Badlands or Bison Gear

[Shawn Leonard]

I have narrowed my choices down to either the 4500 from BL or the Lemhi 3200ci. form BG. First let me say this is gonna be an everyday pack for me, even though I only plan on hunting around home. I need a pack large enough to carry all my hunting clothes in, as I sweat terrible and wear only my longjohns and boots into my stands. I than get dressed under the tree. It will need to carry at least a set of coveralls, scent-lok suit a couple sweatshirts and two pair of wool pants, plus my tree steps, lunch and my calls and other pieces of essential gear. Please give  me an opinion on which will be more convenient to use. Thanks! Shawn

[Tim Fishell]

Shawn, I had the same delema last year.  I went for the Badlands.  I am not really sure why but I can say I am very happy with my choice.  I am sure I would have been just as happy with the Bison Gear but I cant say for sure.  Sorry I am not really any help comparing the two but I think you will be happy either way you go.  I know I am!! Good luck!!

[Bear]

Both are very high quality. BG is much more quiet. If you go with BG consider the fleece over wool. It is much lighter, especially when wet. I was skeptical of the fleece at first but am thrilled with my fleece BG.

Sounds like you'll be digging around in it while in the woods guite a bit. BG definatley better for that. BL maight be better for rain, but only marginally.

[ChuckC]

Don't have experience with the Badlands stuff.  I can say for certain that my Bison gear pack is very well constructed and serves my needs better than any other pack I have so far tried.

You probably can't go wrong with either.
ChuckC

[DMM]

Couldn't be happier with my Badlands packs.  I have a smaller pack (Reactor) for scouting and in the treestand.  I also have the larger (2200)for longer trips (elk camp, etc.).  Not sure what the warranty is on a Bison Gear, but check out the warranty on the Badlands.

"Our Warranty
We don't care what happened, or whose fault it was, we will fix it for free forever. We could care less if you bought it at a garage sale or a gear swap, as long as it says Badlands on the pack it's covered. All we ask is that you use and abuse your pack as much as possible so we can learn how to make better products.

Now you see why we thought it would be a shame to hide a warranty like this in the fine print."

[mrgreenhead]

Shawn i had a bison pack they are nice but it was heavey and by the time i had all my stuff for the day in it it was hard to pull up into the tree . I think it is more suited for the people out west that hunt on the ground . Ive got a catquiver 6 comming befor fall hopefully that will work for me . Art

[Bill Turner]

I went with Badlands primarily because I could never get anyone from Bison Gear to follow up. I'm very happy with my Badlands pack. Customer service was and is exceptional.

[hunt it]

I have both, badlands good, Bison Gear much better/stronger/quieter in my opinion. Angelo at Bison gear has lots of material options something for every need. He stands behind his products as well.

[Shawn Leonard]

I was gonna go withe the buckseude as I wanted something that would not hold scent real well. Is it noisy? I really am concerned with the size as well. Will the 3000 in BG hold what I need it too? Or should I go with the BL's 4500? Thanks guys, keep it coming! Shawn

[Chris Surtees]

I have had both BL and BG packs. Not saying anything against BG but the BL packs suited my needs better and the customer service and warranty are second to none.

The BG pack has long since been sold and all I have now is my BL's and a Crooked Horn that carries some spare gear but never leaves the truck very often.

IMO you could not wrong with the BL. Excellent quality, customer service, and warranty. I wish they would come out with a solid color pack but that is a minor issue for me.

True story...my Monster Fanny pack had a blow out around mid season a couple years ago. Called BL explained the situation received an RA number. Sent the pack in 2nd day air and received an immediate call from BL upon receipt. The rep told me that they were going to send me the new model pack since my pack look as if it had seen better days. I thought that is great but was unsure of when I would see the new pack. Well to my surprise the new pack arrived priority mail with a letter thanking me for being a customer. From that point on I was sold on them.

Good luck with your choice I do not think you could go wrong either way.

