Looking for a daypack....advice wanted.

[Broomd]

A2C...I'm going to research that one, please keep that offer open for me if you would. You'll likely get a pm or two from others unrelated to this thread.

As to some of the questions, I'm looking for a pack I can grab and head up five miles into the Sawtooths to catch a few cutthroat, stay overnight.
A pack I can grab for a long day hunt, or even overnight chasing mountain muleys, and still have some confidence I can haul out a buck and head, with the overnight gear.
This pack should work too for a simply afternoon hunt in the high country chasing whitetails here where I live as well.
I hope I'm not asking too much.

 

[oldgoat]

The Apollo will be on the Kifaru page by noon today, there is a pic of a friend of mine hauling a gutted wild hog on the load shelf on Facebookand it's a day pack with arrow sleeve

 

[Cant hit em]

The Apollo will be on the Kifaru page by noon today, there is a pic of a friend of mine hauling a gutted wild hog on the load shelf on Facebookand it's a day pack with arrow sleeve

Type in " gritty15" you will save 15% on this pack

 

[Broomd]

Looks like I'd need a frame for the apollo? So, I;m looking at roughly $500 for a daypack?! Am I missing something?
As was said elsewhere here, this stuff has all gotten too confusing. I suppose it is why I wear osprey main packs, fit/adjust them and forgettaboutit...

 

[oldgoat]

Looks like I'd need a frame for the apollo? So, I;m looking at roughly $500 for a daypack?! Am I missing something?
As was said elsewhere here, this stuff has all gotten too confusing. I suppose it is why I wear osprey main packs, fit/adjust them and forgettaboutit...

If you spend the money and haul some weight, you will say, oh I see now! Or like for my wife, hard to fit any off the shelf pack too, and all of a sudden you can carry a load and get the pack on and off unassisted you will see the point, if you just carry 10lbs and as a daypack, you might not get it. I will also add that if you choose to resale, just look at the prices used Kifarus go for, often within 10% or so of new prices minus shipping.

 

[castandblast]

Looking for quality, super light day pack big enough for two-three days in a pinch. I'm looking for a budget pack, don't have any desire to spend Kifaru type $.
I want something with a decent hip belt. Long torso....38" waist.

I have several packs. love Osprey's offerings for my big packs..70-85 liters, etc.
Looking to round out the smaller pack need now.
Opinions, ideas and experience appreciated...

I'm with you on liking Osprey packs a lot, although from an opposite approach in that I only own them in 15 to 50 liters and my bigger packs are Kifaru.

For the fishing overnighter I would use my Stratos 34. For any trip involving the possibility of hauling out camp and a boned out deer/head I think you'll need the capacity and better suspension of the bigger Osprey you already have unless you are going to do multiple trips out.

I tried a bunch of packs trying to find a day hunting or overnighter pack that can expand to handle a carcass comfortably, and it wasn't until I tried Kifaru that I felt I could stop looking. It seemed like an insane amount of money initially but I'm beyond sold after using one.

 

[worx53]

FYI- myself and some buddies have all had failed zippers on various models of badlands packs on hunts---none use them anymore.

 

[E in CO]

Like a few have also said above, I really like my Osprey Aether 60 liters for up to about 35 lbs. I liked it so much that 2 seasons ago I decided it was time to use it for a backpack elk hunt. Loved it up till the point I had to haul out an average 5x6 bull over 2 days. Once my back mostly recovered by the next March, I ordered a Kifaru Duplex and Cargo Panel. Add a few pockets and a large duffel and you can do a lot of things. I'm not saying you need Kifaru stuff but one stout mulie a few miles back will have you wishing for some better support and load hauling capabilities than a day pack or summer backpacking rig. It never hurts to have more capability along but it can sometimes hurt with less.

 

[Halleywood]

Looks like I'd need a frame for the apollo? So, I;m looking at roughly $500 for a daypack?! Am I missing something?
As was said elsewhere here, this stuff has all gotten too confusing. I suppose it is why I wear osprey main packs, fit/adjust them and forgettaboutit...

Broomd, you can get a bikini frame in the classifieds for around $200. Add in $140 for the Apollo and you are at $350 for a pack that can do absolutely everything you want plus more.

 

[Backpacker]

I've had lots of daypacks and by far my favorite is a mystery ranch dragon slayer. Just saw one in the classifieds for $250. If you watch you can still find a really nice used one. They have organization which I like, are bombproof, and can haul a decent load if absolutely necessary. I love the trizip on those packs. And I'm pretty sure they were made in Bozeman

I second this, I have a dragonslayer as well and its a great day pack. Super comfortable and can carry a load well, especially if you have the livewing waistbelt. And yes the Dragonslayers were made in Bozeman, the new scapegoat is being made in Clark Field.