Hello All. I'm in the market for a new "Do It All" pack system and it seems the more research I do the less decisive I become. Hoping to get some outside opinions based on my needs and a fresh point of view.
I live in Arizona so I don't do a whole lot of deep woods wilderness hunts. I will on occasion when going out of state for a special hunt but for the most part it's just a day hike with preparation of an overnight in the event of a long stalk or an animal on the ground.
Must have a frame/pack system with the removable pack for the load hauler only option. I'm tired of taking both my daypack and frame pack in the rig everywhere I go.
I'm looking for something with more organization and easy access pockets rather than the large capacity storage. Most of the overnights aren't planned so like everyone else I like to keep the basics in my pack at all times. Knife, lights, batteries, tape, rope, etc all have a spot in the pack so it's an easy inventory check before each outing.
A lot of ground is covered in the side x side so I'm also looking for something with a removable go pack so when I need to bail out and dive in after something I don't have to take the whole pack. Just a smaller bag with a waist belt so I always have my knife, license, extra ammo, and headlamp.
Lastly, looking for that $500 and less option. As much as I wish I did, I don't hunt hardcore enough to justify those high dollar packs.
For the longest time I was sold on the Alps Outdoorz Commander X with pack.
http://www.alpsoutdoorz.com/products/extreme/commander-x-pack
Hip belts, removable lid and front sack, removable bag, built in bow/rifle sling, built in load hauler flaps, rain fly, and very affordable. The only thing that has me hesitating is it weighs over 9lbs!
My runner up is the Mystery Ranch Metcalf.
https://www.mysteryranch.com/metcalf-pack
I like the removable lid, ability to load up for a multi-day trip, and the side zip accessibility into the main compartment. A good weight at just over 6 pounds but then requires purchase of add-ons like hip pouches, rain fly, load hauler and puts the total purchase over $600.
I like the Kuiu and Stone Galcier lightweight systems but those look to me like more large compartment storage and not individual compartment organization. Then of course I dive into the extreme's like Blacks Creek, Seek Outdoors, Kifaru, and more.
What's your go-to every day do it all pack? Thanks for reading.
I live in Arizona so I don't do a whole lot of deep woods wilderness hunts. I will on occasion when going out of state for a special hunt but for the most part it's just a day hike with preparation of an overnight in the event of a long stalk or an animal on the ground.
Must have a frame/pack system with the removable pack for the load hauler only option. I'm tired of taking both my daypack and frame pack in the rig everywhere I go.
I'm looking for something with more organization and easy access pockets rather than the large capacity storage. Most of the overnights aren't planned so like everyone else I like to keep the basics in my pack at all times. Knife, lights, batteries, tape, rope, etc all have a spot in the pack so it's an easy inventory check before each outing.
A lot of ground is covered in the side x side so I'm also looking for something with a removable go pack so when I need to bail out and dive in after something I don't have to take the whole pack. Just a smaller bag with a waist belt so I always have my knife, license, extra ammo, and headlamp.
Lastly, looking for that $500 and less option. As much as I wish I did, I don't hunt hardcore enough to justify those high dollar packs.
For the longest time I was sold on the Alps Outdoorz Commander X with pack.
http://www.alpsoutdoorz.com/products/extreme/commander-x-pack
Hip belts, removable lid and front sack, removable bag, built in bow/rifle sling, built in load hauler flaps, rain fly, and very affordable. The only thing that has me hesitating is it weighs over 9lbs!
My runner up is the Mystery Ranch Metcalf.
https://www.mysteryranch.com/metcalf-pack
I like the removable lid, ability to load up for a multi-day trip, and the side zip accessibility into the main compartment. A good weight at just over 6 pounds but then requires purchase of add-ons like hip pouches, rain fly, load hauler and puts the total purchase over $600.
I like the Kuiu and Stone Galcier lightweight systems but those look to me like more large compartment storage and not individual compartment organization. Then of course I dive into the extreme's like Blacks Creek, Seek Outdoors, Kifaru, and more.
What's your go-to every day do it all pack? Thanks for reading.