Last updated May 31st 2026 · By Nick Hall, who has packed out elk and deer on his back with the packs on this list
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The best hunting backpack for most backcountry hunters in 2026 is the Stone Glacier Sky 5900, an ultralight frame pack that hauls 150-plus pounds of meat yet carries like far less on the way in. For a do-it-all option the Mystery Ranch Metcalf goes from day hunt to week-long trip, and on a budget the ALPS OutdoorZ Commander delivers a full meat-hauling frame for around $240.
Hunting pack buying rules, read before you buy
- Buy the frame for the heaviest load you will haul, not the gear you carry in. The pack-out is what breaks you.
- A good hip belt transfers weight to your hips. That is the whole game on a heavy pack-out.
- Day hunters want 1,800 to 2,700 cubic inches. Multi-day backcountry hunters want 4,500 to 6,000-plus.
- A load shelf or meat shelf between frame and bag keeps a bloody quarter off your gear.
- Try it on loaded. A pack that feels great empty in the store can be miserable with 60 pounds in it.
| Pack | Best For | Key Specs | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | BEST OVERALLStone Glacier Sky 5900 Backcountry hunters who pack out their own elk and deer and need to haul heavy. | Type: internal frame pack Capacity: 5,900 cu in expandable to 8,000 Price: around $725 | See It ↓ |
 | BEST DO-IT-ALLMystery Ranch Metcalf Hunters who want a single versatile pack for everything from day hunts to week-long trips. | Type: internal frame pack Capacity: 75 liters, compressible Price: around $549 | See It ↓ |
 | BEST HEAVY HAULERKifaru Absaroka Hardcore expedition hunters who want a USA-built system to haul heavy for a lifetime. | Type: external frame pack, bag shown, frame sold separately Capacity: large expedition volume Price: around $305 bag only | See It ↓ |
| BEST VALUE FRAME PACKALPS OutdoorZ Commander Budget hunters who want real meat-hauling capability without the premium price. | Type: external frame pack with detachable bag Capacity: about 5,250 cu in Price: around $240 | See It ↓ | |
 | BEST RIFLE-CARRY PACKEberlestock Team Elk Rifle hunters who cover ground and want to carry their gun hands-free. | Type: frame pack with rifle scabbard Capacity: about 42 liters Price: around $399 | See It ↓ |
The Best Hunting Backpacks in 2026
Your pack is the gear that decides whether you can hunt the good country or only the easy stuff near the road. A bad pack with 60 pounds of boned-out elk turns a great hunt into a back injury. A great pack makes the same load merely hard, which is the most you can ask for.
I have packed animals out on my back across the West, and the packs below are the ones that earn their keep. Some are ultralight backcountry haulers, one is a budget freighter that punches way above its price, and a couple are day packs that still carry meat when the hunt goes right. Each pick is matched to a real job.
This guide is part of our best guns for hunting hub. Pair your pack with the right rifle from our best elk rifles guide and the right footwear from our best hunting boots roundup before you head into the high country.
1. Stone Glacier Sky 5900: BEST OVERALL
- Best For: multi-day backcountry hunts
- Type: internal frame pack
- Capacity: 5,900 cu in expandable to 8,000
- Frame: Xcurve carbon/alloy
- Weight: about 5.5 lbs
- Price: around $725
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Load Hauling | 5/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Organization | 4/5 |
| Value | 4/5 |
Pros
- Carries 150+ pounds of meat without folding you in half
- Light for the load it hauls
- Expands from bivy mode to a full week of gear
- Bombproof X-Pac fabric and frame
Cons
- Premium price
- Minimalist organization out of the box
- You build the system with add-ons
If you hunt the backcountry and pack out your own animals, the Stone Glacier Sky 5900 is the pack I trust above all others. It hauls brutal meat loads, well past 150 pounds, while staying light enough that you forget it is on your back on the way in.
The Xcurve frame and dialed hip belt are the secret. Weight transfers to your hips instead of grinding your shoulders, which is the difference between finishing a pack-out and quitting halfway. It starts at 4,300 cubic inches in bivy mode and opens up to 5,900, with a load shelf that swallows a boned-out elk.
It is expensive and the organization is minimalist on purpose, so you add pockets and accessories to build your system. For serious western and mountain hunters, it is worth every dollar.
Best For: Backcountry hunters who pack out their own elk and deer and need to haul heavy.
