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Hunting Field Bags and Luggage

Field Bags & Shotgun Cases for Hunting

Our field bags and luggage collection includes smart options for all your hunting excursions, from rugged leather and canvas bags to shotgun cases. With these field bags at your service, you won’t need to pick and choose what you bring into the field or to the clays course—we offer options in specialized carry bags, backpacks, and cases for expeditions near and far. Fill our easy-to-pack hunting bags with an array of gear: These bags are lightweight and easy to carry so you’re not bogged down trekking to your destination. Our attractive options in Battenkill bags and shotgun cases, in familiar green canvas with leather trim, feature thoughtfully placed pockets and compartments to keep your necessities organized and close at hand for easy retrieval. Orvis hunting packs and bags take you reliably from the clays course to the field—and to points between.

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YETI Panga duffels - The best travel bag for hunting

The do-it-all duffel bag for the hunter

Trail's Top Ten Archery Accessories

The archery season is well on its way and will be here sooner than you know

10 game-changing additions to enhance your hunting sooner with Ryan Lampers

Discover the top ten gear items that could have enhanced Ryan's backcountry hunts, from innovative tools to indispensable comforts

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• Shop the Panga 50 Liter Duffel here
• Shop the Panga 75 Liter Duffel here
• Shop the Panga 100 Liter Duffel here

All photo credits: Brady Miller

When traveling for a hunt, it’s nice to have a bag that holds up to any weather condition. When you travel with hunting gear, there are going to be times when your gear gets exposed to the elements. There's nothing worse than having wet gear, so I store my gear in a bag that is built to be out in the elements. I’ve been using the YETI Panga bags for quite a few years now on hunts. It's basically a dry bag on steroids! I’m fortunate to go on several out-of-state hunts a year, and this is a bag that I never leave home without.

What I Love about the Panga Duffel

It’s honestly the perfect bag when you're flying to your hunting destination. The rugged design has held up great to all the flights I’ve taken it on. And I’ve even used it to haul some meat back on the airplane ( Note: it's not a cooler, but if you have your meat frozen and it's a quick flight during fall temperatures, it shouldn't be an issue with any meat getting too warm). I also don't have to worry about an airline or my truck beating up this bag. The bottom is made from an EVA molded bottom and sports a ThickSkin Shell made from nylon to help keep it puncture-resistant.

Then if you’re the person who is able to drive to your hunts, just toss your gear in this bag and then let it ride in the bed of your truck and you'll have 100% confidence the gear will stay dry. That’s an important feature to have, as not all of us have a topper/cover on our truck beds, and we routinely drive through rain and snow on the way to our hunts. This is where some other bags might come up short, and the big feature that aids in this is the Hydrolok zipper; it keeps water out, ensuring your hunting gear stays dry.

I’ll also comment that at first, I wondered, “when will I use these backpack straps on a duffel this size?” And “why doesn’t it just have a single strap across the middle?” It wasn’t too long before I realized this strap design is perfect. I now use those backpack-style straps every time I carry this bag. It just makes it more comfortable when you fill this bag up and have to walk it through an airport and wear it like a backpack. And if you don't want to wear it like a backpack, the straps can just be grabbed like a typical duffel strap design.

If you’re looking for a do-it-all duffel bag for hunting, this is it! My personal favorite is the 100-liter size. I can easily toss my extra clothes, sleeping bag, and other accessories in a bag of this size with ease.

The YETI Panga duffel bags come in three different sizes (50, 75, and 100 liters) and two colors (Storm Grey and newly released Tan).

When it comes to YETI products, be sure to check out our entire collection of products we carry at the GOHUNT Gear Shop at the link below:

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Live, Laugh, Hunt

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Hunting duffle bags are not only designed for hunting purposes, but they can serve as the best accessory whenever it comes to protecting your gear during travels, hikes, and journeys. Their versatility is awesome; however, they may not be able to stun the eyes at the first look as they are not aesthetically beautiful. Their main purpose is to protect the hunting gear. Remember that if you are a traveler, you will have to carry it as carry-on luggage.

What is the hunting duffle bags?

Hunters actively use hunting duffle bags as they immediately fit into the backpacks or any other place such as suitcases. If you are a hunter, you must purchase a hunting duffle bag as it is necessary to accommodate a lot of small things such as scissors, combs, lunch boxes, and arrows or small guns. The distinguishing features of high-quality hunting duffle bags include odor protection, flexibility, and high accommodation.

Some uses of hunting duffle bags

Although people bring the duffle bags to the gyms and beaches, the hunting duffle bags are particularly designed to fit the hunting gear. Some of the distinguishing features that make the most important hunting accessory include:

Gear storage and accommodation

Whether you are looking for the safest bag to keep your clothes, hunting gear, water bottles, or even the utensils and anything else that you may need to bring to the hunting, this bag is perfect. It has a lot of space and can provide high accommodation. The major reason why you should use it to keep a lot of miscellaneous hunting items is that it takes the shape of the objects that are put in it and can be folded and twisted nicely. So, you can keep it anywhere as it will take the shape of the object.

Help with moving

Nowadays rolling hunting duffle bags are also available that you can use to keep different knick-knack objects that may not remain safe in the large boxes due to their fragility. So, whenever it comes to keeping pins, needles, pillowcases, cookies, small manuals, and different fragile hunting objects like sheets, you should proceed with hunting duffle bags. 

Water resistance and odor management

Hunting duffle bags have a very thick outer coating that makes them highly resistant to water. Moreover, they also keep the odor inside, so you can easily keep your meat safe from animals as they will not be able to detect the smell of any food material.

Integrated carry handles

It is no secret that hunters must walk a lot. Thus, they cannot afford to use rolling hunting bags all the time. The hunting duffle bags that come with integrated carry handles and removable large straps are the best choices.

One of the examples of the bags available with all the above-mentioned features is the Hunters Specialties Scent-Safe Duffle Bag that is under $100 and can accommodate up to 45 liters. It has a scent-safe liner, 2 large, zippered pockets, and a removable padded shoulder strap.

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The Best Backpacks for Big-Game Hunting of 2024

Hunting backpacks are a personal choice. They must carry very specific items and, in the case of big-game packs, handle massive loads of meat after a kill. But they must remain light and nimble for use while hunting.

We’ve spoken with hunters and field-tested several packs to suss out the top hunting backpacks on the market. To choose the best backpacks for hunting, I and other editors used them in the field, primarily in Colorado and Montana for elk and mule deer hunting. We also tested packs whitetail hunting in the midwest and have used several models for long-distance overnight hikes in the off-season. Most of the packs on this list have been through more than one season.

This article focuses on larger packs meant to haul meat and gear in the backcountry. For those who just need a daypack, check out this link . For the rest of you, there are a lot of options, and the attributes of a good pack can be found in many brands. At the bottom of this review, I’ve noted a few things to look for in our buyer’s guide for frequently asked questions , and I’ve also added a comparison chart to help you steer your decision-making.

Editor’s Note: For our November 9, 2023, update, we’ve expanded our lineup to include the Alpha 3200 from Akek. This up-and-coming brand delivers a complete system to get you and your gear deep into the backcountry, with the hauling capability to help you bring your kill home.

The Best Backpacks for Big-Game Hunting of 2023

• Best Overall Hunting Backpack Pack: Stone Glacier Sky 5900
• Best Budget Backpack: ALPS OutdoorZ Commander + Pack Bag
• Runner-Up Best Hunting Backpack: Exo Mountain Gear K4
• Most Durable Big Game Pack: Mystery Ranch Metcalf
• Best Deer Pack: Badlands 2200
• Best Sheep and Goat Hunting Pack: Stone Glacier Terminus 7000
• Best Lightweight Elk Hunting Pack: KUIU PRO Pack System
• Most Complete Pack System: Akek Alpha 3200

Stone Glacier Sky 5900

• Weight 5 lbs., 8 oz.
• Volume 5,900 CI (expands up to 8,000 CI with meat shelf and optional lid)
• Material CORDURA 500, Xpac

• Extremely durable. This pack will last for decades
• Carries heavy weight with ease
• Large primary sack carries large items well
• Versatile, modular system allows frame to be used with other packs if desired
• Not a lot of organizational options
• Requires expensive add-ons to get the most benefit of the system

The Stone Glacier Sky 5900 ($659) is a formidable tool in the big-game hunter’s arsenal. And while there are many good packs on this list, the Sky 5900 has floated to the top after 3 years of rigorous testing.

This is my personal go-to backpack whenever I need to carry a lot of gear. I’ve used it through multiple elk hunting seasons. I’ve also used it on several multiday hiking trips in the Rocky Mountains. And I’ve grown to love this backpack for its comfort and simplicity.

The Sky 5900 is very durable and excellent for multi-day hunts when you have to haul big loads for long miles. Coupled with the XCurve frame, the majority of the bag is a large, open cavity that eats up huge amounts of gear. It expands with a very useful meat shelf that can haul quarters or extra equipment. And by adding a lid (which I highly recommend), plus using the meat shelf, you can expand this pack to carry a whopping 8,000 cubic inches.

I hauled out two cow elk quarters in one trip, pressing my body to the limits with more than 100 pounds in the load. While I struggled with the weight, the pack was totally fine.

I found the Sky 5900 to be a perfect pack for 5 days of backcountry hunting. I hauled in my gear for the Colorado first rifle season, loaded out two elk, and packed up camp.

During my hunting days, I carried minimal gear and food while climbing up and down ridges and mountains. The large lid and organizational pockets keep things in place. And the pack can compress nicely to be used as a (admittedly heavy) daypack. And when hauling meat, the very robust shelf system locked in the heavy quarters.

Read the full Stone Glacier Sky 5900 review .

ALPS OutdoorZ Commander + Pack Bag

• Weight 7 lbs., 5 oz.
• Volume 5,250 cu. in.
• Material Nylon ripstop fabric

• A very capable bag for a great price
• Old-fashioned aluminum frame isn't the most comfortable

The ALPS OutdoorZ Commander + Pack Bag ($249) is a great pack at a great price. This combination has made it a favorite among hunters who don’t mind trading carbon fiber for aluminum to save significant money.

The pack is designed with firearm hunting in mind and has a dedicated rifle holder along one side. The brand designed a lashing system specifically to carry meat after the kill. With a volume of 5,250 cubic inches, it has plenty of space for overnight backcountry hunts.

Exo Mountain Gear K4 Pack System

• Weight 5.0-5.7 lbs.
• Volume 4,268-7,828 cu. in.
• Material 500D CORDURA, with stretch panel components

• Flexible comfort while load bearing
• Extended range of sizes to fit just about every hunter
• Quiet. No pack squeak, yet…
• Still too early to say. Will update as we continue testing.

There’s a new kid in town and, OH is the hype big. The EXO MTN Gear K3 has been a favorite for frame/pack hunters for years. The new EXO MTN Gear K4 started as a rumor that grew into reality. We had a soft-hearted argument over whether or not the K4 was going to dethrone the Stone Glacier Sky 5900 — and we settled on this: The new K4 frame is rad. We just haven’t had enough time in the field with it to give it the top spot.

Our Hunt & Fish Editor, Rachelle Schrute, is currently testing the hell out of the pack. We’ll see if it lives up to the current internet mumblings.

Like many of the backpacks on this list, the frame and pack are separate units, allowing for customization on size and configuration. We’re currently running the K4 3600 pack system, which can be compressed down tight enough to use as a day pack if you so choose — or expanded out to pack in a one-person overnight camp, with room for some pack-out action.

