Wilderness Pack Specialties

[TriggerHappy]

With the sportsman's show coming up at the end of the month i just wanted to put this out there. I bought one of these packs 3 years ago and have been more then impressed. The first year i was able to carry out half a calf that my buddy shot. It was a 4 mile pack out. This year i shot a big cow and got her quarters and other meat out in 2 trips. By far the best pack i have ever owned and best hunting purchase. I'm curious to see if anyone else has picked up one of these pack and would like to know how you like it.

[bowman31]

Love mine best pack I have ever owned

[kentrek]

i bought the hard core hunt pack (pretty much the same) about 6 years ago..while i have only used the frame for the last 4 years i have had great results..even on loads over 120 pounds

it is been a great frame and you can pack just about anything, no matter how awkward the load is


heres a few pics

[Skyvalhunter]

Lots of choices out there some work for one guy but not for another. Sounds like it was a good one for you.

[follow maggie]

They're not coming to Puyalup this year, according to the schedule on their website.  Too bad, I'd like to check them out.

[Hunter mike]

i bought the hard core hunt pack (pretty much the same) about 6 years ago..while i have only used the frame for the last 4 years i have had great results..even on loads over 120 pounds

it is been a great frame and you can pack just about anything, no matter how awkward the load is


heres a few pics

Where did you get those pack bags (the black one and the camo one) and how big are they?  I've had a tough time finding the right sized bags for using with an external frame.

How is the comfort for packing in your camp?

[kentrek]

i bought the hard core hunt pack (pretty much the same) about 6 years ago..while i have only used the frame for the last 4 years i have had great results..even on loads over 120 pounds

it is been a great frame and you can pack just about anything, no matter how awkward the load is


heres a few pics

Where did you get those pack bags (the black one and the camo one) and how big are they?  I've had a tough time finding the right sized bags for using with an external frame.

How is the comfort for packing in your camp?

all they are is dry bags, an the camo one is home made cover for a 35 liter bag,,should be able to find them at any store that has rafting gear, rei or cabelas

i have had a few different ones now an my go too size is a clear 35 liter,the clear material is nice cuz it lets light in an you can easily find stuff. also get a bag with a real thick style material..the lighter ones  don't handle abrasions as much. 35 liters is about the perfect size for anything from day trips to 3 days worth of food an gear with out sleeping bag in most weather condition's

the black one is 60 liters an i have for trips where i need more space.. pack rafting, long winter trips, packing in luxury camps..an since its roll top i want extra rolls for extra water proofness..

summer trips can get by with much much less (last pic,day hike up mt st helens ) but since where talking hunting(fall weather) then id stick with 35 liter min

i really like em...there 100% water proof so they dont soak in any water (which can add some serious weight to most hunting packs) your gear stays dry,easy to wash, no noise making zippers or velcro, no pointless pockets..it takes alil bit of organizing skills to make the "one pocket" style work but once you know what ya need an what ya dont its very nice...and youl never lose anything in your pack...

comfort is great with all loads,zero complaints,camps loads are a breeze...and when it comes time to pack heavy loads its very nice...i should say have never thoroughly tried kuiu, kifaru, or mystery ranch but i havent had to since ive been so happy with this pack so my opinion could be biased..maybe i just dont know what im missing out on ?? 

in my eyes its the best of all worlds in the hunting style packs

[Hunter mike]

I'm pretty much heading the same direction.  I've been messing around with all sorts of bags on my Cabela's frame.  I just ordered a couple of dry bags - one 3900 ci and one 4900, so hopefully they work out good.  I like the camo cover idea - it's hard to find a decent bag in camo or natural colors, they all seem to be brightly colored.  I like keeping things simple and modular.  I like a closed cell foam mat, so that usually goes on the outside of the pack. 

I'll have to check out those frames.  I'd like to upgrade one of these days. 

Thanks for the reply, really like the pics!

