The Best Backpacks for
Big-Game Hunting

By Kate Small | November 25, 2020

When setting out to the backcountry, most of us just want to focus on the hunt. By making sure you have the perfect pack for all your gear, you increase your chances of a successful trip.

Hunting big game is a whole lot easier when your pack fits properly. Choosing the right pack requires understanding the size, frame length, load lifters, meat hauling capabilities, fit, and organizational compartments.

Thankfully, we’ve done the hard work for you and assembled a list of the best hunting packs for big game, based on these criteria. We’ll make sure you understand what you need from a pack, and provide several options that might just be the perfect pack for you.

• Best Overall:  
  Mystery Ranch Metcalf
• Most Versatile:  
  Stone Glacier Sky 5900
• Best External Frame:  
  Eberlestock F1 Mainframe Pack
• Best Mid-Range:  
  ALPS OutdoorZ Matrix
• Best Budget:  
  Kelty Cache Hauler
• Best Day Pack:  
  Sitka Apex Pack
• Best Overnight:  
  Mystery Ranch Pintler

What to Consider When Choosing a Hunting Pack

A hunting pack is one of the most important pieces of gear you’ll need on a trip – if you have the wrong size or not enough space, it can completely ruin your experience and even send you home early. Here are the top things to consider when you’re shopping for your hunting pack.

1. Size

Bigger is not always better. It’s important to choose the size pack that is appropriate for your trip. If you’ll be doing day trips, you’re going to need a very different pack than if you’re heading to the backcountry for five days at a time.

Here is a basic breakdown of pack volume based on the length of your trip. For big game, you might want to adjust up a bit more depending on how much gear you’ll be hauling with you – when in doubt, size up.

This reflects a general rule of thumb to plan on 1,000 cubic inches per day of your trip. Of course, it’s up to your personal style: an ultralight backpacker may need less space, while a gearhead with enough muscle to carry everything he wants might need less.

For big game hunting, you will need a pack that can carry at least 100 pounds.

2. Frame Length

The next big decision is the type of frame you’ll want, and this again relates to how much you’ll be carrying. Make sure that whatever frame you choose fits you well – if you’re going on a long trek, you’ll pay for a poorly fitting pack!

Make sure the frame is the correct length for your torso. You should be able to move your head, and if you’ll be going through wooded areas, you’ll want a frame that isn’t constantly catching on branches. However, taller frames do carry heavy loads better, and keep more of the weight off your shoulders.

3. Load Lifters

Load lifters are a key part of how weight is distributed in your pack. They essentially bring more weight tighter toward your back while taking it away from your shoulders.

These load lifters are additional straps that connect the top of your backpack to your shoulder straps. They should bring your shoulder straps closer to the pack itself, lightening the weight on your shoulders.

Not all packs have load lifters, so you need to specifically look for this if you want them.

4. Meat Hauling

When big game hunting, you need help transporting your kill. After all, this is the prize that sets us out into the backcountry in the first place.

Many hunting packs are designed to haul meat, and some have options to strap meat between the bag and the frame. Strapping meat in this way allows you to use your hands for other things, like trekking poles.

5. Fit

Of course, your backpack needs to fit you perfectly. Be sure to try on your backpack with weight inside it, like sandbags or gear, to see how this impacts the fit.

The waist belt is a crucial part of the fit – it must be sized correctly to help carry the weight of the pack. When considering waist belt size, leave room for additional layers in colder temperatures. You also want to be able to tighten your waistband after clipping it, which leads to a tighter fit.

6. Compartments

Big game hunting requires a lot of gear. You’re going to want to keep it organized, with some items readily accessible on the go, and others safely stowed away, waiting to be used later. When evaluating a backpack, consider how you might load and unload, and where you might store essentials.

Some helpful organizational tools on a hunting pack can be:

• Center zips
• Zippered pockets on lid, outside of pack, etc.
• Waist belt pouches
• Water bottle holders
• Water bladder holder
• Removeable day packs (for extended stay packs)

Top Hunting Packs

Now that you know what you’re looking for in a hunting pack, we’ve assembled a list of high-quality, proven products that just might be perfect for your next expedition.

Best Overall: Mystery Ranch Metcalf

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If you’re looking for a dependable pack for a variety of trips, the Mystery Ranch Metcalf won’t let you down. Extremely durable material pairs with a robust suspension system to allow hunters to carry all their gear and meat over long trips. It boasts plenty of organizational space and includes Mystery Ranch’s patented OVERLOAD feature, which allows hunters to store meat between the bag and the frame, keeping bag contents clean while creating more stability for the trek.

