Pack frame suggestions

[Trenton G.]

Hey guys,
I'm getting ready for a trip in late September and am in need some equipment suggestions. Here in Michigan I've never had a need for a packframe or a large backpack or anything like that, however, I'm going to need some stuff for this trip. Do you guys have any suggestions for a pack frame and/or backpack that you like? I'm sure it's one of those "you get what you pay for" things, but I just can't justify the cost of sitka and kuiu and stuff like that at this point. Ive been flipping through the cabelas catalog and some of their packs look pretty decent. Does anyone have any experience with those? I'm also in need of a pair of hunting boots, as I don't think my muck boots are going to be the most comfortable thing to hike around in. Any suggestions there would also be really appreciated!

[STICKBENDER98]

Trenton, I have used a tenzing pack for a couple years now, it has plenty of room for most all of my hunting gear when I'm hunting Nebraska.  I have another bigger pack that I use when carrying meat out. That being said I just bought an Alps pack and frame for when I go back to Colorado, found it on Camofire, and at a very reasonable price.  Something to think about, since you can't bring any bone back to Michigan, get a cheap tarp, we use it to lay quarters on and debone them.  Get some 2 gallon zip lock bags to put meat in after it's deboned. As for boots, since I hunt in December out there, I have been in blizzard conditions to 60-70 degree temps, so I usually have a couple pair of them, I take my Muck boots and have a pair of Danner Pronghorn that I take so I can be ready for any weather, since you'll be there in September a good pair of light weight boots would be ok.  If you're going to be hunting the prairie or sandhills, be careful if you are trying any stalking, you'll want to watch out for cactus, they grow flat on the ground, not any fun if you sit on or crawl over one. (I've never done that but have come close a few times!!!)  Hope this helps answer some of your questions.  Good luck when you go.


Jason

[Ryan Rothhaar]

For a frame I love my bullpac. Packed elk in some rough stuff.  Training I've had 100 lbs on it for 2 mile hikes. Not comfortable with that much weight (no 100 lb pack is comfortable) but doable. The frame itself is bombproof. Like drive over it with a truck bombproof. You'll break before the frame does.

That said if you want primarily a back pack and 2ndary meat hauler I'd find another option.  For a meat hauler that youstrap some kind of pack on to get to base camp its a winner.

R

[stevem]

I can't speak for the latest and greatest backpacks, but for 45 years and still going, it has been a Kelty external frame backpack for me.  They can be had used on ebay for less than $50 at times.  I can recommend the Kelty, and suggest you put your coin into the footwear and a decent sleeping bag.  Footwear is hard to recommend as fit is everything.  Then you need to figure out if you are getting into rough country, or moderate locations.   DO NOT BUY YOUR BOOTS ON-LINE,  TRY THEM ON FIRST!  PM me for what I like, if you want, which would get me roasted on here as they are not $400 five pound boots!

[kbetts]

When I broke down and bought one, I went with a Kuiu carbon frame.  I'm not a big guy so I'm limited in carrying capacity anyway....Ha!

It packs down nice and can handle more than I could put in it.  Lots of barely used packs on Western hunting sites.

[Trenton G.]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I really appreciate it! As of right now I guess I'm mainly look for something to haul meat and carry a pack with a day or twos worth of supplies. I doubt we'll be getting to remote in nebraska but I guess at the same time if I find something good and want to stay the night in that area to get first crack at it in the morning it would be nice to be prepared!
I definitely will go somewhere and try on boots as opposed to buying them online somewhere. Since it's going to be in September, I'm not expecting too cool of temperatures so a lighter boot would probably be idea. Something that will keep the cactus and the rattlesnakes from sticking to me haha!

[Whiteoak63]

I suggest the inexpensive Alps Outdoorz Commander.

[4dogs]

Ive got a couple of Alaskan pack frames that have hauled out a ton of elk quarters. The one I have are probably 15 or 20 years old and work well. I just looked and they do still make them. For a hundred bucks I think you would be hard pressed to find a better pack for meat. You can take a look at Cabelas

[Trenton G.]

I'll look into both of those suggestions, thanks!

[Mike Bolin]

Like Ryan, I have a Bullpac frame. I bought it for an Alaskan trip that got cancelled about 10 years back. I have used the frame for transporting up to 80# of seed and it did a fine job. I would recommend a solid frame for meat transport and a good-sized daypack for hunting. In Colorado I wore my daypack with game bags inside and left the frame in camp. My intent was that if I killed and Elk, I would quarter the Elk, bag it and hang the bags, then bring out the backstraps in the daypack. Go to camp and drop my bow and whatever other gear that I wouldn't need, the go back in with the Bullpac frame. Just never had an Elk cooperate! ;<)

[war_material]

I just got into an Eberlestock F1, after watching youtube on how to get it to fit right, I feel like I made the right choice!

[Longrifleman]

Check out Mystery Ranch. Black Ovis runs sales on them from time to time. I started out with their Sawtooth 45 with the Guide Light MT frame, then over the last 2 yrs added their Mule (smallest), Pintler, and Beartooth 80 (biggest.)

They're not cheap. But all of them have the added "meat shelf" feature-so I bought 1 pack with a frame, then added 3 packs (of different sizes) that attach to the same frame. (They sell additional packs without the frame.)  If the price bothers you, remember-for quality, "buy once, cry once!"

Look 'em up on Youtube-Mystery Ranch has tons of videos on there.

[tippit]

Dwight Schuh packs.

[Trenton G.]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I've looked into them all and they all look like good packs. Now I just need to make a decision on which one I want to go with!

[David McLendon]

I agree with Ryan Rothhaar, Bulpac would be hard to beat, I've used mine for a lot of years.