Metcalf or Marshall?

krausejmk

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 12, 2017
Messages
100
I will be going on my first 4 or 5 day backpack hunt this year and am trying to decide between these two packs. My buddy who is going with me has the Metcalf already and I found a deal on a Marshall but I’m not sure if I need that much pack. I’m sure with this being my first trip out I will way over pack, lol. Any of you guys have experience with both and what are your thoughts? Thanks guys and happy hunting!
 
Im also curious. Popular youtube hunter Randy Newberg touts the Metcalf. Buddy of mine swears by the Marshall. Decisions decisions.


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I've had them both. Marshall is a beast of a pack. Nice to have if you kill something. I used my Metcalf on a couple horseback hunts and it was a favorite of mine. If I was backpacking, it probably go Marshall as I'm an in the pack meat kind of guy. With the Metcalf, you'll have to use the load shelf when you kill.
 
To me, there are two ways to decide.

Do you like pockets? Yes, get the Marshall. Huge pack, but more organization options. The Metcalf is nice, but is streamlined with few pockets.

Do you need to stay longer than 5 days? Yes, get the Marshall. It will handle 10 days of gear and food. If no, the Metcalf is a great week long pack, but you'll run out of food space in it going much longer than 5 days.

Full disclosure, I have the previous NICE frame Marshall and a Crewcab. The Metcalf is a tweener for me, so I never got one. I used a dry bag in the load sling of the Crewcab if I didn't need the capacity of the Marshall. Dump the dry bag at camp and use the collapsed Crewcab as a daypack.

Jeremy
 
I have been going back and forth on this for 6months since I bought the Metcalf. Never used it, posted in classified, and going to get the Marshall now. I’m looking at 7 days plus, so decided to go big.

Either will be great I’m sure, especially given the load shelf to haul in extra food or gear on either if needed.
 
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