So, I'm tired of dedicating a fanny pack to bowhunting gear, one for rifle (seasons overlap here), one cheapy backpack for my son and I (10 yrs old). I don't mind carrying some extra gear if I can consolidate it into a single backpack. I'd like something with lots of separate pockets so that everything has a place and not all stuffed into a big single area. Most of the online catalogs don't show the interior pockets...what are your favorite backpacks and why? Thanks!
I use this Fieldline Treeline model. It has a small zipper pocket in front where I keep my release, tree rope, and LED headlight. Then a bigger zipper pocket with several organizers that I keep my calls, knife, saw, folded up orange vest, gloves, strap on bow hook, stuff like that. Then a larger back pocket I keep my harness and tree strap in. I also carry my outer jacket in there when walking in. It is also set up for a hydration pack if you wanted to use one (I don't). http://www.fieldline.com/Products/treeline-day-pack/40
I dont personally have it, but a buddy of mine on here (chart33) uses the Badlands superday pack. He came down and hunted on me for 10 days and that pack was impressive. Plenty of storage space, good organization capabilities. It is likely to be the next pack I purchase when I go on an outfitted bhunt. He had room for plenty of extra layers, food, water, calls, bonics, range finder, it holds his bow, He could fit everything you'd need in the woods for 3 days in that pack. minus a tent.
Thank you for the responses. I need to have a lawn sale to thin out all of my old gear...love this website.
I jus recently purchased a Badlands reactor day pack. Its no where near the biggest pack out there and I'm not sure how much gear u carry but I've been using this for bow and gun hunting. It has a big compartment with a zippered pocket in it that holds the water bladder which I don't use but I'm able to fit knife, sharpener, scent away, flashlight, gloves, mask, stocking cap, and some snacks. The smaller compartment in the front has three separate elastic pockets and one larger pocket, this is were I put my calls and scents and other smaller items. It's got straps on bottom you can hang coat or I've used it for strapping bow to pack, although not sure would want to on a all day hike. It also has several loops running up which you can hang things off of. It's smaller than last pack but I am able to carry the same amount of gear and have grown to like it. Good luck there's tons of options out there
I have two Sitka packs that are very well constructed, the ascent 14 and the ascent 8....both excellent products. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The Badlands pursuit pack sucks. I had one. Like Muzzy said it didnt fail it's just designed crappy. The materials and quality was there but it was just useless. The bag has 3 major compartments. The only usefull one is the big one. The medium one is impossible to open if you have anything in the big one. The smaller compartment is completely useless and soo narrow and deep there is hardly anything that you can put in there. The flap over the small one makes it very difficult to get into if there is anything in the other compartments. This pack is almost made completely backwards. When you put things in compartments the bag should expand outward, this bag the compartments expand inward (into the bag), taking away space from other compartments! It doesn't make any sense. I understand the need to keep the bag compact and I know this is one of their cheaper packs. I just wish I caught on to these quirks before I bought it. Figured I'd spread the word. Sounds like the best value bag they have is the super day.
I have a both Marine Corps ilbe and filbe day pack. Great construction, dutiable and very water resistant with Molle webbing to include various pouches to customize configuration. Ilbe is woodland digital and filbe is coyote brown. eBay is your best friend!!
I use the Timber Hawk Buck Scrape and I may look at their Rut Buster if I ever need more room but so far that has not been the case. I bought mine because they are made from a material that is absolutely silent. I have had mil-spec packs and fleece packs. The mil-spec are too noisy and the fleece are too flimsy...the Timber Hawk packs are the best of both, rugged and quiet. Mine has a small zippered compartment where I keep a pocket Bible, small reading glasses, spare batteries, face paint, bic lighter, ink pen and a cap light. The center zippered compartment is larger and holds toilet paper, some paper towels, plastic bag, skinning knife, sharpener, drag rope, tracking flashlight, para-cord, extra gloves, long EZ-Hanger, release, a sammich and enough room for a spare long sleeve tee or scent blocker shirt for those sweaty hikes. Next to that is a medium size zippered compartment that holds my range finder, folding limb saw, pruners, trail marking tape, small EZ-Hanger, pull-up rope and usually my wallet when I don't want to sit on it. It also has an outside unzippered pocket for my face net and another pair of gloves. And it also has a drink bottle pouch on each side and detachable binocular straps that clip to the shoulder straps. It is extremely well made with lots of adjustments and attachment points. When I empty this pack it is hard to believe that all that stuff fits inside and yet it is still small and very comfortable to pack. From my parking spot to my favorite stand is probably 3/4 mile or more and this pack goes with me every time. Never had a better one. Google Timber Hawk Packs.
I have an Alps Outdoorz Pursuit 'bow pack' that I bought this summer to replace a standard day pack I have used for years. It is well constructed (unlike the gloves I paid $30 for last week that after hunting one weekend are already falling apart!). It is comfortable (padded straps and back with aluminum strut) with standard true larger backpack anti-sway type adjustments on shoulder & waist straps. It has 2 small zippered pockets on the belt for small items like chapstick & car keys that I am always misplacing or the end up in the bottom of the pack for some reason. It is also very roomy inside. Perhaps too roomy @ 2700cubic inches and I’m one of those types that if there is room, I can easily fill it with something that I MIGHT need. It easily holds a large coffee thermos, calls, lunch and snacks, raincoat, draggin straps & tree harness (with room to spare) in the main compartment. The smaller compartment is roomy too in fact sometimes too deep though (see lost chapstick above). It also has smaller organizational pockets inside. My only major complaint is that the bottom bow pocket is not adjustable for the length of the bow. Mine must be last years’ model, as the new pictures on the website show the pocket adjustable with straps. Mine is not and the top of the pocket is sewn onto the pack. I don’t strap my bow on the backpack a LOT, so it’s not a huge deal, but if I was out west pursuing elk, mulies or antelope, hiking several miles a day not in the act of hunting, I might prefer the new model as featured on the website. The new bow pocket design would be great to get that perfect fit for your bow when it is strapped on. Oh and it has the storage area for your camelbak bladder with ports for the hose. Available in realtree extra HD and mossy oak break up infinity if those details matter to ya. I paid approximately $70 for it online. Would I recommend it to a good friend? If this was the size and type of pack what they wanted, then by all means! Would I buy it again… maybe… I would certainly buy the brand again based on the construction alone and there are several models to choose from from Alps Outdoorz.
Great info guys. Looking for just the right pack for myself and this has really helped broaden the search. Really like the look of the Alps Outdoorz Pursuit pack.
I have the Badlands 2200 pack that I used while filming in Alaska. Pack is comfortable and has waaaaay more than enough pockets and buckles in and on it. I have had zipper problems with one of the side pockets since I got it but now it no longer works. I will be sending it in during the offseason if they stand behind their product. I am looking for a lumbar style pack now. Looking at the Tenzing 1250 lumbar in the solid color or may go a much more reasonably priced route and get the Game Plan Over N Under Fanny pack. Game Plan has an awesome backpack style pack called the full rut that they unveiled last year at the ATA show. I checked it out there and thought it was going to be a great pack!
I have been using the Tool Bucket from Sitka this year. I was a little skeptical at first because I thought it wasn't going to be big enough........WRONG. Plenty big enough. Straps everywhere and just enough pockets. The thing feels like it would be cumbersome but as soon as you strap it on, the weight is evenly distributed. I highly recommend this pack.
I don't remember the manufacture of mine but I got it from academy. It has a bladder for water in it that is extremely handy!
