What pack to get

C

chap_dog48

Active Member
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I really what to get a new pack this year and I wanted to know what you guys think. Would like a pack that will hold up to the punishment of 6-10 mile hikes loaded or unloaded with meat or gear. May be have a pack large enough do a 3,4, or 5 day backpack hunt. Price is not super important. Can ya help.

Kurt-www.shootitimages.com
 
I have been using the Mystery Ranch Nice 5000 with load sling. MR also offers a discounted line through Camelback. Another good consideration would be the Kifaru packs.
 
Any of the upper end packs will do what you need them to. My suggestion would be to look at a lot of them and find the one that fits you the best and has the features you want. If you go to some of these bigger shows there are usually quite a few companies there that have their packs. You can try them on right there on the spot.

It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-17-09 AT 00:08AM (MST)[p]Hands down the Mystery Ranch Crew Cab with Day Pack Lid. Best pack on the market.
 
badlands is made in vietnam

mystery ranch is made in bozeman montana

horn hunter is made in usa but i dont know where

blacks creek packs are made in china

hope this helps!
 
I own 3 Badlands packs. I love every one of them. I use them for different situations. I don't know about the other packs mentioned but the Badlands has a lifetime warranty on their packs. Hope this helps!

It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com
 
I own an Eberlestock J104 and love it. It has sufficient room for gear for a 5 day backcountry hunt, plus I love how the middle section opens up enough to get plenty of meat in it. The gun scabbard right against your back is also a great feature for when you are hiking in or out or carrying a load of meat after being successful
 
1 small piece of advice, do not buy a eberlestock j104 you will be sorry!! Many other packs in that price range that will be much more comfortable!! Look at the badlands or blacks creek packs!! Im not just talking from my as$ either, have first hand experience with many many miles with a pack on my back!!!
 
I have a jansens ultimate hard core. its a nice pack, but i will be getting a MR crew cab for this year.
 
I have owned the eberlestock J104 for 5 years now and it has been a great pack. I have hauled loads in excess of 100lbs and it's performed awesome. You can tell it was designed by a hardcore hunter. I have never used a badlands or mystery ranch but have heard nothing but good about them.


Muleymemories

Just because a pack don't fit one person doesn't mean it is a bad pack for everyone.
 
I am going through the same issue. Mine is mostly for day trips with the ability to pack a buck out and for a possible three dayer. I think I have it down to the badlands 2800. For anything more than a three day trip I would look at the Badlands 4500, Kifaru longhunter or the mystery ranch. Let us know what you end up with.
 
>I have owned the eberlestock J104
>for 5 years now and
>it has been a great
>pack. I have hauled loads
>in excess of 100lbs and
>it's performed awesome. You can
>tell it was designed by
>a hardcore hunter. I have
>never used a badlands or
>mystery ranch but have heard
>nothing but good about them.
>
>
>
>Muleymemories
>
>Just because a pack don't fit
>one person doesn't mean it
>is a bad pack for
>everyone.


First of all you might be right about one pack fits another differently.If you never tried anything but eberlestock you might think its the best. Eberlestock being built by a hardcore hunter is way off. They started out building competion stocks for guns to compete in biathlons in the olympics. Far cry from a hardcore hunter. If you want very sore shoulders at the end of the day buy a eberlestock!!
 
Hey muleymemories why don't you check out eberlestock's website if you don't think Glen Eberle is a hardcore hunter. Also I have tried a number of packs and I like the Eberlestock and it does everything I need. When it comes down to it, it is all just personal preference.
 
I have the Sitka bivy 45 and love it. Its a great "bivy type pack" The mystery ranch is also a great pack. I have owned several badlands and they are ok just not in the same class IMO. I also don't like the hornhunter, some really like them but its not for me. (to heavy)
 
I've got the Eberlestock J105 and absolutely love it. I have indeed put it to the test many many a time fully loaded with meat and gear. Be it moose, mountain goats, cougars, black bears or monster muleys, I've packed them comfortably. When you can load up with twice the amount you can possibly carry, and your pack doesn't start ripping at the seams, you know you have a good pack. That is the kind of pack the Eberlestock is.
Sept20057a.jpg
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-18-09 AT 03:36AM (MST)[p]have you thought about a quality external frame that you lash your gear to? they make carrying heavy loads alot easier. not as fashionable but alot more dependable. i would only use the ones that have a shelf that supports the load from the bottom.
 
