pack question

sunshine · February 08, 2009, 04:49:00 PM

hello to all and thanx ahead for all the help. my question comes about bison gear packs. i want a pack that carries low on my back like bison. and i only need @1100 cu in. i'm thinking about the first explorer at 1175 cu in. but the lost river is 1675 cu in. and to me they look exactly the same in size. they only look to have different configurations in pockets. anyone have experience with these packs and can enlighten me on the difference between the 2. i'm just tired of buying packs every year to be disappointed half way throught the season.

allan f · February 08, 2009, 04:52:00 PM

Check out Nimrod packs I have a set and I really like them. You get a couple and you can interchange and double them up as you like. I have had them for three years and have yet to be disappointed.
Allan

Bear Heart · February 08, 2009, 05:22:00 PM

I love my badlands. Check out the web site and read the warranty info. You can basically run it over with a tank and IF it fails they will fix it. Can't beat that.

rastaman · February 08, 2009, 06:54:00 PM

The first explorer is two compartment...the lost river is a single compartment...and then they have the different pockets. Give Angelo a call (you may have to leave a message but he will call back) and he will answer all of your questions. He is a sponsor & if you have a Stotler laying around he might work out a trade!

tim roberts · February 08, 2009, 06:58:00 PM

Got to give a second to the Nimrod Pack. A lot of bang for the buck!

Chris C. · February 08, 2009, 07:46:00 PM

I've had my first trip explorer for many, many years and will tell you from first hand experience that it is one of the single best products I own. Wish I would have discovered it first as it put the end in my search for what I consider an "ideal" day pack. Solid, silent, extremely comfortable and designed to function afield.

IF I had it to do all over again I'd replace it with an identical pack.

sunshine · February 09, 2009, 03:48:00 PM

thanks for the info chris. was yours wool and if so was it hot. and how heavy is it, i mean is it a heavy pack even when empty. tim.

Chris C. · February 09, 2009, 03:51:00 PM

Yes, my pack is wool and I have not noticed it being hot at all. I'm certain it is heavier than a synthetic material, but the durability and silence to me is worth it.

Herdbull · February 09, 2009, 04:14:00 PM

It's not advertised much, but the Bison Gear Elk hunter pack is also worth looking into. Its a little larger, but you don't have to stuff it unless you need to. I do not hunt without mine... whitetails, turkey, moose, elk, etc etc. The outer layer of my pack is also wool. Mike

sunshine · February 09, 2009, 08:02:00 PM

thanx to all, i appreciate the help. i'll have to look at the elk hunter. i didn't make it to kalamazoo this year and looking at the bison gear booth was on my list to do. and their web site doesn't show all packs. really trying to do all my homework b4 my next purchase. and want to look at nimrod packs now. thanx again, tim.

jct · February 09, 2009, 08:40:00 PM

I have the first trip and an uncle rays pack fom Angelo, theres a reason he has a waiting period for them. The best by far. Both mine are wool and I've used them for caribou rigth down to hogs in the south with no worries. Get one, if you don't like it completly I'll buy it from you for what you paid for it.