Day pack for out west

[cjallen4]

i am from the east and only plan on getting out west 1-2x a year at most. i am looking for a good pack that will be used for a day pack that can haul the rifle, optics and potentially meat out. i am not trying to break the bank on $400+ backpacks and i understand you get what you pay for. looking for something reasonable and comfortable. 5'7" 155lbs for reference as well.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Find a used REI XT85 and don’t look back.

 

[wh0cansay]

Kelty is good value if you're buying new.

Old Lowe / Dana Design internal frame packs can be bought for pennies on eBay and will outperform many new packs on the market today.

 

[chizelhead]

Lots of choices. I’ve used the Kuiu Icon 1850 with carbon frame for years as a day pack. That being said, there has been lots of development since and many hunting pack companies have comparable offerings.

 

[realunlucky]

My current favorite is the kifaru 357 mag. Lay out is about perfect for my spotter and tripod and can load heavy without any worry about pack failure

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[Kurts86]

If you are going out west 2x per year you are going to find a $400+ backpack one of your most valuable pieces of gear. Realistically going out west 2x is going to cost $2k-4k on DIY public land hunts. The cheapest way into a western backpack is to buy the right one of the first time unlike me trying to dance multiple cheaper packs before buying the right one.

For a day hunt backpack the Mystery ranch pop-up series is very good if you keep loads to a maximum of 50-60 lbs. They cost under $300 and are 25% off often.

 

[cjallen4]

If you are going out west 2x per year you are going to find a $400+ backpack one of your most valuable pieces of gear. Realistically going out west 2x is going to cost $2k-4k on DIY public land hunts. The cheapest way into a western backpack is to buy the right one of the first time unlike me trying to dance multiple cheaper packs before buying the right one.

For a day hunt backpack the Mystery ranch pop-up series is very good if you keep loads to a maximum of 50-60 lbs. They cost under $300 and are 25% off often.

first trip to the mountains, before this colorado season the places ive been out west have been texas multiple times, arizona and nebraska. almost all my hunts are day hunts and i have never had to be able to pack meat out until this upcoming trip. i'd rather buy a used bag and trial the experience before spending $400+ on a bag.

i have been looking into the mystery ranch pop up series i felt that was the best fit for the cost.

 

[wh0cansay]

i have been looking into the mystery ranch pop up series i felt that was the best fit for the cost.

Unless you have tried them on, there's no way to tell until you do.

 

[NXTZ]

If you’re interested in the popup, check camofire.com they have one available today for like 50% off.

 

[flyfisher117]

Early season?late season? All seasons? If you want to haul puffy gear for late season plan for that when sizing your pack.

Watch camo fire and snag a Mystery Ranch pack when they have a deal. Or pop over into the classifies and snag a used pack from one of the big names.

 

[flyfisher117]

i have been looking into the mystery ranch pop up series i felt that was the best fit for the cost.

I had a pop up and it would likely do what you need very well. I had the larger version and late season I ran out of space. In the early season it was less full and the bag itself was saggy.

It also hauled meat but after hauling meat 1 time I sold it and upgraded. 2 deer quarters, back straps, and a head and I was hurting. I was probably over weight but the whole pack was squeaking and groaning and felt like it offered zero support.

 

[mrbillbrown]

Horn Hunter Full Curl might work for you. It’s a versatile pack, just a little heavy for dry pack weight.


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[Alaric]

I can't say enough good about my Badlands pack. I believe their site is called badlandsgear. Warranties are really important to me. If you take a look at their warranty you'll find out that it's a lifetime warranty and they will try to fix your gear if you do something to it in the field as well. I've hauled out deer and elk in my pack and it's been the most comfortable pack I've ever used. I've never used the warranty on my pack but it's nice to know that no matter what problem happens they say they'll be there for the problem. I use Vortex scopes for that reason and when I needed them for a scope issue they were the best I've ever had to deal with in regard to scopes. I'm not in any way affiliated with either Badlandsgear or Vortex. I am a western hunter with far more years behind me than I enjoy admitting. I've been hunting in the west for more than 50 years now and this is my contribution to your question.

