Best Hunting Backpacks

Finding the right expedition pack can be challenging. Luckily, Joseph Von Benedikt and I have you covered. In this episode, we break down some of our favorite expedition packs and discuss their pros and cons.
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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion - the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me - from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.
Produced by: Red 11 Media - www.red11media.com/
Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[@christopheroleary2512]

Seeing your beautiful dog with the gear on brings a tear to my eye! A few days ago my furry best friend suddenly passed from this existence.

[@jamesolson5133]

Great chemistry between you two on camera. Great video

[@shawndmiles6747]

I use an old external frame military Alice pack system.

[@jackdundon2261]

I'm not horribly impressed with these thousand dollar backpacks, but you really should upgrade that old Alice pack. I've used them and they're freaking torture go by an okay too longboard backpack. Those are pretty cheap and they're 10 times to pack. Good luck buddy!.

[@scottleggejr]

​​@@jackdundon2261you can buy a used frame for $200 then buy a $300 pack to go on the frame. You'll be way ahead of the game with a good used frame. For what you get in a $500 pack, the combo is way better.framepess packs are usually not designed to be serviced/replaced.

[@allenjones4949]

Great video. Very instructive, and funny!

[@eugenebatiste]

Thanks guy for this video. I subscribe to both the channel and Joseph's podcast. You guys are a pretty great entertainment team, try to keep it going.

[@borisbuliak3626]

Great clip I guys keep this one’s coming.

[@kuzkuz3959]

Thank you for this educational video.

[@aaronwilcox6417]

Finally some really nice content instead of cartridge talk type stuff. If your on a backcountry hunt a good fitting pack, footwear, and solid clothing sleep system is the the most important. The rifle and cartridge? Not so much. Good job .

[@chrisowen5497]

Great video! I bought a USGI Molle II field pack earlier this year. I was an US Army infantry soldier in the early 90's and was used to the old Alice packs from that experience.I thought the Molle pack was a great upgrade, and I didn't know squat about all these commercial packs. I checked out some of them, but I always worried about the durability, especially when I put weight in it. I'm pretty happy with the Molle pack, but it is rather bulky with light loads. It is very adjustable, and was easy to set it up to be comfortable for me, although I have only used for light loads so far. I also have an Eberlestock pack with the gun pouch. It is a rather small pack, but I got it mainly for trekking to and from my hunting stand (3/4 mile away from my house) with minimal gear, and it works great for that. Not big enough for "backpack hunting" by no means. Thank you for this very informative video!

[@ZachHunts]

The MOLLE ruck is what drove me to a Kifaru. I haven't used a MOLLE ruck since, except for one course that required it. The instructors for that course all had Mystery Ranch.

[@christopheroleary2512]

Thank you for such an informative and entertaining video! What do you recommend for someone out of shape (and physically impaired)? I can still get around, but many past surgeries (and numerous more expected) and permanent damage has hindered my ability, but will not stop this newbie amateur! I was looking to get my first pack and plan on the "Buy once, cry once" thought process. There are so many out there that it can be daunting and overwhelming. I was already looking into the Exo Mtn Gear K4 system with the 7200 pack and all of the accessories, and couple it with the FNF FOB/Chest v2 air harness and attachments. All of the adjustments and customization, plus the built-in support/reinforcements seem like the best choice. Your information helped solidify the decision.

[@briandoody4954]

I know all about the wolf man. I read the book and lived on the Richardson Hwy for 9 yrs.

[@johnmollet2637]

Hey guys, this was a real interesting topic for a video, I really enjoyed it. Oh Ron, the next time you're taking the "Backcounty Uber" please wear your seatbelt! Take care and have a great weekend!

[@klh303]

Been using a Berghause Crusader 90-20 for a few years. 6700", 6.5 lbs. Tough and lots of options come with it. This is the best selling expedition pack worldwide and can be conformed different ways.

[@rodneyharouff5739]

good vid guys!

[@subsidized2778]

I bought a pack mule frame and put a alice medium on it. Some of the mystery ranch and other packs slip on it also.

[@ScottBarnes-mt9gd]

This was such a cool video. You could've covered any topic. Felt like we were hangin with ya.

[@Spudved]

Ron and Joseph when are you going to review the .348. I see hornady is making ammo again.

[@alaskanshannon2683]

The big problem I find with backpack hunting in AK is that my camp gear-mainly cold weather clothing and sleep system-is so bulky that it fills out my pack pretty fast. You pretty much have to go with Down everything. Even then my 80 liter pack if stuffed to the gills and weighs in at around 45 lbs.And that's not even for winter time temps. That's 25-35 degrees, which is typical late season weather. (35 degrees last weekend-just a few days before moose season ended.

[@alaskatruoutdoors9238]

Right there with you on this. I too have been going to down as much as possible. The new high end gear sure helps with weight and bulk but damn, it's spendy.

[@jasonbourne777666]

I'm still humpin old ALICE

[@philiphotham5464]

An important aspect which slipped by unmentioned is how easy packs are to clean up, hose out, dry etc. Sanitation with meat haulage is vital; no point slaying a big beast if you get downed by little bacteria bugs, more likely than a bear attack!

[@philiphotham5464]

@RonSpomer0utdoors thanks for the appreciation, Ron. Greetings from GB and the wonderful, rural county of Lincolnshire. 😊 Phil H

[@jonvenden4284]

How you measure your torso length is easy. Put your hand on iliac crest with the thumbs pointing towards the spine. Tilt the head forward the c7 spine will protrude out. measure from the c7 to the thumbs will give you your torso length. Now the shoulders for most people angle down. If your on the edge of one size or the other you might have to go to the shorter frame. When the frame is to long it will bounce off your glutes and they will get bruised. This will cause the straps to lift and then slam down on the shoulders. Getting the correct torso length is huge step in getting any comfort. To short and you will carry all the weight in the shoulders. Your trapezoids will be fried.

[@scottleggejr]

Timing 🤦‍♂️ I just bought a mystery ranch for this season. Love their stuff and rocky mountain people.

[@TonerLow]

Made in Bozeman though which is like the San Fransisco of the Rockies.

[@IHWKR]

I feel like Les Stroud would be a great guy to have for this topic too.

[@WanderingBobAK]

Dana Design, WAY ahead of their time... until they caved to Chinese money savings. The ability to customize with shoulder straps, waste band and torso height was perfection.

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

A word of advice for older hunters: use hiking sticks with your loaded pack.

[@rexrodecolt]

Hahaha

[@k9six185]

Watched two 135 pound trackers haul out 175 pound zebra quarters each on their shoulders….no packs no nothin……they are/were studs…..packs schmacks….LOL

[@jasyamaha]

Man 100 lb, that's some serious weight. I wouldn't last 10 minutes with that weight. 60 lb in a top quality pack and I'm at my limit.

[@anchorbait6662]

I'm getting brokback mountain vibes and we're only 10 seconds in to the video.

[@josipkopic5439]

Ron Spunker and Joseph von Dick…Let’s sell the products…He,he…