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Whether you are hiking a couple of miles to your tree stand or going on a three day elk hunting expedition, you will likely be hauling a lot of gear. A hunting backpack with features suited for going after an elk is an essential piece of equipment for any elk hunt outing.
There are many different choices on the market covering a variety of needs. How do you find the best backpack for your style of elk hunt? This article will break down what to look for, and give you our top 5 picks for the best elk hunting backpacks that you can find. Read on to be better prepared for your next elk hunting trip.
Quick Picks for the Best Elk Hunting Backpack (or read ahead for the guide and individual reviews)
Last update on 2024-11-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Elk Hunting Backpack Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose?
Size and Weight
One of the first considerations before buying a new pack should be what size of pack you need, and what size you can comfortably carry. This depends a lot on the style of hunting you prefer. If you are looking to make a multi-day hike out of your hunt, then your pack needs to be lightweight but also able to manage all of the gear you need to make camp.
If you just need a daypack for a quick hike into your tree stand, then you won’t need to carry quite as much gear. In this case a smaller pack will do. On the flip side, a shorter hike or a nearby vehicle means that the pack’s weight will not be as much of a burden. Before buying a new pack, think about your essential gear, and your own personal must-haves, and make sure your new pack has the space and the pocket sizes to accommodate it all.
Meat-Hauling Ability
Most of the packs on our list are designed to help you pack out your kills. This is essential if you have a decent hike back out to your vehicle. Not only do you want a pack that can handle a heavy load, but also one that will distribute the weight evenly for a comfortable carry.
If you debone out in the field, then a good meat hauler will greatly minimize your trips. There are some on our list that will help you when you will need to be able to pack out 100+lbs. If you need your pack to help you carry out your kill, then at minimum it should be able to handle a bone-in elk quarter. The heavier the weight, the more you will want to explore a pack with an external frame.
Adjustable Fit and Design
These packs are designed to carry a load. How comfortable they are depends on how well they fit. The more adjustable a pack, the better chance you’ll be able to comfortably hike in and out of your hunts. Like most backpacks, you want to look for adjustable shoulder straps.
Especially helpful with a hunting pack is an adjustable torso length. Many packs are designed to help transfer heavier loads off of your shoulders and redistribute some of the weight to your hips. If your pack does not adjust to sit on your hips correctly, this can make for an extremely uncomfortable hike, especially when packing out your meat.
Once you know the pack will fit your frame, it’s also good to know that it will fit your hunting style. As mentioned before, weight and size is important. A frame that is designed to add compartments as needed, or that has the ability to switch between larger, overnight packs and smaller daypacks will ensure that you will always be prepared for exactly what you need on your next elk hunt.
Top 5 Best Elk Hunting Backpack Reviews – Individual Ratings
Eberlestock Team Elk Pack – Runner Up
Last update on 2024-11-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Our first pick is a great choice for your next hunting trip. Designed specifically for elk hunting, the Eberlestock Team Elk Pack covers just about every need you will have. It includes a fold-away rifle scabbard and a built-in bow carrier. A great feature of this Eberlestock pack are the zip-and-flip covers – if you are not carrying one or the other, that space can still function as a fully enclosed pocket. This allows you to fully maximize the pack’s space.
The Eberlestock Team Elk Pack is a great size for either a daypack or for a short multi-day trip. The pack’s volume is 2600 cubic inches with dimensions 23 x 11 x 9.5 inches. The fold-away scabbard adds another 500 cubic inches for a total of 3100 cubic inches of space, or 51 liters.
At 6lbs 8oz, it is a little heavier than some of our other top picks, but with its Intex II tubular aluminum frame it is also extremely strong. This pack will enable you to haul out 100+lbs at a time. We think you will also be extremely happy with the bag’s durability.
Though most will find this backpack very comfortable, some with smaller frames may have a more difficult time getting a good fit. However, for most hunters, this will be an excellent bag. With lots of compartments, including a 2L hydration pocket and dual, full-depth spotting scope pockets, and both front and top loading access, this pack was designed with elk hunting in mind.
Features and Notes:
- Lots of compartments, with even more add-ons available
- Rifle scabbard and built-in bow carrier
- Grapple compression straps
- Great for game hauling
- Can handle a lot of weight
- 10% of sale revenue donated to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation by Eberlestock
Badlands 2200 Hunting Pack
Last update on 2024-11-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are looking primarily for a daypack that can haul out a lot of meat, then the Badlands 2200 is an excellent choice. The main compartment volume is 1980 cubic inches, or 32.4L. It is 9 inches high and 17 inches wide. With the additional compartments along the hip belt, the pack’s total volume is 2250 cubic inches, or 36.9L, and it weighs in at only 5lb 15oz.
Though the Badlands 2200 was primarily designed to be a meat hauler, it features 8 pockets, including internal scope and tripod pockets. It also features an integrated rifle boot, which can be swapped out with a bow boot, though that is sold separately. It also has built-in hipbelt pistol holders and a zippered rear-entry panel for quick access to your gear. The Badlands 2200 is compatible with your choice of 2L hydration systems. Even though this is a small pack, with the outside compression straps, you will not find yourself lacking space to attach your gear.
