Daypack with ability to carry out first load

[madcityelkhunter]

I am looking for some suggestions for a day pack with the following requirements: capacity around 3,000ish CI, would only be used for a daypack to carry around rain gear, lunch, clothes shed as the day gets warmer, ability to carry out at least an elk quarter as the first load. I have a frame only pack for getting the spike camp in and would go back to camp with 1st quarter to swap out packs for the remainder of the animal. I have looked at all of the different packs but am having a hard time determining which one fits the bill the most. My hunting partner has a horn hunter non-typical XL (similar to mainbeam XL). This seems like a nice pack but I am open to other options. I am 5'-10" so I don't want a huge pack and would prefer to keep the weight as low as possible as it truly is just a day pack. Horn hunter is kind of heavy. Looked at the Blacks Creek Antidote which seems to meet all the requirements but you have to buy additional equipment to make it comparable to other packs such as rain fly, pockets on the waist belt, addition padding for the shoulder straps. For the price shouldn't these come with the pack?

Any input on what you have that would be an option would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[RosinBag]

I would wait a couple months and there may be some new packs out by some solid companies.

 

[justin davis]

Kifaru Lateseason

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Maybe a Late Season or T3?

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Based on your needs I would look at the Kifaru Duplex line.

 

[muleman]

I love the Stone Glacier Krux frame and Approach bag for day hunts.

While scouting and hunting for mountain goats this year; I used this pack exclusively. For up to two days, one night trips the Approach is my current goto pack.

While hunting I was able to pack in the main pocket an ID Sil Tarp 3, bivy, complete Kuiu Chugach XL rain wear, Kuiu Spindrift XL, Eberlestock light weight pack cover, Kill, First Aid and Possibles kits, and 1.5 days worth of food.

I put my 85mm scope in the scope pocket and tripod in the tripod relief. I didnt put the tripod feet in the provided pocket. Choosing to just strap the tripod down. This allowed me to reduce the height of the pack and made it easier to bust brush. I also bungeed a Smart Optix digiscopping adapter. Between the pack bag and frame I had 3 liters of water.

The pack rode well and was streamlined. On the initial trip out with meat it was placed in BOMB bags in the load shelf. With full kit as described above.

On the last 45# load of meat, I had the full kit minus the gun, scope and tripod.

 

[goodgrouper]

I'm rolling quarters for a Stone Glacier approach. Check em out.

 

[boom]

i'm just gonna say it. my Badlands 2800 would fit the bill. i did just what you said..daypack and then it was an awesome meat hauler. i carried the entire hind leg. my knife dulled..so it went with me with the hoof. it was way above my head and clipping tree branches. i looked like an idiot...but i blasted out of the mountain, dumped it..and went back for more. i didnt even change packs. it was awesome.

my brother had an Eberlestock. nice too, but my badlands loaded up the easiest. i had to go about 2 miles. no real world test with any long distances. sorry.

 

[Darren Best]

Stone Glacier Solo - 3300 ci

 

[Justin Crossley]

Kifaru BT3

This way you can still get 26" stays but have a smaller bag if that is your wish.

I Prefer the standard T1 for a day pack and everything else personally though.

 

[flyinsquirel]

I would wait a couple months and there may be some new packs out by some solid companies.

You got some insider info you want to share?

I would agree with Justin, BT3 if you are set on a small pack. Truth be told, the bigger packs compress down pretty small so I see no need for 2 packs anymore.

 

[luke moffat]

Yep should be able to get a DT3 bag in OD Green for 20% off to throw on a bikini frame for pretty cheap or even just the reg Timberline 3 in OD green should be 20% off as well...both great options for what is described above!

 

[Riplip]

I have been looking for a similar bag, strictly long day hunts. Don't want to have to switch for frame pack. Really thinking about the regular T3 pack. Can the T3 handle full day gear and the pack out? Concerned about the width of the top opening, will it fit a bone in qtr?

 

[Ross]

I have been using the T3 the last 2 years.....there is just enough room for all your gear for bivy hunting, but you would be unable to pack out a boned quarter in the bag, as the opening it just too small so you would have to bone it out and depending on how much gear you have the pack may be too small for a full boned out quarter + gear..........I was able to bone out my muley last year with just day gear and had enough room for all the gear and the muley on the way out. Great pack but somewhat limited due to the main compartment width. Looking to add a different lid next year for a little more capacity for misc items.

 

[hammer0419]

I have been looking for a similar bag, strictly long day hunts. Don't want to have to switch for frame pack. Really thinking about the regular T3 pack. Can the T3 handle full day gear and the pack out? Concerned about the width of the top opening, will it fit a bone in qtr?

For me the top opening on the T3 is a deal breaker. I had two of them but just couldn't get past how small the opening was. The Kifaru meat bags filled up just slide inside the opening. IT WILL NOT FIT A BONE IN Qtr. I fully understand tapering larger packs. To taper an already small pack is a complete negative in my opinion. If you do not want a framed pack definitely get a Lateseason. That is an incredible pack for day/overnight and game hauling. If you want the duplex option get a T2. It is a late season main bag with the external pockets.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Never buy a new and untested anything! Not a 1st edition vehicle, pack or clothing system. Look how many items are revised or discontinued after initial buyers find all the flaws. Stick to products that are tried and tested and have proven themselves. That's my advice.

It is not uncommon for the Lab Rat Buyers to discover their precious 1st year model was nothing more than a

​

 

[Riplip]

Thanks for the feedback on the T3, So is the late season top opening bigger? Will it fit a bone in qtr? Can the pack handle that kind of weight comfortably? I really don't do any overnights or bivy hunting, but do carry a good amount of day hunting gear. Thanks again.

 

[hammer0419]

Yes yes and yes on the late season. It is an incredible pack.

 

[flyinsquirel]

As long as you can get by with 24" stays the Late Season will fit the bill.

 

[madcityelkhunter]

I was looking at the Late Season but it doesn't look like it has a lot of pockets for organizing. Does it? It looks like a big duffle bag that you would just throw everything into and then have to dump it all out to look for something. Am I missing something with this bag or is that how it is supposed to be used?