Back packs?

Hey guys
Just wonder what packs you guys are using for multi day trips(not day bags) and what you like/not like about them.

I use either a macpac 80lt or an older model Elberstock just one .

Macpac is pretty good,lots of room,pretty comfy dont really have any problems with it.

Elberstock I dont like.
Gets wet like a sponge and soaks up water getting heavy,doesnt dry out.
weird pocket arrangement.
not very comfortable and awkward shape
Gun scabbard thing is just annoying and not much use in 85% of the terrain I hunt.
Over all I wish I didnt buy it haha.


Anyone using external frame packs?
I met some Alaskan hunting guides who had this huge external frame pack,really comfortable and could carry a whole deer in it if need be.

I have an elberstock (smallest version I think as an overnighter/daybag) I hunt the same country as you and love it. Bloody good for hands free climbing. Not long had a Badlands 2200. I have put 4-5 days worth of gear and backcountry meals in it and still have a shitload of room. The most sensible pack I have owned I reckon.

Just bought a badlands reactor pack which I will be able to fit in the 2200 to use as a day bag.

Got the Eberlestock J107 Dragonly. Absolutely amazing. Works as either a day pack and folds right down, or the mother of all load haulers if you expand it out.

I got a j1 ? E1? Elber 35l
Big enough for 1 or 2 nights, more if i had some lighter more compact gear.
The scabbard is great if you have any distance of track trudging to get to your hunting area.
Does soak up water tho as you said.

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Originally Posted by R93

I have an elberstock (smallest version I think as an overnighter/daybag) I hunt the same country as you and love it. Bloody good for hands free climbing. Not long had a Badlands 2200. I have put 4-5 days worth of gear and backcountry meals in it and still have a shitload of room. The most sensible pack I have owned I reckon.

Just bought a badlands reactor pack which I will be able to fit in the 2200 to use as a day bag.

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Badlands may be coming back to NZ - stay tuned (incl the Bino cases)

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Originally Posted by faregame

Badlands may be coming back to NZ - stay tuned (incl the Bino cases)

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Hope so mate. You did an awesome price on the 2200!!! I would have bought the wee reactor off you if it was not for them pulling out.

Bino cases are awesome. May not be good enough for the HD-bs though? Because they are not embroidered with gold stitching and diamond snap-locks:D

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I got a j1 ? E1? Elber 35l
Big enough for 1 or 2 nights, more if i had some lighter more compact gear.
The scabbard is great if you have any distance of track trudging to get to your hunting area.
Does soak up water tho as you said.

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I haven't noticed the water problem yet, but it's only been subjected to light drizzle.

Neither of you bought the 100% waterproof extra cover? Just gets stashed incase I need it - folds down real small. Depending on pack configuration and rifle size, it can cover the rifle too.

Nup didn't know it had one.

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Originally Posted by JP100

Anyone using external frame packs?
I met some Alaskan hunting guides who had this huge external frame pack,really comfortable and could carry a whole deer in it if need be.

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Sounds like a Mystery Ranch pack using their NICE frame. They do rate very high and there is an Aussie distributor. I was looking at one but got sidetracked.
Cactus Climbing make a nice pack. I bought a Foray and it is a tough pack. I have not given it a good workout yet but I have yet to be let down by anything Cactus. Nice to buy NZ made too. Very simple pack with no bells etc, just practical.

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Originally Posted by MattyP

I haven't noticed the water problem yet, but it's only been subjected to light drizzle.

Neither of you bought the 100% waterproof extra cover? Just gets stashed incase I need it - folds down real small. Depending on pack configuration and rifle size, it can cover the rifle too.

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I have the cover. I dont really believe in 100% water proof to be honest,there is no such thing.
I find the pack padding and straps soak up heaps of water when wearing it as well as the fabric.

The pack the Alaskans had was one of these "Frontier gear of Alaska"
http://barneyssports.com/backpacks/external-frame.html

It was HUGE could fit a friggin moose in the thing. memory foam straps which I liked the look of.
would be cool to try a external pack frame for carrying out animals like that one or the Tatonka.
@kiwijames what is the harness like on them? I like the look of cactus packs,bloody strong.
I did rip the pockets of their "super trousers" though haha.

