I'm looking to buy one or the other of these.
Would appreciate any input pro or con concerning them as far as durability, comfort, etc.


Thanks.

I dont know anyone that has a badlands 4500 and does not like it.

however I dont know anyone with a sitka 45 either ha ha.

I love my badlands 4500 and 2200. The only down fall to there packs and it not a big one is the weight. Great packs. Full lifetime warranty even if you bought it at a garage sale.

is the sitka 45 any good for packing meat?

Not to confuse things but I would look at eberlestock as well.  I just purchased a blue widow from "WHIP" at Prairie Traditions and I am impressed so far.  I haven't really tested it but next year it will serve double duty as a daypack and extended trip backpack on my elk hunt next year.  Check it out.

Nathan

No expirience with packing meat but two folks that I hunted with this fall both loved the sitka 45. The only thing I noticed was that it was a bit heavier than my backpacking style pack

Both are great.

Do you have issues with hip belts cutting off your hip flexors?

I know a number of guys that hike uphill with their 4500 waist belt unbuckled because it cuts the blood off to the thighs, myself included.

The 4500 is almost 5000ci, but the Sitka 45 is right at 4500ci.  

If I were doing it all again I would get a Sitka45 based on one good friend's review of the 45 after about 20 days in the backcountry in August and Sept.  

FYI he sold his 2008 4500, his second one, to my father.

He and I are both smaller framed guys, I can hike in with a weeks worth of gear and food and have less than 200lbs on my boots so the issues that make the Sitka possibly better for my buddy and I may not fit you if you are larger framed.

I will say Badlands has an incredible warranty.  I am only 5'7" but have extremely high hips, aka short torso.  After many problems Badlands built me a new pack from the ground up and it is ten times better than the stock Medium pack, but I still get numb hip flexors on steep uphill climbs.

good luck

I personally use the Eberlestock Blue Widow as Nathan suggested.  I like the fact that it compresses down to a much smaller pack when not fully loaded, yet expands to 4,900 c.i. when needed.  In compact configuration it is 2,400 c.i. and I use it as my daily hunting pack out west.  (Add a zip on duffle to go up to 7,400 c.i.)  Eberlestock also has a lifetime warranty.

I also carry the Badlands packs if you decide to go that way, and they are very well built as well.

I don't have any personal experience with the Sitka packs, but they certainly have a good reputation.

Check  www.kifaru.net  because of the versatility and sizes available. The kifaru hunting forum has a ton of backpack hunting info. Also check  www.mysteryranch.com.
I am soon going to upgrade to Kifaru.I've packed elk quarters,entire antelope, and boned out deer with a badlands 2200 but never really liked the design and it works but is not near as comfortable as a mountaineering pack with the same weight.Wilderness systems makes a great frame and meat sling that is light and an awasome elk quarter frame. A peeve is some packs are way too heavy empty and have too many useless "bling features" that add price and weight.

I have both the Badlands 4500 and 2200.  The 4500 is for extended stays out in the woods without a typical daycamp.  The 2200 is my everyday hunting pack.  I love the way you can get in and out of it through the back.  

I cannot recommend a pack more that the Badlands packs.  They are super strong, have lots of pockets, good zippers, comfortable, and overall fine quality.

Oh great! Now I have MORE choices to try to decide on!          
Thanks for all the inputs. I wasn't aware of the Eberlestock brand, but I do like what I see of it.
May hafta send ol' Whip a bunch of my money.

I've got a Sitka 45 and it is a great pack.  Very light, dead quiet, waterproof so far, comfortable. Having said that, if they came out with a larger pack that was similar I would sell my 45 and get one.

I've seen the 4500 upclose and personal, never packed with it though did spend more than a few trips around the store with a 50# dumbbell in the back.  

At a different store I got to see the new Sitka 45, and some of the layout and features on it really amazed me.  Looked to be a great piece of gear, and lighter than the 4500.

And not to throw too much at you - I got to see the new version of the JustOne (J104) pack from Eberlestock recently.  The new version addresses all the issues of the previous one (such as adjustable suspension), and still offers all the expandability of the previous generation.  

I wish I could see a Kifaru up close and personal, I've heard nothing but fantastic things about them.

So many choices, it's really hard to pick a bad pack out there.  One will definitely work for you, half the fun is finding it!