Badlands Packs, how do you rate them?

[grundy53]

my Badlands aren't waterproof.

[bearpaw]

If you really need to rely on waterproof, get a dry bag to keep your stuff in inside your pack.

It doesn't have to be waterpoof, my wally world pack certainly isn't, but seemed like a good thing to consider in a new pack if I'm going to spend a lot..

[sled]

Mine gets real loud when temps hit 20 degrees and lower

[Weehunt66]

I've had my 2200 for over 8 years. It's been a great pack. Broke the waist buckle last year. Badlands sent me a new one. Great customer service. Now having said that I keep looking at the Kuiu ultra 3000, but I'll probably just keep using my 2200

[Jason]

Awesome comments everyone, I'm learning from all your experiences.

Are any of these packs waterproof? Do they keep your stuff dry?

I have the Eberlestock Team Elk and X2 packs and even though their water proof and keeps out moisture I run these packs covers on mine just for added protection from the elements.
http://www.eberlestock.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=E1&Product_Code=G2RC&Category_Code=

[RadSav]

I don't rate Badlands too high on my list.  For light day packs and double fanny packs they are fine.  But in meat packing sizes I haven't seen too many take more than two trips with 80# of meat and survive.  Even the Ox surprisingly has had failures when friends have tried packing heavy loads with them.  I have heard they made changes and solved all these problems a few years ago, but I'll let others test that myth.

For me the best small pack still capable of packing first load of meat has been Blacks Creek Western.  Unfortunately they don't make that pack anymore.  Eberlestock has some that come darn close.

For heavy haulers I'm really digging the Exo Mtn right now.  What a bargain!!  If they can figure out how to make a waist belt I'll stop looking for a better pack and finish my hunting years happy as can be. 

Stone Glacier and Kifaru also rate tops for me, but I doubt I'm going to call them a bargain any time soon.  I'd likely rate the SG higher if it too had a better waist belt.  But since it doesn't Kifaru tops that group.  Put a Kifaru or Blacks Creak belt on an Exo Mtn, square off the bottom of the bag and I'd rate it tops for me!

[Cootkiller]

I used the Badlands 2200 last year after using a Eberlestock X!E for a couple of years and I found the Badlands 2200 to be more comfortable and durable.  I used both packs for SW Washington elk hunting which covers many different weather patterns from 80F-20f.  The Badlands Pack was the best fit to pack all day which included on average 8-10mi per day, the eberlestock pack was a little noisy and felt bulky and made by back really sweat.  The zipper pulls on the 2200 are very large and allow easy access to the many compartments with gloved hands.  One of the biggest things I thought I would love was the built in scabbard on the X1E, I used it a few times and then the material at the top of the pack ripped and I had to send it back to eberlestock.  From my experience the Badlands 2200 is the superior product when comparing the two packs I have.  I would like to see the waist belt pockets on the 2200 a little further out on the belt to accommodate for larger folks.

[wsmnut]

We've got three in our family.  A 2200, a Superday, and my wife's pack. Can't remember the model, but it's got some pink on it...
     Not a problem with any of them.  Ever.  Would by them again.
As far as keeping things dry, I've been out on a couple pretty wet days with no issues.

Wsmnut

[lostbackpacker]

Not very high in my book for hauling meat. Heavier meat loads kept rolling on me not matter how I strapped it down.

[turkeyfeather]

We have 2....I have a Super day and my wife has the ladies version. Love them. 

[trophyhunt]

I will add or say what's already been said, truly for the money, it's a good buy. Really can't beat the price on that 2200.  I needed a bigger one so I traded my 2200 for a 4500, it was an older more used pack but has worked much better for overnight stays.  I think they are a big heavy but I'm not well versed on specs of packs.

[300rum]

Badlands 4500 for me.  6 trips out of state on it in the backcountry, the longest was 8 days and it has been just fine.  I don't know how many animals I have packed out with it, quite a few, but the last one was in Washington last year where I boned and packed out a large buck in one trip up a very steep well known drainage.  It has a couple of tears and a couple of stains but everything that is supposed to work does.

I am sure that there are better ones out there but now it is kind of like a suite, when I put it on, I know it is time to go to work.   

[DOUBLELUNG]

I've used a Badlands 2200 for 12+ years and am very happy with it except the chest strap pulled off and I need to send it in for repair.  I have packed three boned out deer in it, one trip each, as well as the head, cape, tenderloins, backstraps and rib and neck meat from a 6-point bull with no complaints.  I got a great deal on a dozen Eberlestock X-1 packs a few years ago, with plans to sell 10 and keep 2 - sold all 12 as I liked the 2200 better.  I do have a buddy who packed 115 lbs of elk in his 2200 and the aluminum stays ripped through - Badlands didn't believe him initially, after they got it and repaired it they said he was the first to ever have that happen (I think it was a 2002 or earlier).  Sounds like you are like me, my previous packs were just cheapo daypacks, and I loved the Badlands 2200 by comparison.

I have found it is too noisy for spot and stalk mule deer archery hunting when it is below 20 the fabric gets creaky.  I have killed 3 deer spot and stalk with it on my back in the mid 20s-low 30s. 

[trophyhunt]

That reminds me, one year in Idaho my buddy and I had 139 and 137 pounds of elk meat in our packs.  I didn't have the 4500 back then but he did, it performed very well.

[danderson]

  Another thing that needs to be mentioned is the 2200 can only carry so much weight, its perfect for me even if I have to make more than one trip, a buddie of mine that's a member on this form broke his ankle last year trying to get his deer out in one trip, just because your pack can haul 120 pounds doesn't mean its the right choice, he was a mile from his rig to all by himself.
  I'm in this thing for the long haul, 58 years of life for this guy and I still got all my fingers and Toes.