Looking for a lightweight hunting daypack

[Macchina]

I currently use a Camelbak MULE or various Maxpedition backpacks (Falcon II or Condor II) for daypacks when out hunting. The CamelBak is great for trips where I wear everything I have on all day (Early Fall hunts or deer hunting in the winter when I know I will continue moving). I am doing more hunting trips now where I am going to pack into a basecamp and day-hunt from there for a week or so. The Camelbak is small enough to fit in my backpacking bag but I fear it may not be large enough to adapt to a week of changing conditions. Some days I may need rain gear and others I will pack my down jacket for when we stop walking (this years hunt will be below freezing most of the time). The Maxpedition bags do not pack down well and are not great daypacks anyway.

I am looking for a nice daypack that fits great (with a real hip belt), is able to carry around 20 pounds when need be but not so large for times when I need just water, food, a bit of gear, and a jacket. I will not be packing meat in this bag and I tend to stay away from traditional camo patterns (Like Mossy Oak).

 

[muleman]

When backpacking, I day hunt out of my main pack. I do not see the need for an extra pack. I can also start packing meat without an extra two way hike to get my main pack.

 

[Macchina]

I have an Eberlestock J34 that is supposed to be used in this way, but I just can't seem to get used to the idea of using such a big pack for a daypack. I can defintely see where it would be beneficial to carry the same pack all day but I feel like carrying an extra 2 pounds into basecamp would be more efficient than using a 6 pound pack all trip long (5 miles in/out but at least 30 miles of hunting travel)...

Is it more common than I think to use your main pack as your daypack once you get to camp?

 

[jgeary338]

check out stone glacier I pulled the trigger on one today! super light and compress amazingly to near nothing!

 

[muleman]

I've used Eberlestock packs day hunting and agree that they don't make ideal day packs. I also don't like them for packing meat, if you have a average to long torso.

If you want to buy a new pack I'd look at one of these. EXO, Kifaru, KUIU, Mystery Ranch, Paradox, or my favorite Stone Glacier. When you consider you could spend around $200 bucks, or more, on a hunting day pack with a real hip belt. A full on upgrade isn't too far fetched.

 

[Brightwhite]

I've been researching day packs. Based on what you described, I would buy the stone glacier approach.

 

[Rucker61]

What's your budget?

 

[Macchina]

I'd like to keep this around $100 if possible, but $200-$300 is doable if the pack is that much nicer. Since I do a lot of my hunting near my cabin, I do think I want a dedicated day pack for this use...

 

[sojourner]

Is it more common than I think to use your main pack as your daypack once you get to camp?[/QUOTE]

Yes! When backpack hunting, I think most of us here have concluded that it's not worth it to carry an extra day pack as well as your main bag. The extra weight is a factor, but the main reason is what you'll do if you kill something 5 miles from your camp. Why not have your pack with you so you can take a full load back to camp? If all you have is a tiny day pack you either waste a 10 mile round trip or throw a quarter over your shoulder and I think at that point you find yourself wishing you had just brought along your big pack. There are some great options for relatively light weight packs that will haul more meat than our legs can handle as well as cinch down and be really nice day packs. Check out Exo, Stone glacier, or Kuiu.

 

[5MilesBack]

Since I do a lot of my hunting near my cabin, I do think I want a dedicated day pack for this use...

For a dedicated daypack, I've been using the Cabela's Elite Scout pack for probably 10 years now. It's an older model, which I like a lot better than their new style.......but they are great as just a daypack. Mine is usually around 15lbs with water and I hardly even know it's there. The only time I take it off is when I need some food, or the day is over.

But if you're packing in........definitely leave the daypack behind.

 

[sojourner]

Another option if you really want a dedicated day pack would be Hill People Gear Tarahumara or Highlander. Theses packs are really lightweight, no nonsense and built to last.

 

[Kevin Dill]

I'm one of the guys who will bring 2 packs for an extended backcountry hunt. I don't care for the height and general 'presence' of a full-size pack when I'm hunting. Sometimes that's the only way I can do it, but if I have a choice I'll be carrying a lighter/smaller daypack. An extra 2 or 3 pounds is not a make/break deal for some people. This is just a matter of personal preference and I don't see it as a right-or-wrong decision. Go with what you like let others do the same.

