Backpacks?

[RAM]

I am wandering what others use for a backpack that will hold their rifle? I know some go with the Eberlestock but lets face it, Im not sure I want to drop that much money into a pack. Is their any other packs that are less in value, but maybe just as good?

 

-Ryan

[oz31p]

I had a eberlystock j104 with the built in scabard....I did not like the way it fit me. So I got a cabelas alaskan guild frame pack. I strap a day pack with a eberlystock scapard. I love this set up. I can change and reconfigure it any way I like. And still haul meat.

[Willyhunts2]

Have a badlands 2200 and love it. Was thinking sane way as you but get what you pay for. Packed out 100 pounds of meat for a mile with rifle last year. Only complaint is the zippers. Sent it back and they fix it fast but tabs still broke again

[Tines]

You really don't know how good something is until you use it often. Key word, "often". IMO, a reliable pack is vital. After that, the extra cost for whatever the item is you're purchasing is an after-thought. But I use my pack for weeks at a time during the hunting season. Most people don't use them for more than a weekend or two. So take a look at how often you'll use something and your budget might change a little. I used to be a Badlands guy until I broke down and bought an Eberlestock. I use the Dragonfly. When I say "broke down", they're really not that expensive considering their longevity. I've had mine since 2008. I had my Badlands 2200 for 3 seasons before that. It did okay but it wouldn't fit everything I needed for coues deer hunts AND COMFORTABLY pack a coues deer out. Their warranty was great but it sucked sending it back to get sewn back up or zippers replaced (zippers break OFTEN on them!!). They also sent me their "scabbard" for the 2200. Hardly a scabbard. I know I didn't care to put $1500 worth of rifle in it....

 

Packs are like boots, binos, tires, etc... Absolutely you can go cheaper and get away just fine. But depending on how OFTEN you use them and what you're using them for, you'd better consider spending the extra money. Otherwise, you could easily be stuck in the field with blisters on your feet, a huge headache and inability to focus your eyes for hours, or maybe just a couple of blown tires. But if you don't hike, glass or leave the pavement, you'll save a TON of money....if you catch my drift. Hope this helps....

 

I used to spend $150 every year on a pair of Danner Pronghorns boots. They were really nice! Lightweight, super comfortable, quiet, warm.... But dangit, they wouldn't last me more than a year! So I bought a $300 pair of Danner Sierra's. Sucked at first to drop the "extra" $ but I'm on my 4th season with this pair and I'm a happy hunter. You see how sometimes saving money doesn't save you money in the end when you use something often? Which is another reason I LOVE Harbor Freight! I don't use tools enough to justify spending the extra money and the cheap ones last long enough for me. Good luck!

[Willyhunts2]

I agree with your post. However the 2200 fits everything I need in it the comparable eblerstock is awesome. But I've been able to pack double in my badlandlands what my buddies been able to load in his eblerstock just because of the huge main compartment. I'm talking loading meat on and rifle or bow. You can stuff alot in and on that pack like you can with other packs. My opinion 2200 badlands just from what I've seen and experienced

[Willyhunts2]

I've learned in my years of hunting you can't go cheap on glass boots and packs

[tjhunt2]

Ram, I was just in your train of thought the other day while walking thru Bass Pro. I was looking at all their packs and wondering if I could get away with a much cheaper pack that would get me by. Tines said it about as good as it gets. You usually will forget about the price later on and be glad you bought a better product. If you expect to do alot of packing and spend alot of time in the field then take his advise. However, if you don't spend the time afield as he does then you probably could get away with a less expensive pack.

 

I have gone thru many cheap packs over the years and mostly zipper problems. I use to do alot of packing but now at my age and not keeping my body up to par it wouldn't benifit me to sink the top dollar they are asking for some of these packs. I have a cabelas freight frame I use for packing meat but wanted to get a back pack that would carry my rifle or bow.

