Daypacks which one?

[RockChuck]

Ok, so I know this has been discussed before and I have searched, I am looking for a new daypack for day hunts, I am looking for something that will hold my rifle occasionally, I would like to be able to pack out a light load of meat for the first trip if need be, I have been looking at badlands superday and ultra day also X1 and X2 will these work for this? any suggestions? Thank You.

[quadrafire]

I have the superday. It will hold your gun or bow well. Is very comfortable. You would be hard pressed to haul much game out in it IMO. But for a day pack it is great.

[NRA4LIFE]

I use my Badlands 2800 almost exclusively for my day pack now.

[jackelope]

I have found that people's opinions on the size of daypacks will vary greatly. I used to own a X1 and I would say that it will do what you say you need it to do. I think it is 2100 cu. in. The scabbard feature is awesome. I now have a j104 and some would call that a day pack. It will definitely do what you want and then some.
My buddy has a superday and it is very small if you want it to carry meat.

[WDFW-SUX]

The scabbard feature is awesome

x1000

[wsmnut]

Love my Superday.

wsmnut

[raekmike]

same boat here.... tryin to decide between the superday and the 2200....

[bobcat]

I have the Eberlestock J104 but I haven't tried any of the others so I can't say how it compares. But it has worked well for me although I have not used it a lot. I love the rifle scabbard, and I have packed a mule deer out in it and it worked just as it should for that purpose.

[jackelope]

same boat here.... tryin to decide between the superday and the 2200....

Love my Superday.

wsmnut

I'd stay away from the superday if you want to pack quarters.

[jackelope]

same boat here.... tryin to decide between the superday and the 2200....

The 2200 is 2x the pack that the superday is, especially if packing a quarter out is a concern. The "holsters" for your sidearm on them are a neat selling point but are really hard to reach and not all they're cracked up to be.

[llamabob]

I have tried a lot of packs some work for me some don't .I use a blacks creek westerner.I don,t carry quarters but have carried elk backstraps,boned out deer and bear in it.it has an internal frame and carries my normal 30lb daypack load comfortably.it is a front load with a rear top load compartment,is holster compatable and hydration compatable.blacks creek from Idaho has other larger packs as well but this one fits me, my 2cents.

[RockChuck]

Thanks for the fast replies, does the x1 make your back sweat? I have read a lot about badlands making your back hot.

[RockChuck]

What about Cabelas packs, anyone uses these? I have looked at some online but have not seen them in person yet. I looked at a Kelty Cordova yesterday any opinions on these?

[raekmike]

yer right jack....I just tried on  super day over at cabelas...looks almost impossible to reach back and get your gun from the holster..way to far back..
Was hoping that was gonna be a real good feature!   NOT   

[jackelope]

yer right jack

it happens once a week.
 

[quadrafire]

yer right jack....I just tried on  super day over at cabelas...looks almost impossible to reach back and get your gun from the holster..way to far back..
Was hoping that was gonna be a real good feature!   NOT   

I carry a ruger 22 revolver in Mine, Not the handiest, but it works. The barrel sticks out below the waistbelt. No biggie when pack is on, but if you take it off and set it on the ground, gotta watch the barrel does hit a rock or get dirt in it. I would not buy the pack for just that feature that is a fact. Other than that I like it.

[runamuk]

I have the x-1 and in theory its a great pack   however in practical application I dont care for it I cannot pull the rifle out of the scabbard it sucks to climb over crap with the rifle in the scabbard....if I sling rifle on shoulder just incessantly slides off....pack does not fit me correctly once there is weight in it   another brilliant purchase gone wrong....so i now have a maxpedtion bag thing I use as a day pack and I like that way better but cant haul dead things with that so still gonna need the pack or some sort of pack eventually  

[blackveltbowhunter]

 Dont you wish the backpack manufactures would come up with a "one pack does all perfectly" pack. Hell they would make a killing. It all comes down to what YOU need MOST of the time. If you are hunting aways from the truck and you often make a trip back to retrieve your packboard. and want to make that trip back worthwhile. IMHO get a BL 2200 and dont look back. No its not perfect, but for the specific purpose of a day hunt and packing meat back. Its as close as I have found.