As previously mentioned, this Badlands pack is an excellent meat hauler. Featuring an aluminum internal frame and a built-in meat shelf, it is capable of hauling out 80+lbs, all without breaking your back. This pack has load lifter straps to help transfer the weight of your kill off of your shoulders and onto your hips, giving you the ability to carry out more weight with less fatigue. It is also fully adjustable, with a customizable shoulder harness and hipbelt. With thermomold suspension technology, this pack matches the contours of your body. The more you wear it, the more comfortable it will feel.
The pack itself is made of waterproof KXO-32 fabric with scent suppression, making it resistant to moisture, blood, dirt, mold and mildew. The fabric also features Hypalon reinforcements at the high stress points and ultra tough thread. This is an extremely durable pack. However, even though the pack’s fabric is waterproof, the zippers and seams are not, so you will still need a rain cover to keep your packed gear dry. In fact, no pack on our list is completely waterproof, so this is definitely not a reason to pass over this excellent pack. Just grab a rain cover and head out.
Features and Notes:
- Very comfortable, even when packing out large loads
- Extremely durable
- Comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee – Badlands will fix it forever
- Too small for an overnight pack
ALPS OutdoorZ Commander + Pack Bag – Best Overall Choice
Last update on 2024-11-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you need more space than a daypack, then the ALPS OutdoorZ frame and pack is a great choice. With 5250 cubic inches, or 86L, of space, it will be able to accommodate all of your overnight gear. It features 5 pockets: 2 side accessory hinged pockets, the large main pocket, a front pocket, and a spotting scope pocket. It also has a clip style holster, a drop down rifle pocket, and a huge hydration pocket and port (you will be able to put two 3L hydration packs inside this pocket). It also features a unique lashing system and comes with 3 extension straps for extra large loads.
The bag and frame together weigh in at 7lbs 5oz, and the 2lb 3oz bag can be detached and left at camp when the frame is needed to haul out meat. The large bag can also be replaced with a day pack for shorter hunting trips (not included). The frame is made of strong, yet lightweight aluminum. The hipbelt is also adjustable up to a size 48 waist, and it has an adjustable torso length, from 17 to 23 inches. This helps provide a fully custom fit and makes this bag a great choice for the big and tall hunter.
The ALPS OutdoorZ Commander + Pack is a great option that gives you lots of space. However, you do lose some features compared to other packs on this list. Most notably, there are no load lifters on this pack, leaving most of the weight to be carried on your shoulders. This can make carrying out large loads uncomfortable if you need to hike out a significant distance.
Features and Notes:
- Detachable bag
- More room for gear and hydration systems
- Adjustable frame, making it a great choice for big and tall hikers
- No load lifters, leaving weight to be carried on shoulders
No products found. – Best Lightweight Elk Hunting Backpack
No products found.
If you are looking to pack light, then you need the Tenzing TC SP14 Shooters pack. Weighing only 4lbs 6oz, it is designed to be comfortable and carry only exactly what you need, no matter your hunting style. It is designed to carry both scoped rifles and crossbows with its deep center channel. It even includes specialized compression straps to secure your crossbow and a one piece bungee system for holding the quiver. It also features a fold out weapon boot.
This is definitely a smaller pack than the others on our list, coming in at only 1600 cubic inches, or 26L. However, we think you will find that the 5 compartments are perfect for hauling gear into a tree stand. With just a little bit of planning and tinkering, everything you need for a day trip can be brought with you. There is even room for up to a 3L hydration pack.
This pack will really impress you with its durability and quality. The back pad is made with breathable mesh and the hip panels are padded for extra comfort. The waist belt is adjustable from 28 to 54 inches. This pack features an internal aluminum frame and is made of robic ripstop nylon, keeping everything lightweight yet strong. It also comes with a rain cover – a much needed item that is often an extra purchase with other packs.
Features and Notes:
- Lightweight
- Great durability and quality
- Fold out rain cover
- Great for rifle or bow hunting
- No dedicated way to pack out meat
Horn Hunter Full Curl System
Last update on 2024-11-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When you are planning a long, multi-day trip, you need the Horn Hunter Full Curl System. Coming in at 5500 cubic inches, or 90L, this set gives you the largest amount of space, with a ton of flexibility. This system is actually a frame and two packs, a smaller day pack and a larger bag, that are designed to all work together. However, both bags are detachable, allowing you to only pack exactly how much you need.
Altogether, the whole system weighs 9.6lbs. If this is more than you need, but you like the Horn Hunter brand, you can buy just the frame, which still comes with 9 gear pockets and 500 cubic inches, or purchase the frame and the day pack (giving you 2000 cubic inches of space).
The frame is made of strong H3 aluminum and includes a load bearing shelf. This system also includes extra long compression straps that can be easily rolled up and stowed when not in use. These straps are great for holding all three components together when you are traveling into your campsite. Although the whole system sounds bulky, it is very well designed, adjustable, and comfortable to carry.
The Horn Hunter Full Curl System comes with room for all of your gear. There are wings located on both sides designed to carry a tripod and a scope. The system also comes equipped with a drop down rifle pocket and is hydration system compatible.
The large bag is a top load style with a drawstring closure, but it does include a side panel for easy access. This is a great bag that is sure to meet your needs, no matter your hunting style.
Features and Notes:
- Comes with both a day pack and a larger pack
- Game hauling frame
- Very adjustable for a comfortable carry
- Great for long, multi-day trips
- Lots of space and versatility
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