Thread: Daypack advice.....

Heya gents, I've had a look at quite a few past threads comparing options but I've ended up with analysis paralysis and hoping for some real world feedback on NZ and US brands. I have a trip over there in a few weeks and will be around for the black Friday sales so it's definitely feasible to find some quality kit at a reasonable price.

I'm specifically looking for a day pack, already have a big pack and most of my hunting is day trips. Right around 30L or so. My primary use is to carry some food/water/rain gear but it needs to be strong enough to carry a boned out red. Durability is also important so I'm not really looking into the ultralight tramping packs. I've been using a 25L macpac for years but it's giving up and it has a weird flap opening that makes it a pain to access the main compartment and I can't close it if I put a set of hind legs in it. I like the waist belt options that have pockets for some small incidentals and load transfer.

I've looked at the Miklat and it's looking like a strong contender but I don't like the waist belt, no padding or pockets. Same as the Mollyme, just doesn't look that comfortable. The Kuiu Venture Divide is at the top of my list, nothing to fault with this one but I haven't seen one in the flesh. Also looking at the Tatonka Stealth 30L, my concern with this one is that the compression straps don't go around the zipper so a heavy load may cause the zipper to burst. Alternatively I can just get another MacPac, the Torlese 35L is relatively inexpensive and pretty much ticks the boxes.

Open to suggestions and any feedback on other options. I'm not a brand snob.

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....ypacks-108431/

Cheers. Not sure how I missed that one.

I've never seen or had one, but rather fancy the look of the Mystery Ranch pop-up 30. It's a small pack that has a load shelf and adjustable hight load-lifters. So you have got a compact pack that you can use to carry a big load if required. Not just meat. You could put extra gear for a longer trip on the shelf too.

https://safarisupply.co.nz/collectio...aypack-foliage

Sell your big pack get a SG and the 40col or bigger and take the bag off for a day pack and use a dry bag on the load shelf it works bloody well

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Originally Posted by Tahr

I've never seen or had one, but rather fancy the look of the Mystery Ranch pop-up 30. It's a small pack that has a load shelf and adjustable hight load-lifters. So you have got a compact pack that you can use to carry a big load if required. Not just meat. You could put extra gear for a longer trip on the shelf too.

https://safarisupply.co.nz/collectio...aypack-foliage

Dreams are free. That's a neat little pack. I like the rifle rest function.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

I've never seen or had one, but rather fancy the look of the Mystery Ranch pop-up 30. It's a small pack that has a load shelf and adjustable hight load-lifters. So you have got a compact pack that you can use to carry a big load if required. Not just meat. You could put extra gear for a longer trip on the shelf too.

https://safarisupply.co.nz/collectio...aypack-foliage

That looks bloody neat!! Pricey, but what isn’t these days

I really like the Bushbuck Roamer 25l. Its really comfy and carries a rifle so well it's almost like it's not there. With the opening section you can load meat in or anything else well past the 25l capacity. Wait for a sale though, i got mine for $150 but a mate paid $200 later on...

pikau for bush hunting and a more normal pack for tops is what I use

And now it's $300 at full retail!

Looks like I got distracted after reading MB's thread and forgot to update. I decided to get a Kuiu Divide 3000 for a daypack. Few reasons but overall I wanted something more compact than a frame pack for smaller loads and day to day use. After thinking about it I will likely use it for traveling a bit and some of the hunting we do is off the quads so gets worn on the bikes. This will suit me for when I'm not planning on taking much with me but have the space if it's needed. Once my big pack starts to give out, or I get bored... then as 25/08 has suggested, I'll replace it with something that has a full frame and load shelf. Not doing enough extended trips at the moment to justify that as the one new pack. I'll put up a review on the Kuiu when I pick it up.

I've been using a 35 ltr Markhor Macho Monte 35. for day and light 1-2 night trips. Gets a bit tight with a leg and a backstrap. (Shared load with mate)
What I like is that the light spring steel frame keeps it off your back and reduces the sweet build up.
Comes with a rain cover, and a fluro orange top cover(mine did anyway. Waste straps have pockets for knife or phone of PLB.
can carry a rifle on the back or side. Has top and bottom entry, side Pockets great for snacks or extra water.
https://www.vaughansports.co.nz/coll...products/20013

I get a light summer sleeping bag (+5C), bed roll, jetboil, tent fly some food, water bladder, plus a light weight coat, over trousers, some thermals, hat and gloves and rifle etc
May use a chest rig for binos and rangefinder etc.

Last big trip >30km return it had about 22kg in and on it.
Z