Choosing the Right Backpack Hunting Pack: A Guide
Picking the right backpack hunting pack can feel overwhelming. The advice to "try them all" is common, but let's be real—most of us have budgets. Buying the right pack from the start is more cost-effective than cycling through packs that don't work for you.
You might be asking: Which brand is best? What size do I need? How many pockets? What frame material is ideal? What’s the best pack for me?
While we can't give you all the answers, we can teach you how to ask the right questions. This guide will help you cut through the marketing hype and focus on what really matters when choosing a hunting pack.
Key Features of a Backpack Hunting Pack
Here’s what you should focus on, ranked by importance:
- Comfort and Durability for Heavy Loads
- Correct Volume
- Lightweight Design
- Organization That Works for You
Now, let’s dive into each of these features.
1. Comfort & Durability
When you're carrying 75-150 lbs. of meat through rugged terrain, two things matter most: your pack shouldn't hurt you, and it shouldn't break.
Comfort
Carrying 30 lbs. comfortably is easy; 60 lbs., challenging; and 100+ lbs., tough. A pack’s comfort comes down to a few key components:
- Sturdy, vertical frame: Essential for transferring weight off your shoulders and onto your hips.
- Hipbelt fit: It shouldn’t slip, bruise, or rub.
How do you know if your pack is comfortable? If it's not, you’ll feel it as soon as you pass the 80 lb. mark. Common issues include hipbelt slippage, which leads to bruising and over-tightening the belt or shoulder straps—resulting in a miserable experience on longer hauls.
Takeaways:
- Carrying heavy loads is difficult by nature, but if your pack is painful, there’s a problem.
- What works for others may not work for you—don't follow the crowd blindly.
- If your pack isn't comfortable, reach out to the manufacturer for adjustments.
Durability
Durability is simpler. Heavy doesn’t always mean durable, and light doesn’t always mean fragile. A well-made, 4 lb. pack can be stronger than a 9 lb. pack if it's designed right. Overbuilt military-style packs add weight, but there’s a middle ground where a pack is both durable and lightweight.
2. Volume: How Much Space Do You Need?
Volume is non-negotiable: your pack either fits your gear, or it doesn’t.
The chart below offers a general guideline:
- 1-3 days: 3000-4800 ci
- 4-6 days: 4800-6000 ci
- 7+ days: 6000+ ci
Experienced backpackers with ultralight gear may be able to get more days out of a smaller pack, while those carrying bulkier items or hiking with children will need more space.
When choosing volume, keep in mind that packbag fabric only adds a few ounces between sizes. It’s better to have extra room than to risk overloading a too-small pack.
3. Weight: Every Ounce Counts
Weight is crucial. If two packs offer similar comfort, durability, and volume, the lighter one wins every time.
As a novice, extra pounds will cost you pain. As you gain experience, you’ll learn to value every ounce. After a grueling hike, you’ll find yourself dreaming of lighter gear—even down to the smallest items.
Why weight matters:
- Your pack is one of the heaviest gear items you’ll wear all day. Reducing its weight helps you move faster and feel better the next day.
- Over time, lightening your pack makes hunting more enjoyable and increases your odds of success.
4. Organization: A Matter of Preference
Organization is a personal choice, but here are a few guidelines:
- More pockets mean more weight and potential water entry points.
- Fewer pockets simplify access—you won’t have to remember where you stashed your headlamp.
Many seasoned hunters prefer a big packbag with minimal pockets, organized like this:
- Small secure pocket: For essential gear like headlamps and GPS.
- Larger storage area: For items you’ll need during the day like rain gear and food.
- Main packbag: For less frequently accessed gear like extra layers and game bags.
Other Features to Consider
Fabrics & Materials
Common materials include:
- Fleece or microfleece: Quiet but lacks tear resistance and soaks up water.
- Cordura or packcloth: Durable, moderate water resistance, and not too noisy.
- Challenge Ultragrid
- Challenge Ultra
- X-Pac: Waterproof, durable, but noisier, especially in the cold.
Adjustable Frame Height
The right frame height is crucial for carrying heavy loads. Taller frames handle weight better but can be cumbersome in dense brush. Adjustable frame heights, pioneered by Seek Outside, allow you to switch between modes depending on your load.
Compression System
Your pack’s compression system should:
- Hold your gear securely
- Compress small loads when day hunting
- Stabilize heavy loads of meat
Lightweight, adaptable systems, like those with removable straps, offer the best versatility.
Load Shelf / Breakaway Carry
This feature allows you to separate the packbag from the frame, carrying meat between the two. Some prefer breakaway for its cleanliness and ability to carry odd-shaped loads, while others opt for non-breakaway systems to save weight.
Rifle or Bow Carry
Your method of carrying a weapon is as personal as your choice of pack. Options include carrying a bow in hand or strapping it to the pack, or various methods for securing a rifle, like a butt bucket rig or compression straps.
At Seek Outside, we design our packs to be versatile enough for any carry method you prefer.
By focusing on these key aspects—comfort, durability, volume, weight, and organization—you’ll be better equipped to choose a hunting pack that suits your unique needs. Remember, the best pack for you is one that balances all of these factors, while fitting your style of hunting.
