I was just wondering what you all look for in a day pack?. I used to think that a pack is a pack, but I realized that I was going through them fairly quickly, whether it be because the zipper broke, or the seams of the strap came apart.
I went through the same thing. I can certainly relate. I tried both the Bison Gear Guide pack and their First Trip Explorer pack. Both packs are quality made and fit my style of hunting. Plenty of room to pack extra cloths but not too big and bulky. Both are just about right for day trips. I like simplicity in a pack without a lot of pockets that sometimes can hide things. The first thing I look for is quality and then simplicity without a whole lot of individual pockets. Third is really space for packing additional clothing.
Ron
My day pack is not large and rather narrow. Larger enough for my emergency stuff, rain gear and maybe a light shirt and lunch of course. Straps on the outside for my ghillie. Padded shoulder straps, waste strap, chest strap. My Safari Tuff Arrowmaster fits well along side it. It has a camelback water system. Material is 'relatively' quiet.
It depends. If I'm backpacking in, then I'm looking for a super-lightweight daypack, along with super-lightweight everything else, to keep down the overall weight in my backpack. If I'm camping next to my truck, then I'll use a more luxurious daypack with more pockets, better support, etc.
Simplicity. I am not a fan of lots of pockets and straps. That said hip belts with pockets are a great feature. I like a pocket in the lid too but that is it.
Joshua
I like a small daypack, but I hunt a lease (private land) and don't need much for a day hunt. If this sounds like you, I'd advise you to look at the Tenzing 1200. You can strap raingear or a jacket outside of it (and you can strap it to a loc-on easily also). It's very narrow and fits tight to the body.
x2 on narrow being good for a hunting pack.
I also like the tenzing 1200. It hold everything I need, really comfortable to carry, well thought out pockets and good construction.
Most of all, it needs to be quiet and rugged, not too big, and the pocket arrangement needs to feel intuitive to me so I'm not looking for things all the time. I do like a couple of outside stretchy pockets for things I grab all the time or a bottle of water, and I like a way to carry an extra jacket. For me, the Badlands Hyper-Hydro and Reactor packs are near-perfect. Capacity about 900 cu in, keeps me from taking more stuff than I really need, doesn't get in the way of shooting if I get an opportunity, light, and comfortable.
PS because I had shoulder surgery this year, I have been carrying a fanny pack, also from Badlands. Really well made, well thought-out, holds a lot and doesn't have the problem of most other fanny packs I have tried, which is they pull down on your hips after a while and get uncomfortable. The people at Badlands are really THINKING about how their packs are going to be used. Also,I have been using Badlands packs since they appeared and once I lost a zipper pull but that's about it. Good stuff.
Usually the toilet paper.
Heavy duty straps and enough room to hold my gear for a days hunt or weekend jaunt. I prefer fleece or bucksuede. My Day One large pack, I use is perfect for all day trips out west. Plenty of pockets inside and out, tie downs and heavy duty straps.
Same with my smaller fanny packs. I have one large and one small. However the tie downs make it easy to tote my Torges seat or spare clothing. Both are in fleece with heavy duty straps.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P6070004_zps08d77415.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/P6070004_zps08d77415.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P6070005_zps5037813b.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/P6070005_zps5037813b.jpg.html)
Day One...has 2 pouches on the right side, zippered pouch on the bottom and 2 smaller pouches on the inside. The large pouch on the left...I use to put in my bow quiver when I'm bear hunting. Normally shove my water and a few accessories in there. Plenty of tie downs and a lot of room for gear.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/PC160013_zps8269df96.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/PC160013_zps8269df96.jpg.html)
I fit my pack to my hunt. I want the correct size, good comfort and support, and quiet. For my every day hunting pack I am using a Rancho Safari VI without the quiver attached. Lots of storage but still light and good comfortable shoulder and chest straps. I have used it about 5 years now and it meets all my needs except you are not going to haul out meat with it. For that I use a freightliner style pack if I needed to pack meat.
I'm not sure if this is a direct quote from Joe Buck or not but with regards to what he looks for in a day pack..........."my lunch". :goldtooth:
I have been looking for a daypack also. I am on a budget. I do not want a big pack as I have a tendency to carry too much stuff. I tend to fill the space if i have it. I tried an old Fieldline fleece, but the pack wants to fall off your shoulders.
