Backpacking Pack Help

backcountryID

Active Member
Messages
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I am in the market for a new backpack. I will be using this pack on 4-5 day backpack hunts for elk and deer. But let's be honest I will also be using the pack for summer backpack trips, as well as during ski season. Looking for all around use with an emphasis on backpack hunting.

I would like hydration options, sleeping bag storage, and bow/gun mounting if possible. I am primarily looking at packs around 6000 ci.

I have taken a hard look at the Tenzing tz 6000. The pack seems to have everything I am looking for, but I recently read some unfavorable reviews on the company.

I like eberleestock, but their packs seem extremely focused on hunting features. That is great, but I only hunt big game for 2 months of the year.

Am I better off just picking up a pack from REI, and lashing my bow to the back?

Thank you for your input?
 
When you find the pack you want let me know. You will have found the ultimate pack.

I have searched and bought some of the best packs out there. They are highly marked up, sometimes too specialized. I recently found Oregonpackworks. They have some awesome packs, well thought out, and are made of water proof material. But I wonder if a good ol'Jansport, or Osprey pack won't fit the bill.

I'm very interested in what you find. I'd like to sell them on my new outdoor gear website coming up.

Good luck!
 
I have been really happy with my Horn Hunter Full Curl System. Can customize the pack to as big or as little as I need it with the different bags you can use.

Rides great and carries 80 pounds better then most any other pack I tried(Mystery Ranch being the best but I couldn't afford that at the time). For the price, I think I got the best bang for my buck with plenty of money left over to buy some other toys.
 
You are wise searching for something over 6,000 cu in! A lot of guys rave about some of the more expensive packs. I believe Kuiu just came out with one as well as Mystery Ranch and Kifaru. Barney's in Alaska that a lot of hardcore Alaskan's tend to rave about.

The pack I've used for the past 20ish years with 0 problems is an Arcteryx Bora 90. I've used mine to pack out moose, sheep, mtn goat, deer, antelope, and elk out of ungodly hell holes! You can likely find one somewhere on the web, craigslist, or ebay for the fraction of the cost of others.

You are smart looking at the reviews of different packs before buying one. If possible you may want to try it on with an 80+ lb load before buying.
 
I played with the Eastom Outfitters Talus 8000 this past week. Nice pack. Video below showing what it has to offer. It's 6800 cubic inch. I think they're around $400. It's a pack I think I'd be plenty happy with.

Last year I used the Badlands 4500. I've actually used it quite a bit over the past few years. I've had the waist belt break twice because I was guilty of folding the belt underneath the pack in the truck or car or whatever and it wore it out. Broke at the worst time both times. Had a couple zippers replaced this past winter. The zipper do get hard to zip when cold. Maybe some zipper lube would be helpful.

A pack I have used a lot over the past 10+ years is my old Nebo Sports 75+10. Another company bought them out and renamed the pack, and I think a few are still available. I saw them a couple years ago for under $100. That has been a great pack and I always loved how it felt on my back. My wife uses it now.

My new pack I bought a few months ago is the MountainSmith Lariat 65. I paid under $200.00 for it. I'll be using it this week. If you care, I'll post what I think about it.

Easton Outfitters Talus 8000 Highlights

This is the MountainSmith Lariat 65
1663pack.jpg


Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
Will you LIKE MonsterMuleys.com on Facebook! I need a friend....
 
I'm in the market for new pack as well. I have been looking at the new Exo mountain pack. Its not quite the 6000 you are looking for but they have it in the 3500 and 5000. http://exomountaingear.com/
I had a chance to try one on last weekend and really liked it. Just trying to justify buying a new pack...even though I really NEED it... :)
 
Used the MountainSmith Lariat 65 on my trip the other day. I do like it. The removable small day pack is nice. I wish it were a bit larger and maybe made just a little better, but I like having that day pack for my short hikes after packing in.
The backpack itself felt really good. I wasn't hauling a very heavy load though, so I can't say how well it'll workout with a huge fall load.
It's a pretty simple pack. No side pockets, internal pockets, none of that. Just has the one large main compartment, the removable day pack and the top compartment. Simple is good for me.
It's lightweight. Obviously I have no idea how well it'll hold up long term.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
Will you LIKE MonsterMuleys.com on Facebook! I need a friend....
 

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