If you want to go bow hunting, you’ll need a durable, tough bow hunting backpack. A bow hunting backpack has different features than a regular backpack and is designed to make your hunting trips easier. The question is, which features should you be looking for? How can you tell if your backpack will last? And, which bow hunting backpacks are the best?
We’ll answer all those questions, and give you our recommendations for 5 of the best bow hunting backpacks out there – so you can find the perfect one for you.
The bottom line up front: we like the SPIKA Camo Hunting Backpack Tactical Daypack. It’s quiet and unobtrusive, comfortable to wear, and includes practical features such as a rain cover and a pouch for your water bottle or water bladder.
We also like:
- Badlands Superday Hunting Daypack – a super tough, durable backpack
- MERALIAN Hunting Backpack – a good-value hunting backpack for beginners
We’ll be looking at:
- Comparing the best bow hunting backpacks
- What a bow hunting backpack is
- Which features you should be looking for, including materials and extra features
- Our top 5 bow hunting backpacks
- Some frequently asked questions
- Which bow hunting backpacks we like the best and why
Table of Contents
- Best Bow Hunting Backpacks Compared
- What is a Bow Hunting Backpack?
- What to Look for in a Bow Hunting Backpack
- Top 5 Best Bow Hunting Backpacks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To Sum Up … Which Bow Hunting Backpack is the Best?
Keep reading to find out more about bow hunting backpacks!
Best Bow Hunting Backpacks Compared
What is a Bow Hunting Backpack?
A bow hunting backpack is designed to carry everything you need for your next hunting trip. With room for a bow and a quiver (container for holding the arrows), as well as snacks, water, and other equipment, they’re designed to keep you going on a long day without being too intrusive, noisy, or visible.
What to Look for in a Bow Hunting Backpack
There are a few key things to look for in a bow hunting backpack. Here’s what you need to know:
Bow Attachment
The ideal bow hunting backpack will allow you to easily carry your bow and go hands-free. Look for a backpack with a bow pocket and a quiver hook or loop.
Noise
Another consideration is how noisy your backpack is. If it makes excessive sounds while you walk, it’s going to have an impact, as it may scare off any animals nearby. Look for bags with quiet zippers, too. This isn’t as crucial, as you can avoid going into the main compartment if you’re trying to stay quiet, but it’s still worth considering.
Fit
Hunting backpacks can get heavy, and you might be wearing them all day, that’s why the fit is important for avoiding back injuries. There should be plenty of adjustable straps so your hunting backpack fits properly.
There are 2 types of backpacks, frameless and framed. Frameless hunting backpacks look like regular backpacks, as they hug your body and are ideal for squeezing into tight spaces. Framed backpacks have more structure. They have an internal or external frame that holds the backpack further away from your body. This may feel a bit more comfortable if the contents are heavy.
Comfort
Like anything you have to wear all day, comfort is key! Look for a padded area in the back. This will help to keep your back comfortable even after long periods of wear. This area should have a layer of mesh to improve ventilation, otherwise, you might get too hot as you walk. You should also look for padded straps, to prevent them from digging into you.
Capacity
Capacity tends to be measured in liters. The larger the backpack, the more you’ll be able to fit in there. If you want to carry meat as well as gear, you’ll need a large backpack; and, ideally one with sections to keep your equipment and essential items clean.
Materials
Many hunting backpacks are made from polyester or nylon, making it ideal as it’s tough and durable, but easy to clean. Look for a backpack that is either waterproof, or with a built-in rain cover, which will keep it dry in a sudden downpour.
Compartments
Look for a backpack with at least 2 compartments, if you want to store meat in there instead of in a cooler. Generally, it’s good to keep it organized so you can grab your essential gear quickly. You could look for a backpack with extra features too, such as:
- Small pockets to keep essential bow hunting gear
- A rifle storage pocket
- A rain pouch with a rain cover to protect your backpack
- A water bottle / water bladder pouch to keep you hydrated
Top 5 Best Bow Hunting Backpacks
Now, let’s look at our top 5 bow hunting backpacks – we’ve included their pros and cons, so you can find the best one for you!