My new pack should be here today. I bought a Black Diamond Bullet, a small rock climbing day pack. How it works out we will see. It looks to fit tight to the body and is not bulky and big like many packs are.
For a day hunt, I usually hunt with just a possible bag that is a grey gas mask bags. For the mountains I want a bit more gear. I always have liked this photo of Jay Massey with a simple day pack on.
(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n559/jeffbschulz/00small76794581_zpsebc1602d.jpg) (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/jeffbschulz/media/00small76794581_zpsebc1602d.jpg.html)
Here is the pack I have coming.
(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n559/jeffbschulz/dc63ee15-32fd-46c8-9b86-a54905a95134_zps93c87558.jpg) (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/jeffbschulz/media/dc63ee15-32fd-46c8-9b86-a54905a95134_zps93c87558.jpg.html)
I use a Rancho Safari fanny pack when it will hold all I need. I can carry enough for a pleasant day afield. It has two water bottle holders 1 large deep pouch 1 med. pouch and two small pouches. I can carry a good lunch, plenty of water, TP, extra string, wind detector, compass, map,extra gloves, toboggan, extra shirt, socks, thermals and more. It allows for a back quiver to be used and does not impede movement. It has a built in lumbar support too. I use a heavy duty pair of suspenders to keep it riding high. I have had it 10 years and it's still going strong. It's water resistant/proof too. It has plenty of belt to use for a knife and or hatchet. Just throwing another option out there to think about. They are also much cheaper than a good day pack.
The pack must be well made, have the pockets and straps that make it work for me and most important ......it must ride well on my back. One of the best I have found for me is the Badlands Diablo. Light, well tought out and made well.
Thanks for the replies. I generally don't carry a whole lot of stuff with me on a morning of evening hunt. But during the rut, I'll sit all day and like to take a little more gear with me. I also have a spot where I have quite a long hike in up the side of a small mountain and like to carry my clothes instead of wearing them in. I want something quiet and sturdy enough to last. I'm trying to stick with a budget and would like to keep it under $150.
QuoteOriginally posted by Sean B:
Thanks for the replies. I generally don't carry a whole lot of stuff with me on a morning of evening hunt. But during the rut, I'll sit all day and like to take a little more gear with me. I also have a spot where I have quite a long hike in up the side of a small mountain and like to carry my clothes instead of wearing them in. I want something quiet and sturdy enough to last. I'm trying to stick with a budget and would like to keep it under $150.
Tenzing 1200 or even their 2200 will fit that budget. Check them out
The only time I carry a pack on local hunts is when I take my ghillie suit. Otherwise, my haversack carries all I need for a day hunt.
I have a Filson backpack and a small field bag. I use the field bag like a haversack,and it carries all I usually need. I hardly ever use the backpack because I hunt close to the truck,but both of these bags are extremely rugged.
My needs may not match yours, but I've been looking pretty hard at the Eberlestock X2. I have not seen it in person, but based on pics, reviews, etc, it looks like a high quality and super functional day pack. I don't need it to pack meat, but I do want to be able to pack my LW climber, clothes and other stuff, and for this, I don't know if there are any better options out there. Retail price is $189, but I've seen it for as low as $149 @ ammazon.
Good luck!
Just my opinion, but X2s would be good only if you want a pack that will also take out some meat.
I had one and I found it heavy for just a daypack in the deer woods. I has an internal pack frame that drives the weight to about 4 1/2#s if I remember right and only a little over 1800 cubic inches. Well made though. I sold mine after my elk hunt. Like I said, great pack but maybe not the best for a daypack unless you are in the mountains.
I'd have to agree with Fred on the X2. It is a fantastic mountain pack where you hope to use it to bring a first load of meat out. But I use a different pack in the whitetail woods.
I actually just ordered a new pack to replace my trusty X2 and have that one listed in the classifieds if anyone is looking for a good western hunting pack.
For day hunts and my normal all the time hunting pack I now swear by mountain bike backs like camelback and others. They are super light, tough as nails, have hydration but in and are narrow so I don't snag trees. Been using this style pack for last 10 years and love them.
For pack-in hunts I use a frame pack and a good quality back packing pack and my mtn bike pack. They nest into each other and offer me options to carry camp in, set a spike camp if I want, or hunt within a few miles of camp.
