Can we talk backpacks? I need to buy a good one

[Longrifle2506]

I am going on my first mule deer hunt soon, my father and I will not be Camping out; just going out for the day each time; but I want the pack to be able to haul meat back to the vehicle if the hunt is successful. I want it to have a good rifle carry system as well.

I have been looking at Eberlestock dragonfly and just one. I love the rifle scabbard they have. I don't want a pack that is so big it ruins my hunt. I was thinking 3000 to 5000 in.³. I really like stone glacier solo but my dad made a good point when he said it only has one exterior pocket and one interior pocket. I like tenzing tz 5000 a lot. And I know kifaru is top notch, but would A kifaru nomad or other pack serve me well? I want to be able to carry a spotting scope, tripod, some food, and other necessities for a good days hunt. I have looked it all kinds of packs, blacks creek, Easton, tenzing, stone glacier, crooked horn, eberlestock, and kifaru. I like the meat carry idea of tenzing and stone glacier; in between the pack and frame.

I love how eberlestock had the expandable meat hauling portion. I think Eberlestock has the absolute best rifle carry method. Not because it's easy to get to because it's not as easy as others; but because it will protect the rifle better than any other. If I go with eberlestock; should I go j34 just one or j107 dragonfly? I like the heavier suspension system on the dragonfly but I worry it will be too big for just going out for a days hunt each day. I think the j34 just one may be right up my alley as far as the size goes.

I like the crooked horn high country extereme; anybody got one? Backpack Shopping Will Drive a man nuts so I am finally posting on a forum and looking for opinions from backpacking veterans. I will greatly appreciate anyone can give me advice or if some owners would point out details about their packs that I might like. I am 6'2 200 lbs and I read if I did get a Tenzing with my height I should get the tz 6000 over the tz 5000. Any help would be great. Thanks

 

[H&Hhunter]

All I can tell you is that I've been through a lot of packs and the J-34 Just one by Eberlestock is the single most useful, convertible hunting pack I've ever used. As an example I packed in steep and deep last year for elk muzzle loader season here in Colorado. I packed in my camp gear and 5 days food on my back at about 70 lbs. Between the expandable main compartment and the zip on duffel I had no issues with space r weight. Being able to shove your rifle in the scabbard and not have to worry about it made for a much more enjoyable pack in as well leaving my hands free for more important stuff, and not having to constantly adjust your rifle when it tries to fall off your shoulder on a sling.

Once I got into camp and off loaded my food and tent and other stuff the pack folds up into a very usable compact day pack. I HIGHLY recommend the J-34 it is well worth the money. As I said the most well thought, out useable, versatile pack on the market no two ways about it.

 

[Water-Man]

Another vote for Eberlestock.

 

[FinnComm]

I'm slightly taller than you and every Eberlestock I've tried on has the belt sitting above my navel. That said, they look to be very well made.

PS Consider using paragraphs for your text. It makes it easier to read and easy-to-read posts tend to get more replies

 

[Longrifle2506]

Glad to see replies; thank you.

H&H, sounds great; do you think the expandable meat compartment can hold the majority of a boned out mule deer? I guess I would be placing the meat in game bags and then in the pack. Your post and water-mans vote makes me lean even harder towards eberlestock. They have the best camo; period.

FinnComm; thanks; I took your advice on paragraphs.

Please keep the opinions and info coming; I know there are a lot of veterans out there when it comes to the world of packs.

 

[H&Hhunter]

H&H, sounds great; do you think the expandable meat compartment can hold the majority of a boned out mule deer?

As a matter of fact I happen to know that it will hold an entire boned out mule deer. If you can handle the weight in will holds a good potion of a boned out cow elk.

As far as the height thing. I am 6'4" and the fit is just fine with with my J-34.

 

[Jackal]

Take a look at these.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod...E-SPG-15-PLA&gclid=COW43aepwL8CFYhefgodYhUAqw

My buddy has one and likes it, but it doesnt fit me, the frame rides/rubs my shoulder blades (Im broad shouldered).

 

[bad_aim_billy]

just going out for the day each time; but I want the pack to be able to haul meat back to the vehicle if the hunt is successful.

