External vs Internal

[missedagain]

Looking at getting a new pack for overnight trips, what is everyones opinion on internal vs external frame packs?

[firstcoueswas80]

I have never ad a external frame, but several internal and they all have been very comfortable and easy on the shoulders.

[Red Rabbit]

Are you thinking for just an overnight backpacking trip, or overnight hunting with the need to carry out a deer and more gear?

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

 

 

Internal Packs are the only way to go....IMO. Using a Pack (or freighter) Frame is alright too, when just packing out meat and such..... but I still prefir the Internal Frame Packs even for just packing. I have used the largest of these packs: Wolf Pack, Crooked Horn, and Eberleestock. The Wolf Pack was the best, but the material in the straps dry-rotted very quickly, so I do not recomend them or use them any more. The big Crooked Horn is a Great hunting pack and still very comfortable.... It will carry/hold more than you probably will want to pack, but does not have enough room, IMO, to hunt and camp out of. The J107 that I have is perfect for the dayhunter and although I have not packed elk with it myself I think that it might be one of the best hunting packs out right now based on versitility. However, I have a friend who recently bought the Badlands 4500 and I want one!!! It is WAY too big for day hunting... but for the backpack in, hunter who plans camp out and hunt...... it has it all!! It is by far the most well thought out design for that type of hunting.

 

Hope that helps....

 

CnS

[firstcoueswas80]

I have the J107 as well... I have loaded ALL of my hunting gear needed for the day, as well as 3/4 of a deer (more than once) and hiked the couple miles out and it works like a charm!

 

Gino, have you ever wore that 4500? When I was looking at packs, I tried that one on and I found it was EXTREMLY top heavy and did not like it at all! Did you ever feel this way? It is a very large pack that, if loaded properly would be nice for a pack in hunt as long as the "top heaviness" went away.

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

I tried that one on and I found it was EXTREMLY top heavy and did not like it at all! Did you ever feel this way? It is a very large pack that, if loaded properly would be nice for a pack in hunt as long as the "top heaviness" went away.

 

That will go away as soon as you load your gear.... and load it right of course. You could get your camp, boned out deer, cape, head, horns, and hunting gear in that pack, no problem... best as I can figure.

 

 

That is what I want for X-mas.... if any of you were wondering what to get me....

 

CnS

[COUESAZ]

YOu can not beat the badlands 4500. They are very well thought out packs and balance very nice when packed right. I have not used the kifaru packs but i bet they work just as well. I like the internal frame styl the best for me. I know others that will use nothing but the externals as well. I think it just is a prfrance you have to decide on. It may take a couple trips as well as a couple packs to come to this choice for you.

[Red Rabbit]

Gino,

Have you looked at the Kifaru with the load shelf/seat?

http://kifaru.net/BACKPAKS.HTM

 

Or the Mystery Ranch ? I have the NICE 5000 with load sling. The Nice with load sling and a crew cab pack would make for a great day hunting pack or overnight setup.

http://www.mysteryranch.com/backpack-hunting.php

 

Camelback is manufacturing MR licensed packs offshore for a little discount.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/camyralatapa.html

 

RR

[soazarcher]

CJ, Get the Kifaru, you won't regret it. Best pack I've ever seen.

Mine is at Kifaru rigth now getting its 5 year overhaul, buckles, straps etc..

No Charge

 

 

Matt

[hunter4life]

I think that both internal and external frame packs have different things that they are better at doing. I have both, but I use the external frame more often.

 

If you are hiking into a base camp and then hunting from there, I would go with an external frame pack and pack a separate day pack. I find that external frames carry bigger, bulkier loads better than internal frame packs and in the heat the air circulates onto your back better to let your sweat help cool you off. I also find that they are more comfortable when carrying really heavy loads like a whole deer plus a whole camp, or two elk quarters at once.

 

If you plan on hunting with your camp on your back the whole day, then I would go with an internal frame pack. These packs are narrower, so it is easier to carry a gun or bow with you and somewhat easier to go through thick brush more quietly. If you do plan on carrying camp with you while you hunt, I would recommend going with more of an ultralight oriented gear list (however, the ultralight gear tends to be ultra expensive).

 

Here is my external frame pack from this year loaded with all of camp for a 4 day hunt, plus a whole deer boned out. I even carried a tripod and spotting scope on this hunt. I used a medium sized 44L internal frame pack for my daypack on this hunt so I could easily carry out the deer from where I shot it back to my camp. I just load the internal frame pack with gear and then slide it into the frame pack when packing in and out.

 

 

[GRAYLIGHT]

For overnight and two day hunts the Badlands 2200 is top notch and there's enough room for a boned out deer in this pack... It fit's like a charm and definitely made with quality... Awesome warranty.

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

For overnight and two day hunts the Badlands 2200 is top notch and there's enough room for a boned out deer in this pack... It fit's like a charm and definitely made with quality... Awesome warranty.

 

 

Hey SS,

 

Was that your archery mulie article in Huntin' Fool???? If so Congrats!!! Great buck, Great hunt, and Great story!