The one thing that i absolutely love about the Mystery Ranch Crew Cab is it has load cells and a pack lid that allow you to hall lots of gear into the back country (5,000 cu in total) Once you get to your destination, you can take out the load cells and collapse it down to 1900 cu's and now you have a low profile, light weight day pack! This was exactly what i needed! A pack that could get my crap miles and miles back into the woods but once i got to my destination, i didn't want to be hauling around a heavy 5,000 cu pack anymore. The crew cab was the answer for me.

Fever
 
I have most of the above mentioned like them all but Eberlestock J107 is by far my favorite for hunting season and backpack hunts. I use a smaller pack in the offseason, shed hunting etc. buy for packing 3-7 days, hauling meat, gun etc. Others may not agree, but I don't think it can be beat.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-18-09 AT 10:36AM (MST)[p]I bought badlands 4500 really didnt care for it, I went back to using my eberlestock J104.I have used it on everything from arizona elk to dall sheep in alaska and have never had a problem with sore shoulders. I think it just comes down to which pack fits you the best. With that being said the Mystery Ranch packs do look like they are really well built, I might try one of them next time.
 
I use the Badlands 2200 and Larry uses the Badlands 2800. We use these as daypacks or overnight packs at the most. We have packed out plenty of deer with these packs. I have a Kelty external frame pack with shelf for those multi day/night trips. Larry just bought the Eberlestock that he will try this next deer season. I looked at the Mystery pack. It looks ok but sure is ugly! What have you guys been using Kurt?
 
Ive got a Blacks Creek Canadian Ill sell you. Used for 1 week and no meat was hauled in it. Not too bad a pack.
 
Wilderness Pack Specialties out of Oregon has a new compact lightweight pack. It is an external frame pack with a compact frame.It is super light and comfortable. Has a 125 lb. load limit and can be used as a meat hauler. They are retailing around $260.00 to $280.00 with rain cover. Check it out, they are sweet! Have pics. if you want to see one?
Bill
 
muleymemories, I have a buddy who used a badlands 4500 for many years. He said it was a good pack.The last few years he has used the eberlstock J104 and I have to assume since he's using it instead of the 4500 says something about the pack.People come in all shapes and sizes.Sounds like your build is not a good fit with the pack. If there was a quality issue that is one thing, but to bash a product based on it not fitting you right is absurd.If you get sore shoulders from the eberlstock, it's because it does not fit your torso_One thing I like about the J104 is the compartments are IMO a lot more suited for western hunting than any pack on the market.After four years of abuse this pack is showing no wear and tear at all.It's a tough pack.

Mike
 
I got the badlands 4500 and love it. Don't think you can go wrong. Id suggest trying on a few though to see what works best for you
 
Badlands 4500... nough said. You won't go wrong, and they'll be blowing them out the door at the up and coming Hunt Expo.
 
Maybe my post got deleted? Im not sure what happened, however, I had said that Badlands makes a great pack. Their engineering is certainly geared for the hunter and well thought out. Backed by a super warranty and great functionality, You ought to try them out.

4974e46e102e3a2c.jpg


Az buck in a 2800

4974e48e10e98856.jpg


Co buck in a 2200
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-19-09 AT 03:50PM (MST)[p]Mystery Ranch with crew cab for sure. Very versitile to say the least. It can be closed up and sinched down into a small day pack, and expanded to carry out a load like this below with over 100 pounds of dead stuff and gear. That picture is a whole deer boned out, and the cape and hide was left behind or I would have needed a second trip. The picture angle did not show how wide the thing was with both side flaps folded out. It carried comfortable too and only a little hip road rash but a pack that heavy with only a t-shirt between you and it will give you that. I used to have a cabelas Alaskan pack it it is not even in the same ballpark
SANY0042.jpg
 
Well so many choices. I like the idea of buying American. We have to start some where to turn this economy around in the USA so buying American is one way for me to do my part. As for Prohunter/Phil we just have been using our small hydration packs for water and what little gear we carry and as you know when we get a deer we just throw it on our back and haul it out. If needed we half it and haul it out. We don't have many trade shows that make it to Southern Cal anymore and Bass Pro only has the Badlands and mainly just the Diablo, or 2200. I guess I will have to order one of the above mentioned try it on if its no good then send it back. Which Companies have good return policies like Cabelas. Thanks,


Kurt-www.shootitimages.com
 
chap_dog

You really need to look into Kifaru. www.kifaru.net

You fill out a form with your measurements and they build the pack to fit you. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Try it for thirty days and return it for a full refund if you don't like it. They also have a lifetime warranty. 100% made in the USA. Their gunbearer system is the best I've ever seen. My pack is nine years old and my wife's is eight. I told one of my friends about Kifaru and he now owns three. Check out their website and you'll see that Patrick Smith is the real deal.

