Anyone have any experience or opinions on these two brands. have a chance to by a new Badlands Hyper-vent pack for less than $100. but kind of always wanted a Bison Gear,being it's made in USA,and is wool but the cost is at least another $140. :dunno:
Buy American. Bison Gear is 1st class.
snakewood have you experience with one or the other?
I have been using the small Bison Gear pack for 7 yrs. I don't have any need for anything larger. It has many lash points and is very comfortable, even with a very heavy load, I use mine to carry flint out of remote areas in addition to hunting.
Go with Bison Gear, the extra cost is worth it.. Great products..
I have two Badlands packs.I am more than happy with both.I have never owned any Bison Gear,but they sure are nice,just a little out of my budget.glen
Welch Bowman,
If you are looking into a fanny pack or haversack go with Bison Gear.
If you want a backpack or day pack go with Badlands.
I had lots experience with both and this was the route I ended up going with.
For treestand hunting nothing beats the Bison Gear Haversack. It is just large enough to carry what you need but not so big that you take too much. Also their fanny packs are best around IMO I am not big on a lot of pockets and Bison Gear has just the right amount.
The Badlands packs are hard to beat with the lifetime warranty and are as tough as nails. For extended trips and overnight hunts where more gear is needed I always reach for my Badlands.
Also do your self a favor and talk with Whip at Prairie Traditions. He is really big on the Edlerbrook packs and has lots of knowledge with Badlands as well.
As for the American v. imported products just remember that Americans are selling both and earn their living this way.
I have 2 badlands also and am happy with both of them very well made . Cusomer service is good also . Can't speak for Bison Gear don't have any .
Jack
I've owned Elberstock bandlands and now I only own Bison gear. Angelo is a pleasure to deal with and his products are top notch. I'm partial to wool so that may be it. but I did notice that the badlands tended to be noisy when cold. The elberstock wasn't as noisy and offered a mirad of options and adjustability. The Badlands warranty and customer service drew me away from Elberstock. But Bison gear tops them all in all aspects.
I have no experience with the Bison Gear line but have owned a Badlands 2200 since 1999. It has done everything that I have asked out of it and more. I carry it everytime that I hunt because I am an "all-dayer". I am talking about a true "backpack" by the way.......and have no experience with their smaller daypacks. They have a lifetime warranty and at the time that I purchased mine.....I thought it was kinda pricey but the warranty is what sold me.
It has truly been through hell and back and still functions flawlessly. The only thing that I wish I could do is purchase a larger belt for the top and bottom........I'm a little bit "chunkier" than I was 11 years ago. :laughing:
As Chris said.......regardless of "where" they are manufactured......they are "sold" by Americans.
Winterhawk1960
P.S......if you have any specific questions just PM me. I wouldn't hesitate a minute to purchase another Badlands pack.
I Have owned both Bison Gear and & Badlands. I prefer Bison Gear for it's silence in cold weather, easy to use zippers and compartment design as well as meat packing options.
>>For treestand hunting nothing beats the Bison Gear Haversack<<
+1
I just wish the waterbottle pockets were a little bigger.
I have owned Badlands daypacks and sold them all after multiple zipper issues. Warranty does cover the problems but I would prefer not to have the problem. For larger/overnight loads I use Kifaru.
I got a Super Diablo this fall. The frame is painted and the pack material squeaks against the frame. I adjust and adjust it and just can't keep the frame from cutting into my low back, the waist belt just doesn't work for me. I have been wearing packs for 30 years and this one just annoys me. My larger Kifaru is more comfortable as a day pack with twice as much weight. I will say the Badlands is cooler to wear, but other than that it just doesn't fit the bill for me.
I finally bit the bullet today and ordered myself a Bison Gear Lost River pack. Angelo was very helpful and just like a good bow I plan on getting many hard yrs of service from it.
You can't beat Bison Gear for well made huntability .
I do hear good stuff about Eberstock but I like the wool quiet of Bison .
Thanks one and all,one think is for sure either is better than the hand me down jan-sport I have been useing
I have a Bison Gear pack and it is a great pack. I also now have a the Eberlestock X2. They are both great packs for different reasons and I use them both. I looked for what I wanted in packs for years and finally could not decide between the two so bought both.
I love my Bisongear "Elk Pack". It was custom built to fit my needs and also to "fit" me like a glove. I can't imagine using anything else for a ton of reasons. Angie will work with you to build exactly what you want. It should last more years than most guys can hunt.
