What makes a primo elk pack?

[WapitiTalk1]

What do you cats think are the best features of a functional elk hunting pack? I'll leave it at that

[CurlyTail]

1. adequate capacity for intended use.
2. Fit and Comfort
3. Durability
4. Quality zippers and buckles
5. Reasonable cost

last but not least - It helps if it looks really cool

[husky390]

1. Comfort
2. Lightweight
3. Hip belt pouches and lid
4. Ability to expand and compress
5. Meat shelf

[WapitiTalk1]

I'm not positive, but this one may be a tad large for most elk hunting applications. It does look like it would expand out large enough to carry camp in, and, carry camp and a whole elk out ..

fc522765053c1dcb8aef8bb9cbada6c1.jpg (15.57 KiB) Viewed 3775 times

Keep em coming. Is the material important (does an elk pack need to be waterproof, quiet, and does color matter?). Husky mentioned a meat shelf. Is that a show stopper for others? I would think functional load lifters may be on most desired features lists? What would be an acceptable CI size for an all in one pack?

[rowdycwby1]

1. Comfortable when carrying gear or heavy load
2 Meat shelf
3. Plenty of space for gear
4. Durable , warranty, and customer service from manufacturer
5. Quite
6. Hydration system
7. Lightweight
That's the main thing I look for first! There some things like a meat shelf that's not a deal breaker as long as I can carry meat out I'm happy. I like something like the badlands 2200 small enough for a day pack but big enough to carry meat out.

[husky390]

Meatshelf is a nice feature built into my pack that I've yet to use. To me, it's a nice feature to have so I don't have to mess with trying to stuff boned out meat into the main bag. I spent a lot of time this summer with my pack, it's 7,400 ci, easily handles my entire camp and compresses down very well for "day hunt mode". I am of the mindset that I'd rather have a little extra room if needed than trying to cram everything into a smaller pack. After watching my hunting buddy play Tetris with his smaller pack trying to load everything up I knew I made the right choice.

Also, no center zip access to the main bag is a deal breaker for me. Especially on the larger packs.

I don't believe there is a pack out there that is waterproof. I have a pack cover that I'll bring with me if I need to. Otherwise, if it looks like it'll rain, I'll just stuff my sleeping bag and extra clothes into a contractor trash bag.

Color: I don't think it matters, it's either on your back (behind you) or on the ground. The pack I'm currently using is gray. I have a pack in Highlander, looks cool, and another one in green/tan. Funny thing is, I'm not wearing it when I'm set up and after looking like The Great Pumpkin with a boom stick last month and having a doe stop 10' away from me and stare and have a spike bull stop 20 yards and not see me, I'm kinda pissed at myself for spending big money on fancy camo for archery.

[Njdiverdan]

Fit is number 1 for me. For an elk pack, to me that means fit with the max weight you would be packing in / out with it. This could be 80-100 pounds or better.... That is where most backpacking packs suffer, when you get above 40-50 pounds. With fit is adjustability for your personal body shape / how you like your pack to fit / feel. Fit to me also includes the load lifters because if they are not at the proper angle they do not do much.

Second is durability, I don't want zippers or buckles failing in the field. I have had both fail on my previous packs. The manufacturer stood by it and fixed it, but I had to deal with the issue in the field.

Third is bag size / layout. I like a panel load bag (or a center zip) for same reasons as stated before, it is much easier to find / pack gear than just through a top loading bag. I do not need a lot of pockets, but do like a couple of belt pockets for easy access. Hydration compatible is also a must for me, but again personal preference.

I like a meat shelf option as well, but that is personal preference. Many will just drop the quarter in the bag.

Color....unless it is reflective or shinny, I really do not care.

All that being said, I am running a Kifaru Duplex with their Mountain Warrior pack. Because of my torso length, I need nearly custom pack, and Kifaru build your pack to your size. It is not 100% custom, but they do adjust everything based on your personal measurements. I was really close to going with Stone Glacier instead, but really worried about the overall fit as I had dealt with too many packs in the past that almost fit.

-dan

[ElkNut1]

What I look for is a pack that is very good for hunting & packing, not just one or the other. I feel there are several that fit that criteria, some better than others at varying costs! The issue I have with so many of even the popular packs of today is their design! They are not hunting packs, they are back packing packs. A good hunting pack needs to have dual functions, packing meat & belongings & hunting with pack on your back if an all day hunter! This pack needs to be in the 5lb range empty, it must have a function that can carry your daily needs & items that are most used during ones trek & these items need to be accessed without pack removal. Such items as camera, gps, compass, headlamp, water & the such or whatever is important to the hunter that can be easily accessed on ones waist belt. It should also serve as a reasonable meat hauler that can handle a total wt of 100# + & stays solid to ones torso no matter the terrain & have functioning load lifters, these load lifters should be well within reach to pull wt up or relieve pressure easily once back to the rig. (many packs are difficult to relieve the load lifter buckle)

This pack should be able to load & secure either boned meat or meat left on the bone such as front shoulders or hindquarters, hunters should not be forced to bone out meat because that's the only way the pack can carry it! Meat should be able to be secured to a pack quickly, this means within a couple minutes with bagged meat & off you go with no lashing with bungees or rope, pack should have all needed compression straps already attached. The pack should be capable of loading meat without using the main bag, meat is best hauled against the frame & still leaves main bag free for personal belongings. This pack should also have a min 2 outside pockets on the main bag/pack that can hold misc items as first aid kit, food for the day & other small necessities that can be easily accessed without rooting through ones large bag pack.

This pack also needs to have two cylinder pockets, one on each side for spotter/saw & tripod. Also 2-3 compression straps on back of pack for excess clothing or to secure your bow on your pack if one so desires, it does not need a bow bucket to accomplish this.

All in all you look at all these doable features & you have a well rounded pack that will serve any purpose & is a pleasure to wear & give you the confidence that you are ready to hunt or pack meat right from the crime scene. The pack should be of reasonably quiet yet tough durable materials. This is the pack I want on my back!

The issue today with some of the big named pack companies is they lack many of these features, yes they are good well built packs & have a few of these various features but they heavily cater to the Back Packing community not the serious hunting community. The pack doesn't need to break the bank! These features should be all on the pack not added on as accessories where the next thing you know you're paying 800.00 + for a pack that should come with 4 tires & a motor! (grin) 300.00 to 500.00 is an affordable price range for most blue collar workers which most of us here are!

No need to mention pack names, just look at your present pack or one you're considering & see if these features are all there. If they are not, keep searching, there are ones out there that will serve the dual purpose of hunting & backpacking & take the frustration out of fighting to make a pack work where it wasn't designed to do so!

ElkNut1