For what it is worth, if you have any level of TagHub membership you can get 15% off your order if you go the Eberlestock route. That page is available even with a free trial.
I have the small alps day pack and fanny pack, I just need a little bigger packI first heard about Alps when my son was in scouts and needed a pack for a weeks stay at Philmont in Colorado. The scouts recommended Alps as a cost effective pack that was decent quality. It did fine (dont remember model). Ihave the Alps "big bear" model that i primarily use when i walk to my deerstand. I just got back from a hiking trip in the smokey mountains and wore the pack. Not long or hard hikes and it was fine.
If i was going elk hunting and needed a day pack i would use my eberlestock x1a. Its a better pack (comfort, organization, etc) but of course it costs alot more than the alps.
Unless you need something ASAP, i still recommend hitting the forum classifieds, ebay. Craigslist. Ive looked for the badlands superday and some have been selling for under $100. I havent found any still available.
Eberlestock, stone glacier, exo, kuiu, sitka, kifaru, badlands, mystery ranch would be some of the names id look for in a used pack. Im sure i missed some.
This is why i ended up with my nicer packsNot sure if this helps as most of you guys are very dialed on your systems, but here is a philosophy piece for me. When it comes to using a daypack from a truck hunt or from basecamp I won't use something that can't pack an elk quarter back to camp on the first trip. That means dealing with a little more weight and some type of frame and stay material. The Mainframe works well for that purpose, but many other brands do have the same functionality. The downside is that tends to add a little coin to the purchase to get one that is reliable and tough.
I haven't bought one yet but I'm looking at the badlands super pack and the vapor 2500 can't decide yetWhat did you end up with?