The excitement is built entirely around the frame upgrade. It’s all about lateral movement. The frame shifts and moves with you. The carbon stays actually flex with you just a bit when you bend forward. With all the flex and movement, the vertical flex is almost nonexistent. This equates to comfort that supports massive weight.

We won’t get too deep into the specifics of this pack or our thoughts on it until we try to wreck the dang thing, but at this stage — this pack/frame combo is epic. We wouldn’t be surprised to see it rise to the top of the list by fall.

Mystery Ranch Metcalf

• Weight 5.7 lbs.
• Volume 4,335 cu. in.
• Material 500D CORDURA

• Extremely durable
• Various straps allow for versatility

The Mystery Ranch Metcalf ($525) is a really sweet pack but it loses a few points for its sheer weight (6.1 pounds complete) and complexity. I’ve carried it some in testing, but mostly my buddy has carried it for elk and deer hunting in the Rocky Mountains. He likes it but would like to see the design simplified to remove some webbing straps.

The Metcalf is a versatile pack and ideally suited to multiday remote hunts. It sells as an all-in-one package, with both a large main packsack and a detachable, smaller day lid for quick stalks.

The pack easily slides away from the frame to create big shelf space for carrying big-game quarters (or other large, awkward items). And it carries heavy weight well.

We’ve tested this one over about 20 days, including thousands of feet of vertical gain and dozens of miles. The tough CORDURA fabric shows barely any wear (beyond a few bloodstains).

Badlands 2200

• Weight 5 lbs., 10 oz.
• Volume 2,750 cu. in.
• Material Badlands' new KXO-50

• Allows for good organization
• Too small for most overnight hunts
• Expensive for size

At $400, the Badlands 2200 Hunting Pack gets high marks for durability and hunting-specific design. It starts with a T-5 aircraft-grade aluminum frame and tough fabric. Hunt-specific features include the ability to carry a rifle, bow, or pistol. It also has a spotting scope pocket to protect the glass when traveling over rough terrain.

After the kill, the built-in meat shelf supports big loads to haul out elk quarters. It’s also available in blaze orange, a small bit of added safety but the kind of detail hunters appreciate.

Badlands also released its Vario system last year, another modular approach to developing a series of packs for one frame. GearJunkie contributor Jace Bauserman tested the Vario system and really liked it . From base frame to daypack to big ol’ multiday, Badlands has it all.

And if something goes amiss? Well, this warranty spells it out well: We don’t care what happened, or whose fault it was, we will fix it for free forever. We could care less if you bought it at a garage sale or a gear swap, as long as it says Badlands, it’s covered. All we ask is that you use and abuse your pack as much as possible so we can learn how to make our products even better.

Stone Glacier Terminus 7000

• Weight 3 lbs., 15 oz.
• Volume 7,000 cu. in.
• Material SG ULTRA PE and X-Pac fabric

• Exceptionally durable for its light weight
• Very capable of carrying heavy loads
• Strength-to-weight ratio is incredible
• No meat shelf requires meat to be loaded internally
• Tailor-made for sheep hunters. Less versatile than other packs on the list

The Stone Glacier Terminus 7000 ($649) is a huge, very light pack (3 pounds, 15 ounces) with an excellent frame. The brand built it specifically with the needs of goat and sheep hunting in mind, although we believe it could flex into a lot of other situations well.

In testing, we found that the Terminus 7000 carries heavy loads extremely well. It has an excellent hip belt and shoulder straps, allowing you to hoist 150+ pounds without too much discomfort (at least caused by the pack — your legs will burn).

The Terminus 7000 pack is essentially a large tube with zipper access and an internal pouch to separate gear from meat. Designed for mid-size game animals, it would also work to pack out a deboned mule deer or similar critters. Because it does not have a meat shelf, I would hesitate to use it for larger animals like elk or moose, but it certainly has the internal space needed to haul all the gear for almost any kind of hunting.

If you need a huge, strong, ultralight pack, this one stands apart from the crowd, but at a hefty price. Check out our full review here .

KUIU PRO Pack System

• Weight 4 lbs., 4.7 oz. – 6 lbs., 0.8 oz.
• Volume 2,300-7,800 cu. in.
• Material 500D CORDURA Ripstop

• Very light, yet strong frame
• Interchangeable packs allow many variations using the same frame
• Meat shelf is very effective
• Zippers are loud

The KUIU PRO line ($539-639) is a wonder of backpack engineering. While we spent years testing the ULTRA line of KUIU packs, the PRO line has now become the brand’s lightweight go-to. We’ve used the previous iteration for big game and even turkey hunting. But the PRO line is even lighter.

The foundation of this modular design is a carbon fiber frame that fits a wide range of packs from the brand, so it works as a big daypack all the way up to an expedition-level system. All components are sized for the end users.

With the game on the ground, the pack fabric moves back to create a shelf for carrying meat. KUIU designed the 10-ounce frame system to carry more than 150 pounds.

And let’s not forget: The entire pack weighs under 4 pounds! Testing the previous iteration of the pack, I carried everything from gear to elk quarters to a whole wild turkey.

Personally, I’ve found this pack comfortable carrying loads up to the 80-pound range. I’ve also had no problems with durability in four seasons of use. Given the fact that I use this mostly as a from-the-road hunting pack, I’ve never had more weight than an elk quarter and some backstraps in it.

Some testers have reported discomfort from the hip belt beyond about 80 pounds. One other negative is the zippers. It’s the biggest fault I can find in this pack. They are loud to open and close, and being loud in big-game hunting is bad. So this is worth noting.

Also available is the Women’s PRO Suspension , allowing this pack to be a better fit for smaller-built humans.

The full kit clocks in at just under $500, which is comparable to many of the packs to follow.

Akek Alpha 3200

• Weight 5 lbs., 11 oz.
• Volume 3,200 CI (expands with meat shelf)
• Material CORDURA 500, carbon fiber frame

• Complete pack system, no add-ons needed
• Carries weight well
• A little small for multiday hunts in cold weather
• Slightly heavy

Akek is a relatively new brand. But its first product, the Alpha 3200 , has proven itself a reliable, complete system for big game hunters. We tested the model for 2 solid years before giving it a slot in this guide due to its newness. But dang if the Akek Alpha 3200 hasn’t proven itself to be a durable, versatile, and comfortable backpack.

Multiple testers used the pack over two seasons and during some pretty tough conditions. And while one is over 6 feet tall, and the other is 5’8″, the pack easily adjusted between the two. It took a serious beating in thick brush. Our testers also overloaded the pack’s volume and carried significant weight in the Rocky Mountains during archery elk hunting.

This pack really stands out as an all-in-one system. While many brands offer modular packs with lots of possible add-ons, Akek gives you everything you need — pockets, a gun or bow carry system, a rain cover, a carbon fiber frame, a meat shelf, and even a removable small pack — in one buy.  Pockets, zippers, and tools were all highly logical and efficient for hunt load-outs and heavy hauling. Its only downside is that this pack is slightly heavy compared to the competition. But for a mid-size pack most suited for day hunts and shorter overnights in temperate weather, the Akek 3200 has won us over.

Best of the Rest

Kifaru gun bearer.

• Weight 4.2 oz.
• Material N/A

• Comfortable
• Quick access
• Rifle points forward

OK, this isn’t a backpack, but it’s such a good accessory I have to include it because it will make your hunt so much better. The Kifaru Gun Bearer ($51-69) is a simple system of straps and a plastic buckle that make it simple to carry your rifle, accessibly, on your backpack.

The rifle hangs under your arm, allowing quick access. But the weight hangs from your pack. It eliminates the need for a rifle strap, which can be incredibly annoying to use when also carrying a backpack.

If your backpack doesn’t have this kind of system built in, get one. Just be certain to unload your rifle when around other people when using it, as the system does require a forward-facing gun carry that could point the muzzle in a dangerous direction if you were to fall.

Kifaru Gnargali

• Weight 5.8 lbs.
• Volume 5,090 cu. in.
• Material 500D CORDURA ripstop

• Simple design with ample storage space
• Lightweight frame capable of a heavy packout
• Easily customizable with additional storage
• Additional storage/organizers must be purchased separately

Listen, with a name like Gnargali , how can we not acknowledge this pack? Paired with the Duplex Lite Frame , the combo is a pretty solid choice for the hardcore backcountry hunter.

The minimalist, roll-top design has everything you need and nothing you don’t, making it an excellent choice for a backcountry pack. When you start counting ounces, a bunch of extra straps, zippers, and buckles get infuriating quick. This isn’t the lightest pack on our list or the largest, but it falls in the sweet spot of just the right amount of storage, the right amount of support, and the right amount of durability.

Stretchy side pockets are capable of toting your Nalgene or helping secure trekking poles or a spotter. If you’re a hydro-bladder hunter, there is an internal bladder pouch with ports for your water lines. There are just enough straps to securely attach your bow to your back for the long hike in, and unnecessary straps are removable and reconfigurable. Waist belt webbing allows for any number of accessory attachments, like a pouch for your dang phone or a bow spider to have your bow in reach.

It’s a minimalist pack, for sure. But what more could you really ask for?

Stone Glacier EVO 3300

• Weight 2 lbs., 7.1 oz.
• Volume 3,300 cu. in.

Just down the road from Mystery Ranch in Bozeman, Montana, sits a small shop with a big following. Stone Glacier has cemented its reputation in the past 5 years as a cult favorite of backcountry hunters in the West and beyond.

The brand’s ultralight, minimal philosophy filters into a collection of packs and gear with clean lines, stripped-down efficiency, and substantial aptitude for carrying heavy loads.

The EVO 3300 ($614) is a perfect example of this. This isn’t your 10-days-in-the-backcountry pack. What it does do is fit an elk quarter perfectly while maintaining enough space for a day hunt or an ultralight backcountry hunt.

This bag sits on the lauded Krux EVO frame , which can be stripped down to basics and still do the job. With carbon composite stays, high-end military-grade buckles, CORDURA 500-denier fabric, and a 150-pound rating, it’s high-tech carry at its best.

And the whole system — bag and frame — clocks in at 3 pounds, 13 ounces. The frame itself weighs 2 pounds, 7 ounces.

For all this tech, you’re definitely throwing some money down. The frame itself retails for $335, and the combo together costs $574.

Seek Outside Revolution Suspension Pack Frame

• Weight 2 lbs., 9 oz.
• Volume Load frame that adds 2,000 cu. in.

A small but growing company, Seek Outside builds backpacks (and shelters) in the USA, many in its home state of Colorado. And among its most versatile hunting packs is the  Revolution Suspension Pack Frame ($329).

Sold individually for $329, the pack frame weighs just 2 pounds, 9 ounces. But Seek Outside designed it to carry the heaviest loads.

Due to its ability to attach several fabric sacks externally, it’s a very versatile frame. It can be used for packrafting, hunting, search and rescue, and even expeditions.

A popular configuration (as pictured above) is to put a Merlin Daypack Talon   ($130) on the frame to carry small items during a day of hunting. Attach a dry bag for bulkier gear, and you’ve got a waterproof system for longer backcountry trips.

The frame has a load shelf that adds 2,000 cubic inches of overhaul capacity, so you should be able to load in elk quarters for the haul out after a successful hunt

Hunting Backpacks Comparison Chart

How We Test Hunting Packs

Our team of testers are avid hunters with decades of experience in hunting, as well as other outdoor pursuits. Lead writer Sean McCoy has been hunting since he was 12. That’s … a lot more years than he’d care to admit. But he still covers big ground chasing Colorado elk and mule deer each fall and he also travels for hunts in the Midwest several times each year. As a runner and a skier, he understands the benefits of lightweight and minimal designs in a backpack but knows that a hunting pack must be a capable, durable load hauler.