For the record, you don't need to be thinking a 'hunting company' daypack. Osprey, Gregory and others make great daypacks capable of use in hunting. They are typically very light and will compress well for packing. Your options increase dramatically if you consider them. Maybe the one thing hard to find is a significant hip-belt in a true day-pack. Good hip-belts don't usually compress all that well in my experience, plus most day-packs are not built long enough to put the belt right on your hip. The belt ends up at the belly usually and doesn't really carry much of the weight. If you want a true hip-belt in a day-pack design you might want to look at some of the lumbar packs which ride low/close and are great during the hunt.

 

[Macchina]

Kevin Dill: Thanks for the reply. I do have a couple of decent day packs from non-hunting/tactical companies but as you noted: a real waist belt and frame does not pack down easily. Also, I’d like either drab colors or hunter’s orange (there a few cool options in bright orange from Osprey and Marmot). My normal backpacking bags are mostly blue, which ironically is the one color deer can see best and therefore probably the worst color to have in a hunting daypack.

This got me looking at some of the recommended companies above and lead me to the Hill People Tarahumara Pack. This is a really neat simple bag with one cool feature: the shoulder harness. It looks like this bag was actually DESIGNED to not use a waist belt and according to the reviews they did a really good job with it.

Does anyone have any experience with this pack or any packs that I should look at that are similar to it?

 

[marc]

For that I use a REI Flash 18. It is really light and I use it in my main pack as a stuff sack for my clothing and sleep system so the extra weight is really a non issue. I have the grey one and it blends in just fine.

 

[Clinch]

I have a HPG Tarahumara. It's a great little bag and carries better than one would think due to the harness. With water and extras, plus my Rossi 92 in the sleeve I've had about 20 lbs and never had an uncomfortable step. I have it set up to where I can just attach it to my bigger bag, but I could use it as a compression panel on a dry bag if I choose. I'm a big fan of Hill People Gear's stuff.

 

[sojourner]

I also have the Tarahumara and I'd echo Clinch's thoughts. it is a great little pack and the shoulder harness is very comfortable. It is also only 20 ounces with the harness so wouldn't add too much to your bigger pack. You could also keep all of your day hunt gear in it and strap it to the outside of your big pack like a compression panel or exterior pocket and if you ever want to drop your big pack you could quickly take it off and know that you have everything in the Tara to take off on a stalk or something. I originally got mine with the intention of using this way but when actually alone in the mountains I've decided it's better to use my main pack as a day pack so I can immediately haul out a big load if I get something down miles from camp. I mainly use it now for every day running around or non-hunting day hikes.

 

[RCA Dog]

For a day hunting pack, I have the Stone Glacier Approach. It's easily big enough for the stuff I bring on just a day trip, and if I do kill something, I can pack it out. I have the Solo on order, and my plan is to team that up with the Approach for longer trips.

 

[jquarnberg]

When I was doing this exact search your doing a few years ago I found the HPG tarahumra. I to had visions of strapping it to my bigger pack, which you could do just fine. It does fits the bill nicely for what your after and is a nice little dedicated day pack. I wish I still had that pack sometimes its pretty cool. But my two complaints for what they are worth: Its real hot on your back. When its fairly full and you work up a bit of heat and sweat its like a hot sack on your back. Also the harness is very comfortable and a cool design but its so large that it interfered with my bino harness system a bit.

But I also have found that one pack capable of hauling camp/meat and being a day pack is better for me. The kifaru bikini/nomad has been about perfect for me... with a grab it and a dry bag it can be whatever kind of pack I need it to be.

The kifaru and the stone glacier that has been suggested are both far above the price you suggested so I would suggest you look at the kuiu ultra 1800. It comes in a solid color and is a great little day pack that can also be used to haul camp/meat as well.

 

[Jcberg]

I think if you picked up a Stone Glacier or Kuiu Icon Pro 1800 or 3200 you would be very pleased in the long run. Good luck on your quest sir!

 

[wyelkhunter]

It all depends on how you hunt. when we back pack in and hunt elk, we set up camp. From there we could be a couples miles from camp in steep country when we kill an elk. There is no way I would want to have to go back to camp, get my weight packing pack and go back after the animal. Way to many extra miles, we did it once and will never do it again!!!!!!!! that's just crazy.