If you want to go hunting, you’ll need a good backpack. A backpack for hunting should be a great companion on long hunting trips – it will allow you to carry meat and equipment safely. The question is, how can you find one that won’t make too much noise? Can a hunting backpack cope with tough weather conditions? How can you find one that fits you properly?
We’ll cover all this, and give you our top 5 recommendations for hunting backpacks, so you can find the best one for you.
The bottom line up front: We like the TIDEWE Hunting Backpack. It’s a good all-rounder, with plenty of extra features that may be really helpful while you’re out on a hunt.
We also like:
- WintMing 70L Hunting Backpack – a great backpack with a larger capacity
- Badlands Superday Hunting Daypack – a super durable backpack
We’ll be looking at:
- The best backpacks for hunting, compared
- What a backpack for hunting actually is
- What to look for in a hunting backpack
- Our top 5 recommendations, including their features and pros, cons
- Some frequently asked questions
- Which ones we like the best, and why we like them so much
Table of Contents
- Best Backpacks for Hunting Compared
- What is a Backpack for Hunting?
- What to Look for in a Backpack for Hunting
- Top 5 Best Backpacks for Hunting
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Final Thoughts – Which Backpack is Best for Hunting?
Keep reading to find the best backpack for hunting!
Best Backpacks for Hunting Compared
What is a Backpack for Hunting?
A hunting backpack is an ideal companion for hunters. They’re designed to be able to carry meat and equipment, and they should be quiet to use, blending in with your surroundings so you won’t disturb any animals you come across.
A hunting backpack will be durable and easy to clean, as well as comfortable to wear. They may have extra features, like a bow pocket to enable you to grab your equipment quickly.
What to Look for in a Backpack for Hunting
If you want a robust backpack for hunting, there are a few key things to look out for.
Dimensions
Looking at your backpack’s dimensions can give you an idea of how well it will fit you – a very long backpack may not suit you if you’re below a certain height, for instance. That’s why it’s a good idea to check out the measurements so you can get an idea of what it will look like, especially if you’re ordering online.
Fit
Fit is really important, as hunting backpacks can get very heavy, and you don’t want to damage your back. Look at the straps included – you should have 2 shoulder straps, as well as a strap across the chest or waist to help even the load. These should be fully adjustable, so you can properly fit your backpack to your body.
The Meat Eater has a guide on how to fit a hunting backpack that’s useful.
There are 2 types of backpacks – framed, and frameless. Framed backpacks have a lot more structure thanks to a metal frame. Some people find it more comfortable, as it holds the backpack further away from your body. Frameless backpacks ‘hug’ your body, making them easier if you need to get through tight spaces.
Comfort
The longer the hunting trip, the heavier your backpack will get – and the more uncomfortable you might start to feel if your straps aren’t padded enough. Look for a decent amount of padding on all straps, as well as padding on the back area. This should be made from a breathable material, so you won’t get overheated while you walk.
Capacity
Capacity tends to be measured in liters – the larger the number, the more meat you’ll be able to fit inside. You can also look at the weight capacity of your backpack, giving you an idea of how much it can handle.
Materials
Most hunting backpacks are made from polyester. It is tough, durable, and easy to clean. It should also be waterproof, to protect the contents in the case of bad weather.
Compartments
Some backpacks come with several compartments, allowing you to divide the meat into different sections, keeping the contents organized as you go. They may also have:
- Extra pockets for storing small items (if you’re new, check out Hunt Simple’s guide on what to take hunting)
- A rifle storage pocket
- A rain pouch, allowing you to pull a waterproof cover over your backpack
- A pouch for a water bottle or water bladder (this is a small pouch with a straw, allowing you to stay hydrated on the move)
One more thing – look for a backpack that is quiet to use if you can. If your backpack makes noises as you walk, you might scare off your prey. The last thing you want!
Top 5 Best Backpacks for Hunting
Here are our top 5 backpacks for hunting. We’ve included different brands and sizes, with key features, pros, and cons for each one.
