Post by 340wby on Sept 1, 2005 19:12:42 GMT -5
I must have a dozen backpacks I bought for ELK hunting,KEEP IN MIND i LIVE OUT OF A PACK FOR DAYS AT A TIME AND CARRY elk meat LONG DISTANCES BACK TO ROADS FREQUENTLY, heres some things Ive found out the hard way, I try to hunt with the bare minimum in a pack untill we drop an ELK.
many aluminum frames are TOTALLY INADEQUITE (read WORTHLESS JUNK)
if it squeaks, clicks or groans when loaded, as you walk, DON,T expect it to last long or that you can tighten or fix it
many aluminum frames are NOISY AND UNCOMFORTABLE when loaded
put on a pack, loaded with several bags of bird shot weight at least 50-70 lbs, adjust it then try to sling your rifle, bend over and pick up change off the floor , climb a staircase,run for 100 yards,etc. youll quickly find what works ans what won,t
wood frames tend to be heavy and can break
you NEED a great deal of shoulder/hip padding and the HIPS must support a very high percentage of the total loads weight
you NEED a support frame design pack, frameless packs won,t work with loads exceeding 50 lbs,internal frame packs can work just as external frame packs have, if designed correctly.
you NEED at least one LARGE compartment 4500-6000 cubic inches, that will hold a minimum,of about 50 lbs of ziploc bags full of meat, and a smaller outside pocket for access to other items
you NEED places to strap down and secure the load so it won,t swing durring transport.
color is optional but QUALITY CAMO is personally prefered,but with a BLAZE ORANGE snap on full water proof cover for times when your acctually carrying MEAT!
CARRY KEVLAR THREAD AND NEEDLES AND EXTRA STRAPS YOULL NEED THEM EVENTUALLY
water proof is a good idea
shiny is VERY BAD
RIVETS ARE USELESS long term(think welded aluminum,or molded high strength composites like carbon fiber or (plastic)
small outside pockets are a good idea
easily replaceable strap rings are a good idea
you don,t need to spend hundred$ on a pack
a light weight for an empty pack is a plus
fully adjustable straps,bag,support and belt are almost mandatory
most packs NEED customization, extra straps, and won,t work acceptably without it, IE adding/repacing parts with top quality replacement components, EXPECT THIS!!!
many aluminum frames are TOTALLY INADEQUITE (read WORTHLESS JUNK)
if it squeaks, clicks or groans when loaded, as you walk, DON,T expect it to last long or that you can tighten or fix it
many aluminum frames are NOISY AND UNCOMFORTABLE when loaded
put on a pack, loaded with several bags of bird shot weight at least 50-70 lbs, adjust it then try to sling your rifle, bend over and pick up change off the floor , climb a staircase,run for 100 yards,etc. youll quickly find what works ans what won,t
wood frames tend to be heavy and can break
you NEED a great deal of shoulder/hip padding and the HIPS must support a very high percentage of the total loads weight
you NEED a support frame design pack, frameless packs won,t work with loads exceeding 50 lbs,internal frame packs can work just as external frame packs have, if designed correctly.
you NEED at least one LARGE compartment 4500-6000 cubic inches, that will hold a minimum,of about 50 lbs of ziploc bags full of meat, and a smaller outside pocket for access to other items
you NEED places to strap down and secure the load so it won,t swing durring transport.
color is optional but QUALITY CAMO is personally prefered,but with a BLAZE ORANGE snap on full water proof cover for times when your acctually carrying MEAT!
CARRY KEVLAR THREAD AND NEEDLES AND EXTRA STRAPS YOULL NEED THEM EVENTUALLY
water proof is a good idea
shiny is VERY BAD
RIVETS ARE USELESS long term(think welded aluminum,or molded high strength composites like carbon fiber or (plastic)
small outside pockets are a good idea
easily replaceable strap rings are a good idea
you don,t need to spend hundred$ on a pack
a light weight for an empty pack is a plus
fully adjustable straps,bag,support and belt are almost mandatory
most packs NEED customization, extra straps, and won,t work acceptably without it, IE adding/repacing parts with top quality replacement components, EXPECT THIS!!!