I have multiple packs. One is a large Cabela's Alaskan frame pack. I was in the same boat of wanting a smaller day type pack. Picked up an Eberle X1 pack at the beginning of the season. Wish I would've done it several years ago. The built in scabbard is hard to beat. If it doesn't have my rifle in it, I have my Bog Pod and/or Black Diamond walking sticks in it. I carry my spotter and 21" tripod inside the pack. Perfect for day trips.
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- Thread starter ELR
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If you are looking to buy a daypack that has packing out game capabilities it would be a no-brainer for me. Take a look at the Kifaru website. It is loaded with videos about their pack options. The frames/bags are spendy but you will likely never need another pack in your life. What is nice about Kifaru is once you purchase a frame (capable of 100+ lb loads) you can add different bags depending upon your use/situation. I often use a smaller day bag for lighter, less bulky situations and switch over to a giant bag for spike camp/multi-night outings and packing large, bulky, loads of camp/meat. You can also add or subtract pouches and other options as needed. I've used and abused my Kifaru on everything from Colo elk...to Wyo antelope...to Alaska dall sheep and it works great! I've bought quite a few packs over the years and now that I bit the bullet and purchased Kifaru I will likely never need another.
Stone Glacier is also another pack to consider with rave reviews for hauling hefty loads. Unfortunately it doesn't come in camo which was the deal killer for me. Unfortunately both Kifaru and SG come at a spendy price...but you get what you pay for! Both SG and Kifaru colapse pretty tight and are relatively light for packs capable of 100 lb loads.
If Kifaru or SG are out of your budget I'd likely take a look at Arcteryx Bora 90/95 for hauling and buy a separate day pack for hunting. I used and abused my Arcteryx for years and packed a number of elk, moose, sheep, and goat out with no problem....although I can likely haul more weight/bulk with my Kifaru. Another option is to keep your eye out on Craigslist/Ebay/Rokslide/Kifaru or other websites for a used Kifaru. I got an almost new frame plus 2 bags for a fraction of the cost of new ones.
Stone Glacier is also another pack to consider with rave reviews for hauling hefty loads. Unfortunately it doesn't come in camo which was the deal killer for me. Unfortunately both Kifaru and SG come at a spendy price...but you get what you pay for! Both SG and Kifaru colapse pretty tight and are relatively light for packs capable of 100 lb loads.
If Kifaru or SG are out of your budget I'd likely take a look at Arcteryx Bora 90/95 for hauling and buy a separate day pack for hunting. I used and abused my Arcteryx for years and packed a number of elk, moose, sheep, and goat out with no problem....although I can likely haul more weight/bulk with my Kifaru. Another option is to keep your eye out on Craigslist/Ebay/Rokslide/Kifaru or other websites for a used Kifaru. I got an almost new frame plus 2 bags for a fraction of the cost of new ones.
TimberJunkie
Active Member
I don't like to bad mouth brands, but I would stay away from Kifaru. I had two packs come apart in the last two seasons on me. I was helping a frind pack out an elk. I had a rear quarter and a front quarter on my hunting platform frame with timberline bag and had a strap rip out and separate from the pack frame. We tried to field repair it and because of the weight, the other side ripped out. Kifaru said I was misusing the pack since I was carrying over 150 lbs. A weight easily handled by my eberlestock and Kuiu. I found that customer service was really blaming the pack failures on me. They still ended up fixing it free of charge , but it took two months to get it back.
A lot of guys like Kifaru, and I think they are not the most comfortable, but probably work for most hunters. I like my Kuiu stuff, but I think Stone Glacier is the best pack out there.
If you have the money, check out Oregon Pack works. Great little Shop making some bullet proof stuff.
A lot of guys like Kifaru, and I think they are not the most comfortable, but probably work for most hunters. I like my Kuiu stuff, but I think Stone Glacier is the best pack out there.
If you have the money, check out Oregon Pack works. Great little Shop making some bullet proof stuff.
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
Wow, that's probably the first negative review I've seen of Kifaru amidst probably hundreds of positive posts/ comments etc. Most reviews praise these packs and they have a cult like following. I have on the other hand read tons of bad reviews on Kuiu packs. Thanks for posting.
TimberJunkie
Active Member
Random people get bad equipment. I have only had a few bad pieces of equipment over they years. Kifaru is probably a great pack for 99% of buyers. The only other companies I have had negative reviews of are Ruger and lowa. Lowa boots have left a permanent scar on me. Never again.
