Pack weight

[174in]

Hey guys I got myself a alice pack and frame to haul out meat when I have the option but I have some questions.I am kinda a wuss at only 135-140lbs but thought I would not have a problem with 50# so I loaded it up with weight yesterday and was suprised how heavy it was.I would not be going far with that much weight in it.So I took the weight out and put mu 30# 2yr old in it and it felt great no problem with that.My question is do you guys normaly haul more than 50#.Is there a percentage of your body weight you should try stay at when loading a pack? Also any pointers (beside hitting the gym as I have been getting in shape since the end of Dec) on making it feel like less weight?I got the hip belt tight and the shoulder straps it just felt like with 50# I had to lean forward alot to keep from tipping backwards.Thanks

 

[Big Fin]

Hmmm. Pack fit is as important as pack quality.

If you feel like you will fall backwards, I suspect you are not fitted properly. Are there load stabilizers to pull the load closer to your back?

Not sure about a percentage of weight, etc. I weigh 215#, and I suspect when I am hauling elk, along with a rifle, cameras, water, etc. the loads are 80-90 pounds. They suck, but with a good pack and the proper fit, are doable.

I weighed my pack of what I carry when I leave the truck for a day hunt. Just over 20#, including pack, food, water, camera gear, etc. That is very manageable, all day, with a good pack.

I would think you should be able to do 50#, quite handily if the pack fit better.

 

[mdunc8]

I'd rather make fewer trips carrying more weight than more trips carrying less weight. With that said, I haven't been to smart about my packing the last few years. I haven't deboned in the past, but I think I'll start this year. Cuts down quite a bit of weight, which may help save me a trip, and it also helps cool the meat down quicker. I'm able to get an antelope out in one trip, a big deer out in two, and an elk in four.

You don't want the shoulder straps too tight. You want the weight sitting on your hips, not your shoulders and back. Tighten them up if you're having to scramble up and down rocks. It will prevent the pack from shifting around too much, but will put a lot of pressure on your back and shoulders.

It also helps to keep the bulk of the weight low. That'll help keep your center of gravity low and near your hips, so you won't feel like you're tipping over as much.

 

[174in]

Hmmm. Pack fit is as important as pack quality.

If you feel like you will fall backwards, I suspect you are not fitted properly. Are their load stabilizers to pull the load closer to your back.

Not sure about a percentage of weight, etc. I weigh 215#, and I suspect when I am hauling elk, along with a rifle, cameras, water, etc. the loads are 80-90 pounds. They suck, but with a good pack and the proper fit, are doable.

I weighed my pack of what I carry when I leave the truck for a day hunt. Just over 20#, including pack, food, water, camera gear, etc. That is very manageable, all day, with a good pack.

I would think you should be able to do 50#, quite handily if the pack fit better.

Mabey I will lossen the kidney pad in the back and get it closer to my body and see if that makes a differance.I just could not believe what 20lbs differance felt like for my balance.I know the alice packs are not the best quality LOL but it was a affordable starter pack for something I will only use 1 or 2 times a year.80# or 90# you are the man Fin I think if I ever get to hunt with you I will crawl in your pack and let you haul me around JK

 

[174in]

I will look into you tube tommarow for proper pack fitting.Never needed one before when I only hunted in state as the DNR would not let you quarter big game until last year and it is still strict,something about leaving the front quarters attached to the head.This is all new to me.Remember I am not the strongest guy around I have always been small and it sucks LOL even my own dad picks on me about my size.

 

[ashersdad]

One thing that has worked well for me is working out in the off season with a 50-75lb pack. During the winter, I work out on the treadmill or elliptical with the weighted pack. For me it has made a big difference when hunting season rolls around and it's time to pack an animal out.

 

[Hem]

I had a guy at Whole Sale Sports try to convince me the weight should be on the shoulders....obviously he had never packed anything,or he was really a glutton for punishment.Alot of it depends on how far you have to pack, and uphill or downhill.I have used the same external pack frame for years and personnally like to get the weight higher.In my twenties and thirties I would shoot for 50 % of body weight,but now in my forties,40% is more manageable.I tend to think about pacing myself more,i.e.after twenty -five years of compressing my vertabrae.There probably is no real scale to gauge yourself by.I can attest to maintaining a lifestyle of exersize as making a difference.For me skiing,mountain biking,lifting weights are great ways to keep fit,but come summer I hike as much as possible,bagging 5-10 peaks per year.I also walk with a loaded pack when I can,...this helps eliminate the shock on your body when you finally pack an animal.All that said this past year I had my elk packed out on a horse for the first time....nice!! Do what you can,thats all that matters.

 

[174in]

One thing that has worked well for me is working out in the off season with a 50-75lb pack. During the winter, I work out on the treadmill or elliptical with the weighted pack. For me it has made a big difference when hunting season rolls around and it's time to pack an animal out.

I planning on starting to do some pack work now that the weather is better.So far I have been limited to dumbells,pullups, stair steps and rope jumping.Not many options for a gym around these parts unless I drive 30 miles.Thanks for the help guys

 

[wingman1]

I weigh 185 and 75 -100 lbs is about average for a meat pack for me. Once packed 106 lbs five miles in 90 degree heat. That sucked. Usually you move the weight from your hips to your shoulders to alternate the pain. Make sure your pack fits your build.