[RockChuck]

Runamuk are you interested in selling the X1?

[runamuk]

Runamuk are you interested in selling the X1?

someone else hit me up send me a pm and if he doesn't want it I can let you know

[RockChuck]

Pm sent.

[deerslyr]

I have a 2200 and I like it besides it making my back hot in early season, but when its cold it keeps me warm all day.
A shot a small doe last year right at dark and we were 2 miles behind a gate so we didnt want to take the time of boning it out to pack it out....so my buddy had the idea of just gutting her and strapping her down with the strapps that hold your bow down just like one of those packs you can put a baby in  man I wished i had picturs of that lol regardless it held together the whole time but legs were floppin out all over the place 

[RockChuck]

I have not been able to look at a X1, X2 or the 2200 yet anyone know a place around Tri Cities that sells them? I have checked Warehouse sports and ranch and Home. No Luck

[vanhornhunter]

What about Cabelas packs, anyone uses these? I have looked at some online but have not seen them in person yet. I looked at a Kelty Cordova yesterday any opinions on these?

I've got a cableas pack and I love it. Its comfortable and it holds a lot of stuff. I tried alot of other packs on and put bows in all of them that could hold them and out of all of them I liked the way the cabelas pack held my bow. Ive also carried a rifle in it and it worked great. Used it last year to pack out an elk too. Carried alot of weight with no problems.

[RockChuck]

What cabelas pack is that?

[vanhornhunter]

Here ya go.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Bow-and-Rifle-Pack/713977.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=/catalog/search.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dcabelas%2Bbow%2Band%2Brifle%2Bpack%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=cabelas+bow+and+rifle+pack&WTz_l=Header;Search-All%20Products

[Pathfinder101]

I have the Cabela's pack.  Used it in Montana this fall and loved it.  When I bought it, I looked at the Eberlestock and Badlands packs.  The Cabelas had the same features for less $$.  Very comfortable, plenty of room for my spotter, lunch, gear etc...  The only problem I had was with the water in the drinking tube freezing, but that would have happened with any pack.  The pouch for packing my rifle when I walking in and out of areas in the dark was really nice, I used that a lot.

another thing I like is the little tag of orange material that you can pull out of the outside pocket to mark your pack if you have to leave it.  I once spent over an our looking for a daypack in the sagebrush when I shucked it off during a stalk.   

[ramslam]

I took a Blacks Creek pack to the Yukon this summer.  It failed as did their customer service when I got back.  I will never trust one of their products again.  I better stop now.

[Ironhead]

I have been searching for the perfect pack for 10 or 12 years, I have a Badlands 2200 and a Eberlestock J-104 and this year I bought a Horn Hunter Full Curl.

The Horn Hunter is more comfortable and has more adjustment than the other two. It has an internal frame and a load shelf made for packing meat. I only have the 1400 CI. removeable day pack in the picture but you can buy sperately the Full Curl bag for pack in trips, (I haven't used this)for a total of 5,000 CI. This thing has more straps and adjustment than is really needed but they are there if you need em. I like a pack that is narrow width wise and also not to tall that I can use to pack out an entire boned out Muley. This seems to fit the bill.

Here is a pic with two front shoulders,BS, along with the head and cape, tripod, 15x56's and a bunch of other goodies.

Just another option I thought I would throw out there, Still not the perfect pack but getting closer.

[MAVsled]

there are good quality packs out there. But you have to choose one that fits you and meets your daily requirements.
I chose two; Eberlestock X2 and J34. I used to have a J104 but that was stolen with other gear, so home owner's insurance replaced it and a lot of other stuff.
anyway I like the X2 for day packing. But i did have to ducktape the internal frame as the straps which anchor the pack to the frame would squeak when walking. Tape around the frame solved that. Still I felt that shouldn't have needed to be done but now I'm happy.
the J34 is a little more compact, holds a lot of gear and it also expands. With my additional Eberlestock Super Spike duffle, I can back pack hunt with all the gear needed.
below is a 2010 photo of me packing out a spike bull head, heart & liver in the X2. the spike's nose is sticking out the back, covered by white plastic bag to guard against blood leaking onto the pack. The X2 also packs rear elk quarters one at a time and boned meat just fine. I usually bone out the front quarters. good pack straps, enough straps and easily adjustable for both packs.

