Any of you hard core/Log types. Looking at a new pack for my trip to CO in August. Don't want to spend a ton (Kifaru/Eberle) because I'll likely only use it every few years, but looking for something quality. Looking at a late August hunt so likely chilly in the morning but warm in the afternoons...

I'm looking at the Badlands Hypervent Series, specifically the Diablo or the UltraDay. I like the "away from the back" build of them because even in the cold I'm a sweater. Put a pack right up against my back and I really heat up.

Thoughts? Other suggestions at what I should be looking at?

They are great packs.... I bought a Badlands(super day) in about 2001 still in great shape and very comfortable even when overloaded.

I don't know if this would be an option for you, but you might check out the local army surplus stores. I was looking at Badland packs this past fall and the salesman that was showing them to me actually told me to check surplus stores when I commented on the high price for the new packs. I didn't get one with the frame that holds the pack away from your body but they did have some like that. I paid $35 for an army pack that is built better than most packs found in Cabelas, Bass Pro or Gander. They had new packs just like the one I bought for nearly $150. There were lots of used packs from Iraq and Afghanistan to choose from for 1/3 of the cost of a new one. On a side note, you can find some pretty cool stuff in those used packs sometimes. The pack I bought had an Operation Iraqi Freedom campaign medallion in one of the pockets. My cousin who served over there was going to trade me a $100 remote control spotlight for it because he said it was a pretty rare one from what he could tell.

Uva Uvam Vivendo Varia Fit

After years of trouble with backpacks, a couple years ago, I finally manned up and paid the extra $$ for the Badlands Super Day pack. I can't say enough good things about it. Lots of pockets, heavy duty zippers, and just the right enough capacity for everything that you will need on day trips.

Unless you are dead set on having a camo pattern, you might want to check out REI's line. Very reasonably priced and high quality.

I assume you'll be using this for day hunts only (since you said you were looking at the Diablo and UltraDay) and not pack in hunts? If so, I'd take what Ag97 said pretty seriously and look at Army/Navy store.

I bought this pack at my local A/N store for $50 new. https://www.foxoutdoor.com/ItemDetails.aspx?cid=1&ccid=1&cscid=2
It carried out half a mule deer (2 quarters and 1 backstrap) and did just fine. My cousin had the other half in a Mystery Ranch Crew Cab.
It's 2280 cubic inches. If you're not planning on carrying any meat out, then a smaller pack may work for ya, but packs fill up fast. But for $50 I was very impressed with this pack as I was carrying 50+ lbs and it handled it just fine. Only complaint is the waist belt isn't padded, although FOX makes some that are.

If you're dead set on a Badlands, and using it only for a day pack, I'd get a 2200 or 2800 over the others. Like I said, packs fill up fast. I got a 2800 on camofire with plans for a pack in hunt, but it was just too small for that and I got a Badlands 4500 instead. If you're interested, I'd be willing to part with it for a good price....somewhere between what a Diablo/Ultra and a Kifaru/Eberle costs.

Sorry for rambling...just my opinion.

[This message has been edited by slip sinker 04 (edited 2/7/2012 12:57a).]

I bought one of the Cabelas branded external frame packs and I really like it. I have used it on several backpacking hunts, and it can be stripped down to haul meat in a hurry.

This one...

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Alaskan-Guide-Model-Pack-and-Frame-Combo/1229741.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D5105017%2B1000002949%26Ne%3D1000002949%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dpack%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26WTz_st%3DSearchRefinements%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26search%3Dpack%26searchTypeByFilter%3DAllProducts&Ntt=pack&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

I just ponied up the money for an Eberle. I figure if I'm going to hike into the middle of no where and hopefully have to pack meat out, I wanted that to suck as little as possible.

botach was having a sale on kelty packs... might check there

Sean, camofire routinely has eberle and badlands packs on there for 40-50% off.

I have a Kifaru Siwash and some accessories that I may be willing to part with. It is a great pack.

Only used on a couple of hunts in near new condition. Let me know if your interested, I'll need to dig through gear and come up with a price.

Gunslinger, I am well aware. Since Log pointed me in that direction, camofire is my love/hate relationship.

My concern over a larger pack is EXACTLY the fact that it fills up fast. And I'd fill it up. I've met me and I wouldn't "leave space" for meat. It'd put 4500cu worth of crap in and be miserable toting it around.

Most of these types of hunts for me are not "truly" primitive. We have a base camp, then voyage out on a daily basis. I want a big enough pack that I can carry what I need without being tempted with extra room for what I might want. Right or wrong that's my thought process at this time.

Well the way I dealt with that in the FOX pack I referenced was I only allowed the outer and middle compartment to be filled with my day stuff. When packing I just ignored the biggest compartment closest to my back (except for one nalgene) and designated it for meat. I just pretend it doesn't exist. Then kill time and you've got your biggest compartment for meat.

The problem I ran into, though, was the morning we left camp it was 16 degrees and that afternoon when we started back with the deer it was in the 70s. I was trying to stuff all my clothes in the pack with the meat. I walked out in a T shirt and was wishing for a bigger pack.

I have been looking at getting the badlands 4500. I have been in contact with the folks at camofire, and it appears that they may have some of the packs on their site in the near future. They are doing an EXPO in Salt Lake City this weekend, and after that they may have some inventory to liquidate. According to Greg at camofire, here will be the prices on the badland packs

The 4500 is $240.00, the Superday is $104.00, 2800 is $161.99, 2200 is $157.00

[This message has been edited by 7yrplan (edited 2/7/2012 4:53p).]

That's awesome, but I really like the Hypervent series and none of those are hypervents.

yeah I know. Sorry, wish it would have helped you more.

Nah, it's still something to consider. I appreciate the heads up.

Hypervent series can get uncomfortable real quick when putting some weight in it compared to other packs based on their design. If you plan on using it to haul any meat out or put enough gear in it for more than 3 nights, then i'd suggest going with a different style. The idea of having a pack away from your back sounds good on paper but not in practice. I had a Hypervent and quickly returned it. Hunting in the mountains you're going to sweat no matter what and playing the wind is a must no matter what. If you are planning on using it strickly as a day pack with minimal gear and weight then it might be an alright option, but i think a better buy would be to go with something that can carry a load. Plus the Hypervent series aren't that much lighter compared to other packs that can hold up to a lot more weight.