I'm looking for a good day hunting backpack that will fit in carry-on. I would prefer one with a hip belt (removable preferably). Doesn't need to be a meat hauler necessarily but want something with alot of space to pack clothes and gear. Don't really need a ton of compartments just a few pouches to keep smaller items. Would be nice to use it on nonhunting travel trips as well. Anybody have experience with one they like?
Hunting backpack that works for carry-on
- Thread starter fallfreak
- Start date
chevyman181
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2019
- Messages
- 244
We Like the EXO packs, they have several different sizes. I believe they have videos on using the for carry on, I know they have talked about the different sizes and using them for carry-ons in their podcast.
Keep on
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2021
- Messages
- 2,250
I've been using a Mystery Ranch Coulee 40L as a carry on/hunting pack the last several years.
The waist belt is removable, it doesn't weigh much which is great if I'm bringing it in a checked bag and is up to light meat hauling. I tried several others, but this has been the best compromise pack I've found that fits in overhead easily, has a removable waist belt and isn't too heavy but up to day pack hunting.
The waist belt is removable, it doesn't weigh much which is great if I'm bringing it in a checked bag and is up to light meat hauling. I tried several others, but this has been the best compromise pack I've found that fits in overhead easily, has a removable waist belt and isn't too heavy but up to day pack hunting.
I use a kuiu venture divide 3000. I can easily fit everything for week of travel including a extra pair of dress shoes and suit if needed. I am not a small guy with 3xl tops and size14 shoes. Even on local small planes cinch straps make backpack small enough for tiny overheads.
I purchased a Kifaru Minikeg (46l) a few years ago. It had a good discount at the time and just fit my camera pod case with a couple bodies and three lenses along with my rain gear. No problems with carryon and overhead storage with belt.
Though smaller, I like the Shapecharger, but seems over priced to me and never on sale.
Though smaller, I like the Shapecharger, but seems over priced to me and never on sale.
longbow51
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2023
- Messages
- 1,499
I don't recommend this. You can afford two packs. One round of ammo left in a bag and you could be in a world of hurt depending upon destination. For some odd reason, the airport of origin doesn't always find ammo. Happened in the Caribbean a couple of times a few years ago.
I have looked at the venture divide in tge 2000 and 3000. Good to know you have had no problems with the 3000 for a carry-on. I was afraid it might be too big.
It would not be my only bag on hunting trips I would have a checked bag as well to put ammo in. I don't want to pack my pack in checked luggage and want to maximize space for what I'm taking. So having a pack that I can use as carry-on is great especially if it's a multi leg trip.
Wildabeest
Well-known member
Just be sure to check every nook and cranny in the pack to make sure there’s no forbidden items such as cartridges or knives that you’ve left in there from your outdoor use.
Wildabeest
Well-known member
This happened to me as well. Left a .308 cartridge in a vest pocket after target shooting with my son. Flew from RDU to SLC with it in my pocket and it was not detected. On the way back it was. TSA guy at SLC just rolled his eyes and said it happens all the time.
2rocky
Well-known member
Three Rounds of .300 Win Mag for me. Oakland airport.
Wes Mantooth
Well-known member
I would agree with the others on not doing it, and using a more airline travel friendly option. Hunting packs suck as carry-on bags. And if you get the good 'ol TSA random check at security and swabs on the pack, it is not a stretch that they will pick up gunpowder residue. I carry ammo in my pack, I shoot off my pack, etc. so it is a possibility.
That will lead to really good times....
I am not sure what kind of hunt you are going on and the day hunt needs, but if you want something really light and compressible, that can do double duty as a standard "travel pack" when not hunting, looking to the lightweight backpacking industry might be an option like the Durston Wapta 30. Super light, compresses down like crazy, really durable textile and will handle day hunting gear (since you are not meat hauling with it) just fine.
Just keep in mind a pack/bag for airlines should not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches; that being said, I fly about 20 times a year, and always see some dumbass trying to bring a freakin' steamer trunk or body bag sized duffle on as a carry on. Nothing screams "I don't travel much, and want to piss off everyone in a 2 mile radius" than someone rolling in late with their neck pillow, crocs, a banjo and 48 oz water bottle lashed to their oversized POS backpack and then we all get to watch as they herniate a disc or shit themselves while dry-humping their luggage into the overhead bin. OK, rant over.
Check your hunting pack and all gear, and get a solid travel focused carryon. That is my two pesos of advice as a cynical traveler of many miles.
That will lead to really good times....