[kentrek]

I'm pretty much heading the same direction.  I've been messing around with all sorts of bags on my Cabela's frame.  I just ordered a couple of dry bags - one 3900 ci and one 4900, so hopefully they work out good.  I like the camo cover idea - it's hard to find a decent bag in camo or natural colors, they all seem to be brightly colored.  I like keeping things simple and modular.  I like a closed cell foam mat, so that usually goes on the outside of the pack. 

I'll have to check out those frames.  I'd like to upgrade one of these days. 

Thanks for the reply, really like the pics!

you'd have a huge comfort improvement over the cabelas frame,esp with day pack size loads 

i got to "enjoy" the cabelas pack for a bit letting my cuzin use my pack...had prolly 85 ish pounds and i really didnt like it. had too much weight on my shoulders and started cramping up my traps after awhile..but it wasnt adjusted properly to fit me tho..


i also used closed cell for along time (z-pad) and it worked great having in on the outside with the load strap

[TriggerHappy]

Kentrek, I really like the pics i wish i was able to get some of my own on my pack outs. I never had a problem with loads shifting or balance. I have a back that is older then i am and would have had probems with other pack boards. I'm very pleased with mine and look forward to more packouts.

[kentrek]

Kentrek, I really like the pics i wish i was able to get some of my own on my pack outs.

ya so hard to stop an take pics when theres so much work to be done 

[Hunter mike]

What kind of price range do these run?  I wish they sold just a frame and compression panel like you're using in the pics.  Very versatile setup.  It looks like the packs on their website have lightweight mesh-style compression panels.

[kentrek]

What kind of price range do these run?  I wish they sold just a frame and compression panel like you're using in the pics.  Very versatile setup.  It looks like the packs on their website have lightweight mesh-style compression panels.

ive seen the just the frame sold lately for around 130-150 if i remember
http://www.schnees.com/product/765/wilderness-pack-specialties-gear

you can also buy just the plastic frame part,with out harness gear for like 15 bucks at military surplus stores
then just buy or build the straps and hip belt and it would be under 100 pending on how you went about building the rest of it..i think this way you could shave a pound or so off the whole set up

[Hunter mike]

http://www.thebackpackhunter.com/products/Wilderness-Bighorn-Frame-Packs.html

Came across this - seems like a pretty reasonable price.  Do you use the stock suspension components?  I've seen online that several people have switched it all out.  Really then all you're getting from WPS is the Handi-pak since the frame is MOLLE.  I wonder if you can get that separate?

Sorry to keep bugging you Kentrek, but could you give an outline of what kind of gear you're using to use a 35L bag?  I can barely get my sleeping bag in one it's so bulky!  About 65L is my minimum for about 3 nights and that's with my tent on the outside.  I also use a CCF pad for sleeping, so that's always problematic to pack.  Depending on the bag, it gets lashed to the outside or rolled around the inside of the bag with all of my gear in the middle.  I'd really like to reduce my bulk even more so than my weight. 

[kentrek]

http://www.thebackpackhunter.com/products/Wilderness-Bighorn-Frame-Packs.html

Came across this - seems like a pretty reasonable price.  Do you use the stock suspension components?  I've seen online that several people have switched it all out.  Really then all you're getting from WPS is the Handi-pak since the frame is MOLLE.  I wonder if you can get that separate?

Sorry to keep bugging you Kentrek, but could you give an outline of what kind of gear you're using to use a 35L bag?  I can barely get my sleeping bag in one it's so bulky!  About 65L is my minimum for about 3 nights and that's with my tent on the outside.  I also use a CCF pad for sleeping, so that's always problematic to pack.  Depending on the bag, it gets lashed to the outside or rolled around the inside of the bag with all of my gear in the middle.  I'd really like to reduce my bulk even more so than my weight.

what time of year are camping in ?

it might work better for you to let me know what your packing an then i could help ya rework your gear list
(maybe a different post )

i carry my sleeping bag/bivy or tent outside the bag in a sea to summit waterproof compression sack,then my 3/4 air mattress on the out side folded flat compressed on with the load sling..everything else goes on the inside of 35 liters

i can give more details later tonight