Badlands Packs, how do you rate them?

[Elkfever]

I sported a 2200 for 5 seasons and it served me well as someone who is not terribly hard on their gear.  (With that being said, the zipper pulls are junk.)  For the price, especially the deals you can find online, I think it's a decent pack- if it fits you.  I bought this pack back before I knew about fitting a pack to myself and therefore, the hip belt and torso length of the pack did not give me the full potential of this pack.  I have since upgraded to an Exo 3500 that makes a world of difference in custom fit, quality and performance. 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Depends on the model and intended use. I love my 2200 hundred. And would recomend it to anyone for a go to daypack with first load hauling capability. FOR ME, function and features of a day pack are more important than overall comfort under a heavy load.  That said it fits average elk quarters ( popped at hip) perfect. I really like ease of access to the main compartment, access to H20, spotter is protected in pocket, it wraps around my bow like a glove offering some extra protection when biking, and it carries daypack weights very comfortably for me. I have sent it back once for a waistbelt tear  and customer service was great. To me they live up to MSRP and for the amount of screaming deals I have seen on slightly used or sales, they are well worth the money.

If your looking to HAUL.... The 4500 is pretty comfortable. Durability is junk especially considering how much it weighs. Decent load lift tho. IMO the 4500 is not a daypack. And I only use as one when backcountry camping. I have trouble reccomending it although, its what I have used primarily for the backcountry for the past 4 years on anything over 5 days. The durability issues have dissapointed me. Luckily I ebayed it for a song, so I dont feel terrible. It has worked and kept me in the out of state budget. The Blue Widow is almost the opposite.... Reliable, and packs down real nice for daypack, and quiet. But I get no load lift and that sucker rides like a tank after 60 pounds or so.  I look at is as the enduro motorcycle of the pack world. If your going to have just one, its very possible the best option.... But if you want to live a little get one designed with a purpose

I dont have alot of experience with packs not designed to haul at least the first load out, ( superday, diablo, hypervent etc.... ).  Good Luck!

[HighCountryHunter88]

i prefer the eberle over the badlands, ive ran both and since ive had the eberle blue widow we have done 2 different bulls (1 boned out and one not) in one trip between three guys and its been comfortable (as it can be). i like a pack that can do that and shrink down small enough for a daypack.

[WildlifeAssassin]

I have the 2800, good pack except the zippers SUCK! I now carry a Kifaru highcamp on a bikini frame, love it but it also cost $650. I carry it for short hikes and backcountry multi nighters, can get real small or carry large loads, was well worth the investment, I am hard on all my gear and put in a lot of miles on foot every year.

[buglebrush]

To those of you saying the 2200 cannot carry heavy weight.  That is certainly not my experience.  Twice last year we carried an entire bull elk plus Bivy camp on one trip with three guys wearing 2200's.  Over 100#'s each, and all day long.  Packs preformed flawlessly. 

[soccerftw123]

Mine almost made it two seasons before the strap ripped off

[sneakyjake]

I use it for 1 to 4 day hunts and it does a good job as an all around pack.  It is ok to get the first load out.  I've taken out over 100#s to the truck, but I always switch to the frame pack for the remaining loads. It definitely is not as comfortable as a frame pack,especially in rough mountainous terrain. Heavy loads do not feel sturdy. I'm close to 40# when I go in and then unload and use it from there.  Zipper broke, sent it in. They fixed it quick. I think you only get one freebie though. I use a cover for rain.  It fits like a glove when it is light.

[Fishhuntmike]

The 2200 will carry an elk in 3 loads comfortably and 1 muley comfortably in 1 load.

A fantastic long range day pack and an ok overnight pack if you pack carefully.

That's my experience with a badlands pack.

[Mxracer532]

Have a Superday, ziper tab boke, has a small tear. Its ok for a day style pack. SOOOOOO now I have a Stone Glacier Sky5100 that weights less then my small superday so the superday will be a coyote hunting pack and thats it.