Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: MuleyMadness on December 13, 2009, 01:24:12 PM

Title: What pack to buy?
Post by: MuleyMadness on December 13, 2009, 01:24:12 PM: Right now I have the b adlands 2800 but am looking for something that is more comfortable and can pack more stuff.

Looking to do a 4 to 6 mile pack in and camp for 5 days and to get my bow in with me...

The reviews on cabelas look like the Alaskan Outfitter Pack with Frame is pretty nice.

What do you use and why?

THANKS GUYS!
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: cohoho on December 13, 2009, 04:40:48 PM: Can't go wrong with a Erberstock 104, as much weight as YOU can carry. I like mine, but will admit it is just too big for 90% of stuff unless on a hike it hunt.. Able to zip in a clothes/spike bag and leave it in camp, keeps clothes and gear nicely separated when packing back meat..

Seems like the Badlands 2800 is quite big already, what are you planning on packing out?

I would stay away from the Cabelas packs, as I had friends that utilized them on Caribou hunts and they failed on heavy loads. Broken straps and tears..
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: HUNT on December 13, 2009, 04:51:05 PM: I own the cabelas Alaskan Outfitter pack and frame. I've had it for 10 years and never has an issue with the pack failing. I have hauled loads up to 150 lbs with it. I've packed out more than 10 elk with that pack frame and carried spike camps in and out with it. Probably the best pack I own. :twocents:
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: RUTNBULL1 on December 13, 2009, 05:52:53 PM: Badlands 4500 cu. in. has worked great for me in all my backcountry hunts. No issues, no problems and plenty of room and organization. :twocents:
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: ridgefire on December 14, 2009, 05:33:00 PM: i would look at the new eberlestock j 104 or the blue widow if i was looking for a new pack
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: coonhound on December 14, 2009, 08:24:12 PM: I've been using the Eberlestock J104 for several years now, lots of deer and elk have made it out in that pack. Very versitile, I've used it many times for backcountry use.

I think I would go for the Eberlestock Blue Widow over the J104 if I had to choose today, they didn't have that model back then, it'll keep the load a few inches closer to your back.

Coon

http://eberlestock.com/JP9%20Blue%20Widow.htm
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: Map on December 14, 2009, 08:28:30 PM: +1 for eberlestock Blue Widow. Put it to the test this year, buddy and I packed two bulls in 5 days with them. They were pretty friendly for packing gear and then packing meat. I think the Badlands 4500 new design looks good as well and seem to have good reviews.
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: bow4elk on December 14, 2009, 08:43:25 PM: Some great packs out there. I like the Badlands Diablo, Hypervent, 2200, and 4500 for going big and deep. :twocents:
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: high country on December 14, 2009, 08:50:53 PM: I have been using the mystery ranch nice for two years. I still use my 2800 as a day pack, ut the MR takes the weight way better and is adjustable in ways you can't even imagine. a little pricey, but made in bozeman by argueably the best pack maker ever. I believe the bag on mine is the g5500. tent is a megalite, bag is a western mountaineering and a BA rem pad......plenty of room left over and goes in at sub 40lbs for 4 days in 30ish degree weather.
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on December 14, 2009, 08:54:20 PM: I've always liked badlands, pards use em, good packs. That being said, I'm gonna pony up the coin and have a mystery ranch on my back next fall..
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: Bearhunter on December 14, 2009, 09:09:09 PM: You guys that Haul 150lb packs are absolute animals, I cant imagine even doing that. That would kill me, maybe on flat ground.
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: alecvg on December 14, 2009, 09:09:47 PM: Badlands 4500 or the Sitka 45 bivy's are good packs, I have the Eberlestock J104 with spike camp duffel used, in good condition for $225, if you are interested?
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: whacker1 on December 14, 2009, 09:11:27 PM: I bought a Eberlestock Dragonfly this last summer. Haven't used it much.

