Beartooth or sawtooth

[Mackenzieb91]

Hey guys, I’m torn between the bear tooth or sawtooth.

I want a One pack done, kinda thing.

spot and stalk bear and deer in northren Alberta , but also elkwith 3 day to four day trips. I fear beartooth will be to big? When not filled fully, but would the saw tooth with the aftermarket lid be enough when need?

 

[Desk Jockey]

Do you drop your camp or carry it the whole time? How big are you?

I am xxl size so need a little more room for wide pads, long sleeping bags, manly man sized clothes and a little extra food so I like a bigger pack.

I have both. I can’t / don’t fill up the beartooth unless I am packing for 3+ days. It can be compressed down but it is a big pack and even compressed flops a bit more than my old Metcalf.

The sawtooth is on the smaller side so a better daypack but I have to load a camp bag for more than 2 days and carry that on the meat shelf. Selway is sort of the Goldilocks size for mid length hunts.

I prefer the new daypack lid on either. Annoying that MR doesn’t offer it standard.

 

[Mackenzieb91]

This gonna be our first year going after the elk, well probably drop camp , and I’m 6,2 270. So I’m on the XXl as well .

 

[Stroke250]

I would say the Sawtooth as it can be packed for multiple days if done correctly. Also, you could add the daypack lid for added capacity when it is needed or removed when it is not.

 

[Mackenzieb91]

I see that goHUNT has the selway on sale for $380 plus 10% for first time buyer, any views on this bag ?

 

[Kbhillhunter]

selway is a nice do it all size. not much organization but it's pretty light. i had the selway but bumped up to the beartooth but i think either would be fine for 3-4 days.

 

[R.SolisIII]

I have the Bear tooth pack and I think it is really nice, it hauled all my gear in nicely with room to spare, this was a 5 day elk hunt so there was plenty of stuff in the pack. After camp was set up, I loaded my pack again with gear for the day as we were out and about walking and glassing. It cinches down pretty good and was easy to get around with the little gear I had in there. The Sawtooth was just a little too small for me...

 

[Mackenzieb91]

Bit the bullet went with the bear tooth. One bag and done.

 

[peterk123]

Bit the bullet went with the bear tooth. One bag and done.

@Mackenzieb91 now that you have had the Beartooth for a bit, how do you like it? Does it compress down well enough for day use? Thx Pete

 

[Bailer]

IMO it compresses well. It compresses very tight to the frame, but is still a tall pack. My tripod and pistol grip head are still taller, so for day hunts I don’t see that as an issue.

I’m loaded for a morning archery hunt tomorrow. Water bladder is full, kill kit at the bottom of my main pouch, glassing stool in the zippered smaller pouch, headlamp and first aid in the little top pocket. The main pouch could be compressed tighter, but I left room to throw layers in as it warms from the 30’s to the 60’s.

 

[hammer0419]

I carry a Sawtooth on my X-Curve frame. Great 2 day pack. Definitely would go bigger for 4 days.

 

[Mackenzieb91]

@Mackenzieb91 now that you have had the Beartooth for a bit, how do you like it? Does it compress down well enough for day use? Thx Pete

I actually ended up selling it and buying a exo 1800 & 4800 , as for me personally felt for them short day trips it was to floppy even when compressed for my liking . But maybe I just didn’t have patience to compress it down with all them straps. I also could not get it to sit properly no matter what.

 

[Kdecar7191]

I just picked up the Sawtooth. It has plenty of room for a 1-2 day hunt but would be really tight if you were packing for any longer. As mentioned already, you can get the daypack lid if you wanted a little more room. Fit and feel of the Sawtooth is exceptional. Can’t go wrong with either one, but my vote is for the Sawtooth if the majority of your hunts are 1-2 days.