Today I’m going to show you the best hunting day pack on the market today.
In fact:
I’ve hand-tested over 10 daypacks alone for this review.
The best part?
I’ve sorted them by use. So whether you’re on a budget or looking for the most premium daypack, you’ll find it here.
Let’s get started!
The 4 Best Hunting Day Pack
If you’re pressed on time, here’s a quick list of the best hunting day pack:
- Badlands 2200: Best Overall
- ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Hunting Pack: Best for Bowhunting
- Badlands Superday: Best for the Budget
- Mystery Ranch Metcalf: Best Multi Day Hunting Pack
1. Badlands 2200: Best Overall
The Badlands 2200 model is the best overall hunting daypack.
It’s got plenty of room for storage, it’s comfortable and great for running, and it’s made by a trusted, well-reputed manufacturer!
The only question is:
Is it worth the price?
Let’s find out!
Materials
The Badlands 2200 hunting pack has a molded memory foam suspension and harness that conforms to your body for optimal comfort.
One of the biggest recent improvements Badlands has made to the 2200 is the durable, 100% waterproof KXO-32 fabric. Previous models were relatively water-resistant, but this new fabric takes the pack to the next level.
It’s treated with C6 Durable Water Repellent, which prevents any moisture whatsoever from seeping into the pack. Any beads of water that hit the fabric will roll right off!
The pack’s frame is made from a proprietary magnesium alloy. This material is twice as strong as T6 aluminum, and offers an even lighter weight.
No one wants to accidentally scare their target off by having to open or close a loud zipper, which is why Badlands specifically engineered the zippers to be thick, durable, yet very quiet.
The Approach Camo pattern was carefully selected to adapt to a variety of environments and lighting conditions, further aiding in discretion.
Overall, the Badlands 2200 hunting pack is beautifully-designed and manufactured. The material is incredibly soft, quiet, and durable. It’s very well-made with robust materials, so it’s sure to last you for years to come!
Comfort
The 2200 features “reverse tightening” on the waist belt, meaning you pull the ends inwards. This gives you extra leverage, allowing you to perfectly cinch the belt for optimal comfort.
This is one of my favorite features of the pack. It’s very well-thought-out and lets the pack tightly hug your body, while still letting you move easily through brush. The weight distribution is very even, with an ergonomic shape that’s excellent for running.
Features
The 2200 is loaded with special features that make it possible to carry all the gear you need.
It comes with a detachable rifle and bow boot with batwing straps that hold weapons of any size well, even with optics attached. The boot drops down from the bottom, and features cross straps for security.
If you use binoculars, you’ll be happy to hear that this pack is also compatible with the Badlands Bino Connect System! You can easily connect your case directly to the pack’s harness.
No hunting pack would be complete without a meat shelf. The 2200’s is secured within a zip-away compartment, which rolls out and clips vertically to the pack.
It includes cross straps to compress the shelf, making it easier to carry the load on your back.
While it doesn’t include its own hydration reservoir, it is compatible with Badlands’ 2L water bladder. Just make sure you only use Badlands brand, because it’s shaped specifically for a rectangular bladder.
With 8 different pockets, you can easily hold everything you need and more right on the pack.
These pockets include a hip belt pistol holder, wing pockets to strap whatever you need to the outside, and a back panel pocket that lets you quickly access the main pocket.
Size
The Badlands 2200 hunting pack comes in both a large and medium frame design.
The large frame’s dimensions are 28x17x12”. This size is recommended for people with torso lengths between 19” – 22”.
The medium frame measures 26x17x12”, and is best for people with 17” – 19” torsos.
The pack itself has a volume of just around 50 liters. There’s enough room for all your gear, your rifle or bow, and any other items you might need over an extended trip.
At around 5 lbs 15 oz, this model is relatively compact and lightweight. It has a massive carrying capacity but still manages to carry very comfortably.
I’d recommend sticking to a load limit of around 50 lbs. It can hold more, but that tends to get uncomfortable rather quickly!
Price
The Badlands 2200 retails for anywhere between $280 – $380 online.
Badlands offers a lifetime warranty on all their products, no matter how long you’ve had them or where you bought them from.
It is a little pricey, but extremely durable, comfortable, and a great value for what you get.
Is the Badlands 2200 Worth it?
With excellent durability, extreme comfort, and a lifetime warranty, there’s really no reason not to get the Badlands 2200 hunting pack!
