Bora 80 opinions and mods

[Warren1726]

I need a pack for a 5-6 day wilderness elk hunt this season. I'd really like to buy an Exo, Kuiu, Kifaru, SG, etc., but with a baby due today money is tight. So, I've been researching budget packs on here. I found a good deal on a Bora 80. My questions are, is this going to fit my needs, is there a better pack for the $(terraplane etc). I need a pack that will compress down for day use, will the Bora do it? For you Bora 80 users, have you made any modifications to improve the pack?

 

[Beastmode]

The Bora 80 is an excellent option. Especially if you can get a good deal on one. If a Kifaru was not in my budget I would have the bora 80 as my go to pack. I just picked up an Arc'teryx Altra 62 for my daughter on sale. They make a very capable hunting pack for the budget minded.

 

[Clarktar]

I used a Bora 80 for several 7-10 backpack trips. The only thing I can think of that annoyed me was the padding in the shoulder straps, it was like a giant sponge and would soak up sweat in a hurry.

But it always performed well. I never felt like I ran out of room with it either. But, I never did use it for hunting, just lots of climbing.

 

[kodiakfly]

I actually just sold my Bora 80 last week! I loved that pack, but since getting into the Kifaru and Barney's thing, I just never carried it anymore. Awesome pack.

I would pack down nicely to a day pack mode, but then be a monster if you needed it to be. The lid comes off and you can carry it separately and it's huge, probably 1000ci on it's own I'm guessing. Good quality, the belt was awesome and it always carried really well for me. I like the sleeping bag compartment and the side zip to access the main compartment from the side.

 

[Warren1726]

I actually just sold my Bora 80 last week! I loved that pack, but since getting into the Kifaru and Barney's thing, I just never carried it anymore. Awesome pack.

I would pack down nicely to a day pack mode, but then be a monster if you needed it to be. The lid comes off and you can carry it separately and it's huge, probably 1000ci on it's own I'm guessing. Good quality, the belt was awesome and it always carried really well for me. I like the sleeping bag compartment and the side zip to access the main compartment from the side.

The side access zip is one of the things that really attracts me to it. If you remove the lid, is there still a top strap to compress it down?

 

[Bighorse]

Bora

I ran a Bora 95. The Arterex warrantee is great. The fabrics on those packs are cool. The waterproofing layer, while heavy, works as advertised. The pack could use some straps cut, clips removed, ect... I took off any feature I wasn't using. The suspension system failed on me after getting rubbed on rocks and setting down heavy meat loads. It's a good platform and will work for backcountry hunting. You can attach a rifle to the side well. The top lid is actually rather nice and sometimes I use it alone to thrown in my boat or as a diddy bag. No pack is invincible. They all hurt when heavy. A Bora pack is a nice place to start and with a good pair of boots, rifle, and knife you can hunt just fine.

I wore through stuff on it and had some fabric damage. Arterex repaired and replaced every thing as needed. Excellent service!

 

[kodiakfly]

The side access zip is one of the things that really attracts me to it. If you remove the lid, is there still a top strap to compress it down?

Yes. There is a strap that runs from over the top of the snow collar down to a clip on the front of the bag. I'd still use the side straps for the main compression, but yes, there is a strap that'll hold the front of the bag up and from sliding down over the load. It's a really well thought out bag. I hated selling mine, but they literally hung in my garage for years and years. I sold an 80 and a 65 and kept my 40.

 

[Warren1726]

Yes. There is a strap that runs from over the top of the snow collar down to a clip on the front of the bag. I'd still use the side straps for the main compression, but yes, there is a strap that'll hold the front of the bag up and from sliding down over the load. It's a really well thought out bag. I hated selling mine, but they literally hung in my garage for years and years. I sold an 80 and a 65 and kept my 40.

Thanks! Sounds like a great choice. Unfortunately I just missed out on one locally for $80! I'm kicking myself, too bad you already sold yours. I starting a WTB thread.