Best lightweight pack for elk?

razorsharptokill · March 31, 2010, 11:44:00 AM

I'd like to buy a good quality pack "once" without having to try several different models.

I have a large U.S.issue pack but I know there is something better out there.

ChuckC · March 31, 2010, 12:24:00 PM

I could tell you the best pack for elk, but it doesn't qualify for the "light" designation.
ChuckC

snag · March 31, 2010, 12:31:00 PM

Depends on how long you want to be out in the woods. But I would look at the Eberlestock "Blue Widow", Badlands "Sacrifice", and what Oregon Pack Works is offering in the "Orion". The Oregon Pack Works packs are made in Oregon...what a surprise!

jhg · March 31, 2010, 01:10:00 PM

IMO? the Eberlestock x2,.

Joshua

razorsharptokill · March 31, 2010, 01:25:00 PM

Ok thanks guys, I'll check those out. I want one that is compartmentalized well with plenty of room to pack meat out and is more comfy than my uncle sam model.

twitchstick · March 31, 2010, 01:48:00 PM

I really like my eblerlestock dragon fly "just one". Works as a day pack to and multi day pack and will haul a load(quarters) comfortable. Very versitable.

Ground Hunter · March 31, 2010, 02:25:00 PM

Badlands! H

Bonecracker · March 31, 2010, 02:43:00 PM

I love the Badlands Superday Pac! Not light but not heavy! I can hunt all day with that pack loaded with 25lbs and I am comfortable!

snag · March 31, 2010, 03:09:00 PM

The Badlands Sacrifice is just a little under 4lbs! They have some special light weight metal for the internal staves in the pack. Suppose to be very well built, but light. They will be ready to ship in May/June.

http://oregonpackworks.com/packs_in_action.php

Check out the video section on Oregon Pack Works to see what they have to offer. It is a modular pack system that was designed by avid backcountry hunters. I had the opportunity to load one up with 60+ lbs at a Expo Show and walk around. They seem like a well designed and well built pack. The guys are very helpful and excited about what they have to offer. Their story is they kept buying and selling packs because they could never find one that fit all their needs...so they built one!

mnbearbaiter · March 31, 2010, 03:46:00 PM

I have the Dwight Schuh Mega Pack! Had it for a few years now! It is built on a hard plastic/flexible frame, and comes with a 2lit water bladder, main pack, and fanny pack, all which are easily removed for when you only wanna use the frame to pack out your meat! Paid $150 i think!

Gehrke145 · March 31, 2010, 05:00:00 PM

Just switched to the Sitka bivy 45, love it!

frassettor · March 31, 2010, 05:10:00 PM

Mystery Ranch are great packs.

Ragnarok Forge · March 31, 2010, 05:18:00 PM

Dump that rucksack for sure. Worst designed pack the military never should have used! I have a Badlands Diablo that I use a lot for one day and overnight trips that is working really well for me.

bowfiend · March 31, 2010, 05:25:00 PM

A bunch of really good packs out there. There's no reason that you should get one without a lifetime warranty, so rule out the ones that don't have it. My vote is with jhg and the X2 from Eberlestock. It's important to me that I can carry a quarter out on the first trip and the vented back is great for those of us that are glandularly excessive

Barney · March 31, 2010, 08:09:00 PM

Check out Bruzer Gear packs. I bought their day pack a couple years ago and really like it. Going to their next bigger one when work picks up.

razorsharptokill · March 31, 2010, 08:50:00 PM

Where is the badlands sacrifice made? I really like the weight of the badlands compared to the eberlestock Blue widow but like the extra room of the widow.

Eberlestock offers a military discount too:

"We offer a 10% discount for orders made by the U.S. government, and by government personnel including military and law enforcement. The criteria for this is that the item is being purchased by a currently employed military professional, for personal professional use. Orders made to our online store can have the discount amount applied to them, upon request".

kahunter · March 31, 2010, 09:35:00 PM

I had the the Eberlestock J105 and it was a good pack, but I like Blacks Creek Canadian pack better. It has plenty of pockets, carries great, and has an expansion chamber to carry out meat. My vote would be Blacks Creek.

wihill · March 31, 2010, 10:03:00 PM

The BL's Sacrifice looks to be made similar to an Osprey pack. There was a great review and picture spread showing the pack layout and material. Great for a 3000cuin daypack, but not enough suspension for a lot of weight IMO.

Speaking of Osprey, don't discount older expedition packs like Dana Designs or Mountainsmith, not to mention the new expedition packs out there. A simple camo ruck cover can hide a lot.

Kifaru and Mystery Ranch are TOPS - great suspension, great build quality, and made in America. I've already got one, just working on the other...

razorsharptokill · April 03, 2010, 05:42:00 PM

I'm thinking of going with the sacrifice or maybe the 2800.

jhg · April 03, 2010, 05:50:00 PM

Personally, I would rather carry a pack that is 5% of the time too small and gets "maxed out" (carrying out that first quarter or packing into a spike camp) than carry a pack that is 99.99% of the time too big, like when we are actually hunting elk, dayhiking, or over-nighting.

Everyone is different of course. Taking the kitchen sink, or not, is always a choice we as individuals make every hunt.

Joshua