Post by: uncoolperson on July 02, 2011, 05:46:13 PM
my granite gear meridian vapor, too narrow/small for all my stuff.
my ebrelstock, too bulky and wide for me (I'm a fairly small framed fellow).
looking for something atleast 65 liters, comfy for 20-1000lbs (or whatever a deer could weigh), for multi night fishing trips to the high hunt to whatever else I come up with... pretty much need a pack for everything other than day trips.
And as with everyone funds are limited (ebrelstock [skycrane] and my granite gear pack will be sold to do this... in the classifieds when I come up with a price and pictures), which means no mystery ranch for me :'(.
thanks
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on July 02, 2011, 06:16:14 PM
Post by: alecvg on July 02, 2011, 06:29:13 PM
Post by: uncoolperson on July 02, 2011, 06:36:35 PM
A couple packs come to mind.... I looked at your specs for the vapor online 3500 ci im assuming you want more room?yeah, more room is needed over that.
Im not really familiar with the skycrane but thinks it the on the military side of the eberlestock pack. Is this correct?yup, it was cheaper than the camo'd up hunting ones when I got it... it's basically a non camo'd up J34 (just one).
Either way, The Blacks Creek Barbarian Featherlight, or Badlands 4500. May fill the bill. I have the 4500 plenty of room, comfy, a bit on the heavy side imo. No firsthand with the Barbarian but I really like alot of the features, and its a couple pounds lighter than the 4500.I'll do some more looking into those.
Also possibly the hunting style packs from Eberle?From the few I've seen, seems the eberlestock packs are designed for a slightly broader shoulder muscly frame than me...
Gud luck and welcome to many sleepless nights debating over the perfect pack :chuckle:yeah, I'm averaging a new pack every year for the last 10 years or so in my search.
Post by: Jason on July 02, 2011, 06:48:58 PM
Dont go with eberlestock if anything. I LOVE my Sitka 4500 bivyWhy not Eberlestock?
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on July 02, 2011, 07:58:12 PM
Post by: uncoolperson on July 02, 2011, 08:28:36 PM
I have the eberle Blue Widow as well, good pack but you are right about it spreading the weight out rather than up. It also expands away from my back which I dont like as well. Its still a comfortable pack and I use it, but it sounds like ur on the right track that it may not be for you.
yeah, expands way out.... that and after some time under it, the shoulder straps are set a bit too wide to be comfy for me.
Post by: huntnfmly on July 02, 2011, 09:01:52 PM
Post by: HunterJim on July 02, 2011, 10:06:48 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 02, 2011, 10:15:03 PM
Post by: 7mag. on July 02, 2011, 11:01:27 PM
Post by: uncoolperson on July 13, 2011, 05:11:11 PM
thanks for the input.
Post by: dupedc on July 13, 2011, 09:58:11 PM
Post by: wsucowboy on July 13, 2011, 11:58:45 PM
Badlands.... No doubt.:yeah: Love my badlands pack.
Post by: addicted on July 14, 2011, 01:10:46 AM
They were too big for my purpose last time i was pack shopping but they were certainly made well. I ended up with a western and i love it.
The blacks creek packs have the adjustable shoulder strap height for us smaller sized guys.
Post by: high country on July 14, 2011, 06:12:04 AM
I like my mystery pack the most so far.
Post by: PacificNWhunter on July 16, 2011, 10:28:44 AM
See if you can find a used k2 or Dana designs "bed" series pack. Arguably the standard all are judged against. Look at propper on eBay and a used mystery ranch all are gooood quality and made to last, it will be a matter of fit. The best fitting pink pack tramps a poor fitting camo one.
I like my mystery pack the most so far.
Just like high country said, try and get a Dana Designs or Mystery Ranch. I too have had problems getting a pack to fit and instead of buying several lesser packs after finally trying a Myster Ranch for a few hikes wish I would have just swallowed the pill and paid the extra for the pack right off the bat.
That being said, I wore a badlands for a long time and it was a great pack, I was able to send it back and have them take off some of the lenghth of the waist belt so I had more adjustability. Good luck.
Post by: Bshiftbc on September 09, 2011, 07:21:31 PM
Post by: dfresh96 on September 09, 2011, 07:33:54 PM
Post by: marmotsafari on September 14, 2011, 07:49:00 AM
I went through a couple options last year, currently settled on a Gregory Palisades. Expands prettty big, comfy suspension, top lid removes for day hunt if you like. Kinda a dark red color, which I like, less apt to get shot up moving at dusk. If you are color conscious a pack cover keeps the kit dry.. I have an old northface cover that is black, I plan to safety pin on some tape or spare vest if I am worried about other hunters.
Nice thing about REI, they fit people to packs all the time, you can try on a bunch, and return anything after a field test if it doesn't work out. Worked out cheaper for me than most of the hunt pack options too.
Mine is sitting loaded on the floor by the door.. @45#'s + rifle... here we go!!!!
Good luck!
Post by: TheHunt on September 14, 2011, 10:13:37 AM
I like and own the eberstock "the one" pack. It is a great pack for bivey hunting.
Post by: HUNT-HARD on September 14, 2011, 10:59:58 AM
Post by: aer212 on September 17, 2011, 08:29:35 PM
Post by: Lowedog on September 17, 2011, 09:04:40 PM
Post by: Wtrfowlr62 on September 18, 2011, 08:38:20 PM
Badlands.... No doubt.
period.
i have a 2800. very versatile, quality fantastic, prolly wont ever buy another pack unless it says badlands on it.
Post by: high country on September 18, 2011, 08:43:40 PM
Post by: marmotsafari on September 27, 2011, 06:33:20 PM
I wasn't aware of REI being supportive of anti hunting groups- no doubt many of their employees are but that is a different thing entirely. On thier website they mention the sierra club, which I know a lot of sportsmen have reservations about. Those guys have gone through the trouble of at least trying to be inclusive of sportsmen if nothing but for the vote- check out http://www.sierraclub.org/sierrasportsmen/people/leaders/ (http://www.sierraclub.org/sierrasportsmen/people/leaders/) - may be a snow job but a far cry from PETA :chuckle: at least they are willing to shoulder up to hunters if it gives them a bigger voting block.
Post by: swanny on September 27, 2011, 09:25:00 PM
I'm a little curious though what REI supports also that is anti-hunting? Just so you are aware, employees are a big part in dictating where money goes to support various programs or groups. REI is also huge in every community they are in, every new store opened does a large scale service project before the store opens. At the DC in Sumner, we recently started a salmon restoration effort of a creek that runs along our building and flows into the White River.
Post by: bobcat on September 27, 2011, 09:46:12 PM
Post by: uncoolperson on October 01, 2011, 04:23:30 PM
gonna try for spring and hope to make the high hunt next year.