Whether you’re backpack hunting for 10 days chasing high country mule deer or spot and stalk hunting antelope from your truck, you’ll benefit from a pack that meets the demands of your pursuits
A good backpack is a key piece of equipment that every bowhunter needs. Whether you’re backpack hunting for 10 days chasing high country mule deer or spot and stalk hunting antelope from your truck, you’ll benefit from a pack that meets the demands of your pursuits. In this article, I’ll dive into some considerations to help you pick the right pack for your hunt.
I love antelope hunting. Antelope generally live in open, flat, or low rolling terrain where there’s plenty of roads and access that you can utilize to cover a lot of ground and glass to find animals. Spot and stalk and ambush hunting on water sources are great ways to try to seal the deal on an antelope buck. In both cases, bowhunters will be day hunting and a good pack is needed for necessary supplies like food, water, decoy, kill kit, medical kit, tripod, spotting scope, and other loose gear, such as a headlamp.
For day hunting antelope, there are a few features that make a good day hunting pack. The first is the size. A lightweight day pack in the range of 1,000 to 2,500 cubic inches is the sweet spot, in my opinion. You’ll be able to fit your gear in it without a lot of extra space that can cause the pack to feel sloppy or make added noise. Water is important, and staying hydrated when you are hunting antelope can be hard because you are so exposed to the sun. For that purpose, a hydration bladder pocket is a great feature. Over the years, I’ve steered clear of hydration bladders for long backpack trips because I’ve had leaks; however, water bladders are the best way to stay hydrated because you have a drinking hose readily available. Other features I like in an antelope pack is a place to strap my tripod to and a spotting scope pocket. I also like straps where I can attach my bow in case the stalk doesn’t work out and I need to make tracks back to my truck to find another buck. Gear organization pockets are nice, but not necessarily a must-have for me. I typically organize my gear in smaller pull-out bags and pockets, but I know other bowhunters who love some extra pockets. Any pack you choose should fit well and be comfortable. When you’re hunting antelope, the miles may be flatter and less demanding, but it's common to cover many miles a day and you’ll want a pack to be comfortable, quiet and move well with your gait. Lastly, antelope don’t compare in size to a large bodied mule deer buck or a bull elk so you may, or may not, need a load/meat shelf — although it’s a nice feature to keep your meat out of the main bag while also still being able to carry your other gear. Personally, I love a load shelf on every pack, regardless of what and where I am hunting. Let’s look at some good options for a day hunting pack.
Weight with frame: 4 pounds, 1.3 ounces on Krux Frame / 4 pounds, 5.3 ounces on Xcurve Frame Volume: 2,800 cubic inches with expandable load shelf
Additional features: Spotting scope pocket (fits up to 115 mm objective), tripod attachment, full-panel zip, two internal 200 cubic inch pockets, tripod foot pocket, 150+ lb load rating, Cordura 500 + Xpac, heavy-duty YKK zippers, and Duraflex buckles.
Weight: Frame, lid, bag, and accessories are approximately 4.27 pounds Volume: 1,950 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura
Features: Includes lid bladder storage and accessory compatibility, additional storage in the pannier load carrier pocket, compression straps on both sides and front to attach a tripod and bow. Heavy-duty carbon fiber frame, hip belt cushion, and shoulder straps for all-day comfortable carry.
Weight: 4.9 pounds with a medium belt Volume: 1,960 cubic inches Fabric: 500D DWR-coated Cordura
Features: Full clamshell zip for complete access to the main compartment, dual top lid pockets (one with internal sleeve divider, one with key hook), one internal sleeve with three compartments for added storage, two internal mesh pockets for small-item organization, external MOLLE webbing for modular attachments, dual compression straps to secure tripods or weapons, hydration bladder compatible.
