new daypack suggestions and pack p orn

[mickb]

what are you fellas rocking in the 20-30L pack range? Im looking for a new one, would prefer 20L but would like it for overnight flights/hotel stays as well and being XXL rugby gorilla shape and big clothes maybe a 30L makes more sense. Would also be my hunting daypack. Not too keen on the heavyweight military style day packs by 5.11 etc with all the molle and extra pouches hanging off them ...end up weighing 1.5kg which is too much I reckon. Are there any good hunting brand ones, Spika etc? Feel free to post your own setups if you want

[bigpete]

Markhor wapiti sling pack. Absolutely fantastic

[Wapiti]

Mate if you're actually a gorilla like I am and trained on the heavy stuff all your working life, the empty weight of a big 5.11 pack is nothing! I consider it training too.
I use a Rush 72 pack in black for all my travel, takes all my travel stuff, fits in the overheads (not in Dash 8's though) and cannot be ripped or destroyed despite my abuse.
I actually bought another in multi-cam for my hunting, because despite most weight and size conscious hunters saying that is nuts, I can fit all my stuff in it including rain gear if needed when layer shedding with heaps of room to carry cuts of meat out.
My first aid kit is quite bulky, as I carry splints and TQ's and other stuff so the rear pouch is for that.

If you're looking for an adaptable pack, a frame job isn't going to suit for travel.

I've tried all the lightweight packs like Ridgeline etc and they don't suit me. They might suit you.

[bigpete]

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I

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Markhor wapiti. As you can see its trim and sits well within the frame of my body,so it doesn't snag much on the bush,and it leaves the shoulder free for mounting your rifle. Its only downfall is it puts weight on one shoulder. In saying that I've carted out 2 medium sized field dressed goats in it reasonably comfortably. Also parts of a sambar and fallow deer plus rabbits. Was recommended to me by a pro trapper/shooter in Queensland, Darren Pointon.

[mickb]

Thanks fellas, appreciate the thoughts. Bigpete whats the main advantage of a sling style versus shoulder straps? Id seen this style in smaller bags, like more for toting binos or shotshells etc. Had not taken a look in bigger styles. Slung loads have been around since the caveman days so they obviously have something going for them.

Wapiti like you I can probably tote the heavy stuff, well at 50 I used to be able to anyway . I use a Low Apline sting dutch army pack for big hikes and multiday, about 60L or so.

[bigpete]

As i mentioned,it frees up the shooting shoulder,and to me it seems far more streamlined in the bush

[mickb]

cheers mate. btw what sort of quality is ridgeline, fellas? chinese ok or chinese rubbish?

[Oldbloke]

That Markhor wapiti. Is an interesting concept

[mickb]

im taking a good look at it. Wondering how 300D poly will go in the jungle,Waitawhiles etc and moisture puts things to the test, those little netty side pockets are usually the first things to flog out. It could be well tough enough but 230 is a bit of coin to gamble....Wish it was 500D cordura as the style is very nifty

[Oldbloke]

im taking a good look at it. Wondering how 300D poly will go in the jungle,Waitawhiles etc and moisture puts things to the test, those little netty side pockets are usually the first things to flog out. It could be well tough enough but 230 is a bit of coin to gamble....Wish it was 500D cordura as the style is very nifty

The plain green one is 145nz in nz

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[Oldbloke]

I've use a plain shoulder bag for a long time. Lately carrying a tad more gear so sometimes a small cheap back pack. But bloody annoying if you need to shoot. I like the look of this thing. Good compromise.

[bigpete]

im taking a good look at it. Wondering how 300D poly will go in the jungle,Waitawhiles etc and moisture puts things to the test, those little netty side pockets are usually the first things to flog out. It could be well tough enough but 230 is a bit of coin to gamble....Wish it was 500D cordura as the style is very nifty

I got mine for $150 but admittedly that was a while ago. I've given it a fair flogging in some pretty thick stuff and its still in virtually new condition. Just a little more blood on and in it than new lol

[bigpete]

cheers mate. btw what sort of quality is ridgeline, fellas? chinese ok or chinese rubbish?

