Let's talk PACKS (versatility needed!)
 

I vary my hunting technique greatly depending on conditions and mood. To add to that, I will be hunting archery this season for the first time. I also hunt in an area where it could be 30 degrees in the morning and 50-60 by midday (during early gun season; won't be as dramatic a swing during bow).

I still hunt. I spot and stalk. I hunt from natural ground blinds. I hunt from a climbing tree stand (unfortunately I don't feel comfortable leaving hang-ons on public land...that would make everything a TON easier!). And I usually go deep into public land.

It does not take a lot to get me sweating, so I generally need to pack heavy clothes in if they will be needed. This is especially troublesome when hauling a climber along. I don't tolerate cold well (I wish I could!!), so being completely still in even 40-degree weather, for me, requires some layers! But if I'm still hunting, I don't need much at all to keep warm. A lot of times I will still hunt and if I find a good area, will park in a decently concealed spot which requires that I put the layers back on.

So I need a pack that will enable me to carry my gear and clothing, and clothing is generally heavy and bulky. I want the pack to stay off my back as much as possible, especially when still hunting. It needs to be large enough to accommodate heavy clothing, but I want the pack to be LIGHTWEIGHT. I also need it to be USABLE when I am NOT carrying a lot of gear (for warmer days or days will I will be still hunting exclusively, etc). A camelback is probably a plus, too. Of course, durability and quality are needed.

I know that's a lot of info and I appreciate you wading through it!

These are two (2) of my favorites;


http://badlandspacks.com/packs.php?sort=capacity

http://eberlestock.com/hunting.htm

You wont find everything you need in a pack, especially if you are carrying a climber. Carrying all that gear gets cumbersome and you wont find a pack that is small enough to hold enough gear.

If Im not carrying my climber, I use this one:

http://www.basspro.com/RedHead-Up-St...3030307014320/

With my climber, Im limited to what I can carry so I use a fanny pack:

http://www.basspro.com/H-S-Strut-Ult...duct/10213716/


The Badland packs are very nice but I refuse to pay that much for a backpack. I prefer my full pack because I like to carry a lot of gear (probably too much, but I like to be prepared). I found it almost impossible to carry my 30 lbs climber and my 20lb pack more than a mile without hating life and sweating to death. Whatever you get, make sure it had wide straps around you shoulders and a chest bucket helps even the load tremendously. I think I went through about 15-20 packs trying to find the ones that would work for me. You may have to do some trial and error also.

I also use a Badlands pack, very happy with this product so far. You get what you pay for.

Badlands super day pack is my choice. Yes you will pay more but lifetime warranty is worth it. Lifetime. Think about it.

Badlands rocks lifetime warranty is worth the extra money and they are light

I have been using a pack for years. I don't know what make, but it is about medium with no frame. I have certain things in there that are NEVER removed and as I use them I replace right away. It definitely saved me a lot of trouble over the years. I just found day packs too small and frame packs too large.