Rachelle Schrute and Nicole Qualtieri both contributed knowledge to this guide. Both are avid hunters living in Montana. Schrute, GearJunkie’s Hunt and Fish editor, pursues elk, deer, mountain lion, and bear, as well as small game, every year.

We first published this guide in the summer of 2020 with an inaugural lineup of eight packs, and while our selection has grown to 12, we don’t see a lot of turnover in these pack designs. They’re generally tough, durable, and as light as possible while still being able to carry heavy loads. And while they can be expensive, we’ve spent the time to know that they last for many seasons.

Each year, we reevaluate the field and try to select models to address the needs of various hunters, from modular systems to all-in-one packs. While we identify our absolute favorite model, every pack highlighted here is quality and we encourage you to purchase the pack most in line with your needs.

Our testers put each of these packs through their paces with a range of applications. We know hunters will be using these load haulers to carry supplies far into the backcountry, or maybe to retrieve a kill a mile from the truck. To give a fair and thorough evaluation, we’ve had some packs in testing for over 2 years, providing plenty of opportunity for big miles and heavy loads.

Our goal is to provide you with the best intel to make an informed purchase. We test this gear, and this is our honest opinion about our favorite products. These are the packs we’d recommend to our friends, and in fact, we do, usually sending along this guide when family or friends ask us which pack to buy.

Hunting Backpacks: A Buyer’s Guide

Obviously, these aren’t all the packs on the market. But these are among the best we’ve found. What should you look for in a backpack for hunting? Let’s break it down.

1. Haul heavy loads. If you intend to carry meat and/or camp gear, a hunting backpack should be capable of carrying a very heavy load. For big-game hunters who trek into the wilds, that means up to 100 pounds. Why? Because that’s what a big elk quarter plus some gear will weigh.

Historically, this has meant hunters needed external frame packs. But pack makers have developed incredible internal frames and modular systems in the past decade, giving hunters exceptional tools for carrying both meat and gear.

2. It should fit like a glove. Many packs come in various sizes or have adjustable torso lengths. Make sure yours fits properly.

3. Carry gear too. For many, it should carry gear while hunting. This means things like snacks, water, extra clothing, game bags, knives, and possibly your weapon for long walks. Multiple pockets are nice for organizing gear. And large packs should have straps to compress down when not fully loaded. For deer hunters who can drag game out of the woods, a smaller pack can be just fine.

4. Ample space. For those who pack deep into the woods, it should be able to carry enough gear to sleep out overnight — or longer. This means a sleeping bag, tent, and cook gear, plus the items noted above.

For this reason, modular systems that allow larger or smaller packs on a single frame perform admirably. These also offer the versatility to use a single frame on various styles of hunts.

5. It should be quiet. This is unique to a backpack for hunting — and is really important. The material should not make much noise when snagged on bushes. The zippers and buckles should operate quietly.

6. Don’t forget daypacks. For many hunters, these packs are more than needed. A small daypack works for those who hunt deer or smaller animals where they can be dragged out. Those with access to ATVs or horses also can likely get by with a simple daypack too, as your ride will handle the heavy hauling.

Hiking Pack for Hunting: The Backpack You Already Own

Don’t want to buy a new pack just for hunting? No problem. If you backpack, you already own a pack that’s entirely capable of serving you as a hunting pack. It just won’t be ideal.

Backstraps, tenderloins, and meat scraps will fit into the main compartment of most large, internal-frame backpacks designed for hiking. If far from the trailhead, deboning front and rear quarters will allow even their massive volume to fit in larger packs.

Just be sure to bring game bags and a heavy-duty garbage bag or trash compactor bag to line your hiking pack to minimize bloodstains.

Most internal-frame packs can even carry the heavy load of a bone-in elk quarter. It probably won’t be comfortable, but it’ll do in a pinch. Just bring some paracord, lay the quarter on the pack, and get strapping. The job won’t be pretty or fun, but it will get the meat out of the field.

The best backpack for deer hunting varies depending on your style of hunting. Will you drag the deer out of the woods, or do you need to quarter it for a long pack out? If you will quarter and carry your deer, it needs to be able to haul a heavy load comfortably. In that case, look for a pack that can handle 100 pounds or more, so you can pack out your game plus all your equipment.

Make sure that the pack you’re considering also operates quietly. Find a pack whose buckles and zippers operate quietly to prevent scaring off your quarry.

If you hunt close to the truck and can drag your deer out of the woods or haul it with an ATV or horse, a simple daypack will likely do the job.

It depends on how much time you plan on spending out in the field. For day trips, plan on carrying food, water, extra layers, your calls, a first aid kit, kill kit, and anything else you might need.

For multiday trips, add a tent, sleeping bag, and pad, plus extra food and a camp stove to cook your gear. Just make sure you have enough room to pack out a heavy load of meat.

Most importantly, prepare for your specific hunt. Every location and weather condition requires different equipment, so do your homework well in advance.

For elk hunting, you’ll want a pack that can haul at least 100 pounds. This will likely require a purpose-built backpack meant for big-game hunting.

The pack volume itself will depend on how long you plan on spending out in the wild. For multiday trips, you may be looking at 4,000 to 7,000 cubic inches, with additional space available in a meat shelf.

If it’s soaked in blood, you may need to spray it down with a power sprayer. Use a pressure washer to hose it off in the driveway. Then soak it in a tub of ice-cold water for about 30 minutes. Then hand or brush wash it, and then dump out the water and repeat with soapy water.

If you can, use a detergent made specifically for cleaning hunting gear. Give it a good rinse, and then hang it to dry.

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Sean McCoy is the Editorial Director of GearJunkie, and 5+ other AllGear websites.

He has been writing about hunting, fishing, trail running, camping, skiing, and more for 15+ years.

Prior to GearJunkie, he was the chief photographer for the Virgin Islands Daily News and former editor-in-chief for GearJunkie. Based in Denver, Colo., McCoy is an avid trail runner, camper, hunter, angler, mountain biker, skier, and beer tester.

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The 10 Best Hunting Backpacks for Day Hunts and Multi-Day Excursions

Whether you’re a backyard whitetail hunter or you’re on a 10-day Alaskan moose hunt, there’s a pack here that fits your needs—and your gear.

Almost any backpack will suffice for a hunt, but ideally you’re heading out with a pack that’s tailored to the type of hunt, duration in the field, and style of hunting you pursue. A generic backpack can get the job done, but it’s even better to have dedicated storage designed precisely for the gear you need to have on you and that you that need to access quickly when it matters.

Thankfully for hunters, the design of hunting packs has advanced rapidly over the past couple of decades, with hunting brands taking cues from backpacking brands and building smartly designed, ergonomic packs that fit well over long treks with heavy loads. Modern hunting packs also incorporate ingenious, sport-specific storage for essential equipment such as bows, rifles , optics , sleeping gear , meat, and more.

Still, every hunt is different and an Eastern whitetail backyard tree stand hunter will want a different carry solution than an Alaskan moose hunter heading out for 10 days in the wilderness. For this reason, I’ve organized my favorite hunting backpacks into picks tailored for some of the most common types of hunters from upland bird hunters to backcountry elk hunters.

Best Hunting Backpacks

• Best Overall Hunting Pack: Sitka Mountain 2700 Hunting Pack
• Best Day Hunting Pack: Kuiu Venture Divide 2000
• Best Budget Frame Pack: Slumberjack (SJK) Hone Backpack
• Best Multiday Hunting Pack: Stone Glacier Sky 5900 Pack
• Best for Heavy Loads: Eberlestock F1 Mainframe Frame Pack

The Expert: As a Colorado-based hunter of deer, elk, pronghorn, waterfowl, and moose in the Rocky Mountains, I’ve tested hunting packs in a range of climates and conditions from hot and dry high desert to thick forest in heavy rain and snow. I also hunt back home in Upstate New York’s Eastern hardwood forests and spend more time in a tree stand in wide-ranging weather, so I understand the challenges of several different regions, seasons, and types of hunters.

How to Choose a Hunting Pack

There’s no way to precisely judge the fit of a pack without actually testing it in person, but it’s the one dimension that can render a pack painful or impossible to use properly. Luckily, many modern packs come sized (with helpful size charts online), so you can at least approximate which size ought to fit you best.

When ordering online, make sure the seller’s return policy gives you a reasonable window to test the product and return if you find the fit won’t work for you. If you want to test several packs and keep the one that fits you best, keep in mind that some sellers may charge you for return shipping.

Prep for the Elements: Great Hunting Pants • Best Hunting Jackets • Best Insulated Rubber Boots

Volume and Expansion

How you hunt will dictate the size and type of pack you need. For example, a whitetail hunter who walks a few hundred yards into a backyard tree stand for a morning session needs a different pack than someone who is embarking on a 10-day, self-supported Alaskan moose hunt. Some hunters want one backpack to use for day hikes as well as overnights and will prize expansion and adaptability. Other hunters prefer dedicated packs for different types of hunts. Turkey hunters, for instance, will benefit from a turkey vest , which is often a vest, backpack, and integrated padded seat all rolled into one.

Many modern hunting packs offer impressive expansion options that enable a medium-sized bag to be used as a day pack and then expand to carry several nights’ worth of gear or to pack out meat from a successful hunt. These types of packs are good options for hunters who, for budget constraints or simplicity, want one pack that can work for most any situation and duration of hunt.

Judging how much pack volume you need is easiest if you have an existing frame of reference, such as previous hunting or backpacking packs you’ve used. Pack volume is usually measured in liters or cubic inches. A reasonably sized day pack for me is about 30 liters or just under 2,000 cubic inches. I find that packs any smaller than that often force me to strap things to the outside, especially when hunting in colder seasons where more layers are required and I prefer to keep my gear inside the pack as much as possible.

For up to three-day overnights, an 80-liter pack is about right for me, but different hunts and different people will have wide variations in volume requirements. For example, I have hunted areas without any water sources and have had to carry in all my water for three days, which at least doubled my pack weight. In this case, I used a burly external-frame pack where, in a different environment, a larger internal-frame pack might have sufficed.

Materials and Construction

As with hunting outerwear, modern hunters have benefited greatly from advancement in materials and coatings that make packs lighter, tougher, and more waterproof than your father’s hunting pack. That said, I don’t scrutinize materials used in a pack the way I would for a hunting jacket. Having a water-repelling treatment on a pack is handy, but I prefer to just use a rain cover, and many packs come with rain covers built in.

How We Selected These Hunting Backpacks

I’ve hunted in a wide range of conditions, having grown up hunting whitetail and upland game in Upstate New York, then moving West and hunting big game in big mountains.

My selections here, however, are biased somewhat toward Western hunting. In part, that’s because a hunting pack is a much more critical decision for most Western hunting where you’re covering more miles and likely doing some overnight backpacking hunts. Your average whitetail tree stand hunter may not even use a backpack, and if they do, the details are less critical because there’s generally less gear and it gets hauled for shorter distances.

To make these recommendations, I considered both packs I own or have owned, as well as the half-dozen packs I tested specifically for this review. I also spoke with other hunters, brand reps, and store owners to make sure I was considering the best widely available packs for North American hunters.