I also have a ridgeline that would be nearly 20 years old thats still in usable condition, in fact I was using that till I bought the markhor. I wouldn't say the build quality is the same but it lasted me quite well. I just wouldn't trust it with the loads I've put in the markhor though and its not as streamlined.

[mickb]

im taking a good look at it. Wondering how 300D poly will go in the jungle,Waitawhiles etc and moisture puts things to the test, those little netty side pockets are usually the first things to flog out. It could be well tough enough but 230 is a bit of coin to gamble....Wish it was 500D cordura as the style is very nifty

The plain green one is 145nz in nz

IMG_20250321_044011.jpg

Cheers OB I saw that one, only ones I can find in Australia are 230-240 though. Not sure what postage is from NZ? I assumed its still going to be 200 or more total?

[Oldbloke]

Cheers OB I saw that one, only ones I can find in Australia are 230-240 though. Not sure what postage is from NZ? I assumed its still going to be 200 or more total?

I looked. Anything from $38 - 98nz depending on package size.

[bigpete]

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The markhor pack in action lol

[Oldbloke]

Mmmm, I wonder if you could modify a normal pack?

Really just a pack with one "sling" like a rifle.

[Oldbloke]

Not a completely new idea. Cross body pack on Amazon. A tad small tho.

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[mickb]

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The markhor pack in action lol

Very nice pic mate! Could be on the front of a gun magazine

[mickb]

Cheers OB I saw that one, only ones I can find in Australia are 230-240 though. Not sure what postage is from NZ? I assumed its still going to be 200 or more total?

I looked. Anything from $38 - 98nz depending on package size.

yeah and the NZ is 91c to ours these days so not real cheap.

[mickb]

cheers mate. btw what sort of quality is ridgeline, fellas? chinese ok or chinese rubbish?

I also have a ridgeline that would be nearly 20 years old thats still in usable condition, in fact I was using that till I bought the markhor. I wouldn't say the build quality is the same but it lasted me quite well. I just wouldn't trust it with the loads I've put in the markhor though and its not as streamlined.

Thanks mate good to know.

[Oldbloke]

Yeh abt $35 to get it here.
Just depends on package size and weight obviously.

[mickb]

Im going to take a punt on the Ridgeline day hunter 25L. Can always carry a bit extra kit with the compression side straps if needed. if the scrub flogs it, its only $100 or less. Also have a credit with a store that stocks them and had been looking for something to use it on. Thanks all for the comments and those pics Big pete, top stuff.

[Oldbloke]

Im going to take a punt on the Ridgeline day hunter 25L. Can always carry a bit extra kit with the compression side straps if needed. Also have a credit with a store that stocks them and had been looking for something to use it on

Keep me posted on quality etc when it arrives pls.

[mickb]

Will do OB

[bigpete]

Yeah that's essentially what my old ridgeline one is.

Sling packs are definitely not a new idea,I had a maxpedition one years back too. And there's plenty of others out there.

[Oldbloke]

I'll look around. But I think for my use 25 L is a bit big. Thinking 15L but need to measure what I'm currently using tomorrow to get a better idea.

[mickb]

yeah you need to get the volume suited to you OB. What I have done in the past is taken my old pack into stores and done a kit dump with the stores permission. aka see if I can fit my gear okay into the new pack and give it a wear. Cant always do it, eg if ordering online.

[Oldbloke]

OK, current pack is about the size of a kids school back pack. Did some simple measuring and, surprise, surprise, about 25 l.
Plenty big enough.

I really like the idea but not the price.

My use is mainly for occassional short walks for sit & waits. So, not a lot of use. Getting older so don't do the 10k - 15km walks I used to do. More like 1-5km

So, thought I'd try something. Try before i buy.

Looks like this will work, at least to try a few times.

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I just folded up the other straps and taped them up out of the way.

[bigpete]

The markhor has a stabiliser strap that meets roughly centre of the chest that holds it in place properly. You might want to try adding one