Thread: Packs with a rifle pocket?

Originally Posted by MattyP

Hi Claw - what's the quality like on the Vorn compared to the Eberlestock? Is one tougher than the other do you reckon?

Reasonably similar I would say... Eberlestock uses a 2 layer fabric which has worn through/ripped the outer layer on mine in places and I have pulled out a strap loop as well. It's had a reasonably hard life as my main tahr hunting pack on the West Coast. The vorn seems well made, good fabric and simple main pack design. Mine has a squeak in the harness which pisses me off (i need to get to the bottom of it) but otherwise it's good. Haven't had it long so can't comment on long term durability, but it has survived a West Coast tahr hunt which is more than I can say for some purchases...

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Thanks very much for the info. The J34 and J107 (Dragonfly) can only stow rifles barrel down, correct?

And now for the big question! If I was going to only buy one pack, and use it from day trips up to 3-4 days - what would you recommend? Tossing up between the J34, J107 and the Vorn 42L.

35-40l for overnight-couple of nights.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

35-40l for overnight-couple of nights.

I have slightly different take on things. For anything that is not a day walk, I take a BIG pack (70-90lt) Fill it half way, use compression straps to make it smaller. This way you don't end up with 3,4 or more packs, and you have lots of room to carry out meat...

Originally Posted by ebf

I have slightly different take on things. For anything that is not a day walk, I take a BIG pack (70-90lt) Fill it half way, use compression straps to make it smaller. This way you don't end up with 3,4 or more packs, and you have lots of room to carry out meat...

I was about to ask that actually. Vietnamcam, how much room is left in a 35-40l pack for meat if you pack it with everything for a 2-3 day trip?

I am interested in having just one pack for more than a day walk, and keeping my crappy little shoulder bag for the day trips.

Originally Posted by ebf

I have slightly different take on things. For anything that is not a day walk, I take a BIG pack (70-90lt) Fill it half way, use compression straps to make it smaller. This way you don't end up with 3,4 or more packs, and you have lots of room to carry out meat...

You will fit all meat from a red in a 35-40l and your gear,strap it on the outside if you have to.

Started with a pouch on a belt(day hunts) got 75-80l pack then a few years ago got a day pack.
My day pack will not handel the weight of meat and you end up wearing everything in the heat of the day that should be in your pack.

The big pack while it can be used for overnighters with room to spare always gets something(usually lots of things) not required in it and even half empty is a big bulky sweaty prick of a thing.

hence the overnighter pack.

big pack is for fly/boat/drive in med pack for walkin.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

The big pack while it can be used for overnighters with room to spare always gets something(usually lots of things) not required in it.

Very true. Compress it before you even start packing and it fills up quick and stops too much excess shit going in. Thats how I trick myself. But then I'm stupid and fall for simple ploys.

Originally Posted by ebf

I have slightly different take on things. For anything that is not a day walk, I take a BIG pack (70-90lt) Fill it half way, use compression straps to make it smaller. This way you don't end up with 3,4 or more packs, and you have lots of room to carry out meat...

I have to agree, that's why I went with the dragonfly pack. Can squeeze it right down or blow it out big.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

35-40l for overnight-couple of nights.

VC, do you have a photo or pack list of the gear you manage to get into a 40lt bag for overnighter ?

Originally Posted by ebf

VC, do you have a photo or pack list of the gear you manage to get into a 40lt bag for overnighter ?

Bivi bag, therma rest, sleeping bag, cooker, pot, water bottle, binos, range finder,gps,bum bag that is full of all sorts of shit like tape,string, half a pharmacy spare ammo small knife spare compass camera etc etc.
A few back country meals, tins of fish, some osms and some other bars for the kids lunches i grabbed out of the pantry.
A complete change of polar fleece and 4 pairs of good socks(was wet trip wouldn't bother with a full change of clothes in good weather)

Still got room for meat.

My biv, thermarest and sleeping bag are quite bulky, you could improve on space a lot with a modern tent like yours or just a fly and modern sleeping Matt.

I have probably forgotten to list something that was in there but that's the bones of it.

Yeah it's amazing even the crap I cram in to my day pack. It's tiny as and yet I fit gloves, face sock, beanie, binos, range finder, torch, headlamp, duct tape, bipod, ammo, water, food.

God knows what i'd manage to pack into a 60-70l without employing similar tricks, nibblet!

Thanks for those pics Nibblet. What's the total length of that AR?

My x-bolt 308 is about 42 inches long with a vx6 3-18x44 scope. Won't fit barrel up i'm guessing? Not a massive deal but would be nice to have the option of stowing it either way. Don't really understand why so many packs are designed for barrel down carry.

Probably so you can reach behind, pull it out and shoulder it quickly.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Probably so you can reach behind, pull it out and shoulder it quickly.

Yep. I don't have one but I reckon it is so you can reach back and grab on to the right end of it for taking it out and sending off a shot.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Probably so you can reach behind, pull it out and shoulder it quickly.

Yes, true. But from the comments in this thread most people made it sound like a debacle to "draw" the rifle out of various holsters, which was why the Vorn came up.

So is it not that big of a deal after all to just grab the stock and whip it out quickly?