Sitka Mountain 2700 Hunting Pack

No one pack will be perfect for everyone, but the 44-liter size and smart design of Sitka’s core backpack offering—the Mountain 2700—covers most hunting needs from day hunts to shorter multi-day overnights in the backcountry.

If you’re looking for one pack to do it all, you can certainly go bigger and have space to spare, but my problem with this strategy is that larger packs can be cumbersome when actively hiking, bumping the back of your head and catching on every branch. The Mountain 2700 doesn’t expand like some larger do-it-all packs, but it’s big enough to carry your gear for up to about three days in the woods.

The substantially padded and wide waist belt transfers heavier loads to your hips where it belongs and the stiff but light internal frame distributes that weight nicely up your back. The waist belt also uses Velcro straps to give you the ability to attach ammo bags, water bottle holsters, bear spray, and other accessories to keep those close without having to remove the pack.

The outside of the pack features a quick-access top pouch and two vertical pockets long and large enough for jackets and layers or spotting scope and/or tripod so you don’t have to go into the pack’s main compartment for everything.

Kuiu Venture Divide 2000

If you aren’t doing a lot of backpacking to hunt or if you just want a smaller pack for shorter missions, it’s convenient to have a just-big-enough pack that doesn’t bump the back of your head and catch straps on every tree branch like many backpacking hunting packs do.

Kuiu’s new Venture Divide 2000 hits the sweet spot with its sizing at 33 liters. It feels like a relief when switching from bulkier packs thanks to a 20.5-inch frame height that stays squarely within your back. It's constructed with a combination of a polycarbonate sheet and aluminum stays that make up the firm and flexible internal frame.

The exterior compression panel can hold a bow or act as quick storage for a jacket or any extra gear, and there’s also a handy space between the main and outer compartments that serves a similar purpose.

Although it’s one-size-fits-all, you can dial in the fit to your body with 2.5 inches of adjustment in the shoulder harness, which ensures a contoured, comfortable fit. Despite being a daypack, the waist belt is substantial, and the back padding is well-ventilated unlike some cheaper daypacks that skimp on those sorts of details.

SJK Hone Backpack

If you don’t do a lot of overnight hunts or just prefer having a slimmer, lighter pack for short missions, consider a true day pack such as the Hone from Slumberjack. I have personally hunted with this pack for years and love the balance of light weight and rigidity from its contoured, metal-reinforced hard plastic internal frame sheet.

The height of the back panel is big enough to distribute weight but compact enough for active hiking and to avoid snagging. An external compression segment offers two smaller storage options but also lets you secure a rifle, bow, or extra gear between it and the main backpack. The pack isn’t as rigid as other higher-volume expandable options, but I’ve successfully packed out entire smaller animals such as bighorn sheep using just this pack.

The design of the pack has (thankfully) remained mostly unchanged since I bought my first one years ago. One welcome update is the ability to extend the bottom of the compression panel. which makes it easier to strap in your bow or other gear.

The waist belt pockets are the perfect size for frequently accessed items like phone, ammo, and rangefinder, and I’ve found there’s enough compartmentalization in the pack volume without being over the top.

Because the pack isn’t sized, it might not be perfect for every build, and there’s limited adjustment options for the height and positioning of shoulder and waist straps. Since the cost of the pack is reasonable, it’s not as painful to add this to your collection if you keep specific packs for different situations.

Stone Glacier Sky 5900 Pack

The Sky 5900 pack stands out for its expansion and contraction options that can be summed up in one stat: The pack can pare down as small as 4,300 cubic inches in bivvy mode and can expand to 7,900 when using the load shelf option. In its normal configuration, it’s 5,900 cubic inches (about 97 liters), as the name would suggest.

Many packs tout expansion capabilities, and I’ve always been able to overload pretty much any pack with enough bungees and rope, but few pare down as effectively as the Sky 5900, whose bivvy mode is a welcome option when you’re simply day hunting from a vehicle or camp.

You also have the option of breaking out ultralight with the sold-separately Hydro Lid ($59) which doubles as a fanny pack on its own or as a small pack by detaching the shoulder straps from the pack and affixing them to the Lid.

Even in bivvy mode, this pack will be bigger than most day packs (the 26-inch X-Curve frame sits up above the base of my skull when properly fitted and I’m 6-feet tall). But, pared down, it’s a reasonably sized daypack that you can still expand enough to accommodate a pack-in for a weeklong hunt, meaning you don’t need to carry separate packs.

I also like the modularity and customization that's possible with the Sky 5900. The pack is hydration bladder-compatible, but if you just use a water bottle, there is a Hydration Holster add-on ($29). Likewise, rangefinder and utility pockets, rifle slings, spotting scope sleeves, and more hunting-specific options can be added to turn the base pack into your own.

There are also several interchangeable frame options that let you choose the combination of materials and design that fits your priorities. One thing I love about the Stone Glacier frames and their harnesses is that the position and orientation of the shoulder and chest straps are easily adjusted for height and width, so you can really dial in the fit to your body. Likewise the hip belts are sized so you can get a more precise fit where it matters most.

Eberlestock F1 Mainframe Frame Pack

While you can buy the F1 Mainframe as a standalone simple external frame pack, it makes the most sense to talk about it as the base of Eberlestock’s extremely customizable, modular EMOD system that allows you to add and remove packs and accessories as needed.

Using different pouches and packs, such as the 10-liter Batwings , the Vapor 2500 bag, or the expedition-ready 7500-cubic-inch Vapor pack , the F1 Mainframe can function on its own for meat-hauling or as a 10-day expedition pack that can pare down for trips from base camp. The engineering of this system is smart, but it’s intuitive enough that you don’t need to carry an instruction manual with you just to add and remove pieces.

The Vapor bags have been modestly redesigned for Fall 2023, adding a hydration bladder sleeve, lighter weight fabrics in low-wear zones, and a higher riding point on the frame designed to keep weight on your upper back rather than pulling at your hips.

External frame packs aren’t as popular with hunters as they once were since backpacking-style packs have become more expandable and better engineered to distribute heavy loads. But for my money, the F1 Mainframe is what I want when I’m packing a heavy camp, heavy animal, or both.

Rated to 700 pounds of load (not realistic for most mortals), the F1 is basically built to carry as much weight as you’re physically able to bear. I still prefer a slimmer day pack when I have the option, but it’s hard to beat the modularity of this system for overnights. Pack in with your camp on your back and then pare down to just a couple Batwings or one of the Vapor packs for day hunting.

If you need to pack out an animal, use just the Mainframe, or adjust the setup to hold the game meat against the frame and your camp on the outside.

Sitka Timber Waterfowl Hunting Pack

Because waterfowl hunting often involves a lot time on and in water, the pack needs of a duck or goose hunter are much different than, say, an elk hunter in the mountain West.

Sitka’s waterfowl-specific Timber pack features a rubberized bag bottom that can be set in muck or the bottom of a boat without fear of soaking your gear inside. It also has a wide webbing strap that lets you mount it to a tree above the waterline. When hung, the bag folds open, giving you access to the various interior storage areas for easy access while sitting in your blind.

The backpack carry with waist and shoulder harness keeps your hands free to manage decoy bags and shotgun. If you have more gear than what fits in the pack’s 20-liter capacity, there are external compression straps. There’s also a removable noose system for carrying up to eight birds externally if you have a good day in the field.

Treehouse Treehouse 9 Hip Pack

The pack needs of a tree stand whitetail hunter are far different than those of an active Western elk hunter, so it makes sense to buy a bag designed for the purpose.

Staying quiet is critical with any big game hunting, but whitetail hunting from a tree stand requires near silence This is precisely why Mystery Ranch uses a fleece-like polyester on the exterior to minimize noise generated by moving or opening the pack.

The 9-liter size is small—plenty for the style of tree stand hunting I normally do back home in Upstate New York—but this pack accommodates a couple of water bottles, phone, keys, and other small essentials.

It’s also easy to hang from a tree or stand once you’ve settled in for your sit. More active hunters who may want more capacity can consider one of the larger Treehouse options like the backpack-style Treehouse 20 which can easily hold additional bulky items such as a heavy jacket that gets shed when the day heats up.

Filson Upland Guide Strap Vest

This “pack” straddles the line between vest and pack. It keeps everything you need in front while providing extra storage for your quarry on your back when you need it.

The Upland Guide Strap Vest isn’t cheap, but it’s a purpose-built piece of gear with large dual ammunition pockets at your waist, a hydration bladder sleeve (bladder not included), and lots of pockets of different sizes for calls, personal items, and layers.

Upland bird hunting for me usually involves lots of hiking at elevation, so it’s nice to leave the parking lot with a streamlined vest pack instead of a bulkier daypack shoehorned into the job. And while there are lighter vests that have similar features, I like the integration of the hydration system and the substantial hip belt that distributes load far better than any traditional vest can.

The blaze orange on the back also eliminates the need for a separate orange vest and keeps you legal in the field (always check your state regulations for blaze orange requirements though!)

Kuiu Waypoint 10400 Extra Large Duffel

There are lots of great travel-ready, water-resistant gear duffels out there for all kinds of outdoor pursuits. Patagonia’s Black Hole duffels are likely the most popular, and Sitka’s Drifter Duffles are perfect for hunters as well.

What I love most about Kuiu’s Waypoint entry into the category is they make a truly enormous 10400 size (about 170 liters). If you’re going to be over the airline’s luggage weight limit, you might as well go BIG, and I’ve found that the largest size from most other brands just isn’t enough.

I use duffels to fly with spearfishing gear, but most aren’t long enough to accommodate my 42-inch speargun. They're usually just big enough to put you over the weight limit when filled anyway.

All three sizes of the Waypoint have a backpack carry option. If you’ve ever hauled a 65-pound duffel through an airport, your shoulder will understand why that matters. Like any good travel duffel, it’s made with durable, TPU-coated fabric to withstand the beatings it will receive from you and the handlers in the baggage room.

I prefer the 10400 size, but if that seems like too much duffel, the 2800 meets most carry-on requirements. The 5500 is great for vehicle storage or more modest gear hauling for shorter trips. All bags have three internal pockets so you can keep things like small personal items and dirty undies separate from the rest of your gear.

Whiteduck Filios Canvas Duffel

The longer you hunt, the more gear you collect, and I like to have large bags for storing bulky items such as jackets, pants, and layers. The shockingly affordable Filios duffels from Whiteduck deliver volume for less than $50, and the rugged canvas fabric means you can count on the bags for years to come.

The duffels come in three sizes ranging from 79 liters up to a massive 247 liters, which is great for big, awkward items like waterfowl decoy sets.

While not as waterproof as rubberized fabrics, the cotton-based canvas does have a water-repellent coating to keep contents from getting soaked if exposed to the elements.

More Tips From Our Expert Justin Park on Finding the Perfect Hunting Pack for You.

Any advice for finding the right fit?

When testing the fit of a pack, I find it helpful to add weight and walk around in it as much as you can. Most packs feel fine when empty, but you'll get a more realistic experience by putting in the weight. It puts stress on the points where the pack distributes the weight on your body.

Most hunting packs, even burly external frame packs, weigh in at less than 10 pounds. I like a pack that’s about 6 pounds or less since modern materials and design mean even high-capacity packs need not weigh much more than that.

If you struggle with finding a pack that fits you properly, look for a brand and model that offers more adjustment. For example, the Stone Glacier pack in my recommendations uses hook and loop (Velcro) attachment to the frame which allows you to move the shoulder straps and hip belt both up and down on the frame but also side to side.

Any advice for someone shopping for their first hunting backpack?