By the way, I work for Cabela's so I have access to a lot of product but I pay retail for my Kifaru equipment because you can only purchase it factory direct.
 
I too swear by eberlestock. Outstanding design and comfort. The gun scabbard is truly the cats meow, especially where I hunt in extremley rough terrain.
 
I've tried all sorts of hunting packs and none compare to my ULA Equipment pack in regards to comfort and storage. It's made in Utah and only weighs 3 pounds. Most hunting packs that carry enough for a week often weigh over 7 pounds. Too much extra weight. I can easily pack everything for a week's trip and it doubles as a daypack. I found I don't need all of the gadgets that a hunting pack has; extra pockets, spotting scope pockets, etc.

www.cqheinbaugh.com
 
No one size fits all. I recommend that you go to the nearest Cabelas, Sportsmans, GM, or whatever and try on several. Even better if you can stuff some weight in them while you're trying them on. For the last couple years I've used a J104 exclusively, and for my purposes it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. My three most hardcore hunting buddies are all jealous of my pack, but I don't presume that it will work for every body type and/or size. I've hauled elk, deer, and barbary in mine, and I've loaded it down with as much as a 100lbs for an eight mile pack in and then back out and never popped a single thread. The way it distributes the weight, it does not feel that heavy.
 
>muleymemories, I have a buddy who
>used a badlands 4500 for
>many years. He said it
>was a good pack.The last
>few years he has used
>the eberlstock J104 and I
>have to assume since he's
>using it instead of the
>4500 says something about the
>pack.People come in all shapes
>and sizes.Sounds like your build
>is not a good fit
>with the pack. If there
>was a quality issue that
>is one thing, but to
>bash a product based on
>it not fitting you right
>is absurd.If you get sore
>shoulders from the eberlstock, it's
>because it does not fit
>your torso_One thing I like
>about the J104 is the
>compartments are IMO a lot
>more suited for western hunting
>than any pack on the
>market.After four years of abuse
>this pack is showing no
>wear and tear at all.It's
>a tough pack.
>
>Mike

I did the exact opposite as you, I sold my j 107 to get a badlands 4500. The badlands is heads and shoulders above the elberlestock IMHO.. I can shoot my bow with my badlands on, not so much with my j107 on. Also I liked the compartments in the badlands much better.
 
How do those internal fram packs treat you guys on the trail. Do they make you sweat like hell so you have to change after using one????? never done it yet, but may buy one, I'm hesitant

I'm still using a small dwight schuh frame pack and like the external frame. I stay dry, but am limited to about 2 days max due to capacity limitation

also, which brand is better for a msaller framed guy. I'm 5'8", thin framed.....my buddies badlands 2800 spins around my waist even at full buckle......
 
How do those internal fram packs treat you guys on the trail. Do they make you sweat like hell so you have to change after using one????? never done it yet, but may buy one, I'm hesitant

I'm still using a small dwight schuh frame pack and like the external frame. I stay dry, but am limited to about 2 days max due to capacity limitation

also, which brand is better for a msaller framed guy. I'm 5'8", thin framed.....my buddies badlands 2800 spins around my waist even at full buckle......
 
I definitatly sweat with mine, regardless the season, and that's one of the trade-offs. To compensate, I pack in a complete change of clothes along with body wipes that I'll change into before the serious hunting starts.
 
I would have to say to go with any pack that is Black Creeks Guide gear. In particular the Jim Horn series, which as a built in internal frame, a camelpack, and has plenty of room for storage. It also holds your bow or rifle with straps designed for both on the outside. By far the best pack around.
 
I recently made the switch from my old Cabelas external frame to the internals.

I tried the big Eberlestock on a three day trip scouting for deer (borrowed it from the girlfriend). It was good, and seeemed very durable, but I had the same complaint that I had on my old Cabela's pack. Most of the storage is in the main center compartment. Invariably, the item I needed was at the bottom, so every time I needed something, I unloaded the whole pack.

