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5 Best Elk Hunting Backpacks
A good hunting backpack is one of the most essential pieces of equipment for an elk hunt. Not only do you need it to hold all your gear, but you'll often need it to haul meat out if you have a successful hunt. Here are a few things to look for when purchasing your next elk-hunting backpack.
Volume
Choosing the proper volume for your elk hunting backpack is essential. You’ll need to determine how much gear you’ll be bringing with you and how far from the truck you plan to be. Most elk-hunting backpacks are measured in cubic inches or liters.
Pockets & Gear Pouches
Organization is essential on an elk hunt. With both large and small packs, having plenty of well-placed pockets and pouches can be a game changer. Many backpacks have pouches optimized for calls, quivers, bows and guns, game bags, and much more!
Frame
When packing out heavy loads of meat, having a frame for your pack is essential. We offer backpack and frame combos, backpacks with built-in frames, and stand-alone frames for more customization to your setup!
Hydration Compatibility
Backpacks with hydration compatibility can greatly enhance your hunting experience. Hydration bladders generally fit in a pouch or pocket and offer ample hydration for long days in the backcountry. Many backpacks from popular brands like ALPS, Tenzing, BOG, and Mystery Ranch are designed to be hydration-compatible.
We've put together the list of our best elk-hunting backpacks below!
ALPS Outdoorz Outdoorz Commander Backpack
When you get the ALPS Outdoorz Commander + Pack Backpack, you're getting the Commander Freighter Frame PLUS a 5250 cubic inch Pack Bag. The Pack Bag is great for getting all your gear to your base camp. The Pack Bag includes a front pocket, spotting scope pocket, rifle holder, and 2 side accessory hinged pockets, in addition to the main compartment. Once you empty out your Pack Bag, it can be easily detached so the Commander can be used as a Freighter Frame also. The Commander Freighter Frame allows you to haul your meat from one place to the next. The Commander comes equipped with a unique lashing system to secure your meat. With as much weight as you'll be carrying, padded waist belt and shoulder straps are a must. There are pockets for your flashlight and knife, as well as a holder for your shooting stick on the lashing straps.
Features
- Durable Ripstop fabric
- Rifle holder
- Top loading
- Spindrift collar with drawcord
- Hydration pocket and port
- Frame and lashing straps included with pack bag
- Hold-open frame supports the structure of the pack
- Lower door access
- #10 zippers
- Internal horizontal divider
- Webbing loops for lashing
What Customers Are Saying
My daughter has several seasons on hers
My daughter, 5' 4", used hers for several seasons and likes it a lot. Shares it with other hiker, 5' 11" and the adjustment range covers both. I tried hers, and found it fit me and was easy to adjust. Midway had them at a great price, so now I have my own.- vfsi, 4/3/2022
About ALPS OutdoorZ
Starting a business out of your one-car garage isn’t exactly glamourous, but it is exactly how ALPS began in 1993. Outdoor-industry veteran, Dennis Brune started ALPS with the vision of providing more gear to more people. What started as a small company dedicated to encouraging active lifestyles, accompanied by quality gear, has turned into a family of innovative and collaborative brands. In 2007, ALPS Brands established ALPS OutdoorZ, with the mission of developing affordable, performance-driven hunting gear. ALPS OutdoorZ is a leading manufacturer of backpacks, blinds, hunting vests, and more. The ALPS OutdoorZ Commander backpack is one of the best hunting backpacks on the market today. Wildlife conservation, habitat protection, and safeguarding the hunting heritage for future generations are integral parts of the foundation of ALPS OutdoorZ.
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Kifaru Stryker XL 25" ARK Backpack
The Kifaru Stryker XL 25" ARK Frame Backpack expands from the original Stryker, the XL has more internal capacity as well as a longer sling to hold larger loads. The dual water bottle pockets are sized to hold 32oz Nalgene bottles. Bladder compatible, the dual upper hose ports make staying hydrated easy. An extra 500 cubic inches to the main compartment over the original Stryker will swallow up the extra layers of insulation you have been asking for. The sling has been lengthened to accommodate larger items, get tree stands lower while you go through brush and still has the pleat to centralize the load. Pals webbing lines the back of the pack and inner sleeve so you can load out your pockets the way you want them. The front panel also has a quick access zippered pocket with key hook. Compression strap tabs front and back will help you compress the load without crushing the contents of the pack. Comes with 8 K-clip compression straps and Autolock buckles. Our Chamber pocket hangs in its usual removable spot on the inside top of the bag.