MERALIAN Hunting Backpack – Best Value
Key Features
- Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 7.5 inches (50.8 x 30.48 x 19.05 centimeters)
- Capacity: 40 Liters
- Sizes: One size
- Materials: Nylon
- Weight: 0.82 kilograms (1.82 pounds)
- Extra features: Bow holder, compartment for water bottle / water bladder, rain cover
The MERALIAN Hunting Backpack is a great value a good backpack for beginners. It’s made from nylon, and it comes with a waterproof cover that helps to keep it safe in the rain.
It has good ventilation on the back panel that will prevent you from getting overheated as you wear it. It has some padding on the straps and back area, but it’s not as comfortable as those with thicker padding or memory foam padding, for example. The straps are fully adjustable.
It has a bow-holder that can also be used for a rifle, allowing you to go hands-free. It has a rain cover included to improve waterproofing, as well as a pocket for a water bottle or water bladder.
Pros
- Good value
- Pretty durable
- Good ventilation
- Includes rain cover
Cons
- Thinner padding compared to other hunting backpacks
SPIKA Camo Hunting Backpack Tactical Daypack – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 7.5 inches (50.8 x 30.48 x 19.05 centimeters)
- Capacity: 15 Liters / 25 Liters
- Sizes: Small or Medium (15 Liters/25 Liters)
- Materials: Nylon
- Weight: 1.42 kilograms (3.15 pounds)
- Extra features: Bow holder / rifle holder, rain cover, water bottle / water bladder pockets
The SPIKA Camo Hunting Backpack Tactical Daypack is a good all-rounder. It’s made from treated nylon, making it waterproof and durable. It comes with a rain cover that is easy to use quickly if it suddenly starts to rain. It’s made from very quiet material, so you won’t have to worry about startling any animals.
It’s an internal frame backpack, giving it a lot of structure, and distributing the weight evenly so you won’t experience heavy pulling on your shoulders. The back area is well-ventilated so you won’t overheat, and it has padding on the straps too. The straps are fully adjustable so you can fit it to your body properly. The downside is that it’s heavy compared to other backpacks.
It has a bow / rifle holder, small pockets for stashing gear, as well as an external water bladder compartment.
Pros
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Includes frame to reduce pressure points
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Heavy to carry
TIDEWE Hunting Backpack – Best for Extra Features
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 great backpack, stuffed with extra features. It has a good capacity of 35 liters, ideal for carrying around your gear. It’s made from super-tough, durable polyester, with strong stitching. The zippers may be noisy to use, something to bear in mind during quiet moments.
It’s a comfortable backpack, with plenty of padding on the shoulders, straps and waist belt. It’s designed to distribute weight evenly, so it won’t just be on your shoulders, but around your waist too. This should help to eliminate pressure points. The back area is ergonomically designed, and all the straps are fully adjustable so you can fit it perfectly to your body.
It has an impressive amount of features. The essential bow pocket and quiver hook / loop is included, as well as a built-in distress whistle, a water bottle pouch, and a rain cover, that you can quickly whip out of the pocket in case of a sudden shower.
Pros
- Lots of extra features
- Durable
- Comfortable to wear
- Good for bad weather
Cons
- Zippers can be a bit noisy to use
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: KXO-32 Waterproof Fabric
- Weight: 1.42 kilograms (3.15 pounds)
- Extra features: Rifle / bow holder, hip-belt pistol holder, pocket for water bottle/hydration pack
The Badlands Superday Hunting Daypack is tough and durable, ideal for adverse weather conditions, and it should last you for many hunting trips. It’s made from KXO-32, a kind of super-tough waterproof fabric. If you get caught in the rain, you won’t have to worry. It’s a quiet backpack, despite the material being really thick.