Weight: 2 pounds, 9.6 ounces bag only, 5 pounds, 10.6 ounces with frame Volume: 1,900 cubic inches plus extended load shelf Fabric: 500D Cordura with DWR coating
Features: Extended external sling for oversized loads, dual 32-ounce water bottle pockets, internal hydration bladder sleeve with dual hose ports, PALS webbing on rear panel and interior sleeve, front zippered stash pocket with key hook, eight K-clip compression straps with Autolock buckles, removable chamber pocket, front and rear compression strap tabs.
Weight: 4.9 pounds Volume: 1,830 cubic inches Fabric: 330D Lite plus CORDURA fabric
Features: Pop-up frame converts this daypack into a load-hauling system with the telescoping aluminum frame, OVERLOAD feature provides a load sling between the pack and the frame, hunting light yoke easily micro adjusts to the torso length, integrated 1/4-inch - 20 optics thumbscrew allows you to thread your camera, spotting scope or rifle mount directly to the frame for optimal stabilization, access to the interior via the horseshoe main zipper, hydration reservoir-compatible, dual stretch-woven side pockets for water bottle or trekking poles, face compression can be used to securely carry a bow or rifle, side compression with locking gatekeeper hooks keep webbing secure and in place.
Weight: 14.4 ounces Volume: 1,147 cubic inches Fabric: 100D Cordura
Features: Stuffs into front pocket, hydration-compatibility internal pocket, external front and top zip pocket for extra storage, side compression straps, side stretch pocket for extra gear. Weighs less than a pound, making it a very lightweight, low-profile approach style spot and stalk pack. No load shelf, and it is not intended to pack out meat.
Fabric: 500D CORDURA with four-way stretch Tweave in high-stress areas for flexibility and resilience
Features: Water bottle pocket for easy access to hydration, mini belt pouch for quick-access essentials, larger fanny pack style pocket for essential gear. The Rogan Run-N-Gun is a low profile hip belt style pack for the bare essentials.
The type of pack and features I’m looking for in a day pack for elk and mule deer are slightly different from those for an antelope hunt. Mainly, I want a load shelf for hauling meat and a bit more volume because I’m probably packing more gear further from the truck. Beyond that, I want my pack to be comfortable under more severe weight loads, which require a quality frame, padded hip belt, shoulder suspension, and load lifters. Some options I believe would be an excellent pack for mule deer and elk day hunting are listed below.
Weight: Frame, lid, bag, and accessories are approximately 4.27 pounds Volume: 1,950 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura
Features: Includes lid bladder storage and accessory compatibility, additional storage in the pannier load carrier pocket, compression straps on both sides and front to attach a tripod and bow. Heavy-duty carbon fiber frame, hip belt cushion, and shoulder straps for all-day comfortable carry.
Weight: 5 pounds, 10 ounces Volume: 3,475 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura, four-way stretch ripstop
Features: Convenient horseshoe-style zipper access to your gear, 19-inch side pocket that can accommodate your spotting scope plus additional side pockets, low profile bladder sleeve under the lid, side and front compression straps for tripod and bow carrying, pannier load carrier compatible allows the hunter to carry meat between the frame and the main bag to haul meat.
Weight: 4 pounds, 2.2 ounces on Krux Frame; 4 pounds, 6.2 ounces on Xcurve Frame Volume: 3,600 cubic inches Fabric: Cordura 500 and Xpac fabric
Features: One external zipped pocket, built-in differential cut spotting scope pocket, hydration sleeve compatible, load shelf for meat hauling capability, side and front compression straps for tripod and bow carrying.
Weight with frame: 4 pounds, 1.3 ounces on Krux Frame, 4 pounds, 5.3 ounces on Xcurve Frame Volume: 2,800 cubic inches with expandable load shelf
Additional features: Spotting scope pocket (fits up to 115 mm objective), tripod attachment, full-panel zip, two internal 200 cubic inch pockets, tripod foot pocket, 150+ lb load rating, Cordura 500 + Xpac, heavy-duty YKK zippers, and Duraflex buckles.
