Backpacks

Clayton

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I've pretty much have always hunted alone. I'm not that far from civilization, but health issues mean I can't spend the night in the woods without certain things anymore. My web belt & gear has worn out so I'm looking at small packs. I'm down to Red Oxx and Eberlestock. Leaning towards the Red Oxx Roadster Mini Ruck Rucksack.

What do you use? I'm open to suggestions and thanks for your comments.
 
Clayton pm me if you have a second. I'd like to discuss this with you.
 
It depends on what you need to spend a night or two in the woods and if it has to double as a packframe to haul out a hundred pounds of meat.
 
I looked closely at Eberlestock but in the end went with Mystery Ranch. Did you check out Mystery Ranch? They have a couple of short stay type packs thank look very innovative. I have one of their larger packs and I find it very well made.
 
Hill People Gear. I have one of their small, top loaders. They are built very well, reasonably priced, and the suspension system is very comfortable. I prefer fewer zippers on my backpack. Less chance of blowouts.
 
Hello. I have the Eberlestock X1 in my avatar. I chose it because it holds my gun and gear and is small enough so I can't carry 100 lbs of meat. I may be old but I am smarter than I look. Have spiked out with it and used it everyday. Make sure it fits you well or adjusts to you. Good luck with what you choose.
 
If you're hauling heavy loads such as game, I'd recommend an external frame pack that you can lash quarters to. I've hauled out over 110 lb loads of elk meat in both external and internal frame packs. I've made 4 trips of elk meat out of the Rawah Wilderness wth an internal frame Lowe pack (didn't make the 5th trip back for a spindly 5 point head). I've also hauled a 4x4 mulie whole up 4-500 feet of steep canyon lashed to a frame (uh it hurt!) Last year at 69 years old I hauled 3 of the 5 loads of elk meat through deadfall for 1 1/2 miles per my GPS on an old Dwight Schuh frame pack. IT STILL HURTS! I'm now about 155 lbs of old man, but nice to know I still can do it.

I'd highly recommend you borrow or rent one of each type you are considering, load it up with sand bags and walk 5 hard miles.

If you're only wanting a day pack to carry cleaning gear, sandwiches, water, emergency and first aid kit, almost anything with padded straps and hip belt will do.

Good luck with your decision and remember no pack is perfect for every situation. Sorry!
 
Clayton,
I was in Red Oxx in billings a couple months ago and it blew me away at how many products they offer now. The quality of their product is very good, I bought a couple rifle cases and a bino case.
I use an eberlestock pack for most of my hunts in back country and really like them, they have great access and are very adjustable. As mentioned by @Pheroze the mystery ranch packs are great also. Keep an eye on camofire.com and you might catch an eberlestock or mystery ranch at about 1/2 price.
Cheers,
Cody
 
Thanks for all the replies. I should have given a little more info.

I'm 70 and out weigh Ridgewalker by 10 lbs. I don't need to "pack out" a kill, and I'm not looking to haul a lot of gear. My interest here is holding a poncho (getting rained on ain't as much fun as when I was young) and a few essentials to deal with one night in the woods. And that would be only if I had to track something late in the day and into the night that took me farther out than I would want to walk back. LOL, it won't be far the way I walk now days.

Boy y'all are right about the nice rigs those other names offer. The good thing right now is, I'm not in a hurry at this point. I've got time before the next season.
 
Hello. I have the Eberlestock X1 in my avatar. I chose it because it holds my gun and gear and is small enough so I can't carry 100 lbs of meat. I may be old but I am smarter than I look. Have spiked out with it and used it everyday. Make sure it fits you well or adjusts to you. Good luck with what you choose.

I have the same pack as K-man, it's a very comfortable pack and I can pack out an entire boned out pronghorn in a single trip. It has a pocket on the side for a water bag also. It may be a little heavier/larger pack than you need though.
 
For just a daypack, you might look at the Kuiu 1,800 Ultra or 1,850 Icon. I'm using Kuiu and really like these packs. I have a few bags for the same frame and suspension. Very lightweight and comfortable to wear.
 
I have a Red Oxx C-Ruck and it's a great pack, it's been to Africa and Europe without an issue. It's the best pack I have owned or used.
 
I use the Superday made by Badlands. One of the main reasons I chose a Badlands, other than the features, is that I could go to my local cabelas and look at it and try it on for fit, something I couldn't do with other brands.
I'm sure there are 10 different packs that would suit your needs and make you happy.
 
...I'm sure there are 10 different packs that would suit your needs and make you happy.

Kind of a problem of too many choices.
 
My 2 cents worth is choose a pack that you can try on and you can take home load it up with some weight and walk it a few miles and see if it is proper fit, you like it etc. and the store has a good return policy to try again if it doesn't suit you and fit your frame. I would recommend a pack with a good suspension system, internal frame and lots of adjustability. I use a arcteryx when venturing out long d when I might get caught far out or have to pack some meet. FYI I had to do some camo up work on the pack as it wasn't made for hunting it started life blue but hasn't seen that color in a long time, so the moral of the story is some of the high quality hiking packs beat hunting packs. Also I always pack my stuff in a heavy industrial trash bag inside the pack I like my stuff dry and all pack leaks and the trash bag can be used as emergency rain gear, put meat in ect.
 
I love the trash bag idea! Seems simple, but I wasn't smart enough to think of that. Great tip!
 
I've used the trash bag idea countless times myself. And the best part is when it gets a hole, you've got fifty more at home already!
 
Cabelas guide series has been great for Day and overnight use..
 
Just a thought Clayton...you might check the carry-on size for the airline you use on trips. That could add another issue to your decision.
Good luck in your choice.
 
Resurrecting this thread as i am looking for advice on a backpack. I am going on a blacktail hunt this fall that will be a boat based drop off on shore and hike and hunt all day. I have a run of the mill pack that can probably be used as a daypack to carry food and clothing, but it has no frame. I also will need to pack out any game back to shore. I would expect up to 5-10 mile days per day. Should i get an internal frame with some meat packing ability or get an external for use primarily for meat hauling? Any brand/ model recommendations appreciated!
 

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