranch Crew Cab. I used to own one. It's a great pack! Just more pack than I needed for my style of hunting.

[Justinhilljah]

I have the Tenzing TZ4000 which I used as a day pack the season. Check it out, may work for what you are looking for.

-dan

I have my eye on the TZ4000 as well. Can you message me with your opinion on it?

[Lark Bunting]

Another vote for the Tenzing packs. I have the TZ2220 for my day hunts and it worked out very well. I had it down to just a few necessary items and packed to the hilt and it held up great. Loved the bow sling for when I was just moving, loved the rain fly for the monsoonal rains we had here in Colorado. I still need to play around with the waist straps as the side pockets were a little tough to access when I was hiking but that's my fault for not setting that up before heading out. I like the internal frame as well.

I'm debating using it as my pack in hunt next fall. I'd like to experiment a couple times this summer with straps to hold my tent, sleeping pad, etc. I know it's not designed to be used in this manner but I think it could work. We'll see.

[ChukarNUT]

http://shop.bullmountainoutdoors.com/Ho ... k-HH15.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyqXrEol6Ks

I just tested the Horn Hunter Full Curl System. I was blown away. Quality is top notch. Hauls a heavy load great. And really is an all purpose pack. I would say its more than capable of 3-5 night bivy hunts. Although the way the pack is designed you could ditch the bigger pack part oif the system for a lightweight dry bag with much larger capacity and far less weight. I was very impressed the weight it handled hind quarters on a 2 mile pack out. Load stayed tight to the body, didnt shift at all, and the shoulder harness and waist belt was super comfy. Its nice to have a pack that can be used as a daypack but also is designed to carry a real load out when you get lucky;) On the same trip i also tested the Tenzing 4000. Not impressed. decent pack, but with a hind quarter it seemed to be stressed to the max--load was shifty and shoulder harness bit and pulled. I ordered the full curl system as soon as i got back. that link was the best deal i found for them. they also have some pretty nifty clip in meat bags. also they are made in the USA!! Utah boys! Paul--- another possible site sponsor?

[Indian Summer]

The NEW model Badlands 2200 for me. Now has 2900 ci of space & 1 lb lighter than the previous model. Layout is excellent. Packs an elk quarter just fine with the meat shelf. Price is right. Tried and proven time and time again. Lifetime unconditional warranty.

[navet]

I use an eberlestock J34...Just 1 pack....It was great for day pack or expands to larger than 4000cui. Did not pack an elk. i love the rifle scabbard.

[nolanjs55@gmail.com]

Horn HUnter looks exactly what im looking for! thanks!

im still awaiting my easton full bore pack. Will review it as soon as it comes in and i test it. It appears to be very similar in design to the design of the horn hunter and the eberlestock. At 189$ tough not to check it out. If it looks cheap ill just simply return to cabelas.

[elkmule123]

Eberlestock just one for me. I've packed out plenty of elk with it. I have the first model of it and my only complaint was that it was a little to long for my torso so it didn't ride my hips well. I picked up a new one this year and they have an adjustment for the torso length now. So no complaints on my elk this year.