Pack advice

Hey team

I am looking at new pack options, having used a 17L badlands monster fanny pack or a Hunters Element Contour (I think 25L) pack. The pack will just be for day hunts, unlikely to be overnight (have a larger pack for that).

I was considering one of the Mollyme packs from Twin needle, which I liked the look of for the modularity of it, NZ made, and from all reports very good quality. I was looking for feedback about these - and I know a lot on the forum have them. More specifically looking for feedback in terms of the harness and how it sits/ feels worn, as it appears to be basically frameless with just a foam pad.

Cheers,
Joel

Edit:
I should note the reason I am looking at another pack is for a bit more space. I really like the versatility of the Mollyme with the scabbard /flap which could work well with extra items / meat carry etc. Also figured I could put some pouches on the side too.

Ive tried allsorts of daybags,now have a simple home made polarfleece pikau and kept the 5 pocket bumbag (hint with bumbags,pinch shoulder strap of a carry bag and loop it over one shoulder attached front and back it keeps them off hips) I CAN KEEP STUFF IN BUMBAG INSIDE PIKAU and when get animal,meat goes in pikau and bumbag back around waist... for short day trip,the bumbag stays home and small amount of gear chucked in pikau.pouches etc tacked on outside are pain in arse in tight scrub,forever getting hooked up.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Ive tried allsorts of daybags,now have a simple home made polarfleece pikau and kept the 5 pocket bumbag (hint with bumbags,pinch shoulder strap of a carry bag and loop it over one shoulder attached front and back it keeps them off hips) I CAN KEEP STUFF IN BUMBAG INSIDE PIKAU and when get animal,meat goes in pikau and bumbag back around waist... for short day trip,the bumbag stays home and small amount of gear chucked in pikau.pouches etc tacked on outside are pain in arse in tight scrub,forever getting hooked up.

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Interesting that you have this mix Micky Duck. That was basically my deal with my badlands bumbag. Had a big canvas pikau that folded up nicely and squeezed into the bumbag. When needed, out popped the pikau and in went meat etc. Worked alright, but a bit tired of trying to squeeze things in, so kind of keen for a larger single pack for a change. The HE contour has been good,however has a air mesh curved back, which is nice in summer but dramatically decreases usable bag space.

+1 with pouches on the outside in tight scrub, never ended up using the scabbard as easier to carry on rifle sling for short time periods.

Have ended up with a cactus miklat with gear in pouches on a belt inside the pack with the same idea as md. Found the molly me too small despite the pouches, pack opening was a bit small as well. Can fit entire whitetail in the miklat with gear on belt round the waist. Does need a bit of arranging of pouches to get comfortable

Miklat comes with a waist strap (isn't padded), have always found the shoulder straps comfy enough and do use the waist belt to stabilize the pack more than carry weight. Deer here are on the small side but I'd say it would take 20+kg happily with no discomfort

I use a Markhor Macho Montes 35 ltr. It's a little much for day hunts but also suitable for light 1-2 night fly camping trips.
What I like about it is the wire frame that keeps the bulk of the pack off your back and creates an air gap between your back and the pack. Very nice in summer.
It has an air mesh against your back and the pack is held off your back by the light wire frame.
So the contact points are the waist belt and shoulder straps.

Attachment 199457

Z

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZQLewis

I use a Markhor Macho Montes 35 ltr. It's a little much for day hunts but also suitable for light 1-2 night fly camping trips.
What I like about it is the wire frame that keeps the bulk of the pack off your back and creates an air gap between your back and the pack. Very nice in summer.
It has an air mesh against your back and the pack is held off your back by the light wire frame.
So the contact points are the waist belt and shoulder straps.

Attachment 199457

Z

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That does look nice - it is a feature I have liked on my HE contour pack, but hadn't seen many packs like that especially larger ones. Will put that on my list as an option! I also was looking at the Tatonka Stealth 35+10, or one of the many recommended cactus packs. I was looking at some of the macpac options - but not sure they would be durable enough.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3ffba02f46.jpg
One planet traverse 38 is a very durable canvas pack with an alloy frame of sorts, Australian made and very reasonably priced. Mines about ten years old, and has been stuffed to capacity with meat on many occasions.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by JoelA

Interesting that you have this mix Micky Duck. That was basically my deal with my badlands bumbag. Had a big canvas pikau that folded up nicely and squeezed into the bumbag. When needed, out popped the pikau and in went meat etc. Worked alright, but a bit tired of trying to squeeze things in, so kind of keen for a larger single pack for a change. The HE contour has been good,however has a air mesh curved back, which is nice in summer but dramatically decreases usable bag space.

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difference being,I wear the pikau and carry the bumbag inside,not the other way around..... the strap up over shoulder diagonally down to other end makes a huge difference when carrying a bum bag....it used to drive me nuts with pouches in front if climbing hill.

Spika Drover 40L very well made packs and has a load shelf, also the bigger pack which I have as my multi day pack fits on the same frame so only need to buy one setup and then if you need it the smaller/bigger pack will fit onto the frame you already have.