Pros	Cons
Versatile Highly durable Larger models have space for up to a week in the field but can compress for shorter trips Detachable day pack Plenty of zippers and organization Good shelf space for carrying meat	Heavier than other backpacks (6.1 pounds) Strap system is complicated Less padding for hips and lumbar

Pros
Versatile Highly durable Larger models have space for up to a week in the field but can compress for shorter trips Detachable day pack Plenty of zippers and organization Good shelf space for carrying meat
Cons
Heavier than other backpacks (6.1 pounds) Strap system is complicated Less padding for hips and lumbar

Most Versatile: Stone Glacier Sky 5900

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If you find yourself wishing for a range of volume options, Stone Glacier’s Sky design is here to help. The Sky Lid is a unique approach to compression that allows this pack to shrink down as small as 4,300 cubic inches, or expand to hold 5,900 cubic inches at full volume. With a load shelf volume of 2,500 cubic inches, that means this pack has a maximum capacity of 8,000 cubic inches, an impressive volume that should support most backcountry treks. The shoulder and chest straps are easy to adjust, creating a fit that’s unique to you.

Pros	Cons
Day trips to multiday trips Expansion mode gives range of volume options Customizable fit with adjustable shoulder and chest straps Customizable add-ons for hunting gear	More expensive Slightly large for a day pack even in compression mode
Pros
Day trips to multiday trips Expansion mode gives range of volume options Customizable fit with adjustable shoulder and chest straps Customizable add-ons for hunting gear
Cons
More expensive Slightly large for a day pack even in compression mode

Best External Frame: Eberlestock F1 Mainframe Pack

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Sometimes, you just need a way to carry meat home from a big game hunt. That’s why the Eberlestock F1 Mainframe Pack is sold in a modular way: hunters can purchase just the frame and meat shelf, or purchase compatible pack bodies that can also carry gear. These packs can be swapped out: use the frame as the base of a day pack, or a larger pack for multiday expeditions. The Eberlestock offers a high-quality frame to help with larger loads, proving that there is still space for external-frame packs even as the popularity of backpacking-style packs continues to rise.

Pros	Cons
Handles heavy loads Straps can hold quarters and other bulky items Customizable – can use as meat shelf or add sacks for gear Adjustable fit Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty	Bulky for day use Frame itself is heavy Must purchase additional items to haul gear

Pros
Handles heavy loads Straps can hold quarters and other bulky items Customizable – can use as meat shelf or add sacks for gear Adjustable fit Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
Bulky for day use Frame itself is heavy Must purchase additional items to haul gear

Best Mid-Range: ALPS OutdoorZ Matrix

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Hunting can get expensive – and for the hunter who’s looking to keep costs down, the ALPS OutdoorZ Matrix offers a highly organized pack for day trips or overnights. This highly useful pack secures crossbows, bows, or rifles through two dedicated straps that start in the middle of the pack, wrap around the weapon, and fasten to the sides. Plus, the material keeps quiet through the backcountry. The lashing system allows for some meat hauling, but without a frame, its capacity is more limited than some other options on this list.

Pros	Cons
Dedicated weapon storage Plenty of organization and zippered pockets Affordable Comfortable padding	Doesn’t haul as much meat Bulkier for volume

Pros
Dedicated weapon storage Plenty of organization and zippered pockets Affordable Comfortable padding
Cons
Doesn’t haul as much meat Bulkier for volume

Best Budget: Kelty Cache Hauler

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Sometimes, you just need a budget-friendly external frame to haul meat. When simplicity and affordability is what you’re after, the Kelty Cache Hauler delivers. With added straps and bungees, this frame just might be able to carry more than its stated 56.5-liter capacity in gear as well as meat. Its solid metal is highly durable, and great for hunters who prefer to travel with a day pack and then return with their heavy-duty hauling frame.

Pros	Cons
Large capacity Durable Affordable Adjustable head rail for free movement	Need to purchase straps to expand capacity Heavy

Pros
Large capacity Durable Affordable Adjustable head rail for free movement
Cons
Need to purchase straps to expand capacity Heavy

Best Day Pack: Sitka Apex Pack

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Any list of the best packs should include a day pack for the big game hunter who’s planning to sleep inside. This pack is streamlined, with a frameless design that stays quiet on the hunt. Offering 1,800 cubic inches of space, this pack sets hunters up for a great day trip – but is not going to help haul huge amounts of meat. This pack can be used in conjunction with frames or other hauling devices, but it likely won’t help you bring big game home in a small number of trips.

Pros	Cons
Streamlined pack Small and lightweight Quiet Retractable cam cables	Will not haul much meat

Pros
Streamlined pack Small and lightweight Quiet Retractable cam cables
Cons
Will not haul much meat

Best Overnight: Mystery Ranch Pintler

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When you’re heading out for just a night or two, you want a bag that will hold all your gear without weighing you down. The Mystery Ranch Pintler distributes weight well, is highly durable, and is the perfect size for mid-length trips. For those who are particularly concerned about weight distribution around the hips, this suspension system will distribute weight more evenly across the torso.

Pros	Cons
Evenly distributes weight Supportive straps Durable Good organizational pockets	Heavy for capacity

Pros
Evenly distributes weight Supportive straps Durable Good organizational pockets
Cons
Heavy for capacity