 

[prm]

One option would be to find a used Kifaru Duplex frame and a bag that appeals to you. I prefer the Stryker XL. That will be a bombproof dumptruck.
For lighter options, a used Mystery Ranch Mule or the pop-up pack would work if you’re not hauling crazy heavy.

Lots of nice daypacks, hauling meat significantly changes the equation.

 

[cjallen4]

If you’re interested in the popup, check camofire.com they have one available today for like 50% off.

Thank you I checked this morning and didn’t see anything and once you said that i immediately hopped on and ordered one!

 

[mgstucson]

I have hunted the often vertical hunting fields around Tucson for 20 years. I have used many options: No pack, small fanny packs, big fanny packs with and without shoulder straps, small frameless day packs that were inexpensive but solid and well made.

For hunting out here on warmer days I carry::

1. A rifle (or bow) slung to the KIFARU belt with their rifle carrier. I sling the rifle under my arm when I am hunting for quick access. and behind my shoulder on the pack frame when packing out. I can still access it from either place if needed while walking.

2. 1 or 2 2/3 liter hydration bladders, depending on how far from the truck I get.

3. Spotting scope/large binos and tripod in pack or on frame

4, Small binos, radio, range finder, kestrel, phone, in-reach, Garmin GPS, all in molle pouches on a chest rig. I use a modified military surplus load bearing vest for my chest rig. I always wear the chest rig with or without a day pack. This is the heaviest thing that is load bearing on my shoulders. My day pack options carry load on the belt, not the shoulder straps.

4. Kill kit, food, first aid kit, extra ammo, rain gear, flash light, etc. in the pack.



What I have come to find works the best for me is:

1. A KIFARU Duplex Lite Frame or K4 FRAME on a KIFARU belt, with an appropriate size KUIU pack, usually about 3600 to 4500 but sometimes as small as 1850. All the bags compress down to the frame if not full. The KUIU 4500 Divide on a K4 frame with a KIFARU belt is my ultimate idea for a day pack, but I don't own a KUIU 4500 Divide pack yet. I won't pay full price and haven't found a used one yet. A straight up KUIU frame pack will do well for a light day pack too, but it is not great when loading out meat. It is serviceable, but not great under heavy load. I prefer something with a KIFARU belt, because it will carry the weight of my rifle all day, and there is nothing better for load bearing comfort than a KIFARU belt.

2. Another alternative is to carry a KIFARU or K4 frame with a KIFARU Cargo Panel with various military surplus molle pouches for my gear. This option is a great very light weight option that is very versatile, and can be done for under $400 if you buy everything used here or on fleabay. People are ditching their Duplex frames for the new ARK frames.

3. With either option I carry meat bags and/or a large roll top bag compressed between the pack and the frame, or between the cargo panel and the frame for packing out meat and/or as a stuff bag for layers or apparel shed in the afternoon heat or for rain gear when needed.

4. Remote antenna for radio attached to pack frame, or back of bino chest rig.

5. If I am hunting within a mile or so of the truck and only going to be out a few hours and come back to the truck at lunchtime, I sometimes just carry my chest rig, and a KIFARU pack belt with 3 military fanny packs on the KIFARU belt. One on each side and one across the back. (I am a big guy and wear a large belt, so this works well) These military fanny packs have built in molle attachments, full double zipper closure that will open from either end, and compression straps that keep the bags low profile tight to the belt when empty. They are well made and durable. 2 - 3 liter hydration bladders will fit in one fanny pack. I buy these military surplus fanny packs 10 at the time for about 4-5 dollars each on fleabay. I keep a lot of my gear (first aid kit, kill kit, meat bags, rain gear, hydration bladders, etc.) labeled in these full double zipper pouches, then just attach them to my KIFARU belt, or my Cargo Panel, or pitch them into my KUIU frame day pack as needed. They are kind of the base unit of my packing system.