Just curious what everyones opinion is or what they use when they backpack in for a pack?? Do you hunt with your frame pack?? Do you take an extra pack to hunt with?? Kinda torn between wanting to be able to hunt lightweight with a small back or having a pack big enough to take a small load with after a kill but I don't want to have to carry my frame pack all day. What do you use??
What packs are you using??
- Thread starter kjw
- Start date
cali_hornhunter
Active Member
I currently use a eberlestocks X2 and blue widow but in the process of upgrading to a kifaru duplex timberline 1
tdub24
Veteran member
Check out this thread.
http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php/4355-Stone-glacier-vs-Kuiu-packs
http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php/4355-Stone-glacier-vs-Kuiu-packs
I use a badlands super day for day hunts and the Cabelas Alaskan frame and pack for my pack in hunts. Works well and the frame is very comfortable. Sometimes I will take the day pack and strap it to the frame for day hunts or one overnight hunt.
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
I'm going with a kifaru bikini/highcamp setup up for pack ins this year and kifaru bt3 for day hunts. Should receive it ins few weeks so I haven't had any field time with either. I did try them on at the sheep show though! I think I'm going to be a happy camper
This is my current method. I am such a creature of habit, i have not found anything to hunt day to day that compares to my "wilderness pack specialties" daypack that I have had for about 15 years. I also have the same frame pack that i have had for over 25 years.
I know the frame packs can be noisy. Do you ever strap the daypack on to the frame pack and take them on your day hunts while leaving the base camp stuff on top of a ridge a few miles away? I can understand why somebody wouldn't want to put a buck down at dark, and have to hike all the way back to get a pack. I just have a hard time parting with the money for an "all-in" pack unless I am committed to carrying it all day. completely undecided!!
DryFlyGuy
Active Member
SprintNShoot7
New Member
For hunts from the truck, I use a Badlands 2200 as my day pack, with my Badlands OX and Cabela's frame pack at the truck for meat hauling. This spring and fall I'll be using the Badlands OX as my backpacking pack.
arrowslinger21
Member
RUTTIN
Veteran member
I bought an Eberlestock Blue Widow just for this reason, I can unzip the panel, haul all of my gear in and when I get camp set up I can zip it back together and have a day pack too.
LintonOutdoors
New Member
I can afford some of these packs mentioned above ;-) so I also use an Eberlestock Blue Widow. Really like the unzipping to expand as I haul camp in, dropping camp, and then zipping back up into a compressed day mode. I also really like the quick release bow bucket as well, sure saves the arms on long hikes and I know if i bump something I can get it off my back and to full draw in 10 seconds.
Muleys 24/7
Veteran member
I've been happy with my Eberlestock J107. It has the same features as the Blue widow, but the gun version. If you want to go super light not to far away from your spike camp, you can turn the top into a fanny pack. The pack is a few pounds more than the super light packs but very versatile. If your in good shape the pack will be no problem. Great value.
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RUTTIN
Veteran member
Oh ya, and if you decide on a Eberlestock, Linton outdoors has them, got mine at the ISE show from them.
In God We Trust
Very Active Member
I use a Badlands hypervent for day trips and a golite pack for long hunts in the wilderness. I just ordered a new Badlands Ox for extended stay hunts. I am excited as this should be a big upgrade to my gear.
tdcour
Veteran member
I have a horn hunter mainbeam. I really like the pack for day trips and it can haul meat out for a first trip back to the truck or camp to get a frame pack. For my frame back I have a Cabelas Alaskan Frame. No complaints with it, but I have only hauled out two mule deer with it. One pack out was right around 100 pounds which just about killed my legs, but it rode about as comfortably as 100 pounds can. the second I didn't have to pack very far so I made two trips. Not sure on the weight of those trips, but it was substantially light. I don't really have any complaints about any of my packs.
My dad uses Eberlestock packs, but I don't remember which ones he has. They look like great packs and look like they offer a little more adjustability than my Horn Hunter pack. We do mostly day trips since most of the ground we hunt here in South Dakota is walk in only and no camping is allowed so we cover some ground with those packs.
I have had my Horn Hunter for 3 hunting seasons now (this will be the fourth), I've had the Alaskan Frame for 2 years now, dad has had his Eberlestock packs for 2 years now as well. We both tried on all of the packs before purchasing them... even had the sales associate push down on the pack to simulate a load. We just ended up buying what was in our price range and what rode comfortably for our body size and type. My next day pack I think I may look at an Eberlestock because of the extra adjustments.
My dad uses Eberlestock packs, but I don't remember which ones he has. They look like great packs and look like they offer a little more adjustability than my Horn Hunter pack. We do mostly day trips since most of the ground we hunt here in South Dakota is walk in only and no camping is allowed so we cover some ground with those packs.
I have had my Horn Hunter for 3 hunting seasons now (this will be the fourth), I've had the Alaskan Frame for 2 years now, dad has had his Eberlestock packs for 2 years now as well. We both tried on all of the packs before purchasing them... even had the sales associate push down on the pack to simulate a load. We just ended up buying what was in our price range and what rode comfortably for our body size and type. My next day pack I think I may look at an Eberlestock because of the extra adjustments.
Muleys 24/7
Veteran member
Old school - I have a modified large ALICE pack and a smaller pack from a company called London Bridge Trading that mounts on an ALICE frame. Both have a pad system, it has pockets for two camelbacks and other stuff and makes a world of difference in the comfort.
I'm not a fan of internal packs, I don't like the way they ride and carry weight.
I'm debating whether to just carry the larger ALICE or use the smaller ALICE w/ a couple of hitchhikers with my tent, sleeping, bag pad, etc.
Carrying 2+ packs makes the initial weight a bit higher, but it means I can drop camp somewhere and take a lighter and smaller pack to beat the bush with.
I thought I had decided on the large ALICE just because it would be easier, but now I'm reconsidering, thanks KJW...just kidding
I'm not a fan of internal packs, I don't like the way they ride and carry weight.
I'm debating whether to just carry the larger ALICE or use the smaller ALICE w/ a couple of hitchhikers with my tent, sleeping, bag pad, etc.
Carrying 2+ packs makes the initial weight a bit higher, but it means I can drop camp somewhere and take a lighter and smaller pack to beat the bush with.
I thought I had decided on the large ALICE just because it would be easier, but now I'm reconsidering, thanks KJW...just kidding
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