GEAR REVIEW
Can your pack handle the load of a lifetime?
FRAME Next comes the
frame; the foundation for the
packs load handling capabil-
ities. Early pack frames were
commonly built with alumi-
num frames. Even today, you’ll
still find some packs that have
aluminum construction. Alu-
minum often allows for bend-
ing and customizing the fit.
Avoid models with thin walled
aluminum tube construction
as these can bend and break.
New packs are beginning to
incorporate space age plastics
and carbon fiber to help reduce
weight. Frames can range from
relatively soft to extremely
rigid. This is a bit of personal
preference. Rigid frames best
handle very heavy loads. Softer
frames that exhibit a bit of flex
have a bit more give and com-
fort when worn across uneven
terrain, and can also dissipate
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WESTERN HUNTING JOURNAL
stress on straps and stitching.
SUSPENSION SYSTEM
The frame is a part of the over-
all pack suspension system that
holds the waist and shoulder
straps, lumbar pads, and as-
sociated components. Wide,
well-padded straps minimize
pinching and rubbing, and best
distribute the load. Make sure
there is plenty of room for ad-
justment, and that adjustments
are easy and stay in place. Load
lifter straps, which connect the
top of the frame to the shoulder
straps, are key features of top
quality suspension systems. By
adjusting these straps, you can
adjust how much of the load
rests on your shoulders, back
and hips. While some suspen-
sions systems are permanently
integrated into the overall pack
design, others can be separat-
ed and used with multiple bag
styles. This allows for mixing
and matching different bags
for different applications, or re-
placing or cleaning just the bag.
PACK SIZE
Along with the suspension
system, pack size is important
feature to consider. A person
who hunts for a week at a time
in the backcountry will have
dramatically different needs
than the day or weekend hunt-
er. Generally, day packs will
fall in the 900 to 2,000 cubic
inch range for internal vol-
ume. Packs capable of hauling
enough gear for a multi-day
trip, or for hauling out larger
loads of cargo, will be 2,000 to
5,000 cubic inches, and packs
with 5,000 to 7,500 c.i. capaci-
ties are best suited for 5+ day
adventures.
PACK CONFIGURATION
Perhaps more important than
the size of a pack is how it is
configured. How many bags
are there and can they hold
larger items such as spotting
scopes and tripods? Are they
well located to keep things
organized and weight evenly
distributed? Additional flaps
or shelves for securing loose
items such as extra clothes or
bags of meat outside the main
compartments are a handy
feature. A personal favorite are
modular designs that allow for
bags to be quickly removed,
added or repositioned to con-
figure a pack based on a spe-
cific usage. When it comes to
hauling heavy loads of meat,
can the bags be moved or load-
ed in a fashion that places the
weight close to the frame for
optimal stability and comfort?