Hi All,

I currently have a Sitka Flash 32 pack for bivy-style hunting, which works great, is quiet, and carries loads well, but weighs 5.42 lbs. Would there be a non-hunting branded pack around 3000ci that could, even if not camouflage, be quiet enough to hunt in (no squeaks), significantly lighter than the Sitka, and also be potentially able to carry 70-80 lbs of meat out in a first load? I have a Dana Terraframe as a dedicated meat-hauler.

Thanks,

Pete

Have you seen this company before?

http://www.kifaru.net/

Hi Ken,

I have seen them - and you're exactly right, that's what I'd need, if I could pay for their stuff. I guess I should have stipulated <$200 in my requirements too. Thanks,

Pete

Look for used stuff on their forums! I cannot say enough good things about kifaru. Think of it less as buying a backpack and more about buying a life long piece of gear.

I keep my marauder for all my travel use these days (and occasional woods work). Far from ultralight, but i see their new 'ultralight' line has shaved the weight down a lot (especially considering the load capacity potential).

Edited by want2belite on 02/14/2012 08:21:23 MST.

Less than $200 is a very hard question for any pack that can carry a heavy load.

Maybe a Cilogear 45L. Although it costs a bit more than $200 and you could probably strip it down to 3.5lb with the suspension system all still there. They don't squeak. I don't know about hauling 80lb though.

Possibly the ULA Epic. Perhaps someone here who has used one can comment on weather it could carry the weight.

Mystery Ranch designed by Dana Gleason is the best and will worth the extra $100 to $200 extra you will pay for them.I own two of his tri zip packs they work great for getting bulky items in and out of the pack. Check out the hunting pack line.
www.mysteryranch.com/

If you can't afford Mystery ranch then Jandd mountaineering makes some great all cordura packs packs. Designs of used in the late 80's in america and sewn by the finest mexican shoe makers with american fabrics and hardware. 1 mile over the Mexican border from Otay Mesa ,Calfifornia in a Maquiladora sewing border in plant.
http://www.jandd.com/backpacks.asp
Terry

Thanks Terry, have looked at the MR's as well, and they do seem like the absolute finest around.

I guess my question should be, aside from the commonly recommended hunting packs, is there a non-hunting model that would be better suited for this, like something by Gregory/Osprey/Mountainsmith etc? My thought is that the hunting companies (besides the top of the line folks like Kifaru and MR) seem to simply recycle older technology/ideas that the mountaineering companies generate...

Thanks,

Pete

Have a look at the Mystery Ranch Trance (under the recreation pack section). 4lbs, 2oz, 70L or the Big Sky and will carry a load very, very well.

Oops - missed the $200 high mark. These are more expensive than that.

Edited by FamilyGuy on 02/14/2012 10:54:09 MST.

Well, if MR and Kifaru are no-go's for their price, how about a standard Large Military ALICE pack?

Not sure on the weight of the pack, but it can handle the weight you need to carry (I've had more than that in Afghanistan).

Other options are are Packs on the ALICE frame from tacticaltailor.com , Tactical Assault Gear and London Bridge Trading.

Not sure what the weight savings is though, if any, on that frame system.

Edited by air2mud82 on 02/14/2012 11:25:51 MST.

I don't know if you have already, but I'd ask over here http://zombiehunters.org/forum/

Seems more suited to the mindset of that community. It's fun to jump back and forth between there and here, a lot of ideas overlap. Some are radically different. I dunno, I get a kick out of it.

BM

My bad. I wrote a response assuming a day hunt, but rereading your post it sounds like you're overnighting it AND hauling meat. Anyway, here are my thoughts on a dayhunt:

With the weight of a quarter (I don't pull the trigger, but I've helped haul out elk and moose), I'd like to be able to get the quarters decently high on my back - higher than a normal packbag would be.

I'd go with just a frame. Ideally with a yoke system of straps. Then go through and sleeve and tape all the little rattly bits.

Bring some of these great straps:

http://www.outdoorplay.com/NRS-Heavy-Duty-Kayak-Straps?sc=7&category=132

to secure quarters to the frame.



Then hang or strap a daypack on the frame to carry your sweater, lunch, water, knives, saw, hanging rope, etc. Then you can leave the daypack at the butchering site till the last load out. And/or when you have a load on the frame, wear the daypack backwards on your chest.

For the small cuts of meat, get any beater duffle or daypack or pillow case or even a poly sandbag (strong and cheap) and then you won't have to wash the blood out of the pack bag.

I maybe still like the bare frame for overnighting. Strap on a light duffle on for your overnight kit then you don't have your packbag weight on each trip out and you can avoid getting the packbag all bloody.

there's a guy on the kifaru forums who say's he'd sell his longhunter (in cargo/hauler configuration) for $275......I KNOW it's not your $200 budget, but man that's a good deal.

Pete,
The problem with the main stream backpacking companies you posted right now the highest denier fabric in their less expensive packs is usually 420 d pack cloth or less and massed produced in Asia.
You only get in the heavier duty packs at higher price point, What I would do is monitor Ebay you can get great deals on new hunting packs like Badlands very comfortable and based on the Vortex pack line I once owned.I also see some Mystery Ranch packs once a while you can get at inexpensive price.

Or if you want a new pack that more backpacking oriented the Jandd the Zoor alpinist would fit your needs in size 40 liter expandable to 60 liter and price $134.95. I really like the carry of the Jandd packs nice wide,thick padded shoulder straps that distribute weight evenly. The Zoor also has plenty of lash points going down the back with fiber reinforced vinyl crampon patch to protect the pack fabric.
http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FZA
Terry

Thanks for the tips - that will be very helpful information!

Pete