which pack to get?

[Tookeymonster]

Looking at the Badalands 2200 or the Tenzing 2220?

Anyone have experience and/or opinions about either?

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Of the two listed I would opt for the Badlands 2200, but neither would be my option for real weight.

 

[armyjoe]

Whats your budget because neither would be option too.

 

[SHTF]

Yeah Budget so we can lead you in the right direction. From the sounds of it your only after a Day pack. 2200 wouldnt support a multi day trip. If your on a budget and you want a decent daypack take a look at http://downeastinc.com/cgi-bin/online/storepro.php These are military issue packs that will get the job done and there is a lot of versatility. You can add sustainment pouches and other Molle system pouches and bags to them. They are in your 2000 ci range like the packs you mentioned above.

The Nimrod Packs are geared more towards the day to multi day packs they are very versatile also but cost a bit more. I have a Nimrod System for sale now in the classifieds. Nimrod packs are the most versatile pack system on the market and give you many options. Their pack system you get 4 in 1 packs. you can break it down to a lumbar pack or put on the apex bag for more storage.

If you have a little more money to spend then take a look at the Kifaru Packs. You have a vast choice from their tactical line xing maurder express or you can go with their hunting line day packs.

If you need a pack that can take elk Quarters out then none of these are really an option except the Nimrod with the Hauler Frame. (Also for sale in classifieds with the System Im selling) But a pack to pack out meat you want to look more towards the Kifaru Timberline series packs or a Duplex or Bikni Frame with Bag. Your looking in the 600$ range here. Mystery Ranch Nice Frame System + Bag is also a good choice for meat hauling.

If this is really your goal is to pack out the meat and your on a big budget take a look at some of the older dana design external frame packs or Cabelas makes a great external frame and pack called the Alaskan outfitter. These wont be the most comfortable options for packing heavy loads but they will get the job done with some pain involved.

Let us know your goal and what your looking to do and we can get you down the right path.

Hope that helps.

 

[Tookeymonster]

What other packs should I look at that are in 2000-2500 ci size range?

 

[SHTF]

See my post above =-)

 

[SHTF]

If you want shoot me a PM Im local to you out in Colorado Give me your number we can chat on the phone and find out what your needs are. Joe is also out here and is a huge resource of info.

 

[2ski]

If you are set on either of the two make sure you try them on. When I first started thinking about a new pack I started at those brands and just ordered a Kifaru. The guys here are pretty convincing. As far as the two you have listed, for myself, Tenzings did not fit me well, and the Badlands 2800 fit better than the 2200.

 

[Rizzy]

I used a Badlands 2200 for about 6 years. It was OK for up to 35 pounds then it would get painful on my shoulders. If you have a longer torso it will not fit you very well. I'm 6-1 ish for reference. This isn't an issue specific to Badlands either, all packs that are not adjustable for torso will have similar issues. I would also suggest trying a bunch of packs on with weight in them.

One thing I always forget to bring up, is that with the daypacks I always carried out the first load and came back with a frame pack to get the rest of the animal. By using a high end pack system you will have your daypack and meat-hauler all in one. This saves a trip back up the mountain

 

[Rick Leathley]

Stone glacier just released a pack they call the minimalist. Its basically a load shelf with a 2500ci bag strapped to it. 130lbs load hauling capable and weighs like 2.76lbs

 

[JoshTX]

What other packs should I look at that are in 2000-2500 ci size range?

IMO, save your sheckles until you can get Spike Camp or Express.

 

[littlebuf]

Stone glacier just released a pack they call the minimalist. Its basically a load shelf with a 2500ci bag strapped to it. 130lbs load hauling capable and weighs like 2.76lbs

this sounds awesome. price?

 

[Rick Leathley]

$354 + shipping I believe that is complete with frame.

Link: http://www.schnees.com/product/5607/Stone-Glacier-Ultralight-Backpacks

 

[Tiger Rag]

Kuiu also has a new 1850 Icon pack that is around $190 with bag and suspension (internal aluminum stays). You can add their carbon fiber frame for and additional $220 or so to give you a lot more load carrying capacity. When using the frame, you can use "load sling" (part of the bag) that creates a shelf between the frame and the bag to carry game bags or quartered meat or you can get a 2500 ci dry bag to carry in that location for additional gear storage for a total of around 4350 ci.

With the frame, you would also have the option of adding a larger bag down the road (5200 or 7200), which, of course, is not unlike Kifaru or some of the other systems.

 

[Justin Crossley]

$354 + shipping I believe that is complete with frame.

Link: http://www.schnees.com/product/5607/Stone-Glacier-Ultralight-Backpacks

That would be a great option for a really lightweight pack.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

I'm a fan of modular packs.
My fav's are the Oregon Packworks "Orion",
the Wilderness Pack Specialties "Compact Combo"
and the Nimrod system.

The Nimrod is my goto for day hunting. Ocassionally I'll add their wilderness gear bag for over night hunts. And I developed a meat sling to buckle qtrs on the back to get a first load out. I also developed a way to connect the WPS Compact frame to the Nimrod Base Belt Harness and will sometimes use the WPS "Big Horn" bag on the back. The Big Horn bag has a integral rifle carrier and good side pockets for a spotting scope. Capacity of the Big Horn bag is modest in size, a little heavy, but has lots of pockets to keep gear organized. The WPS compact frame is very light (~2lbs) and has their Handi-Pak meat harness load panel. This means you can load 100+lbs of meat on the frame and then attach the bag on top by threading onto meat harness straps.

Honestly any one of the three makes a good modular day pack that can morph into a good multi day pack.
The Tenzing or Badlands are only daypacks, and meat has to go inside. Not so with the above three.
Hunt'nFish

WPS Frame on Nimrod Harness w/ Pinnacle pack & Wilderness Gear bag.



WPS Compact Combo



WPS Compact Combo in meat mode



Nimrod Base Belt Harness w/ full load of bear using Hunt'nFish meat straps



A smallish sow whole on the WPS compact frame & Handi-Pak meat harness load panel.

 

[Jpeaston]

I'll second the Badlands 2800. Best pack they made in my opinion. With lightweight gear in the summer I can pull off three days, and small enough for a day pack. I hunt elk in a deep ravine in CO every year where the pack out is straight uphill and brushy, but only a mile and half to the road and use this pack over other "meat haulers".

 

[realunlucky]

I have beat my 2200 and had not issues what ever you do try the pack with some weight before you commit. Than I would get a used one from someone that has upgraded as both are first step before real money is spent on a pack

 

[luke moffat]

What are you looking at doing with the pack? Just day hunting out of it or what? If just day hunting and maybe hauling your first load of meat out there are a number of better and cheaper options from the non-hunting designed pack market. Osprey and Gregory would be my first choices for a less expensive dayhunt pack. Unless you just gotta have camo of course