any reason why it might be dumb to use a hunting backpack for backpacking? (Stone Glacier Sky Guide 7900)

[Poser]

I haven't owned a backpacking brand pack in years and I backpack quite a bit all summer: 18 days so this summer since the beginning of July. The fit and modularity of the high end hunting packs far supersedes what the backpacking brands offer. I also like absolutely dialing in my pack fit and packing management over the summer do I spend minimal time deal with that come Fall.

Now, if you are looking to venture into true UL backpacking with a cuben fiber pack using your sleeping pad for a frame, then hunting brands aren't what you want. For me, I'm usually backpacking around with fishing gear and/or spotter tripod, so I'm rarely under 30 lbs anyway. Often in the 35-40 lbs range.

 

[canyonhunter47]

I may be the outlier, but keep in mind a dedicated pack for any particular purpose will be incrementally better than one good for a wider range of uses. A heavier pack than is needed is the opposite of cutting handles off toothbrushes - it’s bringing a 10-pack of tooth brushes and one of those big 8-packs of Costco toothpaste to go along with your moderate weight 30-50 lb backpacking trips. I’m the biggest fan of heavy multi purpose gear, but one pack can’t do it all very well.

In the same way, overly large heavy weight hauling packs make mediocre day packs for hunting unless you’re elk hunting and need the beefiness. Even then I’m more likely to use my moderate size mule deer pack and trade off for a larger pack at the truck to get the meat out.

I’d compare it to towing a popup trailer with a 1 ton. Yeah it’s bigger than needed but some people don’t want to own a Tacoma, a 1 ton, and a 3/4 ton to optimize for each use case.

That being said, at 2 lbs or so my old SO flight is great for a fair weather trips without water concerns.

 

[mtnbound]

My backpacking pack is on its last breaths and i'm getting into hunting (just got my license and first rifle). Wondering if it makes sense to get the SG Sky Guide 7900 to use for both hunting and on backpacking trips? I know it's about 6lbs and so is my current backpacking pack so that's not an issue. my backpacking weight is anywhere between 30-50lbs (but i'd like to get it lighter eventually) and I hike up to 12 miles a day in mountain terrain when backpacking. Thanks in advance.

No issues at all, I've been doing it for many years, and when you are carrying a heavier weight, the hunting packs are superior for comfort.

 

[Dos Perros]

Hunting packs are heavier than dedicated ultralight packs for two reasons: 1) the materials are meant to be more durable, and 2) the pack is designed to carry more weight.

If one already owned a hunting pack and was considering buying a backpacking pack reason 1 wouldn't matter...the hunting pack will have the durability to double as a backpacking pack. So I think it's valid to 'emotionally accept' the incremental weight increase for an increase in durability.

The incremental weight gain for beefier frame stays and a heavier suspension is pretty small, probably a half pound. I personally don't tend to care when we are talking about weights that are comparable to how much water I can drink each time I put a Nalgene to my lips.

TL;DR...doesn't matter, have fun dude!

 

[TaperPin]

I’d compare it to towing a popup trailer with a 1 ton. Yeah it’s bigger than needed but some people don’t want to own a Tacoma, a 1 ton, and a 3/4 ton to optimize for each use case.

That being said, at 2 lbs or so my old SO flight is great for a fair weather trips without water concerns.

I’d agree - that’s solid reasoning.

If someone wants one pack to do everything there has to be a compromise and buying a single one ton truck makes the most sense for a hunter.

 

[Ron.C]

I use a number of "non hunting " designed products for hunting and a number of " hunting" designed products for non hunting use.

The way I see it, if a product meets my needs for the purpose I am using it for I could care less what or who it was made for.

 

[bozeman]

I have three packs. Kifaru for hunting, a SO Flight 2 (I believe) for hiking/day trips, a older MR Scapegoat 35 I travel with. All three serve a purpose, but yes, the Kifaru could handle all of it.

 

[Cannonball]

Yes you can do it easily and its a good idea to get used to your gear prior to using on a hunt, but Id rather carry something like the Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight which is 4lbs lighter at a pretty reasonable cost.

 

[judders87]

Having a dedicated ultralight pack would only be worth it if you were hiking more than 15 miles a day IMO. If you take the hunting pack don't fill it up with more stuff just because you can and you should be fine.

 

[Cgoodma5]

My backpacking pack is on its last breaths and i'm getting into hunting (just got my license and first rifle). Wondering if it makes sense to get the SG Sky Guide 7900 to use for both hunting and on backpacking trips? I know it's about 6lbs and so is my current backpacking pack so that's not an issue. my backpacking weight is anywhere between 30-50lbs (but i'd like to get it lighter eventually) and I hike up to 12 miles a day in mountain terrain when backpacking. Thanks in advance.

I have an osprey backpacking pack. I just purchased a stone glacier pack and feel like it more comfortable than the osprey. Could just fit me better than the osprey I had.