Pack for out West?

[Biathlonman]

Do yourself a favor and buy a Marine corp ILBE off of the big auction site.  Can buy them in the $50-100 range all day and it's an incredible pack.  If I didn't have a Kifaru that's what I'd run!

[Gil Verwey]

That ILBE pack looks nice. 4500 inches and $65.

I have an alice pack but that is like you are carrying a dozen mortars with you before you fill it.

[jhg]

I would buy a pack that is not hunting dedicated for that kind of work and save some money for the performance You don't need camo, stealth fabric or any of the bells and whistles. Any big pack that can haul ten days worth of food and shelter etc can carry an elk quarter.

I am lucky, but you can get 300 dollar packs that are 3 or 4 years old used on CL in my area for under 150.00 all the time. Good packs too- top of the line.

Joshua

[dlnwohio]

Gil if you get another pack I'll take that eberlestock one you snagged up a couple months ago here in the classifieds. By the way it was great getting to meet you and your hunting partner in Waldron last year.

[karrow]

i have a badlands 4200 and i like it. as far as comfort and hauling heavy loads its great. like Gil said it could use a few more smaller pockets for organization. i get along great with mine (elk hunting CO). my friend had a Cabelas frame pack i didnt use it but we loaded it down with meat. has anyone mentioned mystery ranch packs. they are to high dollar for me but people seem to like them

[Gil Verwey]

David that wasn't me. I didn't buy an Eberlstock.

That ILBE looks real nice. Made for the Marines so it probably cost the government $1200 per pack. $65 with the assault pack and lid seems like a great deal.

I like to be able to organize my stuff in my pack, but I think I may have to pick up one of them. That is a lot of pack for little money.

[steadman]

Hey Jacob, packs are like almost everything else and are very personal. Most have subtle differences that you'll notice only after hunting with them for a season. There are brands I won't ever buy again, yet others have had great luck with that brand. I've been usingto the KUIU pack the last couple years. It fits me great and is real light. See if you can find some guys around Bozeman that'll let you try theirs during the offseason. Good luck!!

[Rob W.]

I like my ILBE. It is in the same weight range as my Eberlestock but fits me better and can hual some heavy loads with ease.

[Burnsie]

I picked up a Cabelas Alaskan Outfitter pack like Gil V. is talking about from another Tradganger.  It has a lot of of room and functionality and I like the idea of the freighter frame should I score on something. Heading out to elk country in a few weeks, I'll let you know how well it worked after I return.

[Gil Verwey]

Man am I getting old. David told me I bought a eberlestock pack. I went down stairs looking for a Thermocell I have. What do I find but a eberlestock pack. Hmmm, I wonder what else I bought I don't remember! I was just going to buy a ILBE pack too.

Thanks David

Gil

PS - David do you remember what I paid for it?

[sagebrush]

Whatever you get make sure it can hold about 150 lbs. without breaking. You may not carry that much but you need the strength in the pack. Meat weighs a lot more than gear. I always bone everything out now if it is legal to do so in the hunting area. Takes up a lot less room and I'm not carrying out a bunch of bones that I'm going to through away anyway. Gary

[PA stickbow boy]

If interested I have a Dwight Schuh Mega Pack that was used once on a trip to Haiti. I would be willing to make you great deal if interested.  I have his smaller pack and don't really need the bigger one.

[Iowabowhunter]

with the Schuh pack, is it capable of hauling meat and gear?

[fnshtr]

X2 on the Dwight Schuh pack. It is very modest, but I got mine on the classifieds here for $90 and it does all I need.

I don't pack the meat out as I have an outfitter that does that for me.

Good luck!

[Biathlonman]

I've had an Eberlestock and it doesn't hold a candle to the ILBE as far as carrying weight.  KUIU either, watched an early one snap, crackle, and pop when loaded with about 100 lbs.  The owner had just bought it and was quite upset.  Said he would be sending it back as soon as he got home.

[PA stickbow boy]

I haven't personally packed meat out with it but I see no reason why it wouldn't get the job done. I can email you some pics if you would like. Just PM me.

[Gil Verwey]

The only time I packed out meat was with an external frame pack. I don't know how a internal frame pack would be. I assume they have come along way and some would be just fine.

My hunting partner gave me a frame for the Cabealas Alaskan. He had the frame and then bought the entire pack the next year.

I still like the ILBE and am going to give one a try. You can't beat $65 for the pack, lid and assault pack. The government really has high standards for what there equipment has to do.

David I am going to pick up a ILBE. I will compare it to the Schuh and Eberlstok. If the ILBE is good with frame from the Alaskan I will work it out for you with the Eberlstok. Especially since if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have known I even had it!

Gil

[dlnwohio]

Sounds good gil just keep me posted. I sure like my eberlestock just one, let me know what you think of your comparison

[Iowabowhunter]

Is the ILBE pack an internal frame? And also can the smaller part be removed to use as a day pack? Made by Arcteryx looks like a solid pack, anybody have a place to check reviews n such besides the auction site?

[hoosierbowman]

I bought ilbe for an elk hunt this year the top lid really can't be used as a separate pack. I believe you can get an assault pack that will attach to the main pack but I think it would be heavy
I trimmed all the rubber, extra strapping , and buckles from mine and got it down to 7.5 lbs. I've been carrying 70 lbs with mine for 5.8 miles for training it's comfortable if your waist is smaller than 36 you will need med. waist belt the large is to big for me