What pack?!

[alecvg]

I am looking at either buying the Badlands 4500, or the new Sitka 45.  I can't decide witch one I like more.  The Badlands looks sweet, and I know they take the load well, but the Sitka has more pockets, and is the same size.  I really like the spotting scope pocket on the Sitka, but I don't know how it takes loads.  What would you guys do?  Any experiane with either?  ANy help would be great!

[bow4elk]

Badlands.  To be fair, I haven't tried the Sitka packs.  I know they carry an extreme premium price, but I doubt they are better quality than Badlands.

[Aneoakleaf]

Badlands.  To be fair, I haven't tried the Sitka packs.  I know they carry an extreme premium price, but I doubt they are better quality than Badlands.

[PacificNWhunter]

Have not had the pleasure of seeing first hand a Sitka pack heard they are nice though, I have had great luck with badlands.

[luvtohnt]

I recently purchased the Badlands 4500 and love it. I haven't put a full load in it yet, but i will on some of my future hikes. I don't know about Sitka but Badlands offerrs a unconditional lifetime warrenty and that is what sold me on tha Badlands brand.

Brandon

[addicted]

Havent tried out a sitka but the problem I found with the badlands it that it didnt fit right. And with a heavy load the pack must fit right.  Most of the badlands, especially the 4500 were too long  from the shoulder straps to the waist strap.... for me anyways.(I'm 5foot 5inches) You may not have this problem.

One line of packs that I do put in the same level as badlands is the timberhawk packs. They do have a warranty and they do have lots of space and pockets. Their pack was still a little long for me but definately a nice line of packs.
http://www.timberhawkgear.com/timberhawkgear/TimberHawk_%7C_home.html

eventually I bought the jim horn blacks creek western. The adjustable shoulder strap placement made their packs just about perfect for me.

[luvtohnt]

Badlands offers 2 sizes Large for tall people and a Medium for shorter people. It tells you on the tag which one to get for your height.

Brandon

[Machias]

I like a Decker the best.

[Intruder]

Try em both on... with a load in em.  Also, make sure you need a pack that big.  Not saying you don't, just suggesting you define your needs really well before outlaying a ton of dough.  Might wanna check out Eberlestock too as well as Nimrod and the Shockey and Horn stuff from Blackcreek. 

We're fortunate that there are some flat awesome packs these days.  Hard to go wrong from a quality perspective.  Comes down a lot to fit and features.  Good luck!

[mossback91]

I like a Decker the best.

[scudmaster]

Don't forget Mystery Ranch. Pricy but awesome and sized by waist and shoulder harness seperately

[tonymoe]

You cannot go wrong with the badlands 4500 it will hold a ton well. with that being said, I just received a sitka 45 for my birthday and it is well built and has some bitchin features. I will not be able to tell you how it slings the meat till I take muzzelman on his guided bear trip  (hopefully).

[alecvg]

Thanks for the advise and input guys.  I think that I will probaly go with the Badlands, because I know it has a great warrenty, and is great quality.  I wlsh I could get a Mystery Ranch, but its to spendy.  Once again, thanks.

[WonkyWapiti]

Are there any Washington state dealers for the Mystery Ranch packs or do I have to go to their Bozeman headquarters to look at the darn things?