Choosing a day pack vs a multi-day pack?

[NiceMiss270]

I tried a Eberlestock X2 and really liked it, except that I couldn't get it to carry well. I have lower back issues and no matter how I adjusted it I could not get comfortable.

My Oregon Pack Works Orion carries beautifully. It isn't a full frame, but has aluminum stays.
Unfortunately it is a small, USA based company and covid caused issues with supply chain and labor for them, plus they do Military contract work which sometimes takes priority.

Ok I’ll have to check them out. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Ron.C]

why not both?

Lots of good options out there with frames that let you run multiple bag options. I am currently using a mystery ranch GLMT selway/w daypack lid (total about 70L) for my longer hunts and a mule bag (23L) for day hunts.

I tried larger bags for day hunts with various packs and although they strap down, compress ok but I prefer a smaller bag for day hunts.

Takes me about 10 minutes to swap bags on my frame and the smaller (mule) bag was sub $150 Cdn (probably ($125 US).

Regardless of pack brand, most important thing is to start with a frame that fits right.

 

[cacklercrazy]

Hello everyone,

Looking for some advice on packs. Currently looking to get a a new hunting back pack and I’m trying to decide between a big day pack or a multi day pack. I’m out here in California where 90% of my hunting trips are day trips, mainly for deer and pigs. A MR pop up 38 would be perfect and would allow me to do an overnight trip. In the next couple years I’m looking at doing a few long weekend trips, maybe 2 nights/ 3 days and an out of state hunt. Maybe a pintler, sawtooth 45, or a metcalf would be better. What would you consider or reconsider for choosing between the types of backs? Unfortunately there isn’t store around me where I can try these packs. Any thoughts or experiences are appreciated. Thanks.

Kuiu frame with a 1800 for day hunts and a bigger bag for longer hunts. I run the 6000. Kuiu store in Lincoln.

 

[Bubblehide]

I have a Stone Glacier (great minimalist pacjs that easily handle serious weight), Kifaru (great with heavy loads) an Akek (an awesome little oack that can easily handle a boned out deer) and several others. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the above, they all can be compacted d ou wn when not full.

Whatever you get, be sure it can pack meat out and handle heavy loads, as it makes being successful much easier on you. All 3 packs I mentioned have a meat shelf built into the packs. There are some great pack reviews here on Rokslide, check them out ( the search feature is very helpful).

 

[Desk Jockey]

Welcome.

I would say first consider if you want that day pack to haul meat. If the answer is no, you can get away with a Lot less pack For a day pack.

short answer, if you are looking for a pack that will handle the tasks you described, a pintler or a sawtooth (or Terraframe 50) would be good options and a bit cheaper than some of the other brands. for a longer answer:

I have and have used a pop up for the last few seasons. The 38 is great for me for eastern deer hunting. It has enough room for cold layers and a night or two. However, it doesn’t replace a full size frame pack IMO so it is a bit of a niche play. I love that it is compact and can also haul fairly comfortably when needed. If I was looking for a do all pack, it would not be a pop up.

any of the full size frame packs mentioned above would fill the need. Keep in mind that you are hearing from a crowd that spends a lot of time in the field and a lot of $$ on gear. You don’t need to spend $700 on a pack to hit the woods for a couple days. The trying on packs thing is best and it is good advice, but it is impractical for most. you probably can’t go wrong with any of the brands mentioned here but some may fit you better than others. Unfortunately, you would need a few miles under those packs to know that for sure. If you have one, go over to your local REI and ask some poor clerk to help you with a pack fitting. That will help Give you some idea of proper fit.

for my part, I have too many packs. I use a pretty simple 22 L day pack for short trips and my pop up 38 for day trips with more gear or when I have to haul meat. I have an MR frame with a pintler and a Terraframe 80 bag (similar to the metcalf). Those cover me from light day trips to 5-10 days. I also have a seek pack I use for lightweight backpacking that weighs about half as much as my MR packs and frame. That is my “system” that I have evolved in 25 years of trial and error and is probably more than $2k of packs. Definitely not necessary but I share just to offer some perspective.

 

[5MilesBack]

Come September I'll generally get around 20 days of hunting in. For several days of hunting on just day trips, I don't care for a pack with a frame. So being able to haul meat with my "day pack" is way down the list in importance to me. Comfort and ease of mobility is right at the top of my list. I'd rather hunt 20 days with my daypack and have to hike out to get my SG pack, than carry my SG pack around those 20 days just to be able to haul that first load out with it. But for packing in for however many days, ya.....a decent hauling pack is the way to go.