- LONG HAUL COMFORT - Badlands' molded memory foam suspension starts out comfortable, and just gets better with time, as the harness conforms to your body. With the reverse tightening feature on our...
- MOVE OVER, ALUMINUM - Aircraft grade aluminum has been a go-to material for pack frames for years, due to its strength and minimal weight. Yet at Badlands, we thought we could do better, and we did....
- BELLS & WHISTLES - Why risk damaging your rifle or bow? Use the detachable Rifle/Bow Boot and the batwing straps on the back of your Badlands pack to securely carry your rifle or bow, hands-free. And...
Badlands is known for their excellent ability to develop quality hunting gear, and this is one of their most versatile and feature-rich backpacks.
Pair it with some new hunting boots and a discreet hunting drone, and your target will never know what hit them! Your only problem will be knowing what to do with all the game you take down.
It’s good for overnight, archery, and general hunting trips alike. I would completely recommend this hunting pack to any serious hunters.
2. ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Hunting Pack: Best for Bowhunting
The ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Hunting Pack is the ideal hunting day pack for bowhunting.
It’s spacious, durable, and comes at an unbeatable price.
Can such an inexpensive pack really get the job done as well as some premium packs?
Let’s find out!
Materials
The Pursuit hunting pack features a boxy shape that’s perfect for carrying larger items. It also includes an aluminum frame for increased durability, a pleasantly surprising feature for such an inexpensive pack!
The zippers and the stitching, while not reinforced, are very durable. The pull tabs even have a rubber coating, which makes it easy to open the pack and access your gear while wearing gloves.
While it’s not waterproof, it does include a built-in, blaze orange rain cover that provides decent protection against rain and stores away easily when you don’t need it.
Since the pack itself is not waterproof, I’d advise against packing any sensitive items if the forecast calls for rain, just to be extra careful!
Comfort
The Pursuit’s back support is made from a combination of mesh and padding for extra comfortability.
The material is relatively breathable, but the ventilation system isn’t as good as some other packs. While it might be an issue for some people on those extra hot summer days, I have personally never noticed much of a difference.
Thanks to all the padding and the reinforced metal frame, this pack is very comfortable to carry and does a decent job of supporting your back.
It features a wide, padded waist belt. While some find it a bit “bulky,” I haven’t really had any problems being able to move freely with it.
It also includes a removable hip belt, great if you want the extra security, and easy enough to remove if you don’t want it to be in the way.
There’s only one minor downside here: the buckles don’t stay cinched very well.
While you can’t expect hunting pack buckles to stay perfectly cinched at all times, they do loosen up while walking a bit more than I’d like.
It’s a minor inconvenience, something you can kind of expect from a lower-priced hunting pack, but still worth noting.
Features
The Pursuit has a total of 11 different pockets, with two large main compartments.
The main storage pocket is large enough to fit all your gear, clothing, and anything else you’d need for a 1 – 2 day hunting trip.
There are multiple small pockets on the inside, outside, and even on the waist straps! Each pocket can hold individual items (your gloves, knife, etc.) for easy access without digging through the main compartment.
The front shelf pocket is great for keeping your gear close and accessible, and there’s reinforced webbing along the waist belt itself for clip-style holsters.
This pack seems to be geared specifically toward bowhunters, with a drop-down bow holder pocket complete with quiver holders. The sling holds your bow or rifle securely, so there’s no risk of dropping your gear even while running through the brush.
If you don’t need to use the bow/rifle sling, it tucks away neatly without obstructing access to any of the other pockets.
It also includes a hydration pocket that fits a water bladder up to three liters in size. A plastic clip on the right shoulder strap clips it in, and two other clips hold it at the top to prevent the bag from falling to the bottom.
Size
At just 22” tall and 14” wide, this pack may look small, but it actually has a huge carrying capacity.
With a 2700 cu. in. volume, this pack has much more space than most similar models, yet still manages to be incredibly lightweight at just 4 lbs 1 oz!
This is thanks to the lashing, compression straps, and the perfect balance between a spacious design and the body-supporting frame.
As long as your back can handle it, you can expect to carry up to 60 lbs of meat or gear in this tiny pack.
Absolute discretion is key for successful bowhunting. You don’t want your target to smell, hear, or see you before you see them.
Thankfully, the smaller size of this pack is excellent for discreet hunting. The size aids in quiet, free movement, but still has enough space to carry all you need and more.
