It doesn’t matter whether your hunting trip is only a day out in the field, or a long weekend out camping, there’s one thing that’s certain – you’re going to be taking a lot of equipment with you.
Binoculars, a water canteen, cover scents, blinds and, of course, your chosen weapon are all essentials when you’re out hunting. But, just how are you supposed to carry all of these items, safely trek through the wilderness and keep yourself disguised from your prey?
Well, the answer is to invest in a really good hunting backpack. Not only will it aid you in transporting all of your hunting gear from place to place, but it will also ensure that it is kept safely stored without suffering any potential rain damage or elemental exposure.
But with some many choices available, and with each one promising to do something different, finding the best one for your own needs can become a bit of a confusing experience.
To take the hard work out of it, we’ve listed five of the best hunting backpacks below, along with a handy buying guide that’s packed full of hints and tips on what to look out for before making your final decision.
So, keep reading, and pretty soon you’ll be heading out on your next hunting trip safe in the knowledge that all of your hunting essentials are being kept secure, free from weather damage and all at an easily accessible distance.
If you’ve got a hunting trip coming up soon and need an excellent backpack for storing all of your hunting gear in, take a look at our top pick below.
Best Hunting Backpacks – Reviews
- 【Lightweight & Long-lasting】TideWe hunting backpack is made of quite, long-lasting high performance polyester. The weight is only 3.7lb (1.7kg). Our hunting bag is an ideal match for your...
- 【Organised & Easy Access】Hunting pack is perfect for keeping gear organized, yet easily accessible. Our multi-pocket design helps you keep gear separated and organized so you won't have to make...
- 【Comfortable & Ergonomic Design】Channeled back paneling provides incredible support and breathability when walking to and from the stand. This design distributes the weight to fit your back and...
- 【User-Friendly】Weather can sometimes be unpredictable, but we have you covered with a built-in rain cover! This cover is sure to keep your gear dry and safe from the elements when you least expect...
- 【Large Capacity】Large front pocket and main compartment offer plenty of space for storing and organizing gear. This backpack offers a 2200 cubic inches (35 L) capacity. The size of TideWe hunting...
- 【Durable & Stealthy】600D durable bottom fabric to protect from punctures. Buckles and straps built to withstand heavy gear and impact while hiking or hunting. Strong zippers also keep your gear...
- 【Well Organized】Staying organized is a key to success in the outdoors. Our multi-pocket design helps you organize your gear throughout your backpack. With 3 large front pockets and inside pockets,...
- 【Comfortable & Ergonomic Design】 For maximum comfort, the TIDEWE hunting backpack added ergonomic padding to the shoulder and back. The adjustable waist belt with a buckle makes the pack more...
- 【User-Friendly Design】 Weather can sometimes be unpredictable, but we have you covered with a built-in rain cover! This cover is sure to keep your gear dry and safe from the elements when you...
- 【Multi-Use】 Specs (Dimensions) are 17.7”x11.8”x6.7”. With 25L capacity and 1.65lb lightweight, our bag is perfect for all purposes. Whether you are hunting, hiking or camping, TideWe’s...
- 【Lightweight & Ergonomic Design】 Perfect for any hunting trip; this backpack offers a 3400 cubic inches (55 L) capacity and weighs 6.0lb (3.3 kg). The adjustable shoulder & sternum strap make...
- 【Breathable & Comfortable】 Nothing is worse than a backpack that holds moisture and causes you to sweat. The breathable fabric on our Backpack helps keep the backpack dry and scent free.Innovative...
- 【Multi-Use】 Specs (Dimensions) are 28” x 15” x 12”. Our bag can be used with your rifle or bow. TideWe hunting backpack features a two-in-one carrier for your bow or rifle. The top front...
- 【Long-lasting】 High performance fabric delivers incredible durability. Reinforced carry strap keep you focus on hunting trip. TideWe day backpack also offers super strong steel carbon frame to...
- 【User-Friendly Design】 This framed hunting backpack is compatible with 2-liter hydration systems, keeping you hydrated for those long walks in the woods. This also makes it perfect for long hikes...