Because of that, I bought the Badlands 4500. It's got so many compartments and pockets, I had to remember where I put things, but I love not having to unload the pack for one item. The Badlands also seems to hold the load in closer to the body than the Eberlestock, which pulled back on me when fully loaded. No gun scabbard on the Badlands, but I generally hunt fairly open country, so when not carrying my rifle, I pinched it down crossways under the top bag. That worked great for me, but wouldn't work in thick timber country.

Don't know about the warranty on the others, but the Badlands website says you can return it any time, for any reason. They don't care if you're the original owner or if you bought it for a dollar at a garage sale. Still guaranteed for any reason.

Bottom line is, I love my new Badlands, but haven't tried some of the others.
 
Eberlestock J107 without a doubt. This is a great pack and will hold up to what you are asking of it and it's very comfortable.



Slide
 
I have had 2 Badlands including 4500 and have been using the Eberlestock for a couple of years. For what you describe I would say with 90%+ certainty that you would be happiest with the Mystery Ranch. For versatility and heavy load carrying capability the other two do not compare.
 
I don't have one yet but was drooling over one of the Mystery Ranch crew cabs at the expo. They look and feel like they would be the cats a$$ on a real backpack hunt. For a day pack, or where your constantly getting into your pack, it wouldn't be my first pick though. I have a Badlands 2200 and it is good for what I do now but would definatly spend the cash on a mystery ranch for extended stays and longer hauls.
 
The outdoorsmans has an awesome pack coming out. There is a good article in the Wesern Hunter mag. Volume 7 issue 4 by Floyd Green on the pack. You can also check it out on www.outdoorsmans.com as well.
 
More out of curiosity...Do you hike around in long johns on a regular basis?

I traded in my Superday Badlands for an Eberlestock J105 and don't regret it so far.
 
I have 2 internal frames and 1 external frame.

External frames are the ONLY way to go for camping trips over 5 days. I can strap on an endless amount of gear and meat to that pack and unfortunately I have tried. I have an old external made by Jansport. I bought it in 1991. The frame broke in 2000 from a huge load I was carrying in Colorado. I sent it in and they fixed it, and a few other things, and sent it back better than new.

Here are the benefits to an external:
1. Can carry more gear than an internal by 10 to one if you want. Weight may be an issue but volume is not. Lightweight volume can be attached to an external when an internal can't take another toothpick.

2. Pockets for all the gear. I dont have to open the pack and go to the bottom to find what I need.

3. Cheaper in price because they don't look cool and the popular kids don't wear them. Look how cute the new internals are. I dont care who sees my pack. Usually you cant see my pack, its covered in all the extra gear I carry.

4. I don't sweat nearly as bad as internal guys do. My pack stands 1 to 2 inches off my back. This allows air to flow right down my back. LOVE this feature. Someone above brought up the same thing.

Give up fashion and go for function.

"One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
 
Three of us have used the J104 many times for packing in and packing out multiple bucks and bulls. One hike in was 10+ winding, steep miles, and we stayed for 10 day and shot nothing. There were no complaints about the packs though. We didn't have any gear hanging off of our packs and we did have sore shoulders. The packs were very heavy and I cannot imagine that a different pack under the same circumstances would have somehow left our shoulders feeling great. My shoulders fully recovered in about half an hour.

Yes we sweated, but we were walking quickly for many hours and I again can't imagine that an external frame pack would have somehow kept me from sweating. Walking in it was 20 deg and walking out it was 60 deg and I sweated like crazy both ways. (Baby wipes are a must, even if only a few per day!)

Glen has answered the phone each time I've called and he certainly seems like a hardcore hunter. His pack works great for several hardcore hunters I know, and so even if a less then hardcore hunter designed the pack, it sure keeps us happy.

I really want to try a J107 but can't justify not using my J104. It has had been loaded and unloaded and carried several loads close to 100 pounds probably 20 times. I have yet to have any buckles or stitches break, and somehow no tears in at all. I'm sure other packs would keep me happy also, but my camps and meat will be carried in an Eberlestock J104 for several more years.
 
drannan my j104 is plum worn out. It SUCKs if theres more than 40lbs in it. The badlands rides much better. RUss
 
all you Eberlestock j104 guys should be sure you try the new j107 dragonfly, you'll like it. It is a bit heavy, but it's a good pack for what's being discussed. The Mist Ranch pack is in another league, but it's also very heavy and to properly outfit one, you're going to have to dig deep! It is a great pack though, but it's heavy too. . .
 