 

[mixedbag]

I would say you need to work out ALOT more if 50 lbs is tough for you to manage.Not trying to be rude,but if you kill something,thats not the time to find out your not in shape.Start on long walks/jogs with no weight and build up from there.You have time before the fall seasons and with effort, you'll pack 50lbs no problem by then.I have a very physical job so upper body strength is no problem for me, but I do spend ALOT of time building up my leg strength and cardio before my hunts.The mountains and altitude make things tougher then where I live
Good luck on your hunts,but dedicate yourself to getting into your best shape/strength possible ahead of time

 

[1_pointer]

Pack fit makes a HUGE difference IMO. I've had up to around 100# in the pack a few times. While not fun, heavy doesn't equal painful with a good pack that fits well. If you limit yourself to 50#, a boned out deer is gonna take at least two trips and I would hate to think how many an elk would take...

IMO, boots and pack are not things I would skimp on, even if you only use it a couple times a year. I suggest you beg/borrow/steal to give another pack a try to see if the pack just doesn't fit you. I'd also start doing lots of lower body work; squats/lunges with good form.

 

[belly-deep]

My day pack usually runs about 25#

On backpacking trips, I usually carry about 65-75#

I've carried as much as 125# when packing out game, but it was mostly downhill and only about 3 miles.

As other posters have said, pack construction and fit makes a huge difference. I would say that 60-75# is the most I can comfortably carry if there is very much uphill hiking involved.

I think the general rule is you should be able to comfortably carry about 1/3 of your body weight. I usually weigh about 170#, so 1/3 of my weight makes sense (60# or so).

 

[174in]

After hearing your guys opinions I am thinking it might be more of a pack fit issue than a weight issue.The 50# didnt feel like it hurt or anything more unbalanced as it seemend like I had to lead forward alot to keep from tipping backwards.As far as my legs and shoulders there really wasnt any pain involved.I am going to do alittle playing around with it today and see what I come up with.Maybe with all the weight in the bottom of the pack threw it off,I will try to get some of the weight up higher somehow.I will see what I have laying around here for weight because the dumbells might not have been the best thing to put in the pack.Thanks again anymore info please share.

 

[174in]

My day pack usually runs about 25#

On backpacking trips, I usually carry about 65-75#

I've carried as much as 125# when packing out game, but it was mostly downhill and only about 3 miles.

As other posters have said, pack construction and fit makes a huge difference. I would say that 60-75# is the most I can comfortably carry if there is very much uphill hiking involved.

I think the general rule is you should be able to comfortably carry about 1/3 of your body weight. I usually weigh about 170#, so 1/3 of my weight makes sense (60# or so).

1/3 of my weight is going to put me right around 45#.

 

[1_pointer]

If you are having to lean too far forward with 50#, either the pack doesn't fit you well or you don't have it adjusted properly. Prior to my pack taking a digger off a cliff (still haven't gotten the stays put back right), I had no trouble standing up straight no matter how much weight I had in it. Kifaru has some good fitting/adjustment info on their websites for their packs. Though the straps may be in slightly different places, that info should help you get yours figured out as to where the weight should ride.

If I had to pack around 1/3 my bodyweight, I'd be screwed!

 

[174in]

Thanks 1 pointer. I think I may have got it now unless I miracoulusy got stronger over night.I put 20 lbs up higher in the pack and 30lbs on the bottom giving me 50#.Then I tightend the load to keep it tighter on the frame.Before I also think I had the hip pad and belt to high,it was more on top of my hips.I lowerd it down around my hips.The changes all felt alot better I think 50# will be doable though I wont set any land speed records I think I could go a ways without being in much pain or resting.This all helped alot. Anyother tips keep them coming I am sure every little bit helps.

 

[putm2sleep]

Strength train, do stadium stairs and/or run hills.
>Putting on 5 lbs of mass will help the 50# pack feel lighter. You may need to put on ~15 lbs to make a 75# pack feel light. And depending upon your pain threshold?, the 50# pack gives you a good idea of what you might can pack out, and is a good start.
>There are many guys on this site who routinely pack out a boned out muley and rack ~ 75-125# (myself included). I am a one trip versus two trip kinda guy.
Load it up, strap it on and rock! Not many hunters have, or experience the feeling of joy and agony of a loaded up pack and rack.

 

[174in]

Strength train, do stadium stairs and/or run hills.
>Putting on 5 lbs of mass will help the 50# pack feel lighter. You may need to put on ~15 lbs to make a 75# pack feel light. And depending upon your pain threshold?, the 50# pack gives you a good idea of what you might can pack out, and is a good start.
>There are many guys on this site who routinely pack out a boned out muley and rack ~ 75-125# (myself included). I am a one trip versus two trip kinda guy.
Load it up, strap it on and rock! Not many hunters have, or experience the feeling of joy and agony of a loaded up pack and rack.

I wish putting on weight was that easy for me.Been working out with what equipment I have at home an hour to hour and a half a day 4-5 days a week.I have to pound protein shakes just to keep from losing any weight.One time in my life about 8 years ago I got up to 150lbs but felt like chit I didnt work out at all.Lost the 15 pounds during trapping and hunting season and never put it back on.At 32 years old I think I am at this weight to stay unless I did a lot of heavy lifting.

 

[snite66]

I am thinking your pack fit problem has more to do with your hieghth than your wieght or strength. I have delt with the alice pack a lot, and I am betting the kidney belt at the bottom is riding too low on you. this will cause you to want to tip over backwards, because it creates a fulcrum in the center of your back. Try to bring the whole pack up a bit at a time until you feel the tipping feeling going away, but make sure you can still tighten the kidney belt.

 

[idnative1948]

I would like to chime on a thanks to you all for this information. Has certainly answered a lot of questions. And as to what Snite just said, could be due height. I am kind of vertically challenged at 5'7" it seems to make sense.