If you're only going a mile or 2 from the vehicle, I'd use a daypack with the essentials, throw an Alice frame in the car, and if you get lucky and get something, bone it out, go get the Alice, and haul it to the car. No reason to carry an expensive and heavy pack for day hunts.

 

[Longrifle2506]

Awesome, yeah I think the j34 is for me; I noticed the dragonfly doesn't seem to have waterproof zippers on the main compartment(s) like the j34. Plus the dragonfly would be better suited for camping.

I can't believe no other packs have copied the rifle scabbard idea. A good rifle carry method is valuable. Eberlestock rules in this department, and several others.

I appreciate the replies.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Make sure and get the waterproof two sided cover. Mine is safety orange on one side and digital cammo on the other. It is large enough to cover your butt stock while your rifle is in the scabbard and your whole a pack at the same time. It's a life saver in heavy rain or snow. I also got the zip on duffel bag when attached it makes the pack into an expedition sized freighter OR allows you to carry your boned out meat in the main compartment and put all of your camp stuff in the duffel for the pack out.

 

[Rio Laxas]

I have a Mystery Ranch Crew Cab and a Kifaru Marauder. Both of them are excellent packs and I am very happy with them.

The Crew Cab excels at carrying unusually shaped and heavy loads (equipment, animal quarters, etc), but I prefer a more traditional backpack design when just hiking and camping. I like the modularity of the NICE frame and the ability to switch bags. I have a friend that has both the Crew Cab and the 6500 bag. He loves the 6500 for longer camping trips. I have one on my wish list.

Disclaimer: I have not used the Crew Cab for carrying animal quarters, but have used it for carrying odd sized surveying equipment in remote Alaska. I have packed up to approximately 115 lbs in it (car batteries). It isn't fun, but it will handle it.

I use the Kifaru Marauder for most of my recreational hiking and for traveling. It is an excellent light pack and works for most of my needs. I would like to try one of their larger packs some day, but I am already too invested in the Mystery Ranch.

The Kifaru Gun Bearer also works well, and is handy for quick access to a rifle. It does take a little getting used to with the barrel in your peripheral vision all of the time. They have a universal version of the gun bearer that will work with most packs. While a rifle in the hand is always best, the gun bearer is still very quick.

http://store.kifaru.net/gun-bearers-p30.aspx

I have one of the smaller Eberlestock packs (X1 or X1A1 I think) with rifle storage, and I like it just fine. I have not tried one of their larger packs because I didn't think the rifle storage compartment would be all that useful to me in most of my backpacking. For those that have used the larger ones, does the weight distribution seem off if you don't have a rifle in it?

 

[wendellgj]

I bought used military back pack frames and modified to my liking, and three other individuals. These frames have served well since 1984 packing excessive loads for short term, long term, as well as serving for bringing down the bacon as it were. I guess being somewhat inventive and totally unsatisfied with current articles on the market would be to your advantage. The other given is having a nice wad big enough to gag a horse which I did not have at the time as the really nice packs get expensive. I still use mine with the exception of high altitude and deep knee muck environments. Just a thought if you have a bicycle pocket book like me?

 

[H&Hhunter]

For those that have used the larger ones, does the weight distribution seem off if you don't have a rifle in it?

Not in the slightest.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My rules for a pack are simple:

1. Make a list of what you intend to pack.
2. Eliminate half those items.
3. Look for a pack that will BARELY hold those items.
4. NEVER buy a pack that is heavier than the heaviest item you intend to carry.

 

[SlowFuse]

I like the TAD fast pack EDC. Never carried meat in it but it does well packing for a few days.

Its has a transporter tail than CAN carry a rifle, but leaves a little to be desired. Has molle that makes expansion easy, and durable is an understatement. This thing is tough. May be a little small for what you're wanting but could he worth a look.

 

[Blue Brick]

JanSport.

 

[wankerjake]

I realize this thread is old, but....

Any experience with Outdoorsmans packs?

I'm leaning Eberlestock J107 or J34 but am hearing good things about outdoorsmans packs.