Weight: 5 pounds, 4.8 ounces Volume: 2,746 cubic inches Fabric: 330D Cordura
Features: Guidelight MT frame, OVERLOAD shelf with quick-attach frame capture for easier access to the shelf for packing out meat, 270° zipper access to the main portion of the bag, internal water bladder pocket and hydration port, stretch open top side pockets, internal mesh pockets for gear storage, side and front compression straps for tripod and bow carrying options.
Weight: 4 pounds, 14 ounces Volume: 3,050 cubic inches Fabric: 330D LP Cordura
Features: Roll-top closure and one side zip allow you to access, ULTRA LIGHT MT frame, and the OVERLOAD load shelf, detachable lid, dual stretch-woven side pockets, zippered pockets on the detachable lid allow easy and secure access to your essentials. Multiple compression straps for spotting scope and bow hauling, stretch woven side pockets for a Nalgene bottle or other gear, and an internal water bladder sleeve.
Weight: 5 pounds, 3 ounces Volume: 2,400 cubic inches (pop up 40) 1,830 cubic inches (pop up 30) Fabric: 330D Lite plus Cordura
Features: POP-UP FRAME converts this daypack into a load-hauling system with the telescoping aluminum frame, OVERLOAD feature provides a load sling between the pack and the frame, hunting light yoke easily micro adjusts to the torso length, integrated 1/4-inch 20 optics thumbscrew allows you to thread your camera, spotting scope or rifle mount directly to the frame for optimal stabilization, access to the interior via the horseshoe main zipper, hydration reservoir-compatible, dual stretch-woven side pockets for water bottle or trekking poles, face compression can be used to securely carry a bow or rifle, side compression with locking gatekeeper hooks keep webbing secure and in place.
Weight: 2 pounds, 9.6 ounces bag only; 5 pounds, 10.6 ounces with frame Volume: 1,900 cubic inches plus extended load shelf Fabric: 500D Cordura with DWR coating
Features: Extended external sling for oversized loads, dual 32-ounce water bottle pockets, internal hydration bladder sleeve with dual hose ports, PALS webbing on rear panel and interior sleeve, front zippered stash pocket with key hook, eight K-clip compression straps with Autolock buckles, removable chamber pocket, front and rear compression strap tabs.
Weight: 6.1 pounds, approximately Volume: 2,250 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura and Xpac load sling
Features: External pocket for carrying extra layers or wet gear, load sling for packing meat between the bag and frame, dual nalgene pockets, compression straps on the sides for carrying tripod, zippered front pocket with a key hook, interior chamber pocket and bladder sleeve.
Weight: 5.85 pounds, approximately Volume: 4,900 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura and Xpac load sling
Features: Asymmetrical zipper design, a bladder pocket with dual hose ports and multiple compression straps, full-zip clamshell opening for easy access to the main compartment, load sling for packing meat between the bag and frame.
With the demands of jobs and families, many of us are weekend warriors, where we can often only squeak out a Friday to Sunday hunt. For folks who fit this category and like to backpack hunt into remote country a specific type of pack is required. We need enough volume to pack overnight equipment like a shelter, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and the rest of the required gear. You also need a durable frame and suspension, a comfortable frame, and a load shelf to pack out meat when you find some success. You need enough volume, but not so much that you’re just packing extra weight that you’ll never utilize. When buying a pack, you have to make a choice regarding volume. Be mindful and realistic about the style of hunting you do. If you really only go on one- to three-day overnight hunts and never longer, I wouldn’t buy a larger expedition-style pack. If you hunt one to three nights most of the time, but occasionally are able to get out for five- to10-day backpack trips, you may want to buy a larger volume pack that still compresses well with straps. Ideally, you might buy two bags that can be transferred to the same frame, but there’s an added cost there. I’d also suggest front compression straps that will allow you to carry your bow on your pack while you’re hiking into remote terrain. Below are some of my favorite options for one- to three-night backpack hunting.
