When my daughter mentioned that her boyfriend, Parker, was interested in hunting deer, I wasn’t particularly interested in teaching him. I had dedicated myself to teaching my four children how to hunt deer, and it’s something they still love. Now in my early 60s, I doubted whether I could start from the beginning again.
What ultimately drove me over the edge was that he has deer rights on the property where he lives, even though it falls within city limits where firearms are prohibited. The autumn before last, I invited him over to practice shooting with my crossbow, and he proved to be a natural. He could consistently split his own arrow from 40 yards (I quickly showed him how to adjust the aiming points to preserve arrows).
When Christmas arrived, my daughter gifted him a crossbow. To complement this, my wife and I provided a quality ground blind. He swiftly became skilled with the crossbow, and we positioned the blind in a promising spot. Fast-forward to the second-to-last day of Oklahoma’s archery season, and I was in the blind with him when he successfully shot his first buck with a perfect heart shot!
He has continued to embrace hunting with a passion, and this year asked for a hunting pack for Christmas. After just a little bit of shopping, I quickly knew I had gotten myself into a major undertaking. There is a lot more to quality hunting packs than meets the eye. I hope the deep dive I took into the world of hunting packs will help you make a more educated decision on different types to keep in your sales inventory.
Much Ado About Hunting Packs
Selecting a hunting pack is a personal choice. Size is a major factor to consider. For hunters who plan to hunt close to home and need only to carry a pair of gloves, a crossbow cocker, a hunting knife and a few other essentials, a smaller pack is preferable. Conversely, if a hunter needs to survive in the wilderness relying solely on their pack, it must have ample space and various specialized compartments to keep equipment organized and accessible.
Another important aspect is comfort. Based on my experience, a comfortable pack can easily outweigh any other shortcomings, while an uncomfortable one can diminish your enjoyment, regardless of its impressive features. Selecting a comfortable pack is essential and can’t be done online. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a variety available for hunters to physically try on and assess how they feel.
Another important consideration for many is the quantity and dimension of pockets. However, this preference is also very subjective, and hunters understand their needs best. It’s beneficial to carry packs with a range of pocket types and sizes, and ensuring they have durable zippers or closures is crucial, as few experiences are more frustrating than struggling to access an item due to a faulty zipper.
With that in mind, let’s review three excellent hunting backpacks that you may want to add to your inventory for the approaching fall seasons.
The maker describes the Sawtooth 45 as the “perfect day-hunt pack for the backcountry hunter who carries light essentials in and hauls heavy meat out.” Take a close look at the pack, and it’s likely you won’t have any arguments.
The Sawtooth 45 allows hunters to swiftly reach their gear thanks to a 270-degree wrap-around zipper and smart pocket organization. After the hunt, they can easily pack out their harvest using the patented Overload feature, which includes a quick-attach frame capture mounted on the company’s Mysterium Frame made from durable yet lightweight materials. This frame features custom-engineered SJ Autolock buckles, ensuring the perfect balance of strength and weight. Additionally, it uses 500D Light Plus fabric, providing excellent tensile and tear resistance — essential qualities for a sturdy, purpose-built hunting frame.
The pack includes many fantastic features such as breathable harnessing, attachable compression straps, internal mesh pockets, an adjustable yoke for a tailored fit, a girth hitch and loop web for attaching a daypack lid, front pockets for enhanced organization, dual auto-lock compression straps on the frame for securing meat, and compatibility with a hydration reservoir.
Regarding specifications, the Sawtooth 45 has an empty weight of 5.1 pounds, a volume of 2,625 cubic inches and dimensions of 26.75 x 14 x 13.75 inches. A word of caution: This is a premium pack that likely won’t appeal to customers who are budget-conscious. The manufacturer's suggested retail price begins just above $500.
Sitka Gear Mountain Hauler 2700
Sitka Gear says their Mountain Hauler 2700 is designed for “quick rips and fast assaults on rigorous mountain hunts,” and they’ve certainly succeeded in that aim. The molded, triple-density foam waist belt and sturdy shoulder suspension make carrying heavy loads comfortable. Numerous pockets — both inside and out — secure gear and essentials. Additionally, Velcro panels on the waist belt provide compatibility with various aftermarket accessories.
The Mountain Hauler 2700 boasts several features that will enhance a hunter’s performance in fields, woods or mountains. This pack can carry up to 45 pounds of gear, including a bow, and it includes an internal hydration sleeve that fits bladders exceeding 3 liters. An internal zippered security pocket keeps tags, keys, a phone and other essentials safe, while two vertical exterior pockets accommodate most spotting scopes, tent poles and flash shelters. The coated polyester material of the bag is stain-resistant and washable and won’t become soaked during hunts, and the hip belt is compatible with MOLLE attachments.
The pack weighs just 3.5 pounds when empty, eliminating unnecessary weight for tough uphill treks. It is constructed from 220-denier nylon with 450-denier polyester reinforcements in the back pockets and bottom. Offered in deep lichen or Optifade Subalpine camouflage, the Mountain Hauler 2700 comes at a more affordable price than the Mystery Ranch alternative, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $340.
Tenzing is known for offering high-quality packs at affordable prices, and the 2110 continues this tradition. Tailored for whitetail hunters, the pack ensures both comfort and functionality. It features a burr-proof, 300-denier ripstop Honeycomb Poly Oxford outer shell, available in three colors: olive green, buckskin tan or Mossy Oak Bottomlands camo. Within the 2,100-cubic-inch main compartment, hunters will discover generous storage options, including five open-top grab pockets, five zippered pockets and a fold-down gear organizer.
The practical, open-faced layout allows for swift, one-handed access. This day pack includes three zippered pockets on the outside, two expandable side pockets equipped with adjustable compression straps and the company’s signature “Daisy Chain” feature for attaching extra gear. Combine that storage capacity with its hydration bladder compatibility, and you have a pack ready to support you on many hunts to come.
Designed for comfort, this pack features molded lumbar support and can accommodate a gun, bow, crossbow or quiver. Weighing just 1.8 pounds, it offers an interior volume of 2,100 cubic inches. Priced lower than our other two packs, it is ideal for occasional hunters or those looking to minimize their hunting costs. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Tenzing 2110 is $279.99.