It is also worth checking out the Nimrod packs as they are made in Washington. I will likely be buying my next day pack from Nimrod as my current one is starting to fall apart.
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: actionshooter on December 14, 2009, 10:37:40 PM: The guys who are recomending anything but the Mystery Ranch haven't tried one. Best pack on the market. This is a true case of "you get what you pay for".
I use a Badlands 2800 for a day pack.
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: BrushChimp on December 14, 2009, 10:43:50 PM: For the Mystery Ranch users, do you prefer the NICE frame packs with the 6500/7500 or the internal frame packs? Any gripes about packing meat with the Internal frame packs?
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: MuleyMadness on December 19, 2009, 07:19:13 PM: What mystery ranch pack do you guys use? and why?
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: high country on December 21, 2009, 03:16:24 PM: I use the nice setup. the overkill is more then I need, a full camp plus a deer is plenty for my legs. the nice laughs at a 100lb load. for bags, mine is a 5500ci....I forget the name. I haul all my gear for a week and pack a deer out and it all fits cleanly. I have done a lot of work in the gear reduction area though. if you are the guy that needs lanterns and coffee pots, a 6500 is prolly your answer. I have never used the crew cab or the meat frame. just bone it, put it in a game bag (TAGS bags are the lightest) and put that in a garbage bag to hold and blood (rarely a drop when boned right)
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: actionshooter on December 21, 2009, 03:31:32 PM: I use the grizzly (6500 I think) I have a really long torso length and that's the pack MR recommended (adjustable yoke). If it fit better, I would used the NICE system.
I don't use the full 6500, but its nice to have. The thing about a mystery ranch is the ability to pack heavy loads. There is no such thing as a comfortable 100# load, but with a good pack its a lot easier. :twocents:
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: high country on December 21, 2009, 11:15:32 PM: the nice frames have adjustable yokes too.....as well as anything you could ever imagine adjusting. the yokes and hip belt also come in different sizes in case you chub up or become the biggest loser....you can keep the same pack.

I thought I had my pack adjusted well and it felt good with 40 pounds in it. after loading a deer into it also, I had to stop and make adjustments to the yoke and load lifters....then I realized how important those are to have bang on the money. I like my badlands pack, but they are not even as adjustable as the MR, nor is the design equal at distributing loads. I have had em' both full of camp and critter too.
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: d_wilson on December 21, 2009, 11:45:50 PM: I use a Nimrod Apex Pack. It has a 3900 ci capacity and it can be broken down into 3 or 4 different configurations depending on your specific need. The most versatile pack I've owned. The company is located in Cashmere.
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: actionshooter on December 22, 2009, 08:23:13 AM: Quote from: high country on December 21, 2009, 11:15:32 PM
the nice frames have adjustable yokes too.....as well as anything you could ever imagine adjusting. the yokes and hip belt also come in different sizes in case you chub up or become the biggest loser....you can keep the same pack.

I thought I had my pack adjusted well and it felt good with 40 pounds in it. after loading a deer into it also, I had to stop and make adjustments to the yoke and load lifters....then I realized how important those are to have bang on the money. I like my badla
Quote from: high country on December 21, 2009, 11:15:32 PM
the nice frames have adjustable yokes too.....as well as anything you could ever imagine adjusting. the yokes and hip belt also come in different sizes in case you chub up or become the biggest loser....you can keep the same pack.

I thought I had my pack adjusted well and it felt good with 40 pounds in it. after loading a deer into it also, I had to stop and make adjustments to the yoke and load lifters....then I realized how important those are to have bang on the money. I like my badlands pack, but they are not even as adjustable as the MR, nor is the design equal at distributing loads. I have had em' both full of camp and critter too.

Yep, The NICE system has the adjustable yoke also (I think all thier packs do), but they (Dana) told me I was too tall for the NICE and I wouldn't be happy with it. The Kodiak and Grizzly have more vertical adjustment.
Same thing happened to me this year, I thought the pack was just right, till I loaded a deer in it, plus everything else. A couple of small adjustments and we were off.
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: Broken Arrow on January 05, 2010, 02:11:29 PM: Muley....the pack you have and are trying to get out of is EXACTLY what 4 of use for the exact same hunts ( have for 4 years), 5 miles in and carry our bows. The trick to all of this is going extreme light weight...and that will cost you to drop some serious coin. The one in our group that doesnt use that is a guy who uses the eberlestock j34 or just one. He swears buy it....but if you use the same premise and use a water proof container for your "spike camp" in the meat shelf section as your going up...its about the same. By the way...drop your spike and use that water proof liner to pack out game and you pack stays clean.
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: bow-n-head on January 07, 2010, 07:16:49 PM: I have many packs also. I use my Balands 2800 for day hunting. My 4500 for overnite trips. But when it comes time to haul meat I have a Low Alpine 6000 internal frame that beats any camo hunting pack to shame.
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: doekillrssuck on January 10, 2010, 06:32:13 PM: i use the blacks creek alaskan fits every thing i need plus the meat and horns real awsome pack.
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: MuleyMadness on January 15, 2010, 01:42:51 PM: SO:

BADLANDS 4500 OR EBERLESTOCK JP9 OR THE JUST ONE PACK?

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE THAT IS! :drool:
Title: Re: What pack to buy?
Post by: high country on January 16, 2010, 06:45:28 AM: my opinion on those choices is the badlands. they have had the same pack for a long time and it is still a player. their warranty is bang on the money clear. estock seems to tweak their stuff every year, but I have heard some stories that scare me.

bottom line on a pack. find the features you need. if camo is one of them you have very limited choices. the next step after fiding packs with the size and features you want is fit.....if it does'nt fit you it is not worth the powder to blow it to the moon.
I would rather have a purple pack thatfit right then a camo one that did not.