Weight: 5.85 pounds, approximately Volume: 4,900 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura and Xpac load sling
Features: Asymmetrical zipper design, a bladder pocket with dual hose ports and multiple compression straps, full-zip clamshell opening for easy access to the main compartment, load sling for packing meat between the bag and frame.
Weight: 6 pounds, 6 ounces Volume: 4,720 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura
Features: Full clamshell-style main compartment for complete interior access, horseshoe-shaped front zipper panel for fast access to essential gear, dual zippered side pockets sized for spotting scopes, tripods or other long gear, internal hydration sleeve with bladder hang loop (hydration-compatible), four removable compression straps to secure and stabilize heavy loads, rear attachment points for compatible pack lids, laser-cut MOLLE paneling for modular pouch and accessory attachment, load shelf for hauling meat between bag and frame.
Weight: 4 pounds, 2.2 ounces on Krux Frame; 4 pounds, 6.2 ounces on Xcurve Frame Volume: 3,600 cubic inches Fabric: Cordura 500 and Xpac fabric
Features: One external zipped pocket, built-in differential cut spotting scope pocket, hydration sleeve compatible, load shelf for meat hauling capability, side and front compression straps for tripod and bow carrying.
Weight: 4 pounds, 7 ounces with Krux Frame; 4 pounds, 11 ounces with Xcurve Frame Volume: 4,800 cubic inches Fabric: Cordura 500 and Xpac
Features: 3/4 zip access to main bag, internal spotting scope pocket,compartmental storage with a top pocket, front access pocket, external side stuff pocket, load shelf for packing meat between bag and frame, compression straps on both sides and the front of the pack for strapping a spotting scope and bow to the pack.
Weight: 5 pounds, 14 ounces Volume: 5,200 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura, 4way stretch Ripstop
Features: Horseshoe-style zipper access to the main compartment, roll top design allows the bag to be compact at 3,600 cubic inches, but can easily expand to best suit your needs throughout the hunt, large front panel pocket for frequently used gear, inside nylon pocket for smaller items, expandable mesh pocket on the side for items like beanies, gloves, or a bathroom kit, a 20-inch side pocket for spotting scope, a 7-inch side pocket designed to handle tripod legs or will hold a rifle stock, front and side compression straps for carrying trekking poles, tripod, or bow on the front of the pack, pannier load carrier compatible allows the hunter to carry meat between the frame and the main bag to haul meat.
Weight: 5 pounds, 10 ounces Volume: 3,475 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura, four-way stretch ripstop
Features: Convenient horseshoe-style zipper access to your gear, 19-inch side pocket that can accommodate your spotting scope plus additional side pockets, low profile bladder sleeve under the lid, side and front compression straps for tripod and bow carrying, pannier load carrier compatible allows the hunter to carry meat between the frame and the main bag to haul meat.
Weight: 4 pounds, 14 ounces Volume: 3,050 cubic inches Fabric: 330D LP Cordura
Features: Roll-top closure and one side zip allow you to access, ULTRA LIGHT MT™ frame and the OVERLOAD load shelf, detachable lid, dual stretch-woven side pockets, zippered pockets on the detachable lid allow easy and secure access to your essentials. Multiple compression straps for spotting scope and bow hauling, stretch woven side pockets for nalgene bottle or other gear, internal water bladder sleeve.
This category of packs is likely the most versatile, meaning I think if you’re going to buy one pack only, it should probably be one of these. They’re large enough that you can backpack for a number of days, but they can be sucked in close to the frame, and you can day hunt out of them. I have used several of these packs for backpack hunting and day hunting, and they’ve performed well. Each one has its own unique size and features, so be sure to read through, do some research, and find the best option that works for you and your objectives. Some have outside or inside pockets for organization; some are more streamlined. All of these packs have load shelves or, at the very least, the potential to add one. That feature is something I believe every good hunting pack should have if you’re pursuing elk or mule deer and will end up hauling out meat. There are also a variety of price points, which are worth considering. I haven’t used every single one of these packs, but most of them I have, and I’d give a positive stamp of approval on them all in regards to durability.