Features
- Includes Kifaru's 25" ARK Frame
- Hydration sleeve with hang tab
- Dual Nalgene pockets
- Integrated load sling and cargo panel
- Dual carry handles on top and bottom of pack
Belt Sizing
- Small (28" - 34")
- Medium (35" - 39")
- Large (40" - 46")
Mystery Ranch Pintler Backpack
The Mystery Ranch Pintler Backpack is a full-featured overnight hunting pack for the specialized minimalist. The Pintler is a pared-down and narrow weekend pack that carries several days’ worth of essentials. The pack maintains the Overload feature for the packout. It's built with the Guide Light Frame. Time to get comfortable with your ultralight self.
Features
- 3-ZIP design for rapid and complete access to gear
- Bow and rifle carry via compression straps
- Side stretch-woven pockets for tripod feet or bottles
- Hydration reservoir compatible
- Four internal pockets for organization
- Available in GORE OPTIFADE Subalpine pattern
- 500D CORDURA fabric and YKK zippers
- Overload feature
- Durable TPU coated Nylon in abrasion-prone areas
- Futura Yoke
What Customers Are Saying
Awesome pack, well worth the money!
This is an awesome pack, very well thought out and well worth the money. I've used it twice now to pack out meat from backcountry hunts in conjunction with the Mystery Ranch meat bags. I wish I had bought this pack a long time ago. I love the Pintler and its a great bag. If I had to do it over again I would go with the Metcalf, I could use a little extra room in the bag but otherwise its perfect.- J, 12/5/2022
About Mystery Ranch
Mystery Ranch is a backpack manufacturer with a rich history and a wide range of high-quality products. Since its inception in 2000 the company has become synonymous with durability, functionality, and innovation. Mystery Ranch offers a diverse array of Hunting Backpacks, Military Backpacks, Tactical Backpacks, Hiking Backpacks, and Everyday Carry Backpacks. We carry many popular models including the Treehouse, Mission, Pop Up 40, and Gallagator. Mystery Ranch also offers an exciting line of binocular harnesses, duffel bags, and Zoid accessory pouches. Whether you're a hunter, military professional, hiker, urban commuter, or traveler, Mystery Ranch offers a wide selection of backpacks tailored to meet your specific needs, blending durability, functionality, and style to enhance your outdoor and everyday adventures.
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Horn Hunter Full Curl Backpack Stone
The Horn Hunter Full Curl Frame Backpack sits at 500 cubic inches and is a great pack to carry out anything from quarters off an Elk to carrying out mule deer out west. This lightweight 5.7-pound pack is great, aluminum frame is sturdy enough to haul just as much in as you will be hauling out. It has been a staple in Horn Hunters line of Packs for years.
Features
- Drop Down Hydration Pack
- 10 Separate Compartments
- Foldable, Flex Shelf for Greater Load Support
- Dual, 3 Strap Panels to compress the Load
- Tubular Aluminum Frame Adds Strength, Support, and Comfort for Extra Heavy loads
- Adjustable Torso Shoulder Strap system
- 2 Pull Out Scope/Tripod Pouches
Eberlestock RMEF Team Elk Backpack
The Eberlestock Team Elk Backpack is unlike any other backpack on the market. It has unique features like the patented rifle-back scabbard, a comfortable aluminum frame meant to carry heavy loads and a meat carrying system that allows the pack to be separated from the frame for packing out game from the backcountry. The pack includes a spacious floating lid, deep side pockets, and stretch-material pockets throughout the exterior of the pack.
On the interior of the pack you will find stretch pockets and a hydration sleeve and hook.
The Team Elk pack was originally developed to provide backcountry elk hunters with the best and most innovative hunting pack available, and to simultaneously contribute funding to the most proactive and dedicated conservation organization on the planet, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Features
- Integrated saddle bags
- floating top lid
- Front zipper access and draw string top loading
- Intex No Shelf Frame
- Stowable rifle scabbard
About Eberlestock
Inspired and founded upon a standard of excellence, Eberlestock has sought to design elite gear for the elite adventure-seeker since 1985. Forged from the mind of an Olympian, Fighter Jet Pilot, and Backcountry Hunter, we maintain a passion and hunger to go further, to demand more, and to never settle. We are leaders, innovators, and high performers. We challenge and defy boundaries and limitations by engineering innovative and strategic Gear Systems to outperform expectations and the competition. We invite the hunter, the tactical operator, the shooting sports competitor, and the hardcore adventure outdoorsman to explore our system-based designs.
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