mobowhunter, are you planning on packing out any meat? I took a backpack to Colorado with me on my elk trip a couple of years ago specifically for carrying water bottles, snacks, extra clothes, folding saw, knives, hand cleaning towels, camera, batteries, flashlight, gloves, whatever I thought I would need. Padded back straps, padded waist belt, and sternum strap. It carried easily and comfortably. It will also accept a hydration bladder. I'll get ripped but it was a Fieldline backpack from Wally World. $20! Now I want to stress I had another pack in camp specifically for packing out meat I borrowed from a buddy.......Cabela Alaskan something or other, didn't need it though.