- All-inclusive Packing List: this comprehensive hunting kit includes 1 waterproof hunting backpack, 1 winter camo hunting skull hat, 1 pair of camo hunting gloves; Designed to meet your daily hunting...
- Camo Hunting Pack with Bow Holder: crafted from waterproof, fabric with precise stitching, this lightweight and durable backpack offers excellent support and breathability; Featuring thick padding,...
- Special and Practical Design: measuring 21 x 16 x 10 inches with a 23L capacity, this hunting backpack provides ample space for essential gear; Expandable pockets securely store your compound bow or...
- Camo Beanie Hat Gloves: the hat, made of fleece fabric, soft, thick, and stretchable to fit most head circumferences, covering your head and ears perfectly; The gloves feature a soft polyester outer...
- Versatile and Durable: the multifunctional design and robust construction of the hunting backpack make it a reliable choice for carrying essential gear in various outdoor scenarios; Ideal for...
- 【Large Capacity】Specs (Dimensions) are 31.5” x 21.7” x 11.8”, the main compartment with high quality strapping system features a two-in-one carrier for your bow or rifle. The large main...
- 【Ergonomic Design & Comfortable】TideWe Large pack is designed with adjustable shoulder straps and frame, customizing your personal size. The ergonomic design with soft and breathable padding...
- 【Hunting Conducive】TideWe hunting backpack is made of noise free next camo g2 fabric. The reinforced Hypalon is used at the frame connection part to reduce collision noise. The next camo g2...
- 【Trusted Quality】High performance next camo g2 fabric, long-lasting buckle and exquisite stitching delivers the TideWe external frame hunting back incredible durability.
- 【User-friendly Design】TideWe is committed to your ultimate hunting experience by unique design. The zippered quick access design helps you take out gears from the big bag conveniently and easily....
- HUNTING PACK Blend in with your surroundings and stay under your prey’s radar with the Fieldline Pro Series Treeline Hunting Backpack. Made for the hunt, this camo backpack is great for duck...
- CAMO BACKPACK FEATURES Crafted with durable camo polyester fabric, this sturdy pack has an extra-large main compartment ideal for clothing, as well as a roomy secondary compartment with its own...
- HEAVY DUTY SURVIVAL BACKPACK A yoked shoulder strap system with adjustable sternum slider, padded back, and one-inch waist belt come together for added support and comfort in the field. Side...
- MOLLE BAG BENEFITS A lightweight and modular carrying system for all your gear, the MOLLE webbing system lets you attach additional pouches and tactical essentials to your gear for adaptable, on-the...
- LIFETIME WARRANTY Backed by the Outdoor Products Plain + Simple Lifetime Manufacturer's Guarantee. Outdoor Products has been committed to delivering long-lasting travel gear you can rely on since...
Best Hunting Backpacks – Buyers Guide
A decent hunting backpack is an essential addition to your collection of hunting gear, and won’t only keep all of your items in one place for easy transportation, but will also ensure that they are kept as safe as possible whilst you’re out in the field.
However, there are a few considerations you need to take into account before settling on your final decision. Below, we’ve outlined some key points that will help you find the perfect hunting backpack for your own individual needs the first time around.
Storage Space
The first thing you need to consider is the amount of storage space you need your backpack to provide you with. Take some time to consider how long you ordinarily would be out on a trip for, and how much gear you usually take with you, then apply this to your purchase.
If you’re usually only out for a day, then a hunting backpack with a capacity of around 30L would be a good choice and will provide you with ample storage space for all of your usual essentials. However, if you tend to take longer trips or like to take enough gear to cover you for every eventuality, then look for a hunting backpack that will provide you with around 50L or 60L in space.
There are also backpacks available that allow you to increase or reduce the amount of storage space, and these are great all-rounders for anybody that takes a variety of different trips throughout the year.
Extra Storage
As well as the internal storage space offered by your hunting backpack, take a look at whether or not it offers you any external storage space. These extra pockets don’t only offer you the opportunity to take even more with you on your trip, but also allow you to easily access your most used items, such as binoculars, cover scents or calls.
Another really good thing to look for when researching extra storage is if your backpack has a hydration pocket. This will offer you a designated place to store your water bladder and feed the water tube through, allowing you to easily take a drink whenever you need it without having to remove your backpack and search for your canteen.