I used one like Joe skips 1st pic.for many years until I bought my own similar to it. I gave that one back to Ron W.
It was perfect and you could time more gear to it if needed.
Look at frost river packs.
Check out timberhawk packs.
I was torn between tenzing and badlands. I stumbled upon timberhawk I got the buck scrape to wear with my arrowmaster they have a lot of models to choose from. Quality seems top notch and a lifetime warranty. And the prices were better than the tenzing.
Most of timberhawks have a cool binocs feature that attaches the binocs to the straps of the pack then you can just un clip them and the strap has a female and male end that clip together so you can wear you binocs around your neck while you hang you pack in the tree. Or hang them on a hook. They are quiet and well thought out packs with lots of feature.
Take a look. :p
Tim
i'll say that i love my kifaru spike camp. i modified it a little and put 26" stays in it, it's nice and light and teamed with a grab-it i can haul out a 50 pound load in comfort when the need arises. not bad for a day pack.
Badlands Reactor works well for me . Even when I connect it to my climber. Hunt mainly mourning and evening hunts until the end of our season then will switch to my bigger pack for all day.
I believe I have the perfect pack but it's not made anymore like most good things. It's from Cabelas, is lite but the bag is big enough to pack out a boned out hog. Two big pockets right in front to hold what you need now, the hip belt is large and works when you have a load, chest strap too. Almost looks like a bird hunting pack if that makes sense. And it was only $50 or $60 bucks at the time!
It will be a sad day when I wear this one out.
For local day hunts I use either...
1) Bison Gear Gopher fanny but as a shoulder sling pack.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Packs/002.jpg)
2) Badlands Roll Top fanny which I attach to my tree with the top open...I don't think the model is made any more though.
It depends if I am hunting whitetails or out west on an elk hunt. Locally fro whitetails I use a Mountain Smith fanny pack. I can carry all I need without balk. Out west I use a Badlands Super Day pack.
I did not like the pack I got in. So looking at other options.
I use The CamelBak 60309 MOTHERLODE ACUs Hydration Backpack simply put can handle it. It can haul a whopping 2100Cu.In (35 litres) volume and 100 ounces (3 litres) water with internal pockets for smaller items and a large cargo hold. And I also use The CamelBak LINCHPIN Hydration Backpacks - 102oz/3.1 L in Army Coyote is a narrow profiled pack for greater easy and range of movement. as well as with the independent Futura harness (by Mystery Ranch) and you are ready for comfort with any load. hey they are both great packs and love the fact the ease of drinking I have no problem mounting my quiver on the side of either bag !many colors and patterns to choose from (http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w577/bowhunter6979/image-1_zpsz8oxmj0f.png) (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/bowhunter6979/media/image-1_zpsz8oxmj0f.png.html) . (http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w577/bowhunter6979/oie_162315576yN9omSc-620x320_zpsdhfnhg8_edit_1405719561397_zpszo0dhgps.jpg) (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/bowhunter6979/media/oie_162315576yN9omSc-620x320_zpsdhfnhg8_edit_1405719561397_zpszo0dhgps.jpg.html)
I just got an Eberlestock MiniMe from Whip and it looks pretty decent. I like a smaller pack for day hunts. If it's too big I always end up bringing extra stuff I don't use. So I typically carry a small haversack and put other accessories in my Arrowmaster quiver pocket. I wanted to try another backpack, so the MiniMe I got from Whip should work well.
I have Badlands Diablos for warm weather and light use. The fabric gets stiff in cold, and they aren't super durable, but they are comfortable and I like the design.
For larger loads short of backpacking (heavy clothes, meat, short overnights) I have Eberlestock Gunslingers. I like the large main bag. The other pockets are practical, and it's easy to strap stuff on the outside. They are great tree-stand packs because the gun compartment is perfect for tree steps, safety harnesses, pruning poles, and other junk I like to get at or stow away without opening the pack. I've carried half a large mule deer buck in one, with good results. Incidentally, one of my extras is listed in the classifieds.
What do i look for in a day pack?.... Well that depends... If i want coffee... i look for my water, and pack stove first... then some coffee.
Now if i got an animal down... i may look for a knife and stone.
If i'm hungry, i may look for the tupperware container with my jerk and trail mix in it....
Typically i don't have to look for anything too long if i put everything back where it belongs...