CS

[Shawn Leonard]

Angelo called me right back this evening. He is sending me one to try and if I like it, I will jsut sent him the money, if not just send it back, that is great customers service. He does not know me from Adam and still agrees to send me a pack with no strings attached. I am thinking Bison Gear will get the nod but I am not sold yet. I have yet to hear from Badlands and I called 3 days ago. Shawn

[Joseph]

I have a Lenhi in Bucksuede and it is very quiet and very well put together and very comfortable.  I think you will like it.  Joseph

[Shawn Leonard]

I e-mailed Angelo my info and it should be here in about two weeks as they are being made to order. I have done tons of research and this one looks perfect, it is not as busy as some of the larger packs. Shawn

[Shawn Leonard]

More please! Shawn

[Jimscol]

I have had a Badlands 2200 for several years but have found it to be a little small for my needs. I recently purchased a Bison Gear Lemhi from Angelo at Compton. I am going to load it up this weekend and give it a try. Angelo is a great guy to deal with.  Jim

[sweet old bill]

What a hell of a sight to se a big  guy in long johns walking to his bow stand in first light....

I also have the same problem, I found a big pack at a discount store that was made for kids to carry there sport equiptment. I can roll in the pack a set of coveralls, sweatshirt, plus all the other items, coffee thermos, rain gear and bowhunting items. I also have a small plastic bag filled wih arm & hammer baking soda that I can use if I STILL SWEAT ON THE TRAVEL TO THE STAND. Works just like taking a wash .

I like the use of a big pack, my Dad use to say you can not put it on or take it off if you do not have a place to store or have it with you.

[Stone Knife]

Shawn, I can't give an honest comparaison between the two because all I own is a Badlands Monster fanny pack, I can say that I'm more than satisfied with the quality and the design. The thing is pretty much dummy proof, I beat the hell out of mine spring and fall, it has surpassed my expectations for durability.

[leatherneck]

Shaun,

Keep us updated on what you think when it comes in. I too have looked at the BG. Thanks,

Mike

[Ray Hammond]

I think there is a real difference in philosophy between the two companies. I've owned both..and for what they are, which is two different approaches, they are both well done, and backed well also.

Badlands is certainly the more technical of the two companies, uses more cutting edge techniques, design approaches, and is definitely more suited to someone wearing the pack while they are traveling to a hunting spot but more importantly wearing it while hunting and shooting a bow at game.

If you are just looking for a duffel you can put over your shoulder and hang on the tree that will hold all your gear..its not going to get worn at all after you get where you are going, I think BG gets the nod.

The BG packs are more of a large bucket, with some small pockets and stuff. The BL packs have many different organizing areas, sections, and large pockets to utilize to keep things separated.

You can reach inside the main comparment of BL packs from the back that rests against your hips. you cannot do that with Angelo's packs...but like I said, do you need that stuff? It's engineeering you are unlikely to use or care about.

I would say the BG is more user-friendly for hanging from a tree and retrieving things from than the BL which is more of a vertical pack.

I don't know if I have confused you more or helped.

[JC]

For once, I have to disagree with Ray: my BG pack is the only one I've had on that I could shoot comfortably while wearing. I have no issues at all reaching into the BG packs and finding what I need and prefer their internal setup with a few small pockets etc. and a large internal area to one with multiple sections. The BL fannies do not have an expandable game bag like the Lost River or First Trip, you get the BL's as they are, instead of fully customizable like the BG's. Want 2/3/4/? pockets on the belt section, no problem; want them a specific size, no problem; want bigger detachable accessory pockets, no problem...Angleo can deliver exactly what you want. I like wool, BL doesn't offer it, I like Predator camo, BL doesn't offer it.

The BL packs are a great design, well built, and with a great warranty (I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I couldn't get BG products), but the BG packs are at least their equal in my opinion.

If I were to get a BL, and I really liked the mulitpocket approach, I'd look at the UltraDay. This pack is the most tempting of their lineup for me.

As with bows, I suggest you get one of each and give it a try. Sounds like the BG is already on it's way...I'd get a BL from somebody to try out at the same time and make the decision with both in front of you.