I would have to agree with CoHiCntry in regard to Kifaru. I usually study up on reviews pretty hard....especially before spending a chunk of change. I can't remember any posts similar to TimberJunkies in regard to Kifaru complaints but anything is possible. It's always nice purchasing gear that have lifetime warrantees but even better when you don't ever have to use them! What ever pack you choose make sure to look up multiple reviews on websites similar to Rokslide. Take a look at Kuiu vs Kifaru pack reviews and it may open your eyes!
j-kam406
New Member
Ive carried some heavy loads on the Badlands 2200. The pack is strong enough but the only problem is it places the meat on the outside of the bag, away from your body. The best system I've used, and do you use now is the Mystery Ranch packs with the NICE frame. It allows you to carry all of your gear and then place meat close to your back, between your frame and the pack bags. You can also switch multiple pack systems with the NICE frame allowing you to use day packs and expedition packs with the same frame. They are expensive, but they are bombproof!!!
TimberJunkie
Active Member
I use mystery ranch packs on wildland fires. I pack one for hundreds of miles and days on end in the summer. Comfortable and rugged. I am sure their hunting packs are equally great. Too expensive for me, but great stuff.
Ok, I've still been searching and I've stuck with the Blacks Creek Answer and grip frame. Or the Badlands 2200. Both fairly different designs...But, in theory I wanted the black creek to have any heavy meat closer to my body, but being a Midwesterner with a wife and 2 young children I don't see that I will be making annual elk trips but maybe biannual or every 3 yrs. so maybe a pack that isn't $450 is a better idea! Any pros or cons on a Badlands 2200?
mntnguide
Very Active Member
Every badlands pack i ever had fell apart pretty quickly on me. I will never again buy anything from them. . Its been years since i used one of theirs, so maybe they have come around. But I personally did not like anything about the pack from comfort to durability. I have heard decent things about blacks creek, but havent used one. Just my personal opinion of course, but from the use i put to packs, the 2 badlands i had years ago fell to pieces quick and were not a pleasure to haul around..In my thoughts, if you are gonna spend money on a pack you will use even if only once and a while...Get a pack that you are going to like and that will not kill you packing out game. The money spent on a pack is well worth it. . Take a look at the Full Curl pack system by horn hunter. I have heard a lot of good reviews of it especially for the price.
Do you ever wish the quartered out animal was closer to your back rather than on the outside of the pack?
GOSHENGRUNTER
Active Member
I've used Badlands Packs since 2004. I have a fanny pack, a super day an the Summit now. My buddy has the 2200.
Summit is my choice but the 2200 is great! The load distribution is phenomenal.
I did have one zipper break years ago. Sent it in and they fixed it no questions asked. I buy a ton of Badlands gear because I like it and it has an unconditional lifetime warranty.
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Summit is my choice but the 2200 is great! The load distribution is phenomenal.
I did have one zipper break years ago. Sent it in and they fixed it no questions asked. I buy a ton of Badlands gear because I like it and it has an unconditional lifetime warranty.
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luckynv
Active Member
Easton Fullbore 5600 or 3600, strong, comfortable, height adjusts, great suspension, sturdy, inexpensive, big enough to carry anything, not as light the higher end but not as heavy as full frame. Good luck and God bless
mallardsx2
Veteran member
- Jul 8, 2015
- 3,895
- 3,199
http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabela-s-ground-hunter-pack/1932046.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&N=0&fsch=true&Ntk=AllProducts&Ntt=chair%2Bbackpack&x=10&y=6&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=chair+backpack
Search no more.... this one is awesome...I hate sitting on the ground while glassing (Makes me cold) and it doubles as a rock solid shooting rest if needed.
Search no more.... this one is awesome...I hate sitting on the ground while glassing (Makes me cold) and it doubles as a rock solid shooting rest if needed.
ShepDog
Member
Just got my Blacks Creek Answer pack with Grip frame. Can't wait to load the meat shelf and clip my pack bag on top. Love it, durable, quality, and solid. Transferred over all my stuff from my Badlands Diablo. I can haul a quarter or two and take my pack out on first trip. No more trips back to the truck to get my pack board. Anyone else used Blacks Creek packs before???
NHK9
Member
GOSHENGRUNTER
Active Member
I'll have to ask him. I don't recall anything about it though. Sometimes it feels a little low in my summit if I don't have a full pack. But it never bothered me. I packed out a quartered whitetail doe this year and it felt odd. I stopped, rolled up my jacket and extra gear in a waterproof bag and put the meat on top. The weight sat better and made and easy pack out.
I'll ask him about the 2200
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I have a eberlestock j34 and x2. I take booth to camp with me and use depending on days out. X2 is my light and fast pack and j34 is my pack out or overnight pack. I have a detachable scabbard on my x2 and a built in one for my j34. I have packed lots of stuff with booth and have not had them fail me. My badlands pack super day seems to always have zipper problems and badlands just lubes the zippers and I can't open or close them after the end of a season it back to the "lube" shop. I wish the would replace the zippers but no go for 3 consecutive years. I stopped using it last year. Look at the eberlestock packs. The expand so you can haul way to much!!
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Have you had a chance to load the answer up at all yet? Did you get it straight from blacks creek or a different retailer?