Weapon Storage
Whether you’re a one-weapon hunter, or prefer to take an entire arsenal of rifles, pistols and bows with you on a hunting trip, it’s important to give some thought to how you can safely and securely carry them.
Many backpacks have built-in rifle pockets that offer you somewhere to place your gun when it’s not in use, leaving you totally hands free, and also allowing you to easily access it when the time comes to take aim at your prey.
You can also find backpacks that offer multiple weapon storage, providing you with pistol holders and bow pockets as well, giving you the opportunity to carry as many weapons with you as you like, without compromising on safety or comfort.
Meat Hauling
As most people go hunting with the aim to catch something that they can then feed their families with, it’s a good idea to look at what sort of meat hauling capabilities your backpack offers.
Look for a backpack that features a meat hauler or freight shelf, as this will allow you to securely strap your kill to your backpack and transport it home. Aluminum frames are particularly good for this, as they are extremely durable but also really lightweight, so you’ll be able to haul your meat home without adding any extra weight to your backpack.
Weight
The chances are that your hunting gear is already pretty heavy, so the last thing you want to do is add even more weight to your body by buying a heavy backpack. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to take some time to look at the construction and materials the backpack you’re looking at is made of.
A lot of backpacks are made from highly durable fabrics, such as KXO-32, which is super tough but also light enough to not add any extra weight to an already heavy loud. Remember, also, that if your hunting trip goes to plan you may be carrying extra weight back with you as well, so try and keep your backpack as light as possible without sacrificing on durability.
You’ll also want to think about how the weight of your backpack and your load is distributed across your body. Too much weight on the shoulders will cause strain and muscle fatigue that could lead to injury, so a backpack that has multiple straps or a padded waistband will help to evenly distribute weight across your body and leave you feeling much more comfortable.
Weatherproofing
Nature is unpredictable, and a beautiful, sunny day can turn into a torrential downpour at the drop of a hat. So, it’s always worth purchasing a backpack that is equipped to withstand torrential rain and bad weather.
Look for a backpack that is made from either waterproof or water resistant fabric. There is a difference between the two, with waterproofing keeping your items totally dry, and water resistancy meaning that it can withstand a certain amount of rainfall, so choose wisely!
An integrated rain fly is another good thing to look for, particularly if your backpack is water resistant, as it will add another layer of protection against the elements.
Camouflage
In order to effectively stalk and kill your prey, you need to remain as hidden from it as possible. A backpack that has been designed in a camouflage print is the most effective way of doing this, and will help you blend in with your background as you trek through the wild.
Remember, however, that not all environments and terrains are the same, and a forest-print camouflage will stand out in mountainous backdrops. So think about where you’re going to be hunting and purchase the backpack that will be best at keeping you well hidden.
There are also backpacks available in neutral tones if you prefer to go for something that isn’t in a camouflage print, and these will also work well at keeping you concealed from your target.
Warranty
Finally, it’s always worth checking what sort of warranty of guarantee your backpack comes with. A good hunting backpack can be an expensive investment, so if you can find one that will cover you for a replacement or for repair in the unlikely event of it breaking, this is always a good thing to go for.
Some backpacks even come with unconditional lifetime guarantees, so you can rest assured that no matter what happens to it when you’re out on your hunting trip, you’ll be able to get a replacement without having to purchase another one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much storage space do I need in a hunting back pack?
This really comes down to how much hunting gear you’re intending on taking with you, and how long you’ll be out in the field for. In general, if you’re only going out hunting for the day, then a backpack that has around 30L of storage should suffice. However, for longer trips, or if you like to take a lot of equipment with you, go for a backpack that offers around 50L or 60L of internal storage space, along with some exterior pockets.
How can I carry multiple weapons on a hunting trip?
Most backpacks come with a rifle holder that will keep your gun safe and secure whilst your trekking through the wild. However, if you prefer to take an array of weapons with you, look for a backpack that also features a pistol holder or a bow pocket. That way you’ll be able to use whichever weapon you like, whilst ensuring that they are stored safely.
