Just bought a LL bean Hunter Carryall pack

[crazysccrmd]

Let us know how it fits.

I will, but it won't be for a little while. Still have at least a couple months in Afghanistan before I'll get to try it out.

[cvandervort]

Anyone figure out how they would organize their gear on a bivy hunt with this pack? I get that a dry sack would hold everything for you....but what about the little, "need-in-a-pinch" stuff? That's the only thing that has held me back from going the frame and dry sack route...

[twinners]

Just marking this thread. If we get drawn it may be on my shopping list.

[cvandervort]

Sorry guys...I know this thread is a bit old, but did any of the "sub-34 inch waist" guys give this pack a try? I was waiting to order it until I heard back on whether or not it'll fit. I guess, at $80, the worst thing that could happen is I return it...

[crazysccrmd]

Give it a couple of weeks and I can try it on and let you know how it goes for a skinny guy.

[cvandervort]

I just called ll bean...the rep said that the waist belt fits 33" to 60"...guess I'll have to tack an inch on before September!

[crazysccrmd]

Give it a couple of weeks and I can try it on and let you know how it goes for a skinny guy.

I just used mine for a multi day backpack/scout trip up in the east cascades. I'm a skinny guy, generally around a 29-30" waist for pants but the pack worked. I had to have the hip belt as tight as it would go but it did the job. It supports weight well, has a lot of options for loading and strapping stuff down and was pretty comfortable overall.

[syoungs]

im about to pull the trigger on one of these, but im hesitant at I am 6'4 and 350#, not sure if it will fit worth a darn, guess its worth the shipping to find out, as it seems like you get alot for the money, if it works I would be thrilled as it is just what I need.

any longer term reviews from you guys that have had them a while?

[syoungs]

 After reading an excellent review on 24hour campfire, I went ahead and called LL bean to ask about fitment issues, they didnt have an exact answer for me, but he was pretty confident it would fit my torso, but just to we safe, he gave me 10% off the pack, which would be enough to cover return shipping.

 Amazing customer service. at 9pm they actually had a live person answer the phone, who was knowledgeable, then made sure I was happy with the price before I comitted.

gonna be a long week waiting for it to arrive! 

[Hunter mike]

After my other options haven't worked out too well, I'm going to be using the Carryall as my primary hunting back (for day hunts and backpacking) this season.  I'll be sure to post a review when all is said and done...

At 6'1, 175lbs the fit is good and has a "lighter" feel than other rigs that are the same weight.  The load lifters are plenty functional for me.  My waist is about 32-33" or so - weight belt is fully tightened or close to it (depending on clothing etc) and functional.  Much skinnier and it wouldn't work.  It is easily removable and you should be able to replace it with something that works easy enough.

I'm getting pretty into the loading of the frame/dry-bag concept.  You can get a really light 55L dry bag at Fred Meyer for about $13 - works for me so far.  I like it better than the heavier bags I also have. 

For organization: Sleeping bag, food, stove/cooking, and clothing go in the dry bag (stuff that won't get wet until your shelter is set up).  My sleep pad (CCF) goes on bottom to keep the weight of everything else higher.  Dry bag on top of that.  Then tent.  That is all strapped in and secured.  I have a small light butt pack that is my possibles kit, PLB, trail snacks and other stuff that won't get hurt being wet and you want quick access to on the trail.  The lumbar pack kind of loops around the tent locks in nicely between that and the frame but sits outside the securing straps.  Rain gear and extra clothes for the trail just get shoved in wherever... 

For dayhunting, just shove everything into the dry bag, lash it on and go.

I'm hoping it works out well in practice - if I like it I might upgrade to the similar concept Kifaru or Stone Glacier options.  The LL Bean is a bargain for what it is though.

[syoungs]

This thing rocks! I've got a rip stop nylon bag I'm making to go along with it for use as a day pack, and I'm sure I'd be good for a long weekend or more with a dry bag.

I've got it set up with a canteen and my knife on one hip strap and my pistol on the other, my day pack stays pretty light for the most part. Some more water, game bag, extra knife, ammo, and some save your butt stuff.

I am 6'4 and over 350# andit fits me great, though its right at the limit for the load lifters.

[Hunter mike]

A couple of mods I tried on a scouting trip...

I used a MOLLE sustainment pouch lashed on to the top and bottom side-panel compression straps using the MOLLE attachment tabs on the back.  Works great and gives a pocket for trail snacks etc.

I'm running a belt from a surplus ILBE pack instead of the stock one.  Much stiffer and fits pretty good.  I now have it shimmed up with a couple chunks of closed cell foam sleep mat to make sure I get the most load lift possible.  With 65lbs, the whole rig sags a bit - just doesn't lock into my lower back/butt like I would like.  Pretty solid with lighter weights though.

[syoungs]

I have a molle 100 rnd pouch lashed onto the left hip belt, along with a canteen and alice canteen pouch, and my pistol lashed on to the right belt, everything else I need fits into the main pouch on the back of the pack, with a 2nd canteen lashed into the loops above the main pouch, along with my gerber knife.

I hiked about 15 miles this weekend with mine, it developed a nasty sqeak from what seems to be the back support structure, anyone else hear anything noisy about the pack? I love it besides the annoying noise it was making.
 I plan on calling llbean later today and seeing if they have heard of it before or maybe I got a "dud"

[marmotsafari]

As far as a squeek you might try to figure out where things are rubbing and rub a candle or crayon into the fabric a bit.. worked for me in the past. Looks like a cool pack.

[syoungs]

Just a quick update on the pack for future reference.
 
 I have used it a handfull of times now, never with more then about 40# in it. the annoying sqeak is still there, I was really hoping it was coming from a small waterproof bag that holds survival stuff. With all my gear offloaded there is no noise, but as soon as any weight is put into the pack the sqeak returns.
The good news is, LL bean has AMAZING customer service, I am going to have them ship me a new one next week, the thought is there is something not right with the internal supports on the back.

Still doesnt sway my opinion on the pack though, and I would buy another in a heartbeat, Though I may look into buying a dedicated freighter for hauling out large loads.

The real draw to this pack for me is it forced me to evaluate what was going on my back, as i didnt have 3000+ cubic inches of storage like my last pack, still holds everything I need for a day hunt, and sucks up tight enough to not be a bother wearing it, but if I do connect, there is no going back to camp to get the pack board empty handed, I can stick a good size load in this thing.

I will update again when the replacement gets in, though I dont anticipate any problems with it, I think I just happened to get a "dud"