If you’re shopping for a hunting-specific backpack for the first time and don’t have previous experience to guide you, see if you own a suitable backpack already (or can borrow one) that you can load up with your hunting gear to get a feel for the size and style that makes sense for you. You can even spend a season testing a pack and noting its shortcomings or features you like before buying a hunting-specific one.

Is one pack enough?

At this point in my hunting career, I have more hunting packs than I care to admit. Though it is nice to have a dedicated pack for every type of hunting, most hunters can get away with a single backpack they use throughout hunting season and likely beyond as well. The biggest compromise when choosing a single pack for all seasons will be in the pack’s size.

If you only participate in one kind of hunting, say, a backpacking elk rifle hunt each year, then pack selection is pretty straightforward.

If you get into a range of hunting styles, such as long overnight missions as well as quick morning upland bird hunts, things get trickier. A high-volume backpacking pack will be cumbersome in day hunting situations and, conversely, a small day hunting pack just won’t have the capacity when you want to head out for a long weekend camping in the backcountry.

One solution is to buy a bigger pack that sizes down well, such as the Stone Glacier Sky 5900—recommended above—and deal with more pack than you need on some days. The other, more expensive solution, is to pony up the cash and buy multiple packs to fit your diverse needs.

Is choosing a backpack by weight and comfort the same thing?

No! Pack comfort comes down to design and fit more than anything. A lighter weight pack is always optimal—however, a lightweight pack that’s ill-fitting isn’t going to be comfortable when you load it up with all your stuff.

Even sized and highly adjustable packs don’t fit everyone equally, so as with boots, fit is highly individual to your build and size. If you can try a pack before you buy it, that’s great, but even the fit of an empty pack in a store can be deceiving. When I get a new pack, I like to load it up with weight such as full water bladders and adjust it as-needed to gauge if it’s going to work for me.

Whether shopping in-person or online, confirm that you have a return grace period so you can spend some time with the pack loaded up before you commit to going out hunting with it.

What is the biggest mistake folks make when buying a hunting backpack?

Hunters are no more immune to aesthetics than your average teenager shopping for back-to-school clothes, so the biggest mistake I see people make with packs is buying on looks.

It’s easy to do so when you’re shopping online, especially when browsing through images and you see a cool high-tech pack with camo that matches your clothes. Steer yourself away from that temptation and find a pack that’s the right size with the right features. It will be much more important to your satisfaction in the long run.

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The Perfect Bag for Traveling Hunters

I go through several duffle bags each year, discarding those that don't quite work for me and losing one or two to baggage handler-induced trauma. As aggravating as it is to have my stuff destroyed by the idiots I am paying to take care of it, I've never been too bent out of shape about it because few of those bags lived up to my expectations. But I will be devastated if something happens to my latest acquisition — Blackhawk's Medium A.L.E.R.T. Bag.

The Medium A.L.E.R.T. Bag has all the features I demand in a travel bag. Quality wheels; a retractable handle; and rugged, 1,000 denier nylon construction with reinforced stitching are all standard. The 6,720 cubic inch bag is big enough to handle all the gear I need for all but the most extreme cold weather hunts.

The Blackhawk bag has a top and bottom section. The bottom half has a rigid bottom and a mesh top that allows you to see the contents of the bag when you unfold it. The top half has two pockets, both of which have mesh bottoms so you can see the contents of those when you open the bag. The smaller pocket, which is located on top of the upright bag, may also be accessed from the outside. The two halves are held together with a rugged, lockable zipper and two compression straps.

I've taken my Medium A.L.E.R.T. Bag on three overseas trips now — two to Africa and one to Argentina. It has held up to the rigors of third world baggage handling very well. In fact, it still looks band new. And I am just as impressed with its size, layout and features as I was when I ordered it off the Blackhawk web site.

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The Best Hunting Backpacks of 2024

By The Editors

Updated on Sep 18, 2023 6:17 PM EDT

17 minute read

Best Overall

Stone Glacier Evo 3300

Best for backpack hunts.

Kifaru Dall

Best day pack.

Kifaru Shape Charge

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

There’s a special kind of misery that comes from using the wrong pack for the job. But if you have a pack that fits you and matches the task, you’ll hardly notice it’s on your back. The Outdoor Life editors have been on both sides of that and we’ve used packs for hunting elk, sheep, moose, grizzlies, mule deer, whitetails, and mountain goats in the past year. With all that hunting we’ve been able to test a wide range of packs and come up with our favorites for each application. Here are picks for the best hunting backpacks from editors and their reviews. 

Best Overall: Stone Glacier Evo 3300

• Quietest: Sitka Fanatic Pack
• Best for Backpack Hunts: Kifaru Dall
• Best Ultralight for Backpack Hunts: Stone Glacier Solo 3600

Best for Crossbows: Insights Shift

• Best Day Pack:   Kifaru Shape Charge
• Best Day Pack for Women: Stone Glacier Avail 2200
• Best Value : Mystery Ranch Mule
• Best Waterproof: ExPed Serac 35

How We Chose the Best Hunting Backpacks

Outdoor Life editors hunt throughout the country each fall for a variety of species. We used that collective experience to choose packs that work well for specific types of hunting. Each pack was evaluated for its comfort, features, build quality and capabilities. 

How to Fit a Hunting Backpack

The first step in choosing the best hunting pack is to think about how much gear you need to carry. For a backcountry elk hunter, that can mean a tent, food, sleeping bag, a bow or rifle, and a frame that can haul 100 pounds of meat. For a whitetail hunter, the best hunting pack might be a daypack that carries lunch, scents, and a few extra layers for the long sit. Many packs feature specialized holders for a rifle or a bow.

After you choose a pack that will fit all of your gear, be sure it fits you. First, measure your torso length. Put your hands on your hips with the top of your hands touching the top of your iliac crest—your hip bones—with your thumbs pointing toward one another across your back. Measure from that imaginary line between your thumbs to the prominent bump in your spine at the base of your neck. That distance is your torso height. Some packs come in sizes, others can be adjusted to your torso size.

Once the pack fits, adjust the straps. Put some weight into the pack so it sits on your back as it will when you use it. Loosen all the straps. Fasten the belt first. The padded portion of the belt should hug your iliac crest when you snug the belt around your waist. Adjust the shoulder straps so there is no gapping between the strap and your shoulder. 

Best Hunting Backpacks: Reviews & Recommendations

Best for short overnights, stone glacier evo, key features.

• Capacity: 3,300 cubic inch main bag
• Weight: 3 pounds 13 ounces on Krux Evo Frame
• 150+ pound load rating
• 2,500+ cubic inch expandable load shelf
• Cordura 500D and Xpac fabric
• Made in the USA
• Price: $614
• Versatile for day hunts or short overnight hunts
• Load shelf design allows you to pack out big critters comfortably
• Not fit for extended hunts in the backcountry

If Goldilocks was a diehard big game hunter, the Evo 3300 would be her backpack. It’s not too big when used as a daypack. It’s not too small to haul out hefty elk quarters. In other words, it’s just right. The key to the versatility of this hunting pack is its load shelf design. When it’s time to pack out quarters, you simply loosen the straps that hold the bag to the frame. Then, in the gap between the bag and frame you can slide your gamebag full of all the meat that your legs can carry. There are a variety of additional straps to secure the load. This design keeps the weight close to your frame and body, which is key for comfortably packing out heavy loads. It will also keep your camp (sleeping bag, clothes, etc.) from getting bloody on the hike out.

I used the Evo 3300 during a dall sheep hunt in the Yukon last fall and it worked perfectly as a daypack. When I killed a ram, I had no problem packing out my third of the sheep (my guide and wrangler had the rest). I also used the pack for a two night hunt for mountain goats in Utah. This was a solo hunt, so I had to carry everything I would need on my back. I had no problem fitting the following items in the Evo 3300:

• Stone glacier tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Hydration bladder and filter
• Spotting scope
• Food for three days
• Garmin InReach

I figured any other gear would just slow me down. When I killed a billy, I used the load shelf to pack him down the mountain in two trips. I estimate that the max weight I had in the pack was about 70 pounds and it rode comfortably even in rugged terrain. If you’re tougher than I am and are set on loading your pack well north of 100 pounds, or if you plan on hunting for a week or longer out of your pack, then this model is probably a bit small for your needs. But for everyone else, this is the best hunting backpack. –Alex Robinson

Sitka Fanatic Pack

• Capacity: 2,166 total cubic inches
• Berber fleece material
• Silent closure system
• Designed to hang while open 
• Price: $209
• Ultra quiet
• Lots of pockets for hunting accessories
• Big enough for all-day sits
• Flimsy body

For deer hunters who care about staying quiet in the stand, ripping open a noisy zipper (or worse, velcro) on a backpack feels like a sin. Sitka designed its Fanatic Pack for hunters like us. The backpack is made of berber fleece and it utilizes a clever strap/latch system instead of noisy buckles or zippers. There are three zippers on the pack, but they’re for optional secondary pockets, not the main ones. The backpack is also designed so that there’s a handle loop inside the pack, meaning that you can hang it with the top open. So when you need to reach for a rangefinder (or sandwich) there’s no fussing with straps or lids. There are a ton of little pockets on the inside and within the lid so that each of your gear items has its own spot (no rattling against other items while you’re hiking in). It is, by far, the quietest hunting backpack I’ve ever used. The only downside to the pack is that its body is a little flimsy. There is no frame and the berber fleece material easily collapses on itself. Because of this, the lid doesn’t completely secure (there are little gaps in the side). This isn’t a problem for treestand hunters, because we’re not typically laying the pack on the ground in the field. However, I wouldn’t use the Fanatic as a daypack for hunting from the ground. –Alex Robinson

• Capacity: 7,080 cubic inches
• Weight: 6 pounds, 2 ounces on Duplex Lite Frame
• Can host three additional external pouches
• Built-in load shelf
• Cordura 500 and Xpac fabric
• Price: $800 with Duplex Lite frame
• Light and durable material
• Versatile and can host additional pouches and lids
• Large enough for 10- to 14-day trips
• Comfortable with heavy loads
• Bag and frame sold separately
• Takes some time and use to fine-tune fit

For mountain hunters who spend a week or two at a time in pursuit of sheep, goats, or high-country deer, the backpack is a central piece of gear. It needs to be reasonably light, very durable, and big enough to haul hunting and camping gear and food for extended trips. Equally important, the pack needs to carry standard loads and heavy loads of meat comfortably. You get all of that with the Kifaru Dall.

Paired with the Duplex Lite frame, the Dall is an excellent and versatile bag that can be packed with 14 days-worth of gear and food, but can be cinched down for use as a day pack in the field. The Dall’s design is simple, with a fold-over lid. It’s compatible with Kifaru’s guide lids and additional pouches on the back and belt—something I highly recommend. There are two open-top pouches on either side, and side compression straps for holding a rifle. It’s got an integral load shelf for hauling extra meat or gear between the bag and the frame, too. I’ve been using the predecessor to this pack on the duplex frame for years in the mountains of Alaska, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a pack that’s as durable and comfortable under heavy loads. –Tyler Freel

Best Ultralight for Backpack Hunts

Stone glacier solo 3600.