A couple guys in our group had internal frame packs. They all now have external frame packs.

I never have sweat covering my back. When I wear an internal frame, regardless of fancy fabrics or lots of padding, my back is soaked. I can be pouring sweat off my head and my back will generally stay dry. To me this is much more comfortable when packing for a week.

You may be able to pack 10 days of gear in an internal but it is not the same gear I pack. My foam pad alone would fill your internal frame. Your internal frame probably expands to 6000ci. My external is 5900ci and I can put more on after that. There is not one piece of gear I can leave or it will change the way I hunt. I need everything I take.

There are 3 reasons to go to external over internal.

"One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
 
I like the Badlands 4500, 2800, and 2200. They have all worked for me. I beat the living hell out of my packs and they always stand up to the abuse. I have had to take my old 2200 in once for repairs because it snagged on something and ripped. Anyways, I am looking forward to using the Badlands ox this year, and will also be trying out the new hybrid day pack.
 
In this country she can be pretty damn cold in the mornings and evenings in the highcountry, but it can get pretty warm come the afternoon. In that pic, I'm loaded down with my son's mountain goat, and it was a pretty darn good grind to get out. No sense worrying about what some people might think of me wearing just the long johns for the trek out. I'd much rather be comfortable. ;) So, to answer your question, Yep, I hike around in long johns on a regular basis. :)
 
For the External guys that think you can't attach anything to the outside of the Eberlestock, I certainly don't have any problems attaching things to it.
July27140b.jpg


You should see how many moose sheds I can attach to the outside of it. ;)

I've heard some complaints about the J104. It wasn't made adjustable, and every person is made different. The J105 and J107 models are adjustable, so if you play around with the adjustments, you'll find the right fit for you.
 
Not only are they adjustable, the suspension system had been completely redesigned. The dragonfly is a much improved pack. I have to say though, that the mistery ranch pack is a more stable and sturdy platform, but its also about thee times the price to set one up. . . If you plan to pack 100 pounds around all the time, the MR is a better pack. But over all for the price and the product, the ES J107 Dragon fly is tough to beet, and if you do any rocks or real tough terrain, the gun scabbard makes a big difference. . .

49a0a05130e2ae15.jpg



www.tonybynum.com

"Roadless areas, in general, represent some of the best fish and wildlife habitat on public lands. The bad news is that there is nothing positive about a road where fish and wildlife habitat are concerned -- absolutely nothing." (B&C Professor, Jack Ward Thomas, Fair Chase, Fall 2005, p.10).
 
What makes a good pack?

1. Comfortable
2. Durable
3. Size
4. Material

The external frame is more comfortable (remember the sweating back problem?), just as durable, bigger in size (can you attach to the top, sides, bottom, etc of your internal?), and the material is pretty much the same depending on the pack.

On which item above would an internal frame pack outscore an external?

Comfort? "Well my internal frame flex's with my body..." The sweat issue is such a HUGE issue with me that you could get a little flex out of your pack and it would not matter at all to most people.

Again, my foam pad would fill your packs. Good thing I have an external.

"One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
 
Add to that list

5. Access to gear

The external I have has 9 different pockets for gear. It is MUCH easier to get gear in and out than an internal.

"One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
 
Ever try to use an external in thick timber? There's a lesson in futility. LOL! They hang up on every thing. Then throw in heavy windthrow in the mix. My gawd, you are going to get frustrated rather quickly trying to crawl under and over and through blowdown. Then there is the noise factor. Pretty big and bulky to be stillhunting through timber with.

I did a mountain goat hunt a few years ago with my brother. He had an external and I had an internal. The basin we wanted to camp in was accessed only by busting through the rhododendron jungles of the high elevation Spruce/Subalpine Fir timber. I was going through it with ease. My brother was flailing. By the time we hit the timberline, he was beat and thrashed.

Another thing I personally hate about externals is the lack of balance as you feel very very top heavy. Try wearing one and crossin a log 15 feet in the air to get over a swollen creek. An internal like the Eberlestock hugs your body tight and feels like part of your body. I packed a huge lion out of a very steep timbered canyon with my Eberlestock. It was close to sheer vertical with slippery ice conditions under the snow. It would have been very sketchy with a external as balance and traction was essential or else I'd been risking life and limb. I was amazed at how comfortable I felt with about 100lbs of cougar on my back as I crawled up out of that hellhole.