 

[NiceMiss270]

Welcome.

I would say first consider if you want that day pack to haul meat. If the answer is no, you can get away with a Lot less pack For a day pack.

short answer, if you are looking for a pack that will handle the tasks you described, a pintler or a sawtooth (or Terraframe 50) would be good options and a bit cheaper than some of the other brands. for a longer answer:

I have and have used a pop up for the last few seasons. The 38 is great for me for eastern deer hunting. It has enough room for cold layers and a night or two. However, it doesn’t replace a full size frame pack IMO so it is a bit of a niche play. I love that it is compact and can also haul fairly comfortably when needed. If I was looking for a do all pack, it would not be a pop up.

any of the full size frame packs mentioned above would fill the need. Keep in mind that you are hearing from a crowd that spends a lot of time in the field and a lot of $$ on gear. You don’t need to spend $700 on a pack to hit the woods for a couple days. The trying on packs thing is best and it is good advice, but it is impractical for most. you probably can’t go wrong with any of the brands mentioned here but some may fit you better than others. Unfortunately, you would need a few miles under those packs to know that for sure. If you have one, go over to your local REI and ask some poor clerk to help you with a pack fitting. That will help Give you some idea of proper fit.

for my part, I have too many packs. I use a pretty simple 22 L day pack for short trips and my pop up 38 for day trips with more gear or when I have to haul meat. I have an MR frame with a pintler and a Terraframe 80 bag (similar to the metcalf). Those cover me from light day trips to 5-10 days. I also have a seek pack I use for lightweight backpacking that weighs about half as much as my MR packs and frame. That is my “system” that I have evolved in 25 years of trial and error and is probably more than $2k of packs. Definitely not necessary but I share just to offer some perspective.

I appreciate the the advice. 95% of my hunting trips are day hunts out in here California. I do want a meat hauler because this last season I felt like I was limiting myself to stay within a mile of a road to be able to drag out an animal. This up coming season and the next couple I want to be able to expand that to “long” day hunts and overnighters. 2 nights would be nice but it would probably be pushing it. Right now there are some good deals on the pop ups 38 which is why it is a top contender for me. But I’m going to keep an eye on the classifieds here to try to get a good deal on a used pack.

 

[Rokwiia]

Good advice from others here. Nowaways, backpack materials have gotten much lighter and stronger than years ago. If I were starting over, I'd get a large-volume pack (100Lmain bag) that weighs 4lbs or less and call it a day. I've used my SO 6300 both as a day bag and gargantuan winter backpacking hauler.

Option two is two get a backpack with a smaller-volume bag and separately buy a large-volume bag too and swap them out as needed. The simple truth is the weight penalty from the smallest SO bag to the largest bag is roughly about 4oz. I ended getting the SO Gila (3500ci main bag) in Ultra 400 and also bought a 6,300 bag. I swap out as needed.

That said, I'd always recommend that someone buy the largest one and call it a day. If they want the luxury of a smaller bag, buy it separately at a later time.

 

[trophyhill]

My multi day packs are also my daypacks. The Kifaru DT1 on tactical frame and Hoodlum on UL Frame both cinch down into daypack size very nicely when i hunt from truck camp or runnin and gunnin from my 4 wheeler.

 

[Kybosh27]

My multi day packs are also my daypacks. The Kifaru DT1 on tactical frame and Hoodlum on UL Frame both cinch down into daypack size very nicely when i hunt from truck camp or runnin and gunnin from my 4 wheeler.

Same here. I’ve run a Kifaru Hoodlum the last two years and usually in day pack mode. The packs these days cinch down so small. I like my pack to be able to carry something out in the first trip especially if I’m a few miles from the truck.

 

[mtwarden]

I had Popup when they first came out- decent pack, but 50-60 lbs I found to be the limit (comfort), so I would keep my SG frame in the truck to finish any pack outs.

I also found my Popup (28l) to be a little small on volume later in the season.

I decided instead to get a smaller bag for my SG frame for day use (and reserve my larger bag for multiday use) and sold the Popup.

The Popup did have the advantage of being shorter overall and easier to get through thicker timber.

