SJK Bounty 4500

[fort fireman]

Has anyone heard of or used one of these bags. Iwould like to get into doing some backpack style hunts here in NC and I think this would fit the bill and then some. Even if I want to upgrade to going out west in the future. I can't swing a kifaru or Mystery ranch right now so I was thinking this may be a good entry level type pack to get my feet wet so to speak.

http://www.slumberjack.com/p-629-bounty-4500.aspx?category=backpacks

 

[airlocksniffer]

I had some cheap slumberjack camping stuff back in the 90's and it was pretty low quality. That said, I haven't seen these in person but they look nice for the money. My brother just ordered a Horn Hunter Full Curl, which I've also heard good things about. I tried to talk him into an Exo but he didn't want to spend the coin.

 

[timberland]

I've got one. never hunted with it. had it for 6 months now carrying 50#'s on training hikes. Better than the Blue widow I got rid of. Load lifters and really nice adjust ability.

 

[fort fireman]

Thanks for the response guys. Timber, since you have one. Does the quality seem there? I know it won't be at the same level as a 700 dollar pack, but was there any buyers remorse type of stuff after getting it? I can't really tell from the pics or videos. How is the main pack laid out? Is it a top load , clam shell, or what? Is there any organization to the main compartment or just a big open space? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to figure out exactly what it is.

 

[timberland]

Trying to remember what the inside was like since I haven't looked in it for a couple months. Bladder pocket for sure and maybe a couple unzippered pockets inside. It opens from the top but is zippered all the way down the sides. Zippers aren't as beefy as the blue widows but are name brand and seem durable. Lots of straps which makes it easy to bind the weight and keep it high. The padding on the waist belt and lumbar pad isn't as thick as some I've seen but is comfortable. I hike 3-4 miles in hilly not steep terrain and have yet to develop hot spots. I am able to get a 45 degree angle on the load lifters with 50# and it stays pretty comfortable. I'm 6' and 220 and have the "love handles" but the belt stays up on my hips just fine. The only thing that caught my eye is the waist strap is 1 1/2" instead of 2" that I think is more common, but I haven't had any straps slipping much. The material isn't as heavy as the BW but if I remember when I was researching it, it was 400 cordura, when may packs are 500, but I have seen 400 in some higher end brands, so I don't think it will be an issue. With all the straps I don't think the material will have much stress. All in all the pack will do what i need it to do, day pack with first haul out and enough room to carry 3-4 night trip gear. no remorse

 

[fort fireman]

What kind of warranty do they have? I can't find anything on their sight about that.

 

[timberland]

can't remember

 

[Cowboy611]

ive been looking at this or the Rail hauler 2500 but ive also been eyeballing a kuiu 3000 for $50 more. ive not really heard anything bad about them and infact the people that have used them seem pleasantly surprised for the money but i wish i could find a review like you do with kifaru or even a cabelas alaskan.

 

[huntMT]

I know I'm late to the conversation but the Bounty 4500 is an awesome pack. I just bought one and the first time out with it was to help a friend pack his bull out. I had some bruises on my hips the next day and the last .5 mile the pack started hurting my hips, but it was 3.29 miles one way with an estimated 120 pounds. So given distance and weight, I think the pack did really well. You aren't going to find a pack for any amount of money that doesn't give you a little discomfort with that much weight after that much distance in my opinion.

The main compartment is just a big bag with a small pouch for the water bladder and that's it. The small day pack has three compartments with several pouches inside each, so it organizes really well. Like Timberland said, there's allot of straps to secure the load which is really nice. The blood cleaned out of the pack really easily too, if that's a concern. Coming off of a steep, snow covered mountain, I fell numerous times. There is only one very small scuff mark on the pack as a result and no signs of anything being stressed after the load out, so I think the quality is there.

All in all, I think the pack did awesome and I would recommend it as I haven't had any buyers remorse yet.

 

[Tsnider]

Little late to this but might be helpful to someone in the future. I own the pack and on the note of warranty I don't think it's in writing but, last year I found a moose head and rack and mounted it to the bag. A sharp piece of bone ripped the material on the part made for meat. I emailed Slumberjack and wasn't bitching (the tear was only like 3/4 inch long) and just told them for future products they might reinforce that area as people will certainly be carrying skulls on it. They had me cut the straps on the backpack, rendering it useless and sent me a brand new bag.

It's got a decent amount of pockets and can hold a shit load of gear. That being said, I do fully plan to get a kifaru at some point but I need a better shelter first.

 

[SpannerAK]

SlumberJack used to be Kelty's low-end beginner line of camping gear. Over the past couple of years they have rebranded it to SJK, their Hunting/Tactical line of gear. That being said the 4500 Bounty is what I would call a bang for the buck, better packs out there? Yes, but I can't think of a pack in price bracket that is that good, which you can find in the low 200s. Also they do give a great LEO/Mil discount if you qualify.