How Much Do You Really Need to Spend on a Hunting Pack

Published on November 9, 2019
Duration: 11:47

This video compares an inexpensive Alps Outdoors Commander hunting pack with a more expensive Black Creek Gear Guide pack, focusing on their suitability for backcountry hunting and meat hauling. The instructor highlights the superior material durability and modularity of the Black Creek pack, particularly its quick conversion to a meat-hauling frame. The Alps pack, while more affordable, is shown to be cumbersome and time-consuming to convert for meat transport, involving numerous pins and potential for lost parts.

Quick Summary

The Black Creek Gear Guide hunting pack offers superior durability with its canvas-like material and heavy-duty components, making it ideal for backcountry use. Its quick conversion to a meat-hauling frame, involving simple clips and zippers, contrasts sharply with the Alps Outdoors Commander's cumbersome 12-pin system, which is time-consuming and prone to frustration.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Hunting Packs
  2. 01:01Alps Outdoors Commander Pack Overview
  3. 01:50Black Creek Gear Guide Pack Overview
  4. 02:16Material Comparison: Durability
  5. 03:37Modularity and Frame Systems
  6. 04:29Meat Hauling Conversion: Black Creek Gear Guide
  7. 07:01Meat Hauling Conversion: Alps Outdoors Commander
  8. 08:44Design Flaws and Improvements
  9. 09:31Cost vs. Value: Choosing Your Pack
  10. 10:48Pocket Organization Differences
  11. 11:05Final Decision Factors
  12. 11:19Conclusion and Channel Support

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key material differences between the Alps Outdoors Commander and Black Creek Gear Guide hunting packs?

The Alps Outdoors Commander is made of ripstop nylon, which the instructor found prone to tearing and wear. The Black Creek Gear Guide uses a more durable, canvas-like material with heavier-duty nylon webbing and buckles, indicating superior longevity for rugged use.

How easy is it to convert the Black Creek Gear Guide pack for meat hauling?

Converting the Black Creek Gear Guide pack for meat hauling is very quick and simple. It involves unclipping the pack from the frame and unfolding a built-in canvas meat shelf, allowing for efficient game transport.

What are the drawbacks of the Alps Outdoors Commander pack for backcountry hunting?

The Alps Outdoors Commander's ripstop nylon material is less durable. Its conversion to a meat-hauling frame is cumbersome, requiring the removal of 12 pins secured by key rings, which is time-consuming and can be frustrating in the field. The chest strap attachment is also noted as a weak point.

When is an inexpensive hunting pack like the Alps Outdoors Commander a good choice?

An inexpensive pack is suitable for hunters who do not frequently engage in extensive backcountry trips, or who have access to vehicles like ATVs or trucks. It's also a viable option for those on a strict budget who are willing to accept the added effort involved in its use.

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