TIDEWE Hunting Backpack – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Dimensions: 21 x 12 x 10 inches (53.34 x 30.48 x 25.4 centimeters)
- Capacity: 35 liters
- Sizes: One size
- Materials: Polyester
- Weight: 1.7 kilograms (3.7 pounds)
- Extra features: Distress whistle, gun / bow pocket, quiver hook and loop, built-in rain cover, water bottle pouch
The TIDEWE Hunting Backpack is a good all-rounder with plenty of extra features. It has a decent capacity of 35 liters, but it’s not the biggest out there – others go up to 70 liters, so it depends on how much you feel you want to fit in your backpack. It’s made from tough polyester. It is easy to wipe clean, and it has tough stitching and zippers, making it durable. The downside is that the zippers could open a little wider to make it easier to get the contents in the pockets.
In terms of comfort, it has padded shoulder straps and a padded waist belt, and is designed to distribute weight evenly between the front and back to eliminate pressure points. It also has an ergonomically designed padded back area, and the straps are fully adjustable, so you can fit it to your body.
It has several extra features, including a built-in distress whistle, a gun / bow pocket, a quiver hook and loop, and a water bottle pouch. The built-in rain cover is great for bad weather, and you can separate the contents into 2 large pockets.
Pros
- Tough and durable
- Comfortable
- Lots of extra features
- Good for bad weather
Cons
- Zippers in pockets could open a little wider for easier use.
WintMing 70L Hunting Backpack – Best Large Capacity
Key Features
- Dimensions: 13.4 x 6.7 x 28.75 inches (34.03 x 17.01 x 73.02 centimeters)
- Capacity: 70 Liters
- Sizes: One size
- Materials: 600D Water-resistant oxford Nylon
- Weight: 1.3 kilograms (2.86 pounds)
- Extra features: Water bottle pocket, external expansion system to attach other hiking gear
The WintMing 70L Hunting Backpack is a great backpack with a large capacity of 70 liters – enough for a good hunting trip! The main compartment can be expanded to make extra space, allowing you to fit a lot of gear in there. It’s made from 600D Water-resistant oxford, a tough wipe-clean fabric that can withstand poor weather condisions. The zippers are tough and durable, and the material is designed to prevent scratching and tearing. The downside is that the drawstring closure at the top could be stronger.
It has adjustable, breathable mesh shoulder straps with sponge padding. This helps you to stay comfortable even in warm conditions. It has back support, too, with the same mesh layer over a generous amount of padding. This means your back won’t get too hot as you walk. It also has a padded waist belt to help distribute the load.
It does lack some extra features. While it has 2 large pockets to divide the contents and small side pockets for water bottles or other items, it relies on the Molle system, a series of strong fabric loops to the front of the backpack, to attach other gear. It also lacks a waterproof cover, but it’s fairly waterproof by itself, so it should be able to withstand a bit of rain.
Pros
- Tear-proof material
- Large capacity
- Comfortable to wear
- Can be expanded or collapsed depending on the capacity you need
Cons
- Not many extra features
- Drawstring closure could be stronger
Badlands Superday Hunting Daypack – Most Durable
Key Features
- Dimensions: 25 x 16 x 12 inches (63.5 x 40.64 x 30.48 centimeters)
- Capacity: 19.5 Liters
- Sizes: One size
- Materials: Waterproof KXO-50 Fabric
- Weight: 1.42 kilograms (3 pounds 15 OZ)
- Extra features: Rifle / bow holder, hip-belt pistol holder, pocket for water bottle / hydration pack
The Badlands Superday Hunting Daypack is a super-tough, durable backpack. It has a smaller capacity of 19.5 liters, meaning you won’t be able to fit as much in there, but it’s still enough for a quick hunting trip, or just to hold your gear. It’s made from Waterproof KXO-50 fabric, a super-tough, waterproof fabric ideal for tough weather conditions. It’s quiet despite the material being super thick.
It uses molded memory foam for the padding on the back and straps, meaning it will fit closely to your body. This makes it super comfortable, and all the straps (including the waist belt) are fully adjustable.
It has a detachable rifle / bow holder, so you can carry them hands-free. The backpack also has a hip-belt pistol holder, organization pockets, and a pocket to fit a water bladder. It also comes with what Badlands calls the ‘Bino Connect System’, allowing you to connect your binocular case to the backpack for easy access. The downside is that the water pocket is actually difficult to reach, making it a bit annoying if you want to stay hydrated without having to fiddle around with your backpack.
