Opinion on some backpack brands

[randello88]

Hi guys, which is the best backpack brand for hunting in your experience?
Also, what are the pros and cons of a bigger backpack vs a smaller one?
What are the pros and cons of a tactical style pack for hunting vs a more traditional design?

Thanks!

 

[Rutland lad]

I’ve tried a few different options over the years. Ex Military stuff is usually string and fairly well made. The last one I used was converted Camelback (in camo) with the bladder removed. Great but just a bit too small.

Next season I’m trying this model - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/hunting-backpack-20l-xtralight-green/_/R-p-167161

At £35 it’s worth a punt I feel.

 

[Mungo]

Hi guys, which is the best backpack brand for hunting in your experience?
Also, what are the pros and cons of a bigger backpack vs a smaller one?
What are the pros and cons of a tactical style pack for hunting vs a more traditional design?

Thanks!

What do you want from it?

Do you need it to carry a rifle? Do you need it to carry a carcass or meat?

Or do you just want a backpack for spare clothes, kit and food?

 

[randello88]

What do you want from it?

Do you need it to carry a rifle? Do you need it to carry a carcass or meat?

Or do you just want a backpack for spare clothes, kit and food?

The third one! I do one day hunts and i load more or less 5-7 kg in the pack. Weirdly, i recently noticed that the shoulder i carry the rifle on (it’s not a heavy rifle) gets fatigued pretty fast and i think this is due to the new pack i am using (Karrimor sf sabre 35). Maybe because of how the shoulder straps are made?

I have seen the wisport woodcraft which weights like the Karrimor sabre, it is made of 600 cordura, it has a simple design, the build quality is probably a bit better (at least from my experience) and it has an adjustable back system even being only a 30 L pack!
Maybe that could be a good option, it costs double the sabre anyway

High end hunting backpack are usually very heavy or made with an elastic material which doesn’t seem so durable

 

[Mungo]

Karrimor Sabre is hard to beat. Karrimor Predator is a smaller, slightly more versatile version that might fit your needs better. Used these (both) for hunting and ecological field work for over 20 years.

Savotta Kantamus or Jakaari are very good, and have lots of modular add ons. But expensive. Very robust.

Osprey Kestrel is a good all rounder, and because it looks less tactical, can be used in every day life too. This is what I now use.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Look at a Vorn for doing everything

 

[devon deer stalker]

Whatever you decide pay attention to all the bloody excessive straps, one of my clients last year lost the chance on a red deer because the rifle got stuck on a buckle, I should of just cut the thing free!

 

[VSS]

Whatever you decide pay attention to all the bloody excessive straps, one of my clients last year lost the chance on a red deer because the rifle got stuck on a buckle, I should of just cut the thing free!

Also the zips. Metal zips rattle. I replaced all the zip pull tabs on my stalking bag with loops of cord:



(Incidentally, this canvas backpack has proven to be an excellent stalking day pack. Cost £25, new, from a market stall quite a few years ago now. Liked it so much that I went online and ordered another 2 for wife and daughter. My point being, you don't have to spend a lot on a branded bit of shooting kit to get a decent backpack. I think they're all made in the same Chinese sweatshop anyway, as I've seen identical component parts on much more expensive bags. Main difference in price is down to the logo!)

 

[randello88]

Very good info guys, thanks

Do you know the brand wisport? It’s a polish brand, they make out door and military gear

 

[Mungo]

Very good info guys, thanks

Do you know the brand wisport? It’s a polish brand, they make out door and military gear

Yes.

Not very common in the UK.

Seem to in between Karrimor and Savotta in quality and price. So probably well worth trying.

 

[randello88]

Yes.

Not very common in the UK.

Seem to in between Karrimor and Savotta in quality and price. So probably well worth trying.

I had a wisport reindeer 55 L and it was very good quality. Maybe a little bit under the berghaus heros 35 i have (but that one had a buckle which run ed all the time on the stock of my rifles). I am looking at the wisport woodcraft 35: it is very light (1.6 kg), no useless molle system, a few compartments and it has the same webbing system than the reindeer (with well padded shoulder straps and adjustable suspensions, which can be hands of you load it a bit more). It costs more or less 150-180 pounds. The karrikor sf sabre i have is for sure a good pack but the overall quality seems lower than the other 2 packs i have and for some reasons when I carry my rifle the shoulder hurts after a while. Probably the padding on the shoulders is not ideal for me. The woodcraft gives also the possibility to carry the rifle on it which can be useful after the hunt, when i often have to walk a few in uphill carrying the deer

 

[Klenchblaize]

Also the zips. Metal zips rattle. I replaced all the zip pull tabs on my stalking bag with loops of cord:

View attachment 430371

You can make metal zip pulls less noisy without resorting to removing the component that also locks the opener in position. On a vertically sewn zip, replacement as per the picture with cord can see the pocket open under gravity and movement when you least want it to, resulting in the contents being lost.

Don't ask me how I know.

K

 

[VSS]

You can make metal zip pulls less noisy without resorting to removing the component that also locks the opener in position. On a vertically sewn zip, replacement as per the picture with cord can see the pocket open under gravity and movement when you least want it to, resulting in the contents being lost.

Don't ask me how I know.

K

I am aware of that, but these weren't that kind of zip. The metal tag played no part in locking the opener in position. I checked that before removing them.