[RockChuck]

Thanks for all the replies the pictures really help, I will check out the Horn Hunter packs as well.

[ridgefire]

i own the superday, j104 and the g1 siwash and for my style of hunting the superday is worthless for dayhunts for elk but works good for turkey and deer, no good for packing meat though. i love the expandability of the j104 but its a little heavy and bulky but a decent all around pack. yet to use the g1 but thinking its going to be the ticket, quite a bit lighter and way less bulky but near the same size as the j104 at 4000 c.i.

[GlennGTR]

I own the Kifaru Express, with the right pods this thing can go from a day pack to a couple of days out back pack. It is my go to pack. Add a cargo chair to it and you can pack out an entire boned out blacktail deer or boned out elk quarters. The Kifaru packs are built to your specs and are warrantied for life. There is no finer pack in my humble opinion. They are also made in the US by American workers. Most hunting packs are now made in Vietnam or China.

[SkookumHntr]

Ive had a Cabelas elite scout pack for about 10 years. Ive tried a Nimrod pack and a Badlands and have sold both of them becouse I  like my little scout pack better! When im hauling meat I head to camp and get the frame! For a daypack I think the Cabelas Elite scout pack is hard to beat!

[RockChuck]

Well I went with the X1 it is comfortable and has the features I was looking for, I found it online for $114 shipped to me. it even showed up the next day! I rechecked the price the next day and it was up to $159

[Schwag173]

Everyone's needs are different, but I have found Cabela's Elite Scout as close to perfect as anything else on the market.  Expandable from 850 to 1050 cubic inches, it's the perfect size for day-pack use and the exterior compression-flap has secured my bulky coat on a number of hard climbs.  The BIGGEST bitch I have is that it has no internal aluminum frame to keep the pack properly shaped to my back.  Without the internal frame, my back gets sore.  I'm thinking of having a local place add an internal frame (a couple thick aluminum strips in sewn sleeves).  I bought and used a different pack (with a frame), but the framed packs on the market are all too large (1600+").  For about $105, the Elite Scout does a nice job right off the rack.

[dromero]

Check out Horn hunter, Bull pacs, Nimrod, Mystery Ranch, and Wilderness packs. All made in USA.

I have a Nimrod Pinnacle day pack, 1300 CI and love it, works great, comfortable, quiet, and holds everything I need for a quick hunt trip.

[huntinfool86]

crooked horn outfitters master guide is great, all the pockets you could want in all the right places and lifetime warranty

[Forester]

I use the Badland 2200 and love it. The Feb/March Eastmans has a review of the following packs: Badlands Diablo and Super Day. Eberlestock X2 and X1E. Sitkas Flash 20 and a pack I have never heard of the Mystery Ranch Three Day Assult Pack.

Might be worth picking us and issue if you don't already subscribe.

[carpsniperg2]

Just got a great deal on a Badlands 2800 and its sweet! Have not got to pack much weight with it yet. But threw 50lbs of weights in it and it felt good. I should be able to pack 100+ without a worry in it.

[calawahsteelie]

Just bought the Badlands 2800 at the sportsman show. I also threw about 50lbs in the pack and it was amazing. The weight distribution is spot on. And it is big enough to have enough gear for a couple of days. The built in pistol holster is a nice feature. It is in a little awkward position but it works.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Are we talkin day packs, pack boards or packs to get all our gear in to spike camp?

I don't expect my day pack to pull out an Elk quarter and back straps. All I expect my day pack to do is (it does have a rifle tie), to hold my stove, water, pot, soup, jerky, trail mix, a little emergency kit, and maybe my bivy bag, some packable rain gear, extra ammo, my GPS, knife sharpener, and my game bags.