• Capacity: 3,600 cubic inch main bag
• Weight: 4 pounds, 6 ounces on X Curve Frame
• Price: $655
• Lightweight yet able to handle heavy packouts
• Comfortable to wear on multi-day hunts
• A little pricey
• In an effort to keep weight down it doesn’t have many pockets and pouches

I’ve been hunting with Stone Glacier packs for years and haven’t found a system that does a better job balancing light weight with load-hauling capability. A few seasons back I upgraded my old Stone Glacier pack, which was actually a prototype made by Stone Glacier founder Kurt Racicot, to the Solo. I’ve used it to haul deer, elk, and moose out of the mountains and it has been with me everywhere from Africa to Mongolia. (It fits in overhead bins as a carry-on, which is a nice bonus.) 

As with all Stone Glacier packs built on either the XFrame or Krux Evo—you can read about the differences here —it includes an integral load shelf that allows you to strap meat between the frame and 3,600-cubic-inch bag. There are plenty of compression straps on the pack so that you can get a tight fit that snugs the load against you back—where you want it—and prevents it from moving around. The frame is easy to fit to different body sizes and you can purchase the Solo with a variety of belt lengths. 

One of the smart design features on the Solo is how the zipper to the main compartment makes an upside down U-shape. This gives good access to the main bag, but in case the zipper fails the bag can still be used by cinching the compression straps across the bag. The way the straps are configured allows the user to easily secure a rifle, tripod, or trekking poles to the outside (I’ve done all three) where they are secure and easy to access.

The Solo has a decent sized pocket on the top of the bag that you can stuff your lunch and an extra layer of clothing in for easy access. The interior of the main compartment has a sleeve where you can stow a spotting scope or water bottle. Stone Glacier also sell lightweight pockets and sleeves that can be hung on the inside of the main compartment to help keep gear organized. 

I’m sure that someday someone might invent a better ultralight pack for mountain hunting, but right now the Stone Glacier Solo is the best hunting backpack for mountain hunts. —John B. Snow

Best for Crossbows

Insights shift, key features .

• Carries rifles, crossbows, or climbing sticks
• Hydration bladder compatible
• MOLLE attachment locations
• Tree stand shelf and basket system
• Price: $220
• Great storage
• Features for treestand hunters
• Not ideal for heavy loads (hang and hunt)

This is my go-to pack for a preset stand. I can carry my food, water, bow hanger, camera gear, layers, and archery equipment in this pack. That load rides comfortably on the padded shoulder straps and waist belt. You could also use this pack for saddle hunting if you wore your saddle in and used the passthrough slot to carry your sticks. But, that passthrough is meant for carrying a rifle or crossbow. It works really well for compact crossbows, but large and heavy crossbows you’re better off carrying in your hand. 

My favorite thing about this Shift is the gear organization. The front of the pack has a lid that flips out, for you to keep all the stuff you need in the stand. I use it for binos, an extra release aid, snacks, wind checker, and a grunt tube. The fold out panel makes it easy to have those items quick at hand so you don’t have to dig through the pack to find them.  –Scott Einsmann

Best Daypack: Kifaru Shape Charge

• Weight: 3 pounds, 15 ounces
• Volume: 1,960 cubic inches
• 500d DWR coated fabric
• Large main compartment with mesh internal pockets.
• Two water bottle pockets
• Lid with two quick access pockets
• Molle panel for adding accessories and pouches
• Price: $360
• Comfortable
• The perfect amount of pockets

Most of my hunting requires a daypack for carrying layers, water, food, and gear. Within the daypack category you’ll find everything from tiny hip packs to backs around 2,500 cubic inches. I find myself reaching for packs around the 2,000 cubic inch range most often because they allow me to carry a day’s worth of gear. In my embarrassingly large collection of daypacks the Shape Charge is the clear winner and I use it almost excessively for nearly everything. Here are the roles it fills for me:

• Treestand pack
• Fishing backpack

The pack is easy to organize with just the right amount of pockets for quick access items and mesh internal pockets that make it easy for you to find what you need in the large main chamber. I’ve added exterior pouches to the molle for more storage when necessary as well as Kifaru’s Grab-IT for strapping down treestands and saddle platforms. The Grab-IT also works well as a meat shelf. As you can see, it’s easy to configure the Shape Charge from streamlined to a fully-kitted gear hauler.

The ultralight crowd will say 500d is overkill for a daypack, but I say this is daypack that will last a lifetime of hard use. Ultimately, it’s up to you decide if a 4-pound daypack is too heavy or if the heavy-duty construction is what you’re looking for. The main con is the price. It’s not a cheap pack, but if you are investing in it as a tool you’ll have for many seasons, rather than buying a cheaper bag every other year, the price becomes a little more reasonable. It’s also made in the USA from US-made materials, which adds to the price and the value. –Scott Einsmann

Best Day Pack for Women

Stone glacier avail 2200.

• Capacity: 2,200 cubic-inch main bag
• Weight: 3 pounds, 0.8 ounces
• Compatible with all Stone Glacier frames
• Price: $299
• Adjustment capacity
• Wide, cushioned straps and hip belt
• Feather-light but sturdy 
• Stuffed interior pockets can take up lots of space
• Lower interior pocket is tough to access 

I tested the Avail 2200 on a Wyoming deer hunt where I stayed in a cabin and took a truck to my hunting spot, so all I needed was enough supplies for the day. I wasn’t carrying any camping gear or concerned about a long-distance packout, but extreme climate variations demanded a lot of extra layers. Pre-dawn temperatures started in the teens but by lunch it was 60 degrees. On the way out I carried a full 3-liter hydration bladder and I hiked back with most of my morning layers in my backpack.

Sometimes daypacks can be overwhelming with pockets and features that crowd the small carrying capacity. The Avail 2200 is not guilty of this. The internal pockets are simple and useful, if a little easy to overstuff. I loved the external compression panel for a jacket. The straps seem excessive at first, especially for a smaller pack, but once I was dialed with the pack, I found myself grateful for the ability to quietly lash down gear without having to open a zipper.

What stood out to me the most about the Avail 2200 is how easy it was to get a perfect fit. With other unisex packs, I end up with a little room between my shoulders and the straps, even after tightening them as much as possible. With the Avail, you can adjust the straps’ attachment points, so it properly accommodated for my short torso. This goes a long way once the bag is loaded up. Usually daypacks are built with a more standardized fit that lacks customization. After all, if you’re only carrying a single day’s worth of gear, does fit really matter? My answer is a resounding yes, and the Avail 2200 is the best hunting backpack for day trips that I’ve tried. –Katie Hill

Best Value: Mystery Ranch Mule

Mystery ranch mule.

• Capacity: 1,405 cubic inches
• Weight: 1.3 pounds
• 500D Lite Plus Cordura
• Top-zip access to main compartment
• Small zippered pocket on face of bag
• Hydration reservoir compatible
• Bow and rifle carry via bottom or side compression straps
• Side pockets
• Price: $149
• Versatile for day hunts or overnights
• Easily attaches to frame for pack-outs
• Works well as a tree-stand pack
• Requires purchase of a pack that has a frame like the Beartooth 80 or the Metcalf

As a northeasterner, most of my days afield are spent sitting in a treestand for hours on end. I’ve had plenty of packs that were fine, but when I began hunting deep into public-land and had to pack out my first deer, I realized just how important a quality frame pack can be. Putting on miles hunting mule deer out west finally convinced me to invest in the Beartooth 80, built on the Guide Light MT Frame. For day trips, I switch out the massive 80-liter Beartooth for the 23-liter Mule.

The Mule easily attaches to the Guide Light MT Frame and is perfect for packing everything I need for the treestand or hunting from the ground. I can put knives, game bags, tags, and a butchering kit in the main pocket while reserving the smaller front pocket for grunt tubes, doe bleats, dude wipes, bow hangers, and snacks. The side or bottom compression straps allow you to carry a bow or rifle on your back. The side pockets are also great for a water bottle or tripod. 

When I took this pack to South Dakota last fall on a mule deer hunt, I had everything I needed to fill my tag. Thanks to the load-hauling Overload sling, packing out the meat was a breeze compared to years past. You’re able to wedge your stand, game bags full of meat, or overnight kit in between the frame and the pack thanks to generous straps and the ability to add length if necessary. The 500D Lite Plus Cordura fabric and heavy-duty hardware is durable and water resistant to increase this bag’s reliability and lifespan. —Derek Horner

Best Waterproof:  ExPed Serac 35

Best waterproof, exped serac 35.

• Capacity: 35 liters or 2,136 cubic inches
• Materials: PFC-free waterproof rip-stop Nylon with a water column of 10,000 mm, taped seams, and weatherproof zippers ward off moisture and snow
• Weight: 1 pound, 13 ounces
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Side zipper for easy access
• Water column of 10,000 mm
• Price: $250
• Weatherproof main compartment with roll-top closure
• White interior for quick overview of contents
• No hipbelt pockets
• Not hydration system compatible

The main draw of this backpack is that it is  almost  a dry bag. The side zippered access into the spacious main compartment is the only reason it isn’t technically waterproof when submerged. But aside from a prolonged full dip, your gear is going to stay dry in this bag. The Serac has a weatherproof front zippered pocket for quick access to essential gear and. Its minimalist design features two daisy chains on the back for any equipment you might need. I took this bag duck hunting where it sat in wet, muddy, and freezing conditions with no consequences.

The material is durable and I thoroughly abused it scouting for deer and traveling. This bag can also accommodate technical gear for mountaineering, climbing, or skiing thanks to its weatherproofing, slim profile, and lightly padded back. There is a removable hip belt with no padding or pockets that connects via two sleek metal “buckles” that don’t actually engage but simply slip through each other. This decreases the risk of snow or ice freezing into a plastic buckle and causing issues. –Ashley Thess

First, your pack has to carry all the gear you need. Figure 1,800 to 2,000 cubic inches is enough for a daypack, 3,000-5,000 for a weekend or three day hunt, and up to 7,500 for a longer trip. Be sure the pockets are arranged for the way you use a pack. Some backcountry hunters obsess over every ounce of weight in their gear, so compare weights. Also look at the materials: Internal frame packs won’t snag on brush, although external frames are handier for packing out meat. Finally, a pack has to fit. Measure your torso and be sure the pack adjusts or comes in the right size or you will be miserable carrying any load at all.

No matter how you hunt elk or where, all elk hunts have one common denominator: The possibility of packing out 300 pounds of bone-in meat. Many packs have extension straps that let you carry meat between the pack and the frame. It’s also doubly important that the pack fits well, because you will be loading up with as much as 100 pounds at a time.

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts on Hunting Backpacks

A backpack that doesn’t fit you, or is too small or too large, can ruin your hunt. A pack is a tool. It has to carry your hunting gear in a way that keeps it organized and lets you access it when you need it. Size is the next main consideration. Be sure to get a pack that holds all your gear with a weight to durability and features ratio that works for you. If you’re packing in a long way, and opt for useful features like gun or bow holders in the best hunting backpack for you.

• Best for Short Overnights: Stone Glacier Evo 3300

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The 12 Most Durable Duffel Bags for Rugged Travel

No matter where you’re traveling to, you’ll need a bag, and there’s nothing more functional than a cavernous, weatherproof, backpack strap-equipped duffel.

By Tanner Bowden and Hayley Helms

Features have gotten out of hand. No matter what the product is — be it as simple as a knife or as complex as a camera — we’ve come to expect that it’s jammed with as many bells and whistles (sometimes literally) as possible. Outdoor products are among the most egregious culprits here, fooling would-be adventurers into thinking that they simply cannot embark on a trip without bringing the multifunctional-jacket-pant-parachute-vest complete with eighteen camp-stove-dongle-ready removable pocket pouches (and it packs into its own hood!). It’s maddening.