I do think the Popup is a good design (and a well made pack) and maybe just the ticket for some.

 

[realunlucky]

I also had a popup 28 but it ended up to small for me.
This year I'm going with a kifaru 357 mag internal frame pack for day hunts and overnighters. I do have a frame with bigger bag for multiple day backpacking trips

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[Movadius]

I have a Stone Glacier (great minimalist pacjs that easily handle serious weight), Kifaru (great with heavy loads) an Akek (an awesome little oack that can easily handle a boned out deer) and several others. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the above, they all can be compacted d ou wn when not full.

Whatever you get, be sure it can pack meat out and handle heavy loads, as it makes being successful much easier on you. All 3 packs I mentioned have a meat shelf built into the packs. There are some great pack reviews here on Rokslide, check them out ( the search feature is very helpful).

Would you be willing to talk a bit about your expetience with the AKEK pack? Im debating buying one but there are comparitively few reviews out there.

 

[jjjones7]

Personally I like the guide light MT frame from mystery ranch better than the pop-up frame especially for hauling meat. If I was in your shoes I’d pick a pack with that frame: sawtooth, bear tooth, metcalf, Pinter…..whatever you want for a multi day pack and then pickup the mule bag for that frame. You could still comfortably haul meat with the mule day pack and that frame in the time being then clip on the bigger bag when you’re ready for it.

 

[Nacho338]

Consider a Seek Outside bag. Even their bigger bags compress to a tidy daybag, and their frames handle more weight than is humanly possible to carry. Definitely worth checking out a SO Peregrine.

 

[Bubblehide]

Would you be willing to talk a bit about your expetience with the AKEK pack? Im debating buying one but there are comparitively few reviews out there.

Sure, PM me your name, number, good days and times to call and I will call you. Oh, and your locstion, so I get the times correct.

By the way, I did review the pack here on Rokslide, in 2 threads.

 

[nimike]

For what it’s worth, if I have more space I take more stuff I don’t need.
I would always recommend erring on the small side and adding to the outside for the hike.

 

[CMF]

I've had a Metcalf and now have Exo k3 4800. The metcalf hauled a load just as well, but I like the storage layout and overall the exo was a little more comfortable. If exo is overbudget, I wouldn't not recommend the metcalf.
day vs multi: If I can't get my stuff in my pockets, I take my exo. If I'm hauling a treestand or groundblind when deer hunting, sometimes all just use the frame and leave bag off or use one of my kids backpacks for some clothes if we're ground blind hunting.

 

[billysmals]

I have used a Kuiu pack for years. Then tried an exo and now I’m waiting for Kifaru to arrive. As many others said trying multi brands and belts/frames are also what I feel like is the most important. Any of the brands will have their positives and negatives and people who like or dislike them. I don’t have a single brand loyalty card and try many for various reasons.

The kuiu worked okay but I felt slipped on my body. I used the OG icon pro and the new limited as well. The bag layout is great and the organization is great. They are also lightweight but that at times can come with a negative of durability. I never had probs in that area but I have heard others have. The Exo (k3) was better for my body, but I was still looking for something so I am trying Kifaru. I am trying the option suggested already to by a bigger bag and run compressed in first (hoodlum for me). If I want a specialist day bag for true day trips I’ll look to buy another and swap it out. The biggest point is does that frame and belt fit you? I have found those internal day bags work great for day trips (i tried a tenzing) where animal pick up can be done via truck or at. It’s great until you load them with 50lbs and that’s when have issues. That’s why I run the full frame and would just buy a smaller bag to switch. But that’s just my preference. I easily see the logic in others having full separate bags for their purposes. I also hunt for elk mostly. Even day tripping I want something to handle 80+lbs of gear and meat if I kill something. So it’s easier to have a frame day pack to do that and just change the bag for expedition.

 

[NiceMiss270]

Personally I like the guide light MT frame from mystery ranch better than the pop-up frame especially for hauling meat. If I was in your shoes I’d pick a pack with that frame: sawtooth, bear tooth, metcalf, Pinter…..whatever you want for a multi day pack and then pickup the mule bag for that frame. You could still comfortably haul meat with the mule day pack and that frame in the time being then clip on the bigger bag when you’re ready for it.

I really do like the idea of getting either a stone glacier or a mystery ranch frame then having a couple different bags to use. If money wasn’t that big of a factor then I would probably go that route.