About to pull the trigger on a new Mystery Ranch Pintler. Curious if there is another pack to look in to that I missed. My goal is a day pack that will double as a meat hauler. I like the Metcalf but am having trouble finding one in stock, plus it cost more.
Last year I used the Badlands Superday. When the elk was down I had to hike back to the vehicle to get my surplus rucksack I had brought along to pack out the meat. It was a nice hike but a waste of valuable time. I would like to try and avoid it.
Thanks
I use the Mystery Ranch Pop-up 28 for elk hunting. My requirements were a day pack that could haul meat next to the frame, that I could securely attach my rifle to when walking in and out in the dark or riding a mountain bike, be able to attach a pistol holster to the hip belt(molle), and also work as an overnighter if needed but primarily as a day pack.
With the pop up feature down, it can get very compact and is nice for getting through heavy brush. With the pop up feature up it becomes load bearing and gives a high point to attach the rifle forestock to and the butt stock rests in a Kifaru gun bearer sling. I have a Blackhawk Sherpa holster on the right side and added a Kuiu hip belt pouch and extra mag pouch to the left side.
I haven't had the chance to haul meat yet but I do use a 40 lb sand bag in it for training and it carries it well. 95% of the time I am not carrying meat. It is well built and durable. I think it's rated at only 90 lbs or so and that might be pushing it. We always carry pack frames in the truck so my thought was that I could at least get the first load out (a front quarter and backstrap) and come back with the pack frames less all the gear that was in the day pack for the heavier loads.
For overnighters I use an Osprey 30L dry bag that rides on the load shelf between the pack and frame that holds my overnight gear: tent, sleeping bag and pad, pillow, cook cup and stove. As food is eaten some of that gear can move to the main pack or lashed to the outside if the load shelf is needed for meat.
The pack is 4 lbs 14.4 ozs. which is heavy for a day pack but considering it's versatility that's not too bad. I paid about $269 with 10% off from Optics Planet. If you want to double that I might look at the Exo packs if you need more volume and the ability to carry more weight, honestly...I don't want to carry more weight
I'm sure the Pintler and any other MR pack are good durable packs, it just depends on your particular requirements.
Best of luck!