Thankfully, the duffel has remained immune to the feature-packing epidemic. The design hasn’t deviated too far from the canvas sacks travelers used to throw over their shoulders before heading off to lands unknown . Improvements like weatherproof zippers and padded backpack straps are utilitarian, not gimmicky. Materials technology has made duffels all but bomb-proof, which is ideal for poor-weather adventures, but canvas has not been forgotten. Often times, the only feature is an interior pocket. And that’s the way it should be. You already have enough stuff to bring with you; you shouldn’t have to worry about the bag that carries it all.

Products in the Guide

Best Dry Bag Duffel

Best Overall

Best Upgrade Duffel

Best Budget Duffel

Best Alternative To Our Top Pick

Best Waterproof Duffel

Best Durable Duffel with Wheels

Best Duffel for Organization

Best Backpack Carry System

Best Adventure Duffel

Best Luxury Duffel

Best Sustainably Manufactured Duffel

Best Bombproof Duffel

What to Look for in a Durable Duffel

These duffels run the gamut of sizes and materials, but one thing is uniform in every case: resiliency is favored over contrivance. These are bags capable of withstanding countless well-planned weekends to a favorite hideaway, as well as expeditions to corners of the map that still contain question marks.

When choosing the rugged duffel that will work best for your travel habits, it’s best to keep in mind what matters most. Will you be traveling to rainy and wet environments? Make sure your bag is made with water-resistant materials and coated with a waterproofing treatment like DWR; if you’re going on a road trip and don’t want to have to worry about your bag being banged around or ripped, make sure you look for abrasion-resistant materials like ripstop nylon, waxed canvas or twill. Finally, how much will y0u be packing? 25-30 liter volumes will work well for an overnighter or quick weekend trip, but if you’ve got a lot of gear or are planning an extended adventure, we recommend 50 liters and up.

The Most Durable Duffel Bags for Travel

This definitive guide to the best durable duffel bags for travel and adventure provides information on the 11 top duffels based on rigorous testing. In it, we break down each bag’s key features, covering elements such as volume, durability, support, features, weight and more.

Filson Medium Dry Duffel Bag

Filson Medium Dry Duffle Bag

• $75.00 at Filson $98.00 (23% off)
• Velcro closure and straps are strong
• No internal pockets/dividers make staying organized a challenge
• Available Volumes: 65L
• Weight: 2 pounds
• Material: 840D 100% nylon w/clear ether TPU + nylon webbing + high density plastic

When it comes to duffels, Filson is typically known for its rugged, classic canvas versions — like the one you’ll see lower on this list. But the Seattle-based brand is no stranger to bringing quality to whatever material or product it’s working with, and in this case, it’s the dry bag that gets the premium treatment. Filson’s medium dry bag/ duffel can fit a week’s worth of clothes and supplies in it easily, and while camping with mine, I was able to keep it in my truck bed without worrying about it soaking through during rain showers. It’s surprisingly light, and the tough-as-nails nylon material is thin but tough — it’s flexible enough to mold into whatever shape you need it to be, but thin enough to prompt concern over it ripping or tearing. Undeniably though, one of my favorite aspects of this bag has to be its highlighter-green colorway: I can pick it out in a sea of black, brown and navy bags with ease, cutting out on more travel-related headache. If you’re looking for a dry bag that can do it all, consider this option.

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 55L

• $117.99 at Patagonia $169.00 (30% off)
• Available Volumes: 40L, 55L, 70L, 100L
• Weight: 2 pounds, 9.09 ounces (55L)

Patagonia hit the nail on the head with the name of its line of heavy-duty carry-alls: Black Hole. That’s what a duffel should be — a bottomless pit into which you can toss anything and everything you might need for a day at the crag or an entire week in the opposite hemisphere. The bag’s D-shaped zipper opening makes it easier to see all of what’s inside than end-to-end designs, and the lid includes a large mesh pocket for stashing odds and ends you don’t want to dig for.

To that end, there’s another small essentials pocket that you can access from inside or out. Daisy chains and removable backpack straps count for the rest of the bag’s features, but it’s the durability of Patagonia’s Black Hole fabric, which it makes using a water-repellant, TPU-laminated 100-percent recycled polyester ripstop, that makes this duffel great for any imaginable itinerary.

Peak Design Travel Duffelpack

Peak Design Travel Duffelpack 65L

• $219.95 at peakdesign.com
• Available Volumes: Flexible 45-65L
• Weight: 3 pounds, 14 ounces

The main element that sets Peak Design’s Duffelpack apart from the rest is its opening. Its zipper is straight instead of D-shaped, but because it’s extra-long and complimented by internal aluminum stays that help it open fully.

But thoughtful design is present in every element of this bag: its backpack and waist straps tuck neatly behind magnetic flaps, its 600-denier fabric is waterproof but doesn’t necessarily look like it, and an extra zipper can expand its volume from 45 to 65 liters. It integrates perfectly with Peak Design’s packing cubes — which Gear Patrol highly recommends — and is one of the most comfortable duffels we’ve tested.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 40L Duffel Bag

• $149.00 at eaglecreek.com
• Available Volumes: 40L, 60L
• Weight: 2 pounds, 3 ounces (60L)

Perhaps $119 isn’t your idea of “budget-friendly.” There are cheaper duffels available, but none that are water-repellent, super-durable or have features like stow-away backpack straps or a padded bottom.

Eagle Creek didn’t stop there, though. It gave this duffel an internal removable divider and end pockets — one of which you can pack the whole bag into — for gear organization. Compared to the other bags on this list, the Cargo Hauler is cheaper, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less rich in features.

Black Diamond StoneHauler

Black Diamond Stonehauler 45L Duffel

• $159.95 at blackdiamondequipment.com
• Available Volumes: 30L, 45L, 60L, 90L, 120L
• Weight: 2 pounds, 12 ounces

It’s easy to compare the StoneHauler Duffel to Patagonia’s Black Hole. The bags share features like backpack straps and a perimeter of lash loops, as well as a D-shaped opening. There are, however, a few key differences.

First is a padding layer that adds to the StoneHauler’s durability and comfort when holding pointy gear (like climbing equipment). The second is an internal compression system that prevents contents from moving around. But the most notable feature is something Black Diamond calls DirtBag Internal Storage, which refers to a sack with a cinch closure that’s integrated into its interior. It’s perfect for keeping dirty hiking boots or laundry away from clean items, and you can smush it to the side when you don’t need it.

• $400.00 at Amazon
• Available Volumes: 50L, 75L, 100L
• Weight: 5 pounds, 3 ounces (50L)

Drawing on the success of its soft-sided coolers, Yeti stripped out the insulation and used the thick, laminated nylon skin to create a highly puncture- and abrasion-resistant duffel called the Panga . Like many Yeti products, what appears run-of-the-mill is actually innovation genius.

The Panga has easily removable backpack straps, lash points on all sides and haul handles on either end. Speaking of those ends, they’re sturdy enough to keep this bag standing upright, and the bottom is padded with EVA foam, similar to the stuff in running shoes, to keep things protected when you decide to give the bag a toss. The Panga is also fully submersible thanks to a TIZIP airtight zipper (it’s super-tough, don’t let your sweater get caught in it). One way to test it? Close it up when the bag is empty and stand on it — not even a gasp will escape.

Thule Chasm Wheeled Duffel

• $399.95 at Amazon
• Available Volumes: 110L
• Weight: 12 pounds, 3 ounces

Even backpack straps can’t make carrying the biggest bags comfortable, and that’s when wheels come in. Thule’s are oversized to roll over rough terrain and have a sturdy telescoping handle to keep them going. The bag itself opens like other duffels on this list: wide, thanks to a D-shaped zipper, so you can easily access everything inside its cavernous 110-liter compartment. For essentials, its lid has two zippered mesh pockets, and there’s a small exterior pocket too. A laminated weather-resistant fabric protects everything, and Thule included a molded polycarbonate shell on the bottom.

Matador Seg42

Matador SEG42 Travel Pack

• $199.99 at matadorup.com
• Available Volumes: 30L, 42L
• Weight: 2 pounds, 4 ounces (42L)

Instead of the single large opening that defines most duffels, Matador’s Seg42 has six. Five of them are on its lid, each opening into separate variably sized compartments that call to mind packing cubes that add up to the bag’s 42-liter capacity. When such organization isn’t necessary, these tuck away behind a zippered panel, leaving the Seg42’s full volume available as a sixth option for dump-it-all-in packing. Alternatively, you can use a few of those pockets and collapse the others, making it easy to separate clean stuff from dirty stuff.

The Seg42 also has backpack straps that tuck away when you don’t need them, two end pockets for small items and a separate zippered laptop pocket. All are protected by durable and water-repellent ripstop fabric.

Mystery Ranch Mission Duffel

• $229.00 at mysteryranch.com
• Available Volumes: 40L, 55L, 90L
• Weight: 4 pounds, 3 ounces (55L)

The Mission Duffel sits firmly in between backpack and duffel. As such, its shoulder straps aren’t an afterthought but a fully fleshed-out component that draws on the brand’s success with every day and expedition packs. The straps are padded for comfort and equipped with a sternum harness. They also stow away neatly into a flap on the bottom of the bag. In addition to that, the Mission contains a main compartment that feels bigger than it looks and is home to multiple mesh organizing pockets. Like the Base Camp duffel, the Mission offers a separate section at one end for wet, dirty, or bulky items.

Ortlieb Atrack

Ortlieb Atrack Pack

• $270.00 at Moose Jaw
• Available Volumes : 25L, 35L, 45L
• Weight : 3 pounds, 2.4 ounces (25L)

Of all the strap-equipped bags on this list, Ortlieb’s Atrack is the only one that’s a backpack first. Ortlieb previously made waterproof and rugged duffels with backpack straps on them, and it pulled many of those features over to the Atrack — including a tear-resistant fabric and an impregnable TIZIP zipper — which is designed less for hauling huge loads than for facilitating lots of different adventures. Its pack straps are padded, and they have an accompanying hipbelt. Plus, it uses a simple modular strap system that allows for the carrying of skis, snowboards, snowshoes, trekking poles, helmets and whatever else you might think to strap to it.

Filson Large Rugged Twill Duffle Bag

• $650.00 at Filson
• Available Volumes : 43L, 75L
• Weight : 4 pounds (75L)

You may experience a little sticker shock when shopping around Filson’s site, but the 125-year-old brand hasn’t made it this far by peddling wares that don’t pass muster. The Seattle-based brand decided to opt out of canvas for its largest duffel bag and go instead in the direction of rugged twill, which mimics the no-nonsense aesthetic appeal of waxed canvas and boasts exceptional abrasion resistance.

Filson sources the twill from Britain’s oldest mills and pairs it with bridle leather for the handles and shoulder straps. If you’re looking for a tough duffel that won’t go out of style and is rugged enough to be passed on to the grandkids, Filson’s large duffel is a worthy investment. If you’re looking for more of a weekender size, Filson also offers a medium version with a 43-liter capacity.

Cotopaxi Del Dia Mariveles 32L Duffel

• $40.00 at Backcountry
• Available Volumes : 32L
• Weight : 11 ounces

Cotopaxi’s Del Dia collection takes remnant scraps leftover from the production of other bags and transforms them into one-of-a-kind pieces — without the custom price tag. The Mariveles 32L is perfect for quick weekend getaways, overnighters, or very light packers. The custom colorway ensures you’ll never mix up your duffel with another on the baggage carousel, and the ripstop fabric ensures you won’t be left with a useless duffel at the end of your trip.

