Lightweight Pack - Thru Hiking and Hunting

[Poser]

I backpack a lot during the summer months and just use my hunting pack with an appropriate sized bag for the length of the trip. I'm pretty much indifferent on a couple of pounds of difference in weight when it comes to sub ~40 lbs packs and being out backpacking for 1-7 days at a time.

Now, if you are thru hiking one of the major trails (PCT, AZT, CDT, CT, AT etc), you might consider a UL pack.

 

[Lando]

I have this, use it, and love it. But word of caution: one year i used it for a bunch of 55-lb weighted rucks. It compressed my brachial plexusand I lost feeling/control of my left arm for several months. Called "packer's palsy" or "rucksack palsy." It could've been caused by cranking down the shoulder straps. I still use this for day hunts and backpacking, but bought an exo for the heavy stuff. The extra width and padding on the exo keeps the palsay at bay, though I'll still get tingly after long periods after heavy loads.

The extra cost of the exo was consumed several times over during the medical follow-up to the issue. (As you can imagine, unexplained, sudden onset of left-arm pain, tingling, and partial paralysis sends people into a tizzy...think heart attack, stroke, tumors, all those things to be ruled out.)

Yikes.

 

[jgross424]

I just switched to a Durston 40 after using a Gossamer gear gorilla for the last 12 years or so. I do a lot of cross-country stuff in the sierras so it was getting pretty shredded. also have a bigger ULA for winter stuff/scouting and a smaller frameless 12oz Gossamer gear for overnighters.
And then a K4 3600 for hunting. While the K4 carries weight very well, i couldn't imagine carrying it on a long BP trip without much weight. Its just so stiff and restricting it wouldn't allow me to perform as well in the long run.

 

[jgross424]

I use my SO for hunting, but also for longer trips and winter trips. 2-3 day trips in the "summer" I'll use a light, larger "day" pack

Sierra's cross country eight day trip

nice, what route/passes did you hit?

 

[CMF]

I don't mind any extra weight if I'm just "hiking". I consider it training for hunting

 

[mtwarden]

nice, what route/passes did you hit?

I don't recall the passes (my buddy lives near there and was chief guide) but we big circuitous route starting at Sawmill trailhead and finishing at Shepperd (we shuttled vehicles)

What I thought was cool is that literally every time we would go into a trailless basin, we'd never see another soul and it turns out there are a ton of trailless basins in the Sierra's!

 

[4th_point]

Good thread!

What is impressive to me is that some of these lightweight options include hip belt pockets, shoulder strap pockets, and front panel pockets.

Some hunting packs do not have those pockets at the base weight, so the weight difference is even greater if they have similar storage configurations. Not to mention the cost to add pockets! And front panel pocket may not even be an option without mods.

By the time I added similar pockets to my old hunting pack, it probably added another ~pound.

This is the Lightweight Zone, but the way that I look at it, if I shave a few pounds off the pack then it allows me to carry that camera, glassing chair, 15x binocs, or bigger spotter that gets left behind.

 

[NM13]

I love my Z Packs 21 oz 70L Arc Haul Ultra. It has curved carbon stays that put the weight right on the hip belt. The Ultra fabric is bomber. It's rated for 40#'s. I suppose, but 20-30 is better. Not sure about hauling meat though. A job best left to the 4# frame packs.

 

[coldsoup]

Durston is great, Zpack could be another contender.

 

[4th_point]

I am impressed with the Durston.

Feels light and flimsy when empty but that changes when loaded. I like the mainbag with exterior storage - good design!

 

[sodaksooner]

I wouldn't hesitate to hike with my KUIU. Relatively light, although they have beefed them up over the years with more durable fabric. Don't know if it's the best option, but I don't count ounces either. with a 6000 ci bag (smaller bags are available), it's very comfortable with 30 lbs. I haven't sampled a bunch of other packs, but it has done well for me over the years.

 

[Beendare]

I use the same pack for both adventures. To me, the weight of the pack is irrelevant. It’s what’s in the pack that makes it heavy.

I think you nailed it Justin. If you look at how the pack FEELS, it sometimes makes the weight irrelevant. Its all about, "Perceived weight".

In most cases, a good internal frame thats a couple extra pounds makes the pack feel so much better and lighter on your back-effortless- especially hunting.

Those 2# packs are great with a sweater and water bottle...but put 25# in them and it's a whole different story.

Kifaru made one of those UL packs about 15 years ago and it was a total bust. Put any weight in it and it was like hauling a sack of potatoes.