Pack Decision

[vthokee]

I am trying to find a decent pack for backpacking into the NM back country and possibly Colorado as well. I want to backpack in and setup a camp closer to where the elk will be. I have totaled up my gear and it is at 23lbs minus food. I will not be hauling water in because there are plenty of water sources. I have been looking at a couple different bags. The ones I have been looking at are the Slumberjack Bounty 4500, Alps Commander X+FRAME,Badlands Summit and the Eberlestock Blue Widow. I can get them all within about $60 of each with the badlands being the most expensive. I still have a few things left to buy for my gear but the biggest stuff minus the pack has been purchased. Out of the packs listed what would be my best option? I am likely to be 3-4 miles in but could be as close as 1.5 miles depending on how the elk are moving.

 

[couesbitten]

In my opinion, the best choice in that price range would be the Horn Hunter Full Curl System pack. You can look at it here, and should be able to find it for about $300 if you shop around or find one gently used. https://hornhunterpacks.com/product/full-curl-system/

 

[vthokee]

I can all but the Eberlestock for under $200. That's my main reason for these 4 listed. I am on a tight budget.

 

[Mtnboy]

I'd rule out the Alps simply on the principle that they blatantly ripped off that design from Blacks Creek.

They also ripped off their bino harness design from FHF.

Both Blacks Creek and FHF are small time, made in America, companies owned by good people.

I HATE companies that just rip off others hard work.

Just my $.02

 

[vthokee]

I did not know that about Alps.

 

[COlineman78]

Another good option in the lower price range is the USMC ILBE Pack assuming you aren't very tall. You can probably find them at your local surplus store or on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEN-2-MARPA...017842?hash=item4abee15332:g:CyEAAMXQTghRL5RR

 

[R Davis]

If you stay vigilant, you could find a used kifaru on the classifieds for not much more money. Im thinking along the lines of one of their frames, grab-it, dry bag, and some diy compression straps. If you go this route, you could build on it as funds allow. I would think that you could stay in the mid $200's. The great deals go fast though, so you have to stay on it...... Just food for thought.

 

[COlineman78]

If you stay vigilant, you could find a used kifaru on the classifieds for not much more money. Im thinking along the lines of one of their frames, grab-it, dry bag, and some diy compression straps. If you go this route, you could build on it as funds allow. I would think that you could stay in the mid $200's. The great deals go fast though, so you have to stay on it...... Just food for thought.

The old duplex and bikini frames go for $225 at the cheapest and usually that is because of a small belt and/or aluminum stays or something, otherwise they will be $250-275 for frame only. You could hold out for a used grab-it and get it for $25 or so.

 

[couesbitten]

Like R Davis said, if you keep looking, you can find some reasonably priced deals here and on other websites. I know that I just saw a Horn Hunter Full Curl pack for sale for about $200, but I can't find it, so it must have sold and been deleted.

 

[couesbitten]

Brand new Horn Hunter Full Curl System on Amazon for $282.32
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008...+Full+Curl&dpPl=1&dpID=51Tfr-K4CLL&ref=plSrch

 

[vthokee]

Well I ended up going with a Mystery Ranch Metcalf that they had on Camofire. It was a little over my budget but was the best I could find. It will suit me well for the 3-5 day back country hunts and I think it will do fine packing animals out.

 

[2ski]

I think you will be happier with that than any of your listed packs.

 

[AdamW]

Well I ended up going with a Mystery Ranch Metcalf that they had on Camofire. It was a little over my budget but was the best I could find. It will suit me well for the 3-5 day back country hunts and I think it will do fine packing animals out.

I came here to recommend this. I think you will be very pleased. I was looking at packs and had considered and Alps. In the end I bought a Kifaru on closeout. I don't think I will regret it either.

 

[vthokee]

To the last two posts, I think I will be very happy with this purchase as well. I plan on putting it to the test it in NM and Colorado this year.

 

[MOcommander]

I came here to recommend this. I think you will be very pleased. I was looking at packs and had considered and Alps. In the end I bought a Kifaru on closeout. I don't think I will regret it either.

What Kifaru pack did you decide on?

 

[Dameon]

I was looking at the same packs as the OP along with EXO mountain. The EXO was at the top of my list but then I saw the Mystery Ranch packs on Camofire. I got the Marshall pack for a 5 to 7 day hunt with my dad in Utah this fall. To be honest, the pack is way larger than I need and I was think of exchanging it for a Metcalf if Camofire still has any left. But then I realized I have two young cub scouts and the Marshall will be perfect for hauling gear for two boys and a grown man. I'm still hoping to do a solo backpack archery hunt in the next couple of years and it will be perfect for that as well. I did email Mystery Ranch about buying a Cabinet/Crewcab bag for white tails in MO. I gotta give MR credit, they make a nice frame and harness. The Crewcab should be great for hauling my treestand.

 

[MOcommander]

I am trying to get geared up for a backpack archery hunt hopefully next fall if all goes as plans. Im the same though, just a ridge runner from Missouri, so I am ignorant to living/hunting out of a backpack. Thanks

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Well I ended up going with a Mystery Ranch Metcalf that they had on Camofire. It was a little over my budget but was the best I could find. It will suit me well for the 3-5 day back country hunts and I think it will do fine packing animals out.

Aside from the ILBE recommendation I think this was likely a solid bang for the buck. I pulled the trigger on one myself (supposed to be here today!). I used a trimmed down ILBE (cut off a lot) for a haul pack last year and it worked well, I'll hang onto that one as it makes a nice large capacity sack. I have another full/complete ILBE in very good condition I picked up as well that I was pondering about for backpacking but held off cutting on till I decided my thoughts (looks like this one will be up for sale soon now). That metcalf was way too tempting, though more costly, so assuming it fits that'll be my go to. Costs more but I like the concept of flexibility if offers.