Price
Depending on where you shop, you should be able to find this pack for anywhere between $75 – $90.
For a sturdy day pack with a built-in frame, this is a simply unbeatable price. It’s undoubtedly worth the price you pay in functionality.
Is the ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Hunting Pack Worth it?
After owning this pack for nearly three years with no sign of wear and tear, I can wholeheartedly say I 100% recommend the ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Hunting Pack.
While it’s ideal for bowhunting, it’s also a great day pack for deer or hog hunting! Whether you’re hunting from a tripod, treestand, or just freely in the woods, this pack is perfect.
It’s spacious and durable, and gives you everything you need in a hunting pack at a very affordable price.
3. Badlands Superday: Best for the Budget
Many old-school hunters might insist that all you need for a good hunt is a rifle, ammo, and a knife, but the Badlands Superday Pack might just change some minds.
Badlands claims that it has everything; all the practicality you need plus a few extra bells and whistles.
Too good to be true? Or is it a jack of all trades, master of….all?
Find out in my review of the Badlands Superday Hunting Pack.
Features
This is probably what you clicked for, and boy does this pack have a heck of a lot of features for a backpack.
To start off, there’s a not-insignificant amount of comfort features on this pack.
The memory foam suspension system is comfortable right out of the packaging and true to its claim, gets more comfortable the more you use it; slowly molding to the contour of your back and shoulders.
As you move down the pack you’ll reach the supportive waistbelt which is outfitted with a reverse cinching mechanism to give you more leverage when trying to bring your pack closer to your body.
This belt will prevent your shoulders from bearing the weight of the bag’s contents by themselves.
This is important because even though just 10 pounds of gear seems negligible, but can become extremely cumbersome over hours and hours of walking, stalking, and hunting.
You know what they say, ounces are pounds, and pounds are pain, so it’s essential to make sure your pack’s weight is distributed evenly.
Additionally, housed in the waistband is an extremely helpful pistol holster.
I know it’s a small thing, but I loved it and got quite a bit of use out of it.
The Badlands Superday does everything to maximize your comfort, including Badlands’ proprietary fabric, KXO-50.
The fabric is lightweight, more so than most backpacks in this category and we know that even a minuscule amount of weight can make you fatigue more quickly.
It is also a much quieter fabric which was something I had completely overlooked when using other packs, but the lack of noises becomes extremely noticeable once you’re out and about.
That’s a huge plus in my book. I haven’t had another bag this quiet before.
As if the fabric itself wasn’t good enough, Badlands took the extra step of adding water resistance. Now it’s not entirely waterproof, but most rain and liquids will roll right off of the fabric.
This tech will keep the contents of your pack dry for a remarkable period of time.
The Badlands Superday wouldn’t be a hunting pack if it didn’t include a way to store your rifle or bow.
It comes with the traditional double horizontal straps on the back, which isn’t particularly supportive or stable, but Badlands includes a rifle boot you can attach for lower support.
It’s helpful for longer walks, but I mostly use a rifle for hunting so I typically have a sling around my neck instead of a gun on my back.
I didn’t get too much use out of this feature, but I’m sure it will be a solid asset to bowhunters.
Badlands selected a type of thread called Aramid thread.
A single thread of this type can hold more than 100 pounds.
This means this pack is superbly strong and you can rely on it to carry what you need without fear of the fabric giving out (within the limits of a day pack of course).
This fabric is spread out at all the vital stress points of the bag, marked by yellow strands.
Comfort
This bag is probably going to be smaller than you expect, it is a day pack after all.
The size isn’t a weakness though, it actually helps the bag itself cling to your body.
The Superday holds close and doesn’t swing around if you have it adjusted correctly.
Putting the bag on is comfortable, but it really shines once you’re out and about. On days where I was carrying light, I’d forget I was even wearing a bag until I needed to grab a water.
The memory foam inserts make it not tiresome to wear and the whole pack starts fitting your specific shapes the longer you use it.
Practicality
There isn’t too much to say on this besides it’s a great day bag. You can use it all day with zero issues and has become my go-to hiking pack for day-long treks.
Keep in mind that it is a small bag so I wouldn’t be taking this out for hunting trips or hikes that last longer than a day, but it’ll last you a couple of days in a pinch if you use your space wisely.
Price
Truthfully the price is a little bit hefty for casual users and people new to quality hunting and hiking equipment.
It’s going to cost you $250 dollars brand new.