Pros
- Very tough and durable
- Waterproof
- Includes organization pockets and rifle / bow holder
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Water bladder / water bottle pocket is a bit hard to reach
AIRTTUZ Hunting Backpack – Best Value
Key Features
- Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 7.5 inches (50.8 x 30.48 x 19.05 centimeters)
- Capacity: 60 Liters
- Sizes: One size
- Materials: Polyester
- Weight: 0.90 kilograms (2 pounds)
- Extra features: Side pockets for water bottle, built-in rain cover
The AIRTTUZ Hunting Backpack is a good value backpack if you’re just starting out. It has a capacity of 60 liters, pretty large, but the downside is it’s not as tough or durable as some others out there – it’s a good starter backpack if you want to save up and invest in a tougher backpack later on. The backpack has pretty tough zippers though, and it’s quiet to use.
It has padded shoulder straps and a padded back area, and it’s fully adjustable. It’s pretty comfortable to wear, and the back area is made from mesh for improved ventilation.
It comes with side mesh pockets for water bottles, and a built-in rain cover that’s easy to whip out if you get caught in a sudden shower. It has attachment points too, so you can attach other hiking gear to your backpack.
Pros
- Good value
- Quiet to use
- Tough zippers
- Comfortable
- Includes rain cover
Cons
- Not as durable as other backpacks on this list
Badlands 2200 Hunting Pack and Meat Hauler – Best High-End Hunting Backpack
Key Features
- Dimensions: 13.3 x 6 x 28.1 inches (33.78 x 15.24 x 71.37 centimeters)
- Capacity: 27.5 Liters
- Sizes: Medium and Large
- Materials: KXO-50 Fabric
- Weight: 2.45 kilograms (5 Pounds 15 OZs)
- Extra features: Meat shelf, rifle / bow pocket, hip belt pistol holder, pocket for water bottle/water bladder
The is an investment, but it’s one that you may think is worthwhile. It has a good capacity and it’s tough and durable. It’s made from KXO-50 fabric, waterproof and strong, and easy to clean (ideal for a hunting backpack) and quiet to use. The large size is very long, however, so it may not be good for shorter people.
It has padded and fully adjustable straps and it uses molded memory foam for the back panel, making the back area nice and comfortable all day long. It’s a frame backpack, giving it a lot of structure. This is made from lightweight magnesium alloy that is durable, but not too heavy to carry.
It comes with a rifle / bow pocket, a hip belt pistol holder, and a built-in meat shelf for easy organization. The backpack also has a pocket for your water bottle or water bladder. It uses the Bino Connect System, allowing you to easily grab your binoculars at any time.
Pros
- Super tough and durable
- Comfortable
- Comes with extra features like a bow pocket, pistol holder, etc
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not good for shorter people
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you go, here are some frequently asked questions about hunting backpacks:
Are backpacks bad for your back?
Many people wonder if backpacks cause back pain. The truth is, they can, but it all depends on the fit of your backpack. A poorly-fitting backpack can cause you pain over time, but a properly fitted one will make so much difference. Check out REI Co-Op’s guide on How to Fit a Backpack if you want to find out more.
How can you clean a hunting backpack?
As you can imagine, hunting backpacks can get dirty pretty quickly. There are a few things you can do after each use:
- Take your backpack apart so you can clean the parts separately
- Remove any loose dirt
- Soak it in ice-cold water
- Use a brush to scrub it
- Repeat until clean
Most hunting backpacks aren’t machine washable, so it does take a bit of work to get a very dirty bag clean again. You can find out more tips for cleaning your hunting backpack by The R and K Hunting Company if you want to know more.
Can you recommend a cooler for hunting?
If you’re hunting in a group, you might want to look at a larger cooler to keep everything together. Rotomolded coolers are ideal here, as they are great for ice retention, and can keep everything cool until you get home. A large cooler with wheels is ideal as you can wheel it along if it gets heavy.
We’d recommend a heavy-duty cooler for hunting, like a YETI cooler with wheels, as these can withstand a lot of use.
Our Final Thoughts – Which Backpack is Best for Hunting?
We really like the TIDEWE Hunting Backpack. Not only is it durable and comfortable, it comes with a lot of extra features, including a distress whistle, a quiver hook, and a built-in rain cover.
If you want something with a large capacity, you could look at the WintMing 70L Hunting Backpack. Despite the large size, it’s lightweight and comfortable to wear.
We also like the Badlands Superday Hunting Daypack if you want something really durable that is going to last you a long time.
We hope this has helped you to find the best backpack for hunting – if it has, please feel free to share it online. What do you pack in your hunting backpack? Do you have any tips? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.