I'm also thinking Bison Gear for the pack I'll order in January a Guide model with shoulder straps,,,,, you guys that use Bison packs what about the Rain and do you wear it or keep it exposed in the rain????
Ted,
I specifically talked with Angelo about my need for having a pack that was pretty much waterproof. He suggested I go with the bucksuede over the wool because of this. I know it takes alot of rain for my bucksuede pullover to soak through.
I own two Bison Gear packs, as well as a Badlands "Hyper-vent". The Hypervent is a different pack, made with an internal frame, and a special design that allows ventilation between your back and the pack during those long, hot weather excursions. If your getting a hypervent in good shape, for $100 or less, that is a great buy. They retail at about $180. For everyday whitetail hunting, I prefer my Bison Gear "Lost River" or for overnite stays my "Lemhi", but both will cost you quite a bit more money. Let your pocketbook be your guide. All three will do the job, and each of them has a lifetime warrenty. If it was me, I'd buy the Hyper-vent for now, and save my pennies for a Bison Gear later, if I found I needed it. Keep the Hypervent in good shape and you'll always be able to get your money out of it. You are buying it wright. Good luck and good hunting.
I have two Badlands (Fanny and Backpack). I much prefer Sika Gear packs.
I just spent some time on Bison Gear's web site. Looks like some very high quality gear! I'd love to see pictures of the Predator Fall camo fabric on thee packs. They are expensive but these packs looks like they'll last the user a lifetime....and then some.
I have an OLD made in the USA Badlands 2200. I have used it from Alaska to Arizona. It has carried 90+ pounds of meat and gear. IT is bulletproof. I have given away new made in Thiland/Vietnam/ wherever they make them now Badlands packs. Not impressed in the least and what good is a lifetime warranty when you are in the middle of Alaska and it breaks.
Angelo's Bison Gear packs are built like tanks. I had a double decker fanny pack a while back in the heavy duty predator wool. It was a great pack, but when I replace it, it will be with one of the lighter and more waterproof model.
I have been jonesing for a Haversack to improve upon my Gray Wolf possibles pack. Hopefully he will have a few non wool ones at Kalamazoo and I'm sure I will not be able to resist any longer.
I have been using the Badlands Roll Top fanny for a bunch of years and it works great. I busted the belt buckle from strapping it on too many trees. I called Badlands and they sent out a replacement right away. The pack is very well constructed of quality materials and a lesser pack would have fallen to pieces long ago.
I have heard great things about Bison Gear and have no reason to think they would be otherwise. The only reason I have not bought one of their packs before is that I really do not need or want a large fanny for whitetail hunting. In fact both my brother and I are switching to smaller fanny packs (Badlands Nano)for deer hunting. For Western and very remote hunting I could see the larger size being more practical.
I own all 3 brands. A Badlands (older model ultra or superday, I believe), a BisonGear Lemhi, and an Eberlestock X2.
Have carried all 3 on many days of elk hunting, covering many miles with varying size loads.
Here's my take (though packs fit everybody differently)
Badlands- good pack, nice pocket arrangement. padding is right on back, so can cause back to sweat easily when climbing hills, doesn't carry as large of load as I sometimes like to have.
Bison Gear- has been my go to pack for years, wool-very silent, I deal with snow more than rain so waterproof is not as big of deal as in some parts of the country, frame stays support the load against the back very well (can get a little warm at times), but heavier loads tend to cause the pack to kind of sag down toward the bottom (if that makes sense). I guess not enough compression straps to lift the load up.
Eberlestock X2- new this year. Extremely comfortable even on the first trip out. Plenty of pockets, mesh back and small external frame keeps room between back and pack for ventilation, carries a heavy load well (the lower compression shelf really lifts the load and keeps it tight), Material gets a little noisy as temperatures approach 0 degrees.
Sorry this was so lengthy, but I wanted to state my findings.
If I had to get rid of all but one pack today, the one I would keep would be the X2. For me and my type of hunting it is the most versatile. Good luck on finding the right pack for you.
I own both packs. The bison is quiet, tough, and comfortable. Plus Angelo will work with you on custom options. Made in America too. The badlands are tough, more comfortable, but nosier. No custom options. I like both, but for different reasons.
How would you compare the Badlands 2800 to the First Trip Explorer for a day pack with the ability to take out the first load of meat?
Both are great, tough bags. Bison Gear is silent!!