Weight: 5 pounds, 1.4 ounces with Krux Frame; 5 pounds, 4.5 ounces with Xcurve Frame Volume: 4,300 cubic inches in bivy mode; 5,900 cubic inches with top lid Fabric: Cordura 500 and Xpac fabric
Features: Large front panel zip allows quick access to pack, a 22-inch front vertical pocket is incorporated for quick access to a spotting scope, sized to fit the largest of glass, hydration compatible with additional bladder sleeve, load shelf for packing meat between bag and frame.
Weight: 5 pounds, 2.8 ounces with Krux Frame; 5 pounds, 6.8 ounces with Xcurve frame Volume: 5,900 cubic inches; 6,400 cubic inches with lid Fabric: Cordura 500 and Xpac fabric
Features: A left-side spotting scope pocket, an 8-inch zippered stow pocket for quick access to essentials, a 14-inch side stretch pocket for a tripod, water bottle, or extra layers, a strategically placed 26-inch long left-side zipper gives you internal access through the full height of the pack, load shelf for hauling meat between bag and frame, compression straps on the side and front for carrying tripod and bow on the front of the pack.
Weight: 5 pounds, 7 ounces with Krux Frame; 5 pounds, 11 ounces with Xcurve Frame Volume: 6,400 cubic inches; 6,900 cubic inches with top lid Fabric: Cordura 500 and Xpac fabric
Features: A full-length center zipper allowing easy access into the main bag, two long side pockets make for quick access to spotting scope or other necessary gear, two open-top side pockets for quickly stashing gear, load shelf for hauling meat between bag and frame, compression straps on the side and front for carrying tripod and bow on the front of the pack.
Weight: 5 pounds, 14 ounces Volume: 5,200 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura, four-way stretch Ripstop
Features: Horseshoe-style zipper access to the main compartment, roll top design allows the bag to be compact at 3600 cubic inches, but can easily expand to best suit your needs throughout the hunt, large front panel pocket for frequently used gear, inside nylon pocket for smaller items, expandable mesh pocket on the side for items like beanies, gloves or a bathroom kit, a 20-inch side pocket for spotting scope, a 7-inch side pocket designed to handle tripod legs or will hold a rifle stock, front and side compression straps for carrying trekking poles, tripod or bow on the front of the pack, pannier load carrier compatible allows the hunter to carry meat between the frame and the main bag to haul meat.
Weight: 5 pounds, 4 ounces Volume: 4,576 cubic inches Fabric: 330D LP Cordura
Features: Roll-top closure and one side zip allow you to access all your big items easily, ULTRA LIGHT MT™ frame and the OVERLOAD load shelf, detachable lid, dual stretch-woven side pockets, zippered pockets on the detachable lid allow easy and secure access to your essentials. Multiple compression straps for spotting scope and bow hauling, stretch woven side pockets for a Nalgene bottle or other gear, internal water bladder sleeve.
Weight: 6 pounds, 11.2 ounces Volume: 5,187 cubic inches Fabric: 330D Cordura
Features: 270° "duffel-style" zipper allows you full access to the contents of the bag, multiple pockets both outside and on the main opening’s inside flap keep all the essentials close at hand. ULTRA LIGHT MT™ frame and the OVERLOAD load shelf, detachable lid, dual stretch-woven side pockets, zippered pockets on the detachable lid allow easy and secure access to your essentials. Multiple compression straps for spotting scope and bow hauling, stretch woven side pockets for a Nalgene bottle or other gear, internal water bladder sleeve.
Weight: 6 pounds, 2.5 ounces Volume: 6,580 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura and Ultragrid/EPX400
Features: Dual access via horseshoe zipper and snow collar, two front zippered pockets, 3/4-inch auto-lock compression straps over front pocket for carrying your weapon, hydration bladder compatible internal pocket, water bottle pockets on both sides, laser-cut MOLLE paneling for modular pouch and accessory attachment, load shelf for hauling meat between bag and frame, side and front compression straps for carrying tripod and bow on the front of the pack.
