Small daypack reccomendations

[The John]

I am looking for small daypack/hip belt options that you have used and enjoyed.

Background,
I have an Exo daypack for when I'm going in for all day hunts deep in the woods. However, I have been hunting out of my vehicle doing short walks (3-6 miles) where all I have been taking is my FHF bino harness as I don't need the bulk of my EXO with me. I am looking for something smallish and lightweight that I can toss gloves, small kill kit, small first aid kit, snacks or other small items into while on these walks. I am a type 1 diabetic and while hunting I normally keep candy and snacks on me to keep my blood sugar in a good range (things get western when my bs runs low).

I just got back from an Idaho whitetail hunt in 30* and snow which got me thinking about this.

 

[WyldGoose]

Hill People Gear. Look at the Tarahumara or Junction. If those are too small, Umlindi(which you can add a belt).

 

[copenmechanism]

I’ve been using the Eberlestock bandit lately and checks all the boxes for me.

 

[RADunfee]

I really like my Kuiu Divide 1500. Well thought out and rugged. Its my pre-season scouting pack mostly. Ended up taking it on a cruise with several excursions in Honduras, Belize, and Mexico. I might get a second one when they go on sale again. I did, however, remove the waistbelt. Seems unnecessary on a smaller pack.

 

[The John]

I really like my Kuiu Divide 1500. Well thought out and rugged. Its my pre-season scouting pack mostly. Ended up taking it on a cruise with several excursions in Honduras, Belize, and Mexico. I might get a second one when they go on sale again. I did, however, remove the waistbelt. Seems unnecessary on a smaller pack.

Same regarding the waistbelt, I was thinking a bag without a waistbelt or just a waistbelt style bag to keep things unencumbered. thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Jpsmith1]

The Echo is the perfect size for snacks, a small pouch for kill kit and a layer

 

[tony]

Kifaru Scout if you can find one

Mountainsmith Day lumbar pack with strappettes.

Bandit is a good one as well.

 

[Austink47]

I would look at a kifaru door gunner with a grab it. Or a SG avail. They are both fantastic packs that punch above their weight. With both I have packed out turkey, elk sheds, and even an elk quarter. I ended up keeping the SG mostly because it does double duty as a ski pack.

I know you are not looking for a pack to pack with, but even with a light forget it is there pack I want to be able to carry something out.

For an ultra light simplistic (snack layer water) bag I like the MR in and out.

 

[bigbuckdj]

Kuiu Venture 1800

If you dont need a meat shelf i think it would be hard to beat those at the current 50% off, the waistbelt is removable. I havent put it back on since I took it off but i think its a nice option and it has at least a little rigidity with the internal frame. I have had mine for a few years now.

 

[Wolfshead]

I like to still hunt the WMU in my area, and some of it can be quite thick to get through quietly, so a low profile for me is best.
I don’t carry a lot of things, but I hate to stuff my pockets.
So I have a Kuiu Stalker 500, and a Stagr Ranger waist pack.
What I’ve done is to take the belt strap off the waist pack and I’ve run the compression straps through the belt loops on the waist pack attaching it to the Stalker 500.
I got the idea from the Stagr website, in the picture.
I’m actually thinking about selling off the Stalker 500 and picking up one of Stagr’s backpack because the material on the Stalker is very load going through brush and such.
Also there are some features of the Stagr pack that I like better.
I would just run the waist pack, but it seems to bother the small of my back, and while it is attached to the back pack it has relieved the tension on my lower back and it doesn’t bother me.

 

[Cowsmilk]

Plus one on the HPG Tarahumara or the Junction pack, which are both pretty reasonably priced. The Kifaru Scout, also mentioned above, is another good choice but is very hard to find now and costs more. Good luck with your search.

 

[mtnbound]

I am looking for small daypack/hip belt options that you have used and enjoyed.

Background,
I have an Exo daypack for when I'm going in for all day hunts deep in the woods. However, I have been hunting out of my vehicle doing short walks (3-6 miles) where all I have been taking is my FHF bino harness as I don't need the bulk of my EXO with me. I am looking for something smallish and lightweight that I can toss gloves, small kill kit, small first aid kit, snacks or other small items into while on these walks. I am a type 1 diabetic and while hunting I normally keep candy and snacks on me to keep my blood sugar in a good range (things get western when my bs runs low).

I just got back from an Idaho whitetail hunt in 30* and snow which got me thinking about this.

View attachment 793538

I would just compress the EXO pack as small as possible and carry it that way if you kill an animal you don’t have to go back to the truck empty with the first load. An empty hike of 4 miles means an extra 8 added to the overall total, which negates any saved energy by going with a lighter pack.

 

[Drenalin]

I'm using a Fjallraven Singi 28 when I don't plan on packing meat. Similar, in some ways, to the Kifaru Shape Charge.

 

[SirChooCH]

Kuiu has the their venture 1800/2300 for like $100 or the Venture Divide series in outlet for $150ish. Pack down pretty small light but can carry daily essentials. I just got the Divide 2000 and works pretty well for kill kit, snacks, jacket and sweatshirt, and some accessories like grunt tube, scrape scents, rattling antlers, trail camera to toss out.

 

[TheBootBowhunting]

You won’t beat $94 for the Kuiu Venture 1800. Get the large unless you are under 5’4 and rail thin. Belt size is the same for both sizes. The 2300 has a bit more room, but is essentially the same bag with wider webbing. I slightly prefer the 2300 if you are carrying a tripod or poles in the side pockets because of the way the straps connect, but I think the 2300 is sold out. The 1800 is worth looking into.

 

[Obsessed1]

I have started using one of those ultralight backpacks (10L) that fold into a pocket sized package as my kill kit. Into it goes all my " needed" items should I be separated from my pack for a quick hike. It's incredibly light, big enough to hold what I need and it gets stuffed into whatever frame pack I happen to be carrying, or just pull it out and put it on. Loving the capability of the system

 

[Cannonball]

hydration pack seems like it would fit the bill if you arent looking to carry meat. I like Deuter since it has more airflow across your back. I use it for hiking and mtn biking. For short hikes I use a Osprey Seral waist pack.