3-4 Day Backcountry Hunting Pack

[Rugester]

Now that I have a little more time off from work, I would like to do more backcountry hunts. What are some recommendations for hunting packs for 3-4 days in the backcountry.

Thank you

 

[Jimss]

Kifaru and Stone Glacier are great packs. You may be able to pick up an almost new one in classified adds on this website, marketplace, etc.

 

[grfox92]

Exo K4 5000. Best hunting pack ever made IMO.

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[eamyrick]

They all work. Really ain’t much space difference from a 6-7 day pack or 2-3 day. 90% of the gear comes on every trip. Food is the variable.

 

[fatlander]

EXO K4 5000


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[grfox92]

They all work. Really ain’t much space difference from a 6-7 day pack or 2-3 day. 90% of the gear comes on every trip. Food is the variable.

This is a good point. I've seen Steve from Exo say over and over that all you need for a 5 day hunt is a 3500. I would not take that advice and really have no idea why he keeps saying it. Maybe because he has all of the best most compact gear? All I known is that I use most of my 5000 to carry what I need for a 3 day hunt and I am pretty minimalist and dont carry a ton of extra creature comforts.

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[eamyrick]

This is a good point. I've seen Steve from Exo say over and over that all you need for a 5 day hunt is a 3500. I would not take that advice and really have no idea why he keeps saying it. Maybe because he has all of the best most compact gear? All I known is that I use most of my 5000 to carry what I need for a 3 day hunt and I am pretty minimalist and dont carry a ton of extra creature comforts.

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Yeh it’s also interesting to hear him talking about not sleeping well. I always carry a thermarest and a z fold pad. I like being warm so usually have more than enough insulation, fresh socks etc. On a 4-5 day fly fishing trip I always take a chair and tarp for sitting and eating lunch. Different strokes but the 4-5 lbs of extra gear and bulk sure do make a whole lot more comfortable trip. For true day hunt I like my 3600 but for 4-5 days to 10 days 6k plus is perfect.

 

[mtnbound]

Now that I have a little more time off from work, I would like to do more backcountry hunts. What are some recommendations for hunting packs for 3-4 days in the backcountry.

Thank you

For me with the same weather conditions the only gear difference for a 3 day to a 10 day is more socks and underwear.
Food is whats changes and takes up more space.
The EXO K4 is a great pack, I believe the 5k is the best all around size.

 

[String Bean]

Bought my Exo K2 - 5500 to backpack hunt. Still have not and probably to old. Packs down small enough I have used as a daypack in multiple states, big enough to carry all my warm gear for stand hunting in January. Helped a buddy get a moose in CO, had him use the Exo to pack vs his pack. A month later he had a new Exo. I find mine very versatile Just my $.02

 

[CaseyRyback]

Exo 5000 without a doubt.

 

[Gourmet]

I'm also looking into packs. I think the Exo k4 5000 is the best option in that it's got the best storage features and it's build quality looks better in my opinion. The Stone Glacier packs have fewer features and compartments, but can be sometimes found online for less money because they're more common.

 

[GotDraw?]

Now that I have a little more time off from work, I would like to do more backcountry hunts. What are some recommendations for hunting packs for 3-4 days in the backcountry.

Thank you

@Rugester -
Keep in mind that there will be a MAJOR volume difference between a 3-4 day Sept-sized bag and a 3-4 day December-sized pack due to heavier sleeping bag, 4 season tent, more and heavier layers-- incl hats, gloves, crampon/ice hikers, down pants, heavy coat...

Winter gear will easily require an addional 15-20 liters / 900-1300 cu in or so of volume.

My EXO 3500 is perfect for 3-4 day Sept hunt. No way it would work for winter.

I'd think 5000 cu in minimum.

JL

 

[Rugester]

@Rugester -
Keep in mind that there will be a MAJOR volume difference between a 3-4 day Sept-sized bag and a 3-4 day December-sized pack due to heavier sleeping bag, 4 season tent, more and heavier layers-- incl hats, gloves, crampon/ice hikers, down pants, heavy coat...

Winter gear will easily require an addional 15-20 liters / 900-1300 cu in or so of volume.

My EXO 3500 is perfect for 3-4 day Sept hunt. No way it would work for winter.

I'd think 5000 cu in minimum.

JL

Unfortunately I live in the great state of California where my rifle season begins late September and ends in October. The areas I will be hunting will have highs in the mid 70's to lows in the high 30's. Makes a lot of sense of what you just said knowing that it will not get too cold until later in the season for me.

 

[Huntnpack 2]

Can’t go wrong with an EXO pack !!
Either K4 3600 or 5000 if buying New.
Used EXO in the same range is a good option as well if saving $$.

My 3200 is plenty for 5 days of 3 season work.
I used it in that capacity for a month long wilderness hunt. Hunted hard, ate well, slept great.

 

[R boar]

I haven't used all the high end packs, but I switched from Mystery Ranch to Kifaru a few years ago, and the Kifaru carries really heavy loads quite well, and is well made.

But the meat shelf is totally cumbersome and hard to use, like it was just an afterthought (it was) and they figured a way to make it work with what they had. Their customer service also sucks.

If I was in the market for a new pack I would not get a Kifaru if I wanted to use a meat shelf. With a big bag, I typically don't use the shelf and just put the meat inside.

 

[lefthandedasian]

I was able to cram a Washington 7 day Sept hunt into my Exo K3 3200. Ended up having some extra food still by the end. I slept fine and was plenty warm with some pretty mid range gear compared to the Gucci stuff that's out now. My pack was STUFFED going in, but once we setup camp over half the gear and food stayed at camp so it was nice having a nice compact bag for all of the day hunting we did.

I think a lot depends on how well you can tolerate being uncomfortable. I for instance can sleep like a rock on a thin foam pad on rocky unlevel ground while my buddy has to be the right temperature on perfectly level ground listening to his sleepytime noises on his headphones... Take a guess who's pack was larger and heavier by 10lbs at the start of our trip lol