It seems like a pretty steep cost, but the quality will speak for itself when you get it on your back during a long day.
Is the Badlands Superday Worth it?
I have an extremely high opinion of this bag, but despite that, I wouldn’t recommend this bag to beginner hunters or casual hikers; go with something a little easier on the wallet before you make the move to expensive items like this.
For experienced enthusiasts; buy this bag!
Here’s why:
- A plethora of comfort features (memory foam inserts, supporting waist belt)
- A more expansive amount of practical features (water-resistant, hip holster, reinforced threading)
- Being generally comfortable(clinging to the body, compact, and easily adjustable)
The Badlands Superday will keep you going comfortable through your day hike or hunting trip
4. Mystery Ranch Metcalf: Best Multi Day Hunting Pack
The Mystery Ranch Metcalf is the best multi-day hunting pack available.
Mystery Ranch is a very well-reputed brand known for putting quality first. And with the Metcalf, they did not disappoint!
The only question is:
Is this pack worth the premium price?
Let’s find out!
Materials
The Metcalf includes a robust, rigid Guide Light MT frame that provides enough strength to support your entire load while remaining lightweight and comfortable.
The 500D Light Plus Cordura fabric is durable and tear-resistant, and the YKK coated zippers go even further to provide complete protection from any water intrusion.
Add in the custom-developed AutoLock SJ buckles on the compression straps, and you’ve got the perfect combination of strength, innovation, and durability!
Comfort
The flexible frame and Overload feature are key players in maintaining this pack’s comfortability.
What does the Overload feature do?
Well, the innovative shelf’s primary purpose is to keep your gear, weapons, clothing, and any other contents of your pack protected from the meat you haul.
But, it also shifts the weight of your load close to your back for optimal carrying comfort!
This feature makes it one of the most comfortable hunting packs out there, even over multiple day hunting or camping trips.
The five-point waist belt further aids in comfortable weight distribution and eliminates any slippage along your hips to create a very secure fit.
The patented Futura Yoke even lets you adjust the yoke and load lifter to your exact torso length.
Mystery Ranch really took comfort seriously in the development of this pack. If you’re looking for a versatile pack that won’t slow you down or hurt your back while hunting, the Metcalf is for you!
Features
The Metcalf has a very simple design, but enough pockets, features, and space to offer everything you need in a hunting pack.
It includes:
- One main compartment
- Two medium pockets
- Two small, dual stretch-woven outside pockets
- Compression straps to hold your bow, rifle, or any other gear you have
- And a hydration pack sleeve
The external pockets are zippered to securely hold and protect your belongings, and the removable quick attach frame cap allows for easy conversion to the Overload feature.
It even includes interior Zoid Bag attachment points, perfect for holding tiny .22 and .177 pellets!
In addition to the standard top opening, the Metcalf features a full-length side zipper for easy main bag access, even while you’re wearing the pack.
There are ten total compression straps on the front of the pack alone, allowing you to carry all your gear in a very accessible way.
Size
The dimensions of the Metcalf measure 30.8x14x12.3”, and it comes in four different sizes to accommodate all types of hunters:
- Small, for torsos between 15”-20” and waists between 26”-32”
- Medium, for torsos between 15”-20” and waists between 31”-36”
- Large, for torsos between 17”-24” and waists between 35”-40”
- Extra large, for torsos between 17”-24” and waists 39+”
It weighs just around 5.7 lbs and has an internal capacity of 4335 cubic inches, relatively lightweight yet big enough to carry everything you need for a multiple-day excursion!
Price
This pack retails for $499, but you can find it online at some retailers for around $375.
There’s no way around it – this is a premium product that comes at a premium price.
However, Mystery Ranch’s backpacks are no joke. They’re hand-built with quality in mind, and even come with the Mystery Ranch Guarantee lifetime warranty!
In my opinion, if you can afford to make the investment, you won’t regret it. This is a solid, innovative pack that will last you for years and years.
Is the Mystery Ranch Metcalf Worth it?
The Mystery Ranch Metcalf is comfortable, versatile, and big enough to carry everything you need and more. It’s perfect for up to a week-long hunting trip, and great for mountaineering, camping, and hunting alike.
If you can swing it, you won’t regret investing in one of the best hunting packs available today!
Now It’s Your Turn
I hope you enjoyed my best hunting day pack guide.
Now I want to turn it over to you:
Which daypack will you pick for your hunting?
Let me know by leaving a quick comment down below.
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