Surely there are numerous people here who either enjoy hiking/camping or go on backpacking hunts. I need some advice concerning a proper pack to buy. Me and a couple friends like to hike into the Wilmore every year, and are going again this spring. Last year I used a POS pack which drove me nuts and I vowed to get a real pack next time. Our trips are usually 3-4 days, and we hike into camp about 7-8 miles. I figure I can get by carrying 40lbs of gear. However, I do hope to be able to go in and hunt sheep or maybe elk one of these years,so it would be nuce if the pack could do double duty by hauling meat too. I know there's lots of really nice Eberlestock and Badlands packs, and MR and Kifaru pack frames, but they are a bit out of my budget. I figure if I get a decent pack, I might be able to get a packframe later to put it on. So,if I wanted to spend around $150, what would you recommend? I wouldn't be against getting a good used one,if some knows where I should look.Thanks. Oh yeah, I'm 5'10" and 160lbs, not sure if packs are specific that way.
? for backpack hunters
- Thread starter xxclaro
- Start date
- Location
- Back in the Peace Country
I won't reccomend one, as I rarely pack meat or antlers or such, but I do a lot of hunt/hiking/camping. You'll want a good pack to carry your rifle and your meat and whatever,...
won't be long and you'll get replies, especially from the sheep and elk hunters.
won't be long and you'll get replies, especially from the sheep and elk hunters.
For 40 pounds, pretty well any internal frame pack will suffice but it's not like you can just buy a pack and then attach it to a frame later. It'll mean buying an entirely new pack. If you are looking at packing serious weight like that that comes with killing a sheep, then you have a delemma. I'd say go for an external frame if you are on a budget as you can get some decent external frames for under $300 and they can handle sizeable loads but you won't find many internal frames for under that that are up to the task of big loads.
I'd watch for a used one if I were you or you may want to check out the Cabela's Alaskan packs. The are a decent pack for the money. Just be sure to get one roomy enough to handle all your gear.
I have an Eberlestock "just one" series pack. I am very impressed with the quality and versatility. I have always backpacked in the off season and I hunt on foot almost exclusively these days and for the last two years the Eberlestock has been with me. I have hiked and hunted with other packs before {internal and external frame} but I love how the Eberlestock sits down low on your back and it has the aluminum frame spars that adjust well. I also use the webbing to attach various pouches and accessories.
I could go on and on but take it from someone who has put alot of miles on packs, the Eberlestock is sweet. The key is to go to a store like wholesale sports and try the different brands of packs and find one that fits you well.
I have heard good things about the Kifaru packs as well, but have no personal experience with them.
Save the extra 100$ and get a good quality pack, If your pack is pi$$ing you off, It will detract from your overall experience.
Mad Mikey
I could go on and on but take it from someone who has put alot of miles on packs, the Eberlestock is sweet. The key is to go to a store like wholesale sports and try the different brands of packs and find one that fits you well.
I have heard good things about the Kifaru packs as well, but have no personal experience with them.
Save the extra 100$ and get a good quality pack, If your pack is pi$$ing you off, It will detract from your overall experience.
Mad Mikey
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ya , but the cabelas one is made like a tank..
a large BERGEN pack are great for hiking/backpacking/load carrying. they are basically what a Kifaru is designed around except without the MOLLE attachments. They can be had for very reasonable prices, there 1000 denier cordura, comfortable, and washable inside and out. they are built to carry very heavy loads and for your height i would definitly go for the large, they do have mediums but they don,t hold as much gear and such, and they go thru the thick bush without snagging. i speack from my experience with them and have had several friends who are all happy with there purchases. to find them do a search of the web. my $0.02
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
While I am far from an expert, I do like my Jack Wolfskin pack. The pack should be fitted for you, and you should buy it from an outlet where the seller has some clue what he is talking about unless you know exactly what you want. This is the first internal frame pack I've owned, and it is much more comfortable than the old aluminum or wood external frame packs I've have previously used. On the downside, the internal frame pack is not so handy for packing out meat of a trophy head, but one can manage.
He said a Kifaru wasn't in the budget......
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Yup that is what he said.
Sorry, I should have remembered that that was one of things I've learned on CGN...my mistake for pointing it out again.
Or you could go Old school. Do you smoke a pipe?
we have a pair of these at the lodge I guide for. I have packed a LOT of moose and bear out on those old trapper nelson packboards. fantastic old kit.
Man, you need to be a real man to carry any weight on these old pack boards. I tried a nostalgic trip once with one and my back and shoulders got soooo sore! I can't imgagine how those old trappers went for weeks and months on end with 100-200 pounds on an old Trapper Nelson. I know I'm a pussy but damn I love the new packs!
Don't make the same mistake twice. Save your pennies and buy a good pack, don't buy timmys, bring your own coffee, quit smoking, have a few less drinks at the bar. Have a jar with a glued on lid that you put your change in, you will be amazed how fast the extra $100 for the better pack will come.
p.s. I have a eberlestock J104 (hunting) and an X1 (university) and I love them!
I love my X1 for extended day hunts. I hunt on foot and love to walk all day. it's a major advantage having your hands free, but you have to get used to taking the pack off to sit down, the rifle scabbard gets in the way. it lacks the space for a proper overnight pack (plenty if it wasn't a hunting scenario though).
Look around at some of the good outdoor shops in Edmonton or Calgary most will have a range from cheap to top of the line. You should be able to load the pack up and walk around the store with it, if it works buy if try something else. Pay attention on how to adjust a pack this will make a lot of difference in how it feels. You also need to be able to adjust your pack for the terrain [ uphill, down hill flat] this will help in the amount of fatique at the end of the day.