 

Getting back to the Bass Pro shop. After trying on most of their products that I really didn't want to drop the cash on I found a Crook Horn Outfitters Trail II pack on clearence. I tried it on and it fit nice and I liked all the features especially the bow/gun carrier. It even folds up to be used as a hip pack. I can see me using this pac on my day hunts as well freeing up my hands for glassing. They were marked down to 89 dollars from 130. They had 2 left last week. Good luck with your decision.

 

TJ

[Willyhunts2]

+1 crook horn makes great packs but still on the pricey side. In my opinion

[Willyhunts2]

+1 crook horn makes great packs but still on the pricey side. In my opinion

[Ace High Benny]

Try a few packs. The fit will depend a lot on the way you are built. The Eberlestock is expensive but it is very well built and has lots of bells and whistles. I do have one and use it too!

 

AHB

[pwrguy]

I have heard good things about all the packs mentioned in this post. I would have to agree with the person that compared a good pack to a good pair of boots. Don't let price keep you from getting something that will fulfill your needs and not fail you when you need it most. I have a a couple of hunts the last few years that involved true wilderness experiences and my pack has met most of my expectations and needs.

 

http://www.adventureoutfittersinc.com/?q=products/hard-core-hunt-pack

 

The only problem I have had is I have managed to tear the fabric several times and had to send it in to be repaired last year. They were easy to work with and got the job done quickly. Considering that I have used it hard for 6 or 7 years I guess this is not to bad. I am not aware of a gun scabbard for this pack, I normally carry my rifle, although I have put my rifle sideway's accross the top like they show in the literature on occasion.

 

The feature of this pack that I have found to be much more useful than previous packs I have owned is the ability to detach the bag from the frame, and use the frame for packing meat while carrying the bag with my free hand, it even has a nice handle to carry with.

 

The negative of this pack is it is ill suited for more than a couple of day's of backpacking, there is just not enough storage for stuff.

[deserthntr]

I agree with your post. However the 2200 fits everything I need in it the comparable eblerstock is awesome. But I've been able to pack double in my badlandlands what my buddies been able to load in his eblerstock just because of the huge main compartment. I'm talking loading meat on and rifle or bow. You can stuff alot in and on that pack like you can with other packs. My opinion 2200 badlands just from what I've seen and experienced

 

 

idk what your talking about because i know my eberlestock j104 goes from about 2300 to the site says 7000. and then you have the scabbord to put your rifle in. so it starts at about the same as your 2200 but then can triple the size. go eberlestock, i carry all my coues gear, plus a coues, and depending on his size, then some

[Coach]

What size of pack? A day hauler or are you packing in and carrying everything you'll need for several days? I've got an Eberlestock J105 that I use mostly for hauling a a Matrix ground blind around or bags of salt - not a bad pack but I don't use it for hunting. If you're looking for a large, serious pack, I'd recommend the Lowe Alpine Saracen. This pack is used by the Dutch Special Forces and is similar to the Kifaru or Kuiu. It's military grade, which means it's heavy (9 lbs) but extremely durable. This pack will hold a rifle very well and carry anything you can pack in our out.

[MattMan]

No matter what the price is of the pack/glass/boots/etc you need, it'll always be more expensive to buy one or several cheap models first.

 

That said, the Kelty Cache Hauler is the ONLY bargain in packs I've found. J107 and Gunslinger ain't bad.

 

I owned several others previous, including a J104 and J105.

 

Currenty have 2 Keltys, a 107, two Camelbaks, and two Gunslingers. None are a bad pack withing their limits.

[firstcoueswas80]

I have the J107 Dragonfly. I dont do marathon hikes like a lot of guys, but I do like to carry everything I own in it including the kitchen sink. Last year, I packed out my brothers buck in it whole sans guts, all my stuff, binos, spotter etc. Didnt stick the rifle in the scabbard as I had it in my hands... My only complaint is the shoulder straps need better/more padding. If Eberlestock could design a shoulder strap system similar to Badlands, it would be a no brainer. I had the X1 before the J107 and I liked them both alot. I think my 107 is on its 4th or 5th season.