What I really like about the Eberlestock is that it makes a great daypack that can carry your essentials for your dayhunt with very little effort. It isn't big and bulky and I can stillhunt through the thickest nastiest jungles with no problem of noise or hangups. Then when I get a critter on the ground, it opens up to be one hell of a meat hauler. No wasted trip back to the truck to get the packboard. I can skin, debone and pack out the critter right there and then.

As for comments about easy access to stuff in your pack, I'm under the assumption, those who have made these comments haven't bothered to even look at the Eberlestock. Lots of compartments with lots of access.
 
I'm not sure you can hunt a steeper place than the Wasatch of Utah. No problem getting up and down with my external.

As for balance. Having lots of pockets and balancing your load seems very easy with an external.

The part about the pack hugging close to your body, that's exactly what I DONT like.

"One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
 
Each to there own.

Around here we refer to our montains as being 'Steeper than the Back of God's Head'. It isn't just steep it is THICK. Devil's Club, Alder, Rhododendron and Azelea Jungles. It really does have a coastal feel to it. They don't call it the Interior Wetbelt for nothing.
 
>External frames are the ONLY way
>to go for camping trips
>over 5 days.

OMG, that is sooo funny. I suppose that is why external frames are so popular today.

To each their own, but the vast majority of packs sold today are internal frames or hybrid systems like the Mystery Ranch Crew Cab, and for good reason.
 
I still like my new 4500. sweet pack.


("For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9")
 
BCBOY has a lot of experience and i enjoy his pics on here of all the animals he takes. i'm sure he has a system figured out. I appreciate the conversation about the packs.

rradams, just because something is popular does not mean it is good, right, or better. Are you a fan of Hannah Montana? I bet you are, she is really popular so if you arn't a fan yet you better jump on the bandwagon. I bet on your way to go hunt and rough it you listen to all the POPULAR stuff like Jessica Simpson, Hannah Montana, and Britney Spears. Nice logic, "because it's popular, it's best." I left that type of logic in the hallway of HIGH SCHOOL.


"One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
 
AspenAdventures, you are right; popularity does not always make something the right choice. By the same token, being unpopular does not make it the right choice either.

My choice, and the choice of many others, is based on our own personal experience. 25 years ago I started out backpacking with internal frames and used them extensively for over a decade. I bought my first internal frame while in college, a nice Gregory pack. Since that day I have not used an external frame simply because the internal frame pack was better for my uses. It's as simple as that.
 
I am not a gear junkie and never had a good pack till I got my Kifaru Late Season. This is truly a great pack. Like someone mentioned before each Kifaru pack is custom built to your dimensions, they are 100% American made, and they are overbuilt as in the components they use. One look at the zippers and you'd understand what I mean. The gunbearer is worth the cost itself. I cannot imagine a better way of carrying the gun. It is within hands reach and works better than advertised. For 2-4 days it works well and if you need a little more consider the Siwash. By the way Kifaru's customer service is second to none!
 
Last year I bought the Eberlestock Blue Widow. It's essentially a J107 but without the built in rifle scabbard. This decreased the space between the frame and the load compartment. It's pretty dang comfortable IMO. I had a Badlands 2200 but didn't like how I couldn't get the belt to tighten up enough. With this pack I can and have really liked it for backpack hunts.
 
I am a pack rat. I love a lot of different packs and dont think that you can go wrong with any of the packs above. Here are my thoughts on a few of them.

Kelty External Frame: Nice pack if you are going a long ways not hunting in transit and want to take a lot of stuff. When hunting I usually strap on a good day pack to use when I gert there.

Blacks Creek Alaskan Pack: Great pack. I have pavked multiple days and day use both without a problem. I packed about 100 lbs of elk this last fall with out a problem.....other than the legs of the packer.

Kifaru Siwash: I love this pack. It is the most comfortable of my packs but also the noisiest. It handles loads well and overall is a great pack.

Badlands 2800: This is my newest addition and I have to say that I'm impressed. I stayed away from these packs for a few years becasue they just didnt seem big enough. This pack is definitly big enough. It also rides like a dream. I've done quite a bit of day stuff and I'm excited to see how it does on several day trips.

All of these poacks are great and will do a good job. But the best gear that you can get helps too too keep the weight and size down.

However I now have a new montra for my packs..........goats. I put whatever I want on them and keep my pack down to a simple day pack which is light and easy to carry.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

goats2.jpg


november292008deerhuntwithgoats015.jpg
 

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