Uncharted Supply Co. The Vault 65L Duffel Bag

• $159.00 at unchartedsupplyco.com
• 100% waterproof construction holds up
• Zipper is tough to break in
• Dimensions: 27.5″ x 13.9″ x 10″

Announced in March 2023, the brand that brought you 72 hours of survival in a backpack is at it again — this time with a bombproof duffel. Featuring two large internal pockets and one, smaller external pocket for small tools and paperwork, the entire Vault Duffel is 100-percent waterproof. In the spirit of utility, it also includes an air valve — to compress lofty items (like your favorite puffer) — and that doubles as a water spout in case you’re storing liquids. The Vault 65L Duffel Bag starts at $159 and can be upgraded with a Seventy2 Survival Insert ($390 total) or a Seventy2 Pro Survival Insert ($535 total).

Related Topics

Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

The Best Travel Tote Bags Stylishly Hold It All

Picks from Bottega Veneta, Rimowa, Cuyana, and more

Plane, train, or automobile—however you’re planning to head out of town for the weekend, you’ll need the best travel tote with you, to house the essentials. Having used a tote as a carry-on to load up my headphones and neck pillow, and another as my only bag for a long weekend away, I can vouch for the versatility tote bags can provide when you’re on the go. Look in my closet and you’ll find a handful of options, ranging from a luxury Celine carryall to a practical Cuyana bag.

Best Top-Zip Leather Travel Tote Bag

Cuyana classic easy zipper tote.

Best Black Travel Tote Bag

Caraa nimbus medium.

Best Natural-Fiber Travel Tote

Hunting season the tote in woven natural fiber.

With a range of sizes, strap lengths, and materials, the list ahead offers a comprehensive set of options for weekend trips, longer getaways (with a designer suitcase , of course), and anything in between. With summer getaways on the horizon, you’ll be ready to travel in style, without having to worry that your bag will slide under the seat in front of you.

The long, lean profile of this leather travel tote easily slips under a seat without a fight, and it has a top zipper to secure belongings. Plus, it comes in a range of colors and varying silhouettes to suit all preferences.

Dimensions: 12.3" x 21.6" x 5.1"

Colors: Terra-cotta, black, caramel, dark olive, and more

What reviewers are saying: “I’ve been using the original classic zipper tote for years for travel, and decided to give the new tote a try. I like the new straps, which are easier on the shoulder when I’ve got heavy items to carry, and I love the color (Biscuit). I like having the zipper for keeping my belongings in place when passing through airport security machines and for stowing under the seat in front of me on the airplane.”

I fell in love with Caraa’s durable-yet-sleek recycled nylon bags while trying out stylish diaper bags , and ever since, I’ve been a devotee. I love the rounded silhouette of this spacious but not overly large tote. It feels unique, is super luxe-looking, and offers tons of function, from its lightweight padded design to the 10-plus compartments and multiple straps.

Dimensions: 12.5" x 15.75" x 7"

Colors: Black

What reviewers are saying: “Excellent travel bag. I took it on a recent trip and it was perfect. Love the mesh pockets, the passport pocket and lab top pocket. Just a perfect travel companion!”

“Woven by hand and accented with one-of-a-kind tagua seeds, the tote is a master class in modern travel style,” says Corona. The fiber material is lightweight yet durable, great for days when you’re packing relatively light and need a bag that can make it through work and travel with you.

Dimensions: 19.6" x 11.8" x 7"

Colors: Stripe, brown, natural

Paravel Weekender

Timeless elegance meets modern durability and function in Paravel’s consciously crafted canvas carryall. (Note the protective feet.) It’s monogrammable too—so you’ll never mix it up with another traveler’s bag.

Dimensions: 15" x 15" x 8"

Colors: Tan, black, blue

What reviewers are saying: “This bag looks like the Hermès garden bag. I took it to Sardinia and Sicily and was stopped repeatedly to ask who makes it!”

Calpak Luka Duffel

This bag was my introduction to Calpak, and needless to say, I’m obsessed. It’s so lightweight and spacious, with a secure top zipper, side zip pocket, and sleeve to stay put on my roller bag. I tend to be a heavy packer, especially when attempting only to carry on. I can fit so much in this bag, which fits easily under an airplane seat, even when it’s filled to the brim.

Dimensions: 12" x 16" x 7"

Colors: Chocolate, black, rose, oatmeal, and more

What reviewers are saying: “This bag is more spacious than I imagined it would be. I was shocked how much I could pack in it. I love the shape, structure, color, fabric, luggage sleeve, pockets, and how lightweight it is. It’s truly an amazing piece! My 15 inch MacBook even fits in the outside pocket. It’s a tight fit, but it’s a fit. Worth every penny!”

Prada Re-Edition 1978 Large Re-Nylon and Saffiano Tote

There’s no designer tote bag more durable or beloved than Prada’s Re-Nylon. The black is fail-safe and great for travel, no question. But I can’t help but love the beige as a fresh alternative.

Dimensions: 11.4" x 13.8" x 5.9"

Colors: Black, navy, cork beige

Naghedi St. Barths Large Tote Bag

Flexible and elegant, Naghedi’s woven neoprene tote is a stunning-yet-durable bag for travel and comes with a coordinating pouch for small essentials. Spacious enough for plenty of snacks, a backup layer, and a travel pillow, it’s a year-round winner and can double as a water-resistant beach bag—a true do-it-all wonder.

Dimensions: 22" x 12.5" x 8"

Colors: Olive, black, white, tan, pink, and more

What reviewers are saying: “I purchased this bag one week ago in the Olive large size, and have not put it down since. It is beautiful and gets many compliments. Perfect bag at a great price.”

Dior Large Toujours Bag

Dior’s Toujours bag was a practical standout on the Spring/Summer 2023 runway, making it the ultimate travel companion. The thoughtful details start with the spacious interior compartment and a matching pouch to organize essentials, and end with a leather strap closure to keep items secure, plus adjustable handles for versatile carrying by hand or over the shoulder.

Dimensions: 14.5" x 10.5" x 7.5"

Métier Incognito Cabas Large Suede Tote

Métier is the ultimate for premium suede and leather travel bags. Thoughtfully designed, each bag (like this rich tan version) features multiple interior compartments with a minimal, elevated aesthetic.

Dimensions: 9.4" x 13" x 15.7"

Colors: Brown

Dagne Dover Kal Drawstring Tote

Talk about utility. This drawstring tote bag is not only on-trend with the padded design, but also seriously pocketed, with a perfect spot for every one of your travel essentials. Computer? Check. Wallet and ID? Yep. A water bottle? Oh, yes. (Obviously, staying hydrated in flight is crucial.)

Dimensions: 15" x 4.5" x 16"

Colors: Cream, black, olive, violet, and more

Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM

Louis Vuitton’s Neverfull monogram tote bag is iconic in every sense of the word. I love this new khaki-green iteration—it comes with a removable pouch—as a standout update to the spacious, side-laced silhouette.

Dimensions: 12.2" x 11" x 5.5"

Colors: Khaki, cream, black

Lululemon City Adventurer Tote Bag 27L

Raise your hand if your packing was flawless en route to your destination, but can somehow barely be contained on the way home. Enter the expandable travel tote bag by Lululemon, featuring an extremely useful zippered gusset to adjust the capacity of your carry-on. Genius.

Dimensions: 20.5" x 7.1" x 12.6"

Colors: Trench, black

What reviewers are saying: “I loved this bag so much that I bought one for my cousin, too! I use it as a travel bag, as a diaper bag, and as a tote bag when I am walking around in Rome. It expands the perfect amount to fit more stuff in when I travel home from a destination and it has lots of great pockets for all my AirPods, lip glosses, and ID!”

Bottega Veneta Large Flip Flap

Is this the most functional travel tote out there? Perhaps not. But it’s one of the most gorgeous. Crafted from soft nubuck leather, it’s incredibly spacious inside and completed with a brand-signature Intrecciato leather zippered pocket—perfect for your ID, wallet, and phone. (P.S. There should be even bigger Bottega travel bags available this spring.)

Dimensions: 12" x 14.9" x 11"

Colors: Green, brown

July Carryall Tote

I love the ease of a tote that sits comfortably on my shoulder and stays put while I’m dashing through airports. And this one checks so many other boxes, too: from the zippered top to the padded laptop sleeve compartment and hidden passport pocket with a magnetic closure.

Dimensions: 16.5" x 13" x 6.3"

Colors: Black, navy

What reviewers are saying: “This versatile tote has been an absolute game-changer for my daily activities. The design is not only fashionable but also incredibly functional, providing ample space to carry all my essentials effortlessly.”

Rimowa Vertical Tote

Business trippers and light travelers, this upright tote is for you. It features an easy-access external pocket for laptops or other electronics (so key for getting through security), as well as a roomy interior and travel strap for securing it to a roller.

Dimensions: 5.75" x 14.96" x 1.97"

Colors: Black, petal pink

Celine Cabas Drawstring Cuir Triomphe

If you favor elegant leather totes, look no further than this drawstring style by Celine for travel. It’s the type of tote that transitions seamlessly from the workweek (with polished dresses and tailoring) to weekend getaways (with a matching sweatsuit and sneakers).

Dimensions: 17" x 11" x 7"

Colors: Tan

Antler Chelsea Weekender in Woodland Green

This minimal weekender tote bag is spot-on for unfussy travelers. It’s made of water-resistant nylon, with well-considered details like a separate shoe storage compartment, detachable shoulder strap, and a padded pocket to keep a laptop accessible yet well protected.

Dimensions: 20.87" x 12.6" x 9.06"

Colors: Green, navy

What reviewers are saying: “A useful shapes and size bag with handy pockets and slot to fix soundly onto my luggage. I have just used it for the first time and was very pleased.”

Everlane The Luxe Italian Leather Tote

Sometimes, all you need or want is a beautifully crafted leather tote bag without too many bells and whistles. Everlane has you covered with this roomy and sleek leather tote, featuring two over-the-shoulder straps, an interior slip pocket (to cradle your phone, ID, and lip balm), and a leather-covered metal snap button closure.

Dimensions: 20.8" x 15.3" x 7"

Colors: Beech, cognac, black

What reviewers are saying: “Love the size! Fits everything I need be it work or for traveling. The leather quality & workmanship is top notch! Exactly what I was looking for!”

MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote

MZ Wallace is a go-to for well-made tote bags like this quilted nylon style. Perfect for travel, it’s fitted with several interior and exterior pockets, reinforced padded handles, an adjustable crossbody strap, protective feet, a luggage sleeve, and three detachable pouches.

Dimensions: 14.5" × 11" × 14.5"

Colors: Metallic, black

What reviewers are saying: “I own a couple of these bags in different colors and I find them to be the perfect gift for friends and family who are traveling. They are always blown away by the quality, looks, and functionality! The three extra travel bags are a fun surprise too!”

Chanel Large Deauville Tote

If luxury is your game, is there any other option but a Chanel shopper tote bag? Complete with a spacious interior, coordinating pouch, and interior zip pocket, this beautiful blue bag will stand out in any setting, from exotic beaches to snow-capped mountains. Choose your adventure.

Dimensions: 11.7" × 19.5" × 8.6"

Colors: Beige

Aemilia Madden is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant with over 10 years of experience in the fashion industry. She’s written for publications including Vogue , Harper’s Bazaar , W , and Fashionista . Previously, she was the senior fashion editor at The Zoe Report . In her time away from the internet, Aemilia is probably out on a hike.

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