It has molded memory foam in the padding. This allows it to fit your body properly, making it comfortable to wear. The shoulder straps and waist belt are great for your back as they are fully adjustable to ensure a proper fit.
It has a detachable bow holder that can also be used for a rifle. This means you can go hands-free if you want to. It has a hip-belt pistol holder, a pocket for a water bladder, and smaller pockets to keep your valuables safe. It also has a ‘Bino Connect System’ that allows you to attach your binoculars for easy access. The only downside is that the water bladder pocket is difficult to reach.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Super tough and durable
- Lots of pockets for organization
- Comfortable
Cons
- Water bladder pocket can be a bit difficult to reach
SITKA Gear Whitetail Cargo Box – Best for Organization
Key Features
- Dimensions: 25.5 x 18 x 11 inches (64.77 x 45.72 x 27.94 centimeters)
- Capacity: Not Stated
- Sizes: One size
- Materials: Nylon
- Weight: 3.43 kilograms (7.58 pounds)
- Extra features: Rifle / bow holder, small pockets for organization, wind-indicator pockets
The SITKA Gear Whitetail Cargo Box is ideal if you need to carry a significant amount of gear, and you want to keep it organized. It’s made from tough nylon with a water-repellent finish to keep rain from getting into the contents. The backpack is durable but quiet.
It’s a heavy backpack, so this is something to be aware of if you wanted a light backpack instead. It has padded load-bearing shoulder straps and a padded back area, keeping you comfortable despite the extra weight.
The backpack has a lot of extra features, including a bow holder, a storage area for climbing sticks, accessory straps for attaching other items, and lots of pockets (including a water bottle / water bladder storage pocket). It has a total of 24 storage compartments, an excellent feature for additional organization.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Durable
- Lots of storage pockets
Cons
- Heavy to carry
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions asked about bow hunting backpacks:
How can you wash a bow hunting backpack?
Bow hunting backpacks can get very dirty, but it’s not as simple as throwing it into the washing machine. A coated backpack is not meant for a washing machine, it’s better to wash it by hand. There are a few basic steps you can take:
- Take your backpack apart, removing any detachable straps / pockets so you can clean each part separately
- Remove any loose dirt, twigs, leaves, etc.
- Soak in ice-cold water
- Use a brush to scrub any stained areas
- Repeat with fresh water until clean
The R & K Hunting Company has some tips for cleaning your hunting backpack if you want more detailed instructions.
How can I protect myself from back pain when wearing a hunting backpack?
A poorly-fitted backpack can indeed cause back pain, which is why the most important thing you can do is fit it properly. Choose a backpack with sufficient padding to ensure that the straps are comfortable and don’t dig into you. It’s best to only take what you need as this will prevent it from getting too heavy.
Is a bow hunting backpack too intrusive?
No, they’re designed to stand out less than a regular backpack. Look for one with a camo print to help you blend into your surroundings, as well as a backpack designed to be quiet during use. A large backpack can take time to adjust to, and you may find that it takes some practice to use in bushy areas without causing excessive rustling. A frameless backpack hugs closer to your body, so this will help with agility.
To Sum Up … Which Bow Hunting Backpack is the Best?
We like the SPIKA Camo Hunting Backpack Tactical Daypack. It’s great for bow hunting. It’s quiet, so you won’t have to worry about startling any animals. It has a rain cover in case of a sudden shower, and a pouch for your water bottle or water bladder.
If you want something that is tough and durable, you could check out the Badlands Superday Hunting Daypack. It’s made from strong, durable material, so you can invest in this knowing it will last for a long time to come.
If you’re just getting started, you might want to look at the MERALIAN Hunting Backpack. It’s a great value backpack with some great additional features too.
If this has helped, feel free to share it online with your friends. We’d welcome your experiences too – which backpack do you use for bow hunting? What do you like about it, and what could be improved? Leave us a comment below with your thoughts.