That said, I have a Kodiak Hunter day pack. It is not a packboard. It is not my backpack to carry my camping gear.

-Steve

[fair-chase]

You bring up a good point Jack. I think a lot of people go overboard on the size of a daypack. Unless you are an outfitter/guide or packing your wife and kids in you really don't need a very large daypack. I currently use a Badlands TreeHugger fanny pack. More than enough for all of my gear even with my Foxpro Firestorm in it. I wouldn't call this an ultralight setup, but even with the foxpro I am weighing in at under 12 lbs.

Here is a list of what I fit into a fanny pack:
Foxpro Firestorm and remote
License and tags with zip ties, pen, and hole punch
2 water bottles 16oz
100' para cord
3 knives
4 big game dressing bags
2 packages of latex calving gloves
Waterproof matches and lighter
1 Headlamp and 1 flashlight
Half roll of TP
Extra bottle of windicator
Small bottle of cover scent
2 lense cleaning cloths
2 hard cases of diaphram calls
2 open reed calls
2 closed reed calls
GPS
Foldable map
2 packages of peanuts
2 nutrition bars
Cell phone
Full box of ammo
Emergency space blanket
Small first aid kit


Now I am not trying to promote this pack at all. It sounds like the original poster was looking for a backpack and not a fanny pack anyways. I am just trying to point out that you can store a lot of gear in a relatively small space, often keeping it organized at the same time. Going too large on a daypack can produce it's own set of problems. If things are not stored tightly they will shift, which is a real pain. It will not fit properly, and a lightly packed bag will also create more noise. I see quite a few postings for the 2800. I am sure that it is a great pack and not trying to start an argument with anyone but I use a 3000ci kelty for trips lasting up to 4 days. 2800ci is a lot of room for a "daypack".

I would recommend getting all of the gear together that you would normally pack on a day trip. Find a couple different sizes of shoe boxes and see which one will hold all of your gear tightly. Measure that box to find out how many cubic inches it is. Then add 25% to that number to allow for unknowns (weather/different game) and you should have a good idea of how many cubic inches you need for a daypack.

Disclaimer: These are only my opinions and have been found to be wrong on a number of occasions.

[JackOfAllTrades]

2800ci is a lot of room for a "daypack".

I would recommend getting all of the gear together that you would normally pack on a day trip. Find a couple different sizes of shoe boxes and see which one will hold all of your gear tightly. Measure that box to find out how many cubic inches it is. Then add 25% to that number to allow for unknowns (weather/different game) and you should have a good idea of how many cubic inches you need for a daypack.

Disclaimer: These are only my opinions and have been found to be wrong on a number of occasions.

I've been going with a fanny pack for several trips. I've found there's a bunch of stuff I didn't really need. Even my overnight trips,... I've cut out a bunch of weight of things I really never used.

You're opinion...  Some good ideas.

-Steve

[Widgeondeke]

 I have the Cabela's bow/rifle pack.  Used it in Wyoming this fall and loved it.     When I bought it, I looked at the Eberlestock and Badlands packs.  The Cabelas had the same features for less $$. More camo options as well.  Very comfortable, plenty of room for my spotter, lunch, gear etc...  The pouch for packing my rifle when packing/dragging out my antelopes was really nice, I used that a lot. Was also able to strap my bipod to the side. Another thing I like is the little tag of orange material that you can pull out of the outside pocket to mark your pack if you have to leave it.   

[Ironhead]

You bring up a good point Jack. I think a lot of people go overboard on the size of a daypack. Unless you are an outfitter/guide or packing your wife and kids in you really don't need a very large daypack.

I disagree with this statement for the type of hunting I like to do. I want a day pack I can put a boned out deer into. I do not want to hike 7 or 8 miles back to my truck to get a packboard and then 7 or 8 miles back to the dead buck. I want to bone him out, put it in my pack and head for the trail head or truck.

[mack2255]

I use camelbaks commander pack. It serves all my needs and carries plenty of gear food and h2o.There is no rifle pocket so i just carry mine.And thats my