Weight: 5 pounds, 12.8 ounces Volume: 5,090 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura and VX21S XPac
Features: Front 3/4-inch straps, front 3/4-inch reinforced upper handle and bottom sleeve will keep your weapon or tripod locked in, strictly top loading bag, no zipper access to the main compartment, stretchy side pockets for Nalgene bottles, dual hydro ports and an internal bladder pocket along the back panel, load shelf for hauling meat between bag and frame, side and front compression straps for carrying tripod and bow on the front of the pack.
This style of pack has its use case scenario, but in my experience, it's rare for people to need this much volume in a bag regularly. Typically, this size of bag is only required for guides and outfitters, bighorn sheep or mountain goat hunting, or for folks who are living off their backs for a week to a full 10 days to pursue high country mule deer or elk. I’m certainly not saying there isn’t a need for this category, but it’s more of a pack than most people need. If you have a hunt planned that fits this category, below are my suggestions to get the job done, providing both durability and a comfortable ride.
Weight: 5 pounds, 15.52 ounces Volume: 6,100 cubic inches Fabric: 330D LP Cordura
Features: Roll-top closure and one side zip access to main bag, ULTRA LIGHT MT frame, and the OVERLOAD load shelf, detachable lid, dual stretch-woven side pockets, zippered pockets on the detachable lid allow easy and secure access to your essentials. Multiple compression straps for spotting scope and bow hauling, stretch woven side pockets for a Nalgene bottle or other gear, and an internal water bladder sleeve.
Weight: 4 pounds, 4 ounces Volume: 8,700 cubic inches Fabric: SG Ultra PE fabric and X-Pac
Features: Only 4 pounds, 4 ounces the new Terminus 8700 has the greatest capacity-to-weight ratio of any backcountry backpack on the market, designated internal spotting scope pocket with an additional front zippered pocket for quick access to layers and essential gear, 26-inch side zipper gives you quick access to the main compartment, internal frame with a 2,200 cubic inch internal load cell for meat hauling, side and front compression straps for securing tripod or carrying a bow.
Weight: 6 pounds, 14 ounces Volume: 8,225 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura, four-way Stretch Ripstop
Features: An expandable front pocket, ripstop pocket, side mesh pocket offer ample storage, 20-inch and 7-inch side pockets for larger items like spotting scopes and rifles, low profile bladder sleeve under the lid, side and front compression straps for tripod and bow carrying, pannier load carrier compatible allows the hunter to carry meat between the frame and the main bag to haul meat.
Weight: 6 pounds Volume: 7,900 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura and Xpac fabric
Features: U-shaped zipper provides easy access into the main bag, front zipped pocket is great for items that are commonly used, side spotting scope pocket, hydration compatible with additional bladder sleeve, load shelf for packing meat between bag and frame.
Weight: 6 pounds, 7 ounces Volume: 6,285 cubic inches Fabric: 330 HT Cordura 5PM & 330D Robic Kodra Ripstop
Features: Convenient shroud access and full-length dual zippers for quick access to side storage, speed zip compartment keeps your sleeping bag hassle-free, two long front zip pockets, top lid with two compartments, OVERLOAD load shelf for packing meat between the bag and frame, side and front compression straps for carrying a tripod and bow.
Weight: 6 pounds, 6 ounces Volume: 6,500 cubic inches Fabric: 500D Cordura
Features: Dual zippered side pockets and main compartment access from both sides, side pockets will hold the bigger spotting scopes, dual hose ports over each side pocket make routing bladders and cables easy, integrated meat shelf, side and front compression straps for carrying tripod and bow on the front of the pack.
Overall, selecting a backpack can come down to several key factors. Find what you like, what is most comfortable for you, and figure out the size you need that will cover the majority of your hunts. Then, get out and enjoy the mountains.
