Pack Size - How Big is Big Enough?

[cycloneshooter]

Needing a new quality hunting pack, but these babies are not cheap! Want to make the right to choice the first time and end up with a back that will last a loooong time.

Will be antelope hunting in 2015 (hopefully) and high country mule deer in 2017 or 18. I can see an elk in the future, maybe a moose, with the ultimate goal (like most people) sheep!

Reading online and talking with buddies who have done this already, i have heard 4500-4800 is enough. I see a lot of entry packs in the 3000-3500 range and have come to the conclusion that they are more day packs. I also see several in the 6000-7500 range and am wondering if that's too much.

My first research shows I really like the SG Sky 5100, as its collapsible down to day back size. But it also appears to be on the high end cost wise. Is a 5100 enough space for the regular backpacking gear? shelter, stove, pad, bag, clothes etc.

 

[go_deep]

This is what I did, I bought a 4000 cubic inch $15 army bag to see if I could comfortably fit all my gear into that size of bag. I personally find that I had a lot of leftover space so I knew I could comfortable go with a bag that size or even a bit smaller, then I did online research to find packs I thought I'd like then went to the store to try them on to see if I liked the feel. I actually take one of my kids with and have them ride in the pack so I know what it feels like with weight in it. The pack that worked best for me won't work for the next guy so you have to try them on to find what's best for you.

 

[ScottR]

Needing a new quality hunting pack, but these babies are not cheap! Want to make the right to choice the first time and end up with a back that will last a loooong time.

Will be antelope hunting in 2015 (hopefully) and high country mule deer in 2017 or 18. I can see an elk in the future, maybe a moose, with the ultimate goal (like most people) sheep!

Reading online and talking with buddies who have done this already, i have heard 4500-4800 is enough. I see a lot of entry packs in the 3000-3500 range and have come to the conclusion that they are more day packs. I also see several in the 6000-7500 range and am wondering if that's too much.

My first research shows I really like the SG Sky 5100, as its collapsible down to day back size. But it also appears to be on the high end cost wise. Is a 5100 enough space for the regular backpacking gear? shelter, stove, pad, bag, clothes etc.

It should be, with the load shelf you will have a hard time running out of space.

 

[cycloneshooter]

go_deep, where did you go to try on a variety of packs?

I am from Iowa and I don't know of many places that carry hunting style packs.

 

[go_deep]

go_deep, where did you go to try on a variety of packs?

I am from Iowa and I don't know of many places that carry hunting style packs.

I went to cabelas and sportsmans warehouse.
Might have to make a day trip out of it to go somewhere, but better than dropping $500 on something that doesn't fit your back or like i found out the one that I liked online when I tried it on it fit great then I started looking at it you had to undo the cinch straps to get into most of the compartments, so I saved myself the disappointment of buying it then not liking it.

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

There have been a lot of good pack threads on here the past few months, use the search function to check em out.

 

[25contender]

I dont think you can ever have enough cubic inches especially packing out animals. You can compress down all the better packs and you are not carrying much extra pack weight.

 

[jjenness]

I dont think you can ever have enough cubic inches especially packing out animals. You can compress down all the better packs and you are not carrying much extra pack weight.

Some good advice there.

 

[tttoadman]

I have a SG Solo which is is 3300. I can go 4 days with just the bag. After that I load dry bags on the side for food and water. I have loaded up for 10 days, and it is pretty stacked up. As you consume food and start finding water sources, the bulk goes away fast.

My setup works but if I bought a bag today, I would probably lean more to the 5000 range.