Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Badlands packs aren't high end. They are decent packs, but more comparable to Eberlestock. And between those, I prefer Eberlestock.
Suggestion for a 5-6 day hunt
- Thread starter Work2hunt
- Start date
Ridgerunner
Active Member
- Feb 21, 2011
- 308
- 0
I would not hesitate to pick up a used higher quality pack, although it may cost a little more it will be worth it, if not just sell it down the road you'll lose very little money on it
dzlfarmboy
New Member
- Feb 20, 2013
- 30
- 0
I'm in the same boat as you, just getting started getting into this backpack hunting and I'm giving the J107 Dragonfly a whirl, seems like it will be good for what I want and very versatile in going from small to expand big for all the gear and I really like gun scabbard. Just got mine yesterday.
Darktimber
Member
Check out the Horn Hunter full curl system to. It would be right in your price range and it can pack some serious weight. It is also very modular so you can change it up to your needs. The load lifters on it actually work very well to with lots of room for adjustment. I have packed out plenty of elk on mine and it does good. The one flaw with it is that it does not have an adjustable torso so it either fits you or it doesn't. You can do some mods to them to shorten them up a little but that is about it.
Anybody have experience with the Tenzing packs? Ive been watching them for awhile and tried on their 5000 and 6000 packs this year at an expo. Ive tried on Badlands, Eberlestock, and Tenzing and preferred Tenzing. BUT... I only tried them on, never hunted with them so that only goes so far. Still using the Cabelas Alaskan guide packframe until I can decide which upgrade to make.
Grantbvfd
Active Member
IMHO I would say you wouldn't be upgrading that much if at all from your current setup. The Cabelas packframe is great for what it is and will carry a heavy load better. Save your money and buy a high end pack. Use what you have until then.
That's why I've been real patient with the process and am awaiting some real reviews on the tensing... Also keep researching the higher end (kifaru, kuiu, mystery ranch). I don't have any real complaints other than I think I would gain some comfort with the internal packs, and it sticks up pretty high over my head, makes navigating through thicker stuff a little more work.
So I am a rookie when it comes to 4000+ cu in packs/cargo haulers/meat haulers and what to expect while wearing them. I still haven't picked a pack out, mostly because we decided not to do the trip this year but are planning to next year.
I was able to borrow an Eberlestock dragonfly from a friend of a friend to try out. So I loaded it up today with about 90 lbs worth of dog food and went on a 1 mile walk. My questions for those that use larger packs for hauling camp in and meat and camp out is I felt fine in the back and shoulders, but my hips were pretty sore. Is this typical? Also I really felt like I was leaning forward to compensate for the weight. Will a higher quality pack (kifaru, mystery ranch, stone glacier) allow you to walk more upright or is compensating for the weight by bending forward a given no matter what the pack is?
I was able to borrow an Eberlestock dragonfly from a friend of a friend to try out. So I loaded it up today with about 90 lbs worth of dog food and went on a 1 mile walk. My questions for those that use larger packs for hauling camp in and meat and camp out is I felt fine in the back and shoulders, but my hips were pretty sore. Is this typical? Also I really felt like I was leaning forward to compensate for the weight. Will a higher quality pack (kifaru, mystery ranch, stone glacier) allow you to walk more upright or is compensating for the weight by bending forward a given no matter what the pack is?
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
My guess would be you are compensating for the lack of load lifters, and by leaning, you are constantly changing the amounts of pressure on your hips, causing the pain.
I had the exact same problems with my Eberle J104 with really heavy loads like that. I have not had those problems with the SG and Kifaru.
I had the exact same problems with my Eberle J104 with really heavy loads like that. I have not had those problems with the SG and Kifaru.
To throw 90 lbs in and go off the bat is a lil extreme imo. If your just trying it out start with say 50lbs and 2 miles it will allow you to pinpoint the pack weaknesses and figure out what you would want in a pack. Walking down the road with a load and spending multiple days afield with a pack are really different circumstances. The packs you mention are high quality, proven load bearing, workhorses. Some of which are actually custom designed for your torso length and waist size. Allowing quality manufacturers to do what they do is a big step financially. The off the shelf packs are really designed to get anyone by. For a large variety of uses. Once you spend some time in the hills with a pack you start to question its design and create your own. Thats where the custom higher dollar packs come into play. They have thought about what you want giving you alot of versatility and making your investment worth it.
I hear what you are saying. I really like the ability of the dragonfly to zip up and turn into a daypack with the side pockets for scope and tripod. Then when you need to haul out some meat you can unzip it and put some meat into the mesh inside. If you need to add some more room you can zip the duffle bag to the outside.
Does kifaru or stone glacier or any of the others have similar options? Preference to a model between kifaru or stone glacier?
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
The Timberline bags have long side pockets, that are perfect for spotter and tripod. The SG has an integrated meat shelf. The Timberline can also be used as a meat shelf with the frame. However, the Kifaru has accessories like the hanging meat bag that separates the meat from your gear in the packbag.
Both bags compress easily into daypack mode.
I loved my J104, and it packed out plenty of game with me, but the SG and Kifaru are superior packs when it comes to heavy load comfort.
Both bags compress easily into daypack mode.
I loved my J104, and it packed out plenty of game with me, but the SG and Kifaru are superior packs when it comes to heavy load comfort.
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Shaun
Active Member
- Jan 7, 2012
- 243
- 0
I did 18 miles this last weekend in the CA high country getting ready for Alaska and had 80lbs in my Kifaru BT1 thing rides like a cadilliac. I can only compare it to my previous badlands packs though. I know BB did a full blown review between the two packs SG and the Kifaru Highcamp Bikini so he is only one I know that has knowledge between the two
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
PointsHunter
Member
My 0.02... I looked at several and ended up purchasing a Kifaru Timberline 3 with duplex frame last year. It's great for day pack and good for up to 2-3 nights. For anything longer I would want something a bit bigger. It's not a cheap pack but I'd definitely say Kifaru has great customer service and high quality product. I would purchase again in a heartbeat.