Hello Everyone, I'm gearing up for my first western elk hunt next year -- hopefully a first or second rifle season in Colorado. I need to get a good backpack. I'm looking at the Mystery Ranch options, and specifically the Sawtooth 45 and the Metcalf 50. I'm going to be day hunting to start, potentially staying with a relative in the area. Are these good options? Which would you choose? Some of my considerations:
- I believe they can haul more weight than the Pop-ups, for example (150 vs. 80 lb rating, I saw somewhere else). This is appealing both for field use and for training.
- It seems that some really like the organization of the Sawtooth. What are the downsides vs. the Metcalf, aside from it being a smidge smaller?
- I've seen people mention the Metcalf as pretty much the standard. Why is that? Again, what are the pros vs. the Sawtooth, especially for the 45 vs. the 50?