Take a look at the macpac range, I found the biggest thing for me was durability. Sliding down banks and pushing through bush is tough on the lighter weight materials. Macpac tend to be made out of tough stuff that will last. And plenty of size options

The Soikas feel like the Macpacs used to, I found the new Macpac packs didn't feel as bombproof as they used to.

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Originally Posted by Addo007

Take a look at the macpac range, I found the biggest thing for me was durability. Sliding down banks and pushing through bush is tough on the lighter weight materials. Macpac tend to be made out of tough stuff that will last. And plenty of size options

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I was having a look at these, I may end up popping into Macpac just to have a look and feel of their stuff. The Aztec canvas does seem attractive - and I do like their harnesses.

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Originally Posted by JoelA

I was having a look at these, I may end up popping into Macpac just to have a look and feel of their stuff. The Aztec canvas does seem attractive - and I do like their harnesses.

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If you let me know roughly how many litres you are after I'll have a look at what I have, I have a few macpac day packs in varying sizes that don't get a lot of use, I can send you some photos and maybe come up with a deal

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Addo007

If you let me know roughly how many litres you are after I'll have a look at what I have, I have a few macpac day packs in varying sizes that don't get a lot of use, I can send you some photos and maybe come up with a deal

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Have PM'd you. Cheers

With a larger pack, as long as it doesn't have big 'bellows' type pockets on the outside you can always fit compression straps to compress it right down. I look for lid straps that come from the bottom of the pack, so you can cinch the lid right down without running out of strap, and side compression straps that can basically haul the pack main section in until it's flat. That way you can have a good amount of 'reserve' capacity without the bulk when you don't need it...

Not the easiest thing to find, but some of the older Macpac and Fairydown packs had this sort of compression system and it was very good. My 85Lt full size Macpac can crunch in smaller than my 40Lt 'overnighter' is this fashion. Downside of the older packs, is that while they were and still are literally bullet proof - they are bloody heavy and noisy by today's standards.

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Originally Posted by No.3

With a larger pack, as long as it doesn't have big 'bellows' type pockets on the outside you can always fit compression straps to compress it right down. I look for lid straps that come from the bottom of the pack, so you can cinch the lid right down without running out of strap, and side compression straps that can basically haul the pack main section in until it's flat. That way you can have a good amount of 'reserve' capacity without the bulk when you don't need it...

Not the easiest thing to find, but some of the older Macpac and Fairydown packs had this sort of compression system and it was very good. My 85Lt full size Macpac can crunch in smaller than my 40Lt 'overnighter' is this fashion. Downside of the older packs, is that while they were and still are literally bullet proof - they are bloody heavy and noisy by today's standards.

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This is the way I have ended up going too. I dont see sense in buying a new pack only to fill it with meat and blood. A good harness and frameless is the way for me. I bought one of those Markhor Interlou 45 litre packs as an overnighter ( rubbish packs) thinking it would be the answer but its either too big or too small. A bigger pack that can be narrowed down with straps is far more versatile. Current one can be strapped down to less than the width of the harness ( 170mm) . Means I can hunt with it on as a daypack and not get caught up ( not like my frame pack)

I tighten down my main pack,( exped lightning) with the compression straps and have a old seatbelt strap arrangement for the shoulder strap on the that I mount the gun to shoot,I bush hunt 95% of the time so need to be quick on the trigger,when animal down I swap over to original shoulder strap for carrying a load,also have an old stony creek blaze vest I put over the pack to keep scratching noise down and increase visibility.

Hey JoelA, I have the molle me pack from Twin Needle but its the version without the molle, its a good pack but it doesn't hold alot of gear and if your bush hunting then you'll find it noisey!

Bush hunting I have a Camelbak Commander which is 40 ltrs and has a soft almost fleece outer fabric but their no longer made.

I found a pack in the 40 ltr range to be ideal for day hunts especially in the kaimanawas as it alowed me to carry the gear I needed to and when I shot a sika then I simply boned out the meat into a huntec meat pikau and tucked it into the pack and carried on as the commander has good shoulder straps and could handle the weight without that weight digging into my shoulders.

There's plenty of packs on the market in the 40 ltr range which will better suit your needs... osprey hold a great warranty on their packs!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZQLewis

I use a Markhor Macho Montes 35 ltr. It's a little much for day hunts but also suitable for light 1-2 night fly camping trips.
What I like about it is the wire frame that keeps the bulk of the pack off your back and creates an air gap between your back and the pack. Very nice in summer.
It has an air mesh against your back and the pack is held off your back by the light wire frame.
So the contact points are the waist belt and shoulder straps.

Attachment 199457

Z

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Nice I was looking at getting one of these, good to know you like it! I have the 45l markhor pack which is mostly great, but I get a really sweaty back from the lumbar pad. I’m wanting a slightly smaller pack with a mesh back for the cool back factor. I’ll look around for one of these!