Backpacks

[Dr. Death]

So, Im looking at a new Mid Sized Backpack. I have a few (Sitka 14) & (Blacks Creek Horn Hunter) and I currently use a Blacks Creek Fanny Pack that I usually fill to the brim and hang all sorts of crap off of.  I'd like one in the 1400-2200 size, H2O ready, and that will carry a bow easily. I'm looking at a few different ones but wanted info as I know many of you have probably tried almost all on the market.

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[NRA4LIFE]

The Badlands 2200 and 2800 make great mid-sized packs.  Both are good strong packs/meat haulers.  I have a 2800 that I now almost exclusively use as my day pack.

[hillbillyhunting]

My only experience with badlands was when my hunting partner had one.  We boned a deer and split it between our packs.  The frame on his badlands broke into two pieces within a mile.

I prefer to buy backpacking packs from REI because of their unbeatable warranty.  I personally use gregory packs.  I have gone through about 5 of them in the past 8 years but I dont think anything would stand up to years of what I put them through.  I had to warranty those packs for failed zippers on the top pocket and for small separations in the stitchings. 

I am sure there are better packs out there, but because of my 1 experience with badlands I will not be trying them.

[sirmissalot]

My next pack is going to be a mystery ranch. Probably the crewcab but I'm gonna go to the factory this spring on the way shed hunting and try a few of them on. They are extremely versatile and strong. Maybe check them out. 

[jackelope]

I'd suggest you look at the Eberlestock x2. The scabbard option rocks.

.02

[Mudman]

I have badlands 2200.  No problems here, and I really like it.  Only complaint would be the sweaty back syndrome.  I tried to pack a small bear out with it.  Only gutted but It was too much for me stepping over logs and such.  The pack had no issue with the weight. Good pack for money but probably better ones out there. It has h20 and holds bow/gun etc. well.

[Dr. Death]

The eberlestock x2 with butt bucket is one I was looking at. Also a nimrod pack with bow attachment. 

[X-Force]

You may also want to look at the Mystery Ranch Fuze or Saddle Peak. Neither are technically hunting packs but for day packs that carry bows they work just fine and they are casual enough to take anywhere. 

[sirmissalot]

I have the eberlestock and am not too fond of it. Love the scabbard that's my favorite part. Don't like its weight and ability to haul a heavy load. I need a day pack that can also haul a deer out, that pack will do it but i don't enjoy myself at all. My Wyoming buck this year was only maybe a mile but it was miserable with that pack. A bear I killed last year was even worse but it was severely overloaded.

[dkecoleman]

I have been though a few different packs over the last year or so, I tried the Badlands 2200 and it was a bit much for me, for a day pack anyway. (I'm a small guy, so that might be it). The waist belt wouldn't get tight enough, and the pack was just a bit bulky. It is a really nice pack though. The eberlestock X2 is what I have settled on, I love the layout of the pack, It holds more than enough for a day pack, I haven't used it overnight yet, but I think it will be plenty for a few days, with all the webbing attachments on the outside, The butt bucket seems really nice. A water bladder can be placed on either side whichs come in handy for weight distrubution. Mine has never had the noise problems that some complain of. And I had about 50lbs in it, and it carried extremely well. Hope this helps

[fillthefreezer]

gotta spend alot of money to get a better pack than a used dana off ebay

[lghtnquik]

Not trying to advertise my own sale too much but I have a Mystery Ranch NICE frame and LongBow bag for sale in the classifieds. It will out haul and be more comfortable than all the options mentioned here, I've owned them. It will haul a whole deer or elk quarter if your legs will no problem, I know. I'm willing to deal let me know if you need any info. I've learned the hard and expensive way on packs so trust me when I say buy the best you can afford it will pay off in not having to wonder if the pack will hold up.

[luvmystang67]

I've spent quite a bit of time with the mid range packs (Badlands, Eberlestock owned, looked at others).  I had a Badlands superday, Eberlestock X1 and an Eberlestock Blue Widow. 

After using them and doing some packing around, my favorite by far is the Blue Widow. 

Considerations:
1) Adjustable yoke is awesome, the Badlands packs are generally not near adjustable enough for me like the badlands
2) While I like the eberlestock scabbard in principle, when I want my gun to be that far away it is just as easy to strap it on the back of the pack and then you dont have to pay the penalty of the majority of your load being 2" off your back
3) Eberlestock material is more waterproof and has much better zippers than the badlands packs

4) BIGGEST REALIZATION: Most of the places that I pack in, I want take a substantial load back out with me.  If I'm in 2 miles, (usually what i'd have a pack bigger than a tiny daypack for) I want to be able to take a full load of meat out with me, and probably want to carry a lot in as well.  I'm not as concerned about convenient pockets and such, as I am about hauling more stuff in and back out.  The Superday and X1 are great for walking around for a day, not great for packing back out with you anything more than the head.

SO, I have sold the Superday, considering selling the X1 and now my primary use is the convertible Blue Widow.  It packs fairly small when in daypack mode.  I can stick a rifle or bow on the back when i'm trekking long distances (without additional accessories).  It is fully adjustable and sometimes I change the yoke for a heavier load if it rides too low.  If i get something I just expand it and I can take a full load of meat out, which is usually downhill anyway.  It is not perfect at anything, except is the all-in-one aspect that it provides me.   

[JLS]

Not trying to advertise my own sale too much but I have a Mystery Ranch NICE frame and LongBow bag for sale in the classifieds. It will out haul and be more comfortable than all the options mentioned here, I've owned them. It will haul a whole deer or elk quarter if your legs will no problem, I know. I'm willing to deal let me know if you need any info. I've learned the hard and expensive way on packs so trust me when I say buy the best you can afford it will pay off in not having to wonder if the pack will hold up.

The MR Longbow will absolutely blow a Badlands out of the water when it comes to being able to handle a heavy load.  They are expensive.  They are bombproof.

I tested out my Longbow with loads of 110+ (weighed on a scale) and was highly impressed.

Other packs will do the job too.  If you don't want camo there are some excellent mountaineering packs out there on Ebay and Craigslist for very good prices. 

[Griiz]

I'd also look at the nimrod pack systems. I love mine, and can adjust it to any hunting situation I'm doing.