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Originally Posted by JP100

I have the cover. I dont really believe in 100% water proof to be honest,there is no such thing.
I find the pack padding and straps soak up heaps of water when wearing it as well as the fabric.

The pack the Alaskans had was one of these "Frontier gear of Alaska"
http://barneyssports.com/backpacks/external-frame.html

It was HUGE could fit a friggin moose in the thing. memory foam straps which I liked the look of.
would be cool to try a external pack frame for carrying out animals like that one or the Tatonka.
@kiwijames what is the harness like on them? I like the look of cactus packs,bloody strong.
I did rip the pockets of their "super trousers" though haha.

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@JP100. Very nice harness. Better than my Macpac. I like the single compartment but some don't. Have not tested it in the wet but should be the business. i do normally use a liner if not Summer hunting.
The Mystery Ranch packs kept coming up in searches when I was looking for something a bit different than the local fodder. Backpack Hunting. The frame is a separate item and the space between looks like it can haul some massive loads. The comfort of the packs was a regular theme. The cost is more than I was contemplating especial after shipping and GST.

I have a bad lands, awesome little pack very impressive

I use a 15 year old Fairydown Teranova. 75 litre single compartment with one top pocket.
I have never filled it (Couldn't carry it if I did).
Comfortable and reasonably light (2.1kgs) and it is quite narrow (like me).
I think it probably has another 15 years left in it too.
Only real problem is that it is not at all water proof. I need to use a pack cover even in a short shower.

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Originally Posted by kiwijames

@JP100. Very nice harness. Better than my Macpac. I like the single compartment but some don't. Have not tested it in the wet but should be the business. i do normally use a liner if not Summer hunting.
The Mystery Ranch packs kept coming up in searches when I was looking for something a bit different than the local fodder. Backpack Hunting. The frame is a separate item and the space between looks like it can haul some massive loads. The comfort of the packs was a regular theme. The cost is more than I was contemplating especial after shipping and GST.

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Thats good. might look into one of them.
Im a fan of single compartment as well. makes for a lighter pack I think and you can keep all your things dry in one big pack liner.

America has SOO MUCH gear haha. It will be the end of all my money when I make it over there

Has anyone looked into paradox packs? Ive got one on order from the states at the moment. Sounds like it may suit you JP. External frame. relatively lightweight (especially compared to other hunting packs) and the real clincher for me was it is supposedly waterproof.

I have ordered a Kifaru frame and bag from the States. Been selling off several packs and hope to replace them all with one really good one... And it better be good for the cost!!

Kifaru International

Settled on the Bikini Duplex frame with Composite stays and a Duplex Timberline 2 bag. Got a few extras for it including a pocket to go on the side that will be used to hold the rifle butt, a grab it II and a hanging meat bag (you will have to go to the site and look if you want to know what I'm taking about). The bags themselves are highly customisable, which also means that if you don't want all the options you can cut some of the extra straps, attachment points, clips etc off. The bag and frame empty weigh just over 2.3kg, and Aron Snyder (Kifaru rep) was able to loose another 300g roughly by cutting shit off that he didn't need. Not to bad for a 85 litre pack I reckon! Miles lighter than the Eberlestock it is replacing (and also lighter than my current 40l daypack), and with more capacity. Everything I have read about the brand and the frames suggests that they are really well built and great from carrying a load. The only thing i am not so sure on at the moment is how it will go clinched right down when used as a daybag...

A mate has recently got a Kuiu Icon 5200 pack, I'm also keen to see how it goes (not that I'll be changing from the Kifaru) as another lightweight option. Same concept as the Kifaru other than the frame is basically entirely carbon fibre. He is also going to get a 1850 bag for it. www.kuiu.com

Kifaru makes awesome stuff. I've had a Marauder for about 8 years now, really comfortable, very versatile and has held up to a hard life and still looks pretty good.

I have a Mystery Ranch NICE 6500. It is heavy, the bag and frame empty is 4.3kg. It doesn't feel heavy when you are wearing it though. The load distribution really does make a huge difference, but the weight you put in your pack is still their. 40kgs in your bag still feels like 40kgs, but it doesn't fatigue your shoulders and back as much as a shoulder strap only back (Alice, etc). The bag is HUGE and swallow a massive amount of gear. I might get a smaller bag down the road for it, maybe the Overload or the Crew Cab.