hey rookie...
i baught the camelbak commander from cabelas...great pac..lots of room and can use the outside pouch as a fold over to stick game meat between that and the main pouch (am yet to do it though)....very nice and this one comes with the bladder....took it out opening archery here in CA..hiked about 12 or som miles with it on....was awesome....weather was very hot around 98 or so and i put the bladder in the fridge before i left....water was cool all day....

the badlands 2200 (from what i have heard) is an awesome pack....but like you i wanted more space...that is why i went with teh camelbak