Hiking frame packs

[shanew1668]

New to backpack hunting and trying to find a good starter pack for a longer hunt. What are the cons to using a pack such as a north face or something else like that? Does anybody else use a non hunting brand frame pack?

 

[pirogue]

You’d be mistaken for some tree hugging anti-hunter that just bought a weapon and was out trying to learn how to shoot it.

 

[*zap*]

functional, comfortable to wear when loaded, priced within your budget. Those are the important things.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

The problem with backpacking bags is that they are made to carry 40-50lbs and that’s about it.

 

[RJC]

The problem with backpacking bags is that they are made to carry 40-50lbs and that’s about it.

This ^^^....They are perfectly fine until you need to pack out an animal. No other way to put it they just can't handle the weight of a heavy packout.

 

[shanew1668]

This ^^^....They are perfectly fine until you need to pack out an animal. No other way to put it they just can't handle the weight of a heavy packout.

Thanks that’s what I was wondering.

 

[JRMiller]

I used to use an Osprey 65l back when it was all i could afford(used).
It worked but like others said i could only pack 45lbs or so total.
Once did 65lbs but I would not advise it. It was a one time desperate situation.
It was an incredibly well made pack, but limited in its design.

 

[EastHumboldt]

I run a mystery Ranch metcalf, and it’s reasonably comfortable with all my day gear and 1/2 of a boned out buck on the meat shelf (about 70-75 lbs). It has an external frame but looks different than old school frame packs. I carry the 40 liter dry bag folded up and stashed in the meat shelf area. It will shrink to a barely loaded day pack or expand to accommodate more crap than you could possibly want to carry. I think it’s about 70 liters. My brother just got the bear tooth for Xmas which has about 80 liters capacity and more features for acessing and organizing gear. If I did it again I might go with the bigger pack, but big packs encourage you to carry extra crap. Or I should say a smaller pack will force you to decide what you really need.

 

[22lr]

I love the Osprey bags for comfort and ventilation. Nothing else even comes close in my opinion. But, ya, not really meant to carry more than 50lbs... but for just carrying camp around, you won't find better bags out there.

You can help make it work by taking more trips with less weight, but if you push em too far past the 50lb mark then take a repair kit with you to deal with busted straps.