Pick My Pack Under $500

[Rokwiia]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Seek Outside offers more volume of space per ounce of weight than the others. Lighter weight adds up in a hurry over miles of hauling a pack.

If you want more external storage, there are certain models designed for that or you simply add a top lid, talon, and belt pouches. The Goshawk fits the bill and for less than another hundred the Saker, Broadwing, and Fortress 6,300 can be had.

 

[Adammn]

Another vote for the mystery ranch with guide light frame. I think the metcalf is a really nice design and loved mine.

 

[mcseal2]

A note will be that we wont bivy...we will hike 2-3 miles, set up camp, and then hunt out of a smaller day pack. Although I do like the idea of carrying the larger pack nearly empty so that in the event I kill an elk I don't have to make a trip back to camp just for the pack? Is that the norm?

The best option I've found that I can haul game with and use comfortably as a daypack is the Exo 3500. New they start at $575 so I would bet you could find a used one in your price range pretty easy. Steve has been great to deal with for me at S&S archery and at Exo. If you pack to much gear you might want the 5500 bag depending on the length of the trip. This pack moves with me better than any frame pack I've tried. I like it better for most hunts than my Kifaru Tactical frame/Nomad 2 bag. I almost always use the Exo as a daypack even if I know I won't have to pack meat over my other daypack options.

 

[wyelkhunter]

I would recommend Seek Outside. I have used Mystery ranch, Kuiu and Kifaru. None of them worked for me as well as the SO. It is a very durable frame, I don't worry about it all with heavy loads. I already had a kuiu ultra 1800 bag that I use on it and a dry bag for the main bag