I have been into backpack hunting for the last three seasons now,and really enjoy it. Don't get me wrong, I like having the camper for some of my hunts, but my favorite hunts are the ones that involve the backcountry and several miles between me and the nearest human being.
I have come to the realization that quality matters, and weight matters. Unfortunately the big name hunting packs are HEAVY! The more space you have the more you bring along, and really a lot of it is un-necessary.
That said, I have put together a list of the "It" packs that most hunters look into. I have felt this way for a while, but just now put the information together. I think we are getting ripped off for heavier packs that truthfully don't really function much better, if at all. In fact I believe they impede our ability to move quickly and effectively.
Hunting Packs:
Eberlestock J107-4,500 Cu In- 9lb 6oz
Cabelas Extreme Outfitter-4700 Cu In-7lb 4oz
Badlands 4500-4500 Cu In- 6lb 9oz( I really question this listed weight)
Cabelas Extreme Ultralight-4000 Cu In- 5lb 8 oz
Mystery Ranch Grizzly-6000 Cu In- 8lb 15oz
Mystery Ranch Kodiak- 7000 Cu In- 9lb 3 oz
MR Nice 6500- 6500 Cu In- 8lb 8oz
Back Packing:
Cabelas Diamond Peak Shasta-6000 Cu In-6lb 3 oz($100.00)
Cabelas Diamon Peak Ridgeline-5500 Cu In-5lb 14 oz($74.99)
Outdoor Products External Frame-3750 Cu In- 5.25 lb($79.99)
North Face Creston 75-4350 Cu In- 5lb 15oz-($199.00)
Kelty Durango 5100- 5100 Cu In- 5lb 14oz-($99.88)
Gregory Baltoro 70-4638 Cu In- 5lb 14 oz-($219.99)
Osprey Aether 70- 4400 Cu In- 5lb 3 oz-($259.00)
I did not include the pricing on the hunting packs because we are all painfully familiar withtheir prices. They are a whole lotmore than what the back packing world is paying for theirs.
Now my question is this: Why is their only one back country backpack with the "hunting" label that takes carry weight into consideration?
What it sounds like to me is that hunters as a whole seem to be into buying the "cool" rather than the really functional. Think about it, the new Ox from Badlands sends the weight backwards away from your body when packin out meat. This produces a 4-5 mile trek bent over looking at the ground.
The next thing I think about is that because I do this type of hunting in the late fall,when the snow flies some extra gear is going to be very necessary. A 3lb difference in my pack while havin roughly the same amount of carry space will make a differencein what I pack up the hill. Let alone taking into consideration my calorie output.
Thoughts?
I have come to the realization that quality matters, and weight matters. Unfortunately the big name hunting packs are HEAVY! The more space you have the more you bring along, and really a lot of it is un-necessary.
That said, I have put together a list of the "It" packs that most hunters look into. I have felt this way for a while, but just now put the information together. I think we are getting ripped off for heavier packs that truthfully don't really function much better, if at all. In fact I believe they impede our ability to move quickly and effectively.
Hunting Packs:
Eberlestock J107-4,500 Cu In- 9lb 6oz
Cabelas Extreme Outfitter-4700 Cu In-7lb 4oz
Badlands 4500-4500 Cu In- 6lb 9oz( I really question this listed weight)
Cabelas Extreme Ultralight-4000 Cu In- 5lb 8 oz
Mystery Ranch Grizzly-6000 Cu In- 8lb 15oz
Mystery Ranch Kodiak- 7000 Cu In- 9lb 3 oz
MR Nice 6500- 6500 Cu In- 8lb 8oz
Back Packing:
Cabelas Diamond Peak Shasta-6000 Cu In-6lb 3 oz($100.00)
Cabelas Diamon Peak Ridgeline-5500 Cu In-5lb 14 oz($74.99)
Outdoor Products External Frame-3750 Cu In- 5.25 lb($79.99)
North Face Creston 75-4350 Cu In- 5lb 15oz-($199.00)
Kelty Durango 5100- 5100 Cu In- 5lb 14oz-($99.88)
Gregory Baltoro 70-4638 Cu In- 5lb 14 oz-($219.99)
Osprey Aether 70- 4400 Cu In- 5lb 3 oz-($259.00)
I did not include the pricing on the hunting packs because we are all painfully familiar withtheir prices. They are a whole lotmore than what the back packing world is paying for theirs.
Now my question is this: Why is their only one back country backpack with the "hunting" label that takes carry weight into consideration?
What it sounds like to me is that hunters as a whole seem to be into buying the "cool" rather than the really functional. Think about it, the new Ox from Badlands sends the weight backwards away from your body when packin out meat. This produces a 4-5 mile trek bent over looking at the ground.
The next thing I think about is that because I do this type of hunting in the late fall,when the snow flies some extra gear is going to be very necessary. A 3lb difference in my pack while havin roughly the same amount of carry space will make a differencein what I pack up the hill. Let alone taking into consideration my calorie output.
Thoughts?