I am not sure what kind of hunt you are going on and the day hunt needs, but if you want something really light and compressible, that can do double duty as a standard "travel pack" when not hunting, looking to the lightweight backpacking industry might be an option like the Durston Wapta 30. Super light, compresses down like crazy, really durable textile and will handle day hunting gear (since you are not meat hauling with it) just fine.
Just keep in mind a pack/bag for airlines should not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches; that being said, I fly about 20 times a year, and always see some dumbass trying to bring a freakin' steamer trunk or body bag sized duffle on as a carry on. Nothing screams "I don't travel much, and want to piss off everyone in a 2 mile radius" than someone rolling in late with their neck pillow, crocs, a banjo and 48 oz water bottle lashed to their oversized POS backpack and then we all get to watch as they herniate a disc or shit themselves while dry-humping their luggage into the overhead bin. OK, rant over.
Check your hunting pack and all gear, and get a solid travel focused carryon. That is my two pesos of advice as a cynical traveler of many miles.
I appreciate everyone's concern for my well being. Truth be told most of my western hunts I drive so carry-on and space is not as big a factor. This is for a waterfowl hunt in Canada this fall. I will be renting my gun and buying my ammo in Canada. It's a 3 day hunt so was hoping to pack everything in a backpack and use as a carry-on. Then I have a great day use pack I can use later. I have an eberlestock just one but that's to big for carry-on. I went on a moose hunt last fall in canada and used my eberlestock but definitely could have got by with a smaller pack. It was a fly in hunt so there were weight restrictions as well. If the backpack doesn't work oh well lesson learned. I will caulk it up to stupid tax but would really like to give it a try.
BAKPAKR
Well-known member
If you are planning on having the carry-on pack as your only piece of luggage for a three day hunt, I got nothing. I would like to see your packing list though.
CowboyLeroy
Well-known member
I have a MR sawtooth and it fit in the overhead bin nicely. I think I had all of my electronics, binoculars in the case, a full change of clothes, pair of boots, first aid stuff and all the odds and ends I picked up for my kids in there. So not totally crammed full but still loaded
BAKPAKR
Well-known member
If you have a carry-on that pushes the size limits, I would suggest that you check the airline’s boarding policy and have a ticket that gets you on the plane earlier than later.
the nikster
Well-known member
I have used a midsized badlands (2800?) pack for about 8 years.
I use it as my primary day pack while hunting and it has been with me on 5 continents.
I don’t leave ammo in it, or knives.
I don’t schedule dates with my girlfriend and my wife the same night.
I don’t store diesel fuel and fertilizer in the same cabinet.
I make plenty of mistakes. I left a full magazine in it in Fairbanks one year. Had to give the TSA the bullets but was allowed to keep the empty mag.
I left 3 bullets in a pocket in Anchorage once and they were seized as well, I’m not perfect.
These examples were in Alaska so the bar might be lower than Tel Aviv, or Paris.
If you are smart enough to ask this bunch of clowns for advice, you are smart enough to keep your bags, and your nose, clean.
Happy hunting.
I use it as my primary day pack while hunting and it has been with me on 5 continents.
I don’t leave ammo in it, or knives.
I don’t schedule dates with my girlfriend and my wife the same night.
I don’t store diesel fuel and fertilizer in the same cabinet.
I make plenty of mistakes. I left a full magazine in it in Fairbanks one year. Had to give the TSA the bullets but was allowed to keep the empty mag.
I left 3 bullets in a pocket in Anchorage once and they were seized as well, I’m not perfect.
These examples were in Alaska so the bar might be lower than Tel Aviv, or Paris.
If you are smart enough to ask this bunch of clowns for advice, you are smart enough to keep your bags, and your nose, clean.
Happy hunting.
2 pair of hunting paints
2 hunting shirts
1 sweatshirt
1 beanie
Face mask
2 pair socks
4 underwear
Toiletries
I pair slip on shoes
1 set rain gear
I pair lite thermals
If room extra set of street cloths
I will wear my hunting boots and Street clothes on the plane. This is a end of September hunt for waterfowl in a blind with an outfitter.
The one trick that made a 40L bag actually work as a carry-on for me was a couple of cheap packing cubes — the soft sides let you squish stuff into corners a regular stuff sack won’t reach. Also, on the TSA front, I now empty every pack pocket onto a table before any flight, because the day you forget is the day they pull a forgotten broadhead or a single .22 round out of an outer mesh pocket. Has anyone with the Sawtooth tried it as a single-bag international trip too, or is that pushing it?
