If you were starting from scratch, which daypack setup would you buy?

[Shootinsurveyor]

I use a MR Metcalf cause its what I have. It collapses down nicely and can haul anything I'm physically capable of carrying. That being said I would move towards any of the sizes of the MR Popup series. Tried one on and it felt perfect. Probably going to hurt carrying a heavy heavy load, but it wont break.

 

[mtwarden]

Yes. Or scouting. Bird hunting. Predator hunting. Day hunting with horses. Etc.

true that; I was thinking he was asking about day hunting for big game

 

[Smoxley]

I would go with a Stryker XL

 

[Northern-Nomad]

What are the thought surrounding a pack like the Mystery Ranch Crewcab or (I think discontinued) Cabinet? Are there any real benefits to one of these style packs over say a Pintler?

 

[KChunter71]

Not one pack is perfect for everything.

Happy with my 3! Yes can’t have enough

Kifaru E&E
Kifaru Shape charge
stone glacier sky 5900

 

[Tower]

I absolutely love my Kifaru 14’r. It can compress really small, fit winter stuff, camera stuff or just a few things. It can handle 60lb no problem with a belt so it can pack some meat or a hide or something in a pinch. I’ve used mine for quite a few years now and continue using it every year.

It is a good carry on size too so no problems on airplanes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm considering the 14'r (along with the shapecharge, and HPG Umlindi) but was steering away b/c I thought it would be too large to be a carry-on with the 23" stays. Nobody has ever given you a problem with it as a carry-on?
I really like the ability to add belt pouches to the side for extra capacity.

 

[justin davis]

A kifaru

 

[SocalRoadHunter]

I have a Kifaru Stryker xl and an exo mountain k3 4800. Can’t go wrong with either companies. Both comfortable empty and under a load.

 

[cjdewese]

I have a Kifaru Stryker xl and an exo mountain k3 4800. Can’t go wrong with either companies. Both comfortable empty and under a load.

These are the two I've been looking at, shot a deer 4 miles back this year and my current pack was brutal to pack out that much weight. Pack ended up around 95 lbs with an overnight camp on my back as well. Any issues with that kind of weight with either of these?

 

[ZValentine]

I would go with a Hill People Gear UTE, I carry their Umlindi currently and it is great, however I think I am an over packer because I always have it stuffed to the gills, even on just day hikes with the family. HPG suspension has been the best for me with my chronic neck and shoulder issues, they don't cause nearly the cramping or discomfort of others I have tried.

 

[DG75]

Hey Everyone! I’m not starting over…I’m starting!!!

After reading this thread I’m leaning towards a Kifaru frame and a Stryker XL bag. Sorta seems like a little bit overkill for whitetail hunting here locally in NYS but maybe not. Thoughts??? Obviously would work if I travel to do bigger hunts.

Would I better off with something smaller like a Badlands 2200? (just an example could be any brand)

 

[UpTop]

Hey Everyone! I’m not starting over…I’m starting!!!

After reading this thread I’m leaning towards a Kifaru frame and a Stryker XL bag. Sorta seems like a little bit overkill for whitetail hunting here locally in NYS but maybe not. Thoughts??? Obviously would work if I travel to do bigger hunts.

Would I better off with something smaller like a Badlands 2200? (just an example could be any brand)

I’d definitely lean towards one with a little better meat hauling abilities. Don’t see the Stryker setup ever being an “overkill” item. More of a ready for anything

 

[DG75]

I also picked up a hoodlum. Very pleased with the frame and Stryker. Excellent quality build and materials


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DWD]

I adopted a stryker xl during the kifaru moving sale last year. Finally put it to use turkey hunting this spring, what an excellent day pack. Had more than enough room, and I ran two additional compression straps off the frame which could be used for strapping a quarter with, or what I did was ran them over the bag and strapped my blind and chair to the pack. This combo really is the best I’ve used. Can’t wait to use for deer and elk.

 

[EmperorMA]

I can't possibly imagine that there is a better solution here than the Kifaru Stryker XL on a 24" Duplex Lite frame. The newer Hellbender on the same frame would also be fantastic but just a touch larger.

Another good alternative would be a Stone Glacier Approach 2800 (or an older Approach 1800). Great frame and a cool bag that should work for travel, too. come to think of it, if you could find a used 1800 version it might be right up there with the Stryker XL for first place.

The Mystery Ranch Pop-Up 30 is kind of a no-brainer, as well. It may not carry meat quite as well as the two mentioned above, but it will certainly get your deer out of the woods and make a fine travel pack.

 

[cowdisciple]

Depends! I love my backcountry ski pack (ArcTeryx Rush 42) as a hunting daypack. The separate access avalanche tools compartment is great for kill kits or the 19 different muzzleloader things I always end up carrying, and clothes and lunch go in the other compartment.

 

[thrower88]

A mystery ranch pop up. Ability to utilize the meat shelf for additional gear storage if needed

 

[Crews]

I use a Stone Glacier Kiowa and a SG Frame. The Kiowa is just about perfect for work travel, does well as a carry on. And it’s a great as a day pack. When I need to plus up I just throw it on the SG frame.

 

[drive007]

Old post but this has been very helpful

 

[mgstucson]

I am with Jimss. I have hiked all over AZ in warm and cold weather, with no pack, small fanny pack, large fanny pack with and without shoulder straps. and for many years decided on a small frameless pack. and rifle on a sling. I am always back at the truck by nightfall, and usually by lunchtime. The fanny packs were fine for gear, I go lite, but I usually have to shed a coat by mid morning, and the fanny packs were not great for strapping a jacket to. The small frameless pack was fine for my gear and better for strapping my jacket to, but it just got tiring pretty fast in the vertical terrain where we hunt. My rifle was always sliding off my shoulder, especially when there was a pack strap under the sling. I had the same experience as Jimss, shore shoulders, sore back, a lot of fatigue by the end of the hike, even a half day hike in rough terrain. I really like the KUIU frame packs and bought an 1850 for my first frame day pack, but that was too small. I like the KUIU packs because they match my camo, and when the deer can see you from miles away, blending in is VERY important. They can still see you when you move, but lose you when you stop. I also like that their frame packs have a huge 3 sided horseshoe zipper that make finding things in the pack simple. They have the accessibility of a fanny pack with a LOT more room.

KUIU packs are great for organization, and their belt, straps and frame are comfortable for light loads, much more comfortable than a frameless pack, but as weight increases, comfort decreases. Although they are designed to put meat between the frame and pack. if you do that, it is going to FEEL like a LONG hike out, even if the distance is short. KUIU weakness is their lack of belt comfort under heavy load, and belt to frame connection that allows heavy loads to sway as you walk. NO BUENO. KIFARU belt, frame, and straps are great, regardless of weight.

If I was going from scratch today for a day pack. I would go with a KUIU 4500 Divide pack, on a KIFARU Duplex Lite frame. with a KIFARU Gun Bearer for the rifle, with a MILSURP rolltop dry bay between the frame and the pack, empty for a pack out if needed (keeps blood off me, my clothes and my pack.) I would carry another dry bay in the pack with a bivvy and dry clothes if the weather is rainy.