Smallest backcountry pack

[jackelope]

My 7200" bag should be here soon.

[quadrafire]

My 7200" bag should be here soon.

How are bag sizes measured? I have a Gregory pack, I'm not a backcountry hunter, but a hiker/camper and road hunter. So not sure what size mine is.
Mine does not have the ability to change bags. I may have to look into that in the future??

[X-Force]

My 7200" bag should be here soon.

How are bag sizes measured? I have a Gregory pack, I'm not a backcountry hunter, but a hiker/camper and road hunter. So not sure what size mine is.
Mine does not have the ability to change bags. I may have to look into that in the future??

They are measured in cubic inches or liters.

a 7200 is in ic.

[Armstrong]

I had 7 days of food and gear in my exo 3500 on last years elk hunt. I have pretty light and compact gear. The bag was maxed out but it still had the meat shelf available. It was doable but if I could purchase again I would go with the 5500 for a bit more wiggle room.

[Stein]

Go with a 3000 and a buddy with a 7200.

I like small daypacks and big camping packs.


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[CaNINE]

I've played the less is more game and tried to cram 5 days worth of camping and hunting gear into a 3000 ci bag.  I had that bag packed so tight that a cat couldn't scratch anything loose.  I looked like a monkey trying to _____ a football while I wrestled to access gear and get the bag repacked on the mountain.  Anything more than an overnight trip I use a 5000 ci bag minimum.   

[crabcreekhunter]

I run regular hiking back packs without fancy load shelf's so not a great comparison but between 90-110 liters, fit all of camp and a boned out muley with the head euroed and it is pretty cramped.  I always bring extra straps for lashing rifle, coat, sleeping pad, blaze orange etc to outside of the pack.  Been into camp anywhere from 3-14 days with those setups.

[teanawayslayer]

I'm the exact opposite.  I want the biggest pack I can get.  You can always cinch it up and make it small but you can't make a small pack big when I need it.  I've never found myself wishing I had a smaller pack.  Load slinging meat is a wasted step in my opinion so I'd suggest a quality pack in the 6k+ range.  Just my 

agreed. I use a Barney frontier of Alaska pack. Designed to haul some serious weight. Bigger the better. These light frames with inter changeable packs isn’t for me when it comes to going in deep. Just because you have all that room doesnt mean you need to use it. But On the way out with all your gear and a whole deer = plenty of space

[jstone]

Is there a store in Washington that carries Kafaru?

[jackelope]

Is there a store in Washington that carries Kafaru?

No but there are crap tons of people who have their packs who would likely let you check one out.

[huntnfmly]

+1 on the kifaru my emr2 cinches down very small but expands alot

[Shawn Ryan]

I agree with Karl. Once you've got the frame, the difference in bag weight for me is offset by the convenience of access. I hate gear strapped on and hanging off. Mostly carries better when in the bag.  We don't all have to do the same.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I have been using a kifaru with AMR bag and guide lid and it swallows everything I have thrown
at it and then some. I have never been  worried about room. Or weight. It collapses well enough for daypack stuff, but some of the new bags, and options are even better for slimming down and still having plenty of room. Not sure where you are located but XXX Archery in Rainier carries kifaru sizing packs and some sale options. Generally you will get fitted and look at options and then can place an order thru XXX with confidence. In the specific size and colors, and configuration you want. 

[ian_padron]

You can get into a myriad of packs between 6000 and 8000 cubic inches that weigh around 5 pounds.

No reason to go smaller in my opinion, like the guys mentioned, having more volume and higher quality gear is your best bet.

If you're set on keeping things UL, get a 3000 cubic in bag on a good frame and a dry bag in the meat shelf.

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[HikerHunter]

Even in September, the backcountry can be wet, windy, and cold. I've been through 20 degree nights and howling snowstorms during the Sept. high buck hunt, so I would caution against just a tarp in the backcountry.

For pack size, it depends on the gear you have. If you have compact and UL gear, a 3500" pack with meat shelf could work. But I would agree with the advice of going with a slightly larger size because pretty much all bags now cinch down pretty well and its easier to get into your gear when its not all crammed tight. Just avoid the temptation to fill all that space with stuff you don't need!