2. Mystery Ranch Metcalf: BEST DO-IT-ALL
- Best For: day hunts through week-long trips
- Type: internal frame pack
- Capacity: 75 liters, compressible
- Frame: Guide Light MT
- Weight: about 5.7 lbs
- Price: around $549
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Load Hauling | 5/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Organization | 5/5 |
| Value | 4/5 |
Pros
- Compresses from a week of gear to an afternoon stalk
- Legendary 3-zip access to the main bag
- OVERLOAD feature keeps meat off your gear
- Mystery Ranch build quality is bombproof
Cons
- Heavier than ultralight rivals
- 75L is more than some day hunters need
- Premium price
If you want one pack that does everything, the Mystery Ranch Metcalf is the answer. Its 75 liters swallow a week of backcountry gear, then cinch down tight enough to feel right on a quick afternoon stalk. That range is rare.
The Metcalf rides on the Guide Light MT frame and uses Mystery Ranch famous three-zip access, so you get into the main bag from the front instead of digging from the top. The OVERLOAD feature sandwiches meat between the frame and bag, keeping the bloody load off your clothes and food.
It is heavier than an ultralight pack and 75 liters is overkill for a pure day hunter. But for the hunter who does a bit of everything, nothing is more versatile.
Best For: Hunters who want a single versatile pack for everything from day hunts to week-long trips.
3. Kifaru Absaroka: BEST HEAVY HAULER
- Best For: 5+ day expedition hunts
- Type: external frame pack, bag shown, frame sold separately
- Capacity: large expedition volume
- Frame: Kifaru frame
- Weight: varies by config
- Price: around $305 bag only
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Load Hauling | 5/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Organization | 5/5 |
| Value | 3/5 |
Pros
- Hauls heavy loads as well as anything made
- Legendary Kifaru durability, built in the USA
- Modular system grows with your needs
- Excellent organization for long trips
Cons
- Bag and frame priced separately, adds up fast
- Heavier than ultralight packs
- Steep learning curve on the system
For 5-plus day expeditions where you will haul serious weight, the Kifaru Absaroka is in the conversation for best pack made. Kifaru gear is the stuff hunters hand down, built in the USA to a standard that shrugs off abuse most packs would not survive.
The Absaroka streamlines features from Kifaru classic Dall and Kutthroat into one external-frame hauler that carries heavy meat loads beautifully and organizes a week of gear without a fight. It is a system you build, and once dialed it just works.
The catch is price. The bag and frame sell separately, so a complete setup climbs past the listed bag-only cost. For the hardcore expedition hunter who wants a pack for life, it earns it.
Best For: Hardcore expedition hunters who want a USA-built system to haul heavy for a lifetime.
4. ALPS OutdoorZ Commander: BEST VALUE FRAME PACK
- Best For: budget backcountry and meat hauling
- Type: external frame pack with detachable bag
- Capacity: about 5,250 cu in
- Frame: aluminum freighter
- Weight: about 7.5 lbs
- Price: around $240
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort | 4/5 |
| Load Hauling | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Organization | 4/5 |
| Value | 5/5 |
Pros
- Frame plus pack bag for a fraction of premium rigs
- Detaches to a bare freighter frame for meat
- Tons of volume for the money
- Dedicated rifle holder and lashing system
Cons
- Heavy aluminum frame
- Not as refined as $700 packs
- Bag fabric is not premium grade
You do not need to spend $700 to haul meat out of the backcountry, and the ALPS OutdoorZ Commander proves it. For around the price of a tank of premium pack accessories, you get a full aluminum freighter frame and a detachable pack bag with over 5,000 cubic inches.
The trick is the freighter design. Strip the bag off and you have a bare frame and shelf for hauling a quartered animal, then reattach the bag for the trip in. It even has a dedicated rifle holder. For a first backcountry pack or a budget meat hauler, the value is unmatched.
You pay for that price in weight, since the aluminum frame is heavier than carbon, and the fabric is not boutique grade. But it carries the load and does not quit, which is what matters.
Best For: Budget hunters who want real meat-hauling capability without the premium price.
5. Eberlestock Team Elk: BEST RIFLE-CARRY PACK
- Best For: rifle hunters who hike in
- Type: frame pack with rifle scabbard
- Capacity: about 42 liters
- Frame: aluminum
- Weight: about 6 lbs
- Price: around $399
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort | 4/5 |
| Load Hauling | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Organization | 4/5 |
| Value | 4/5 |
Pros
- Patented scabbard carries your rifle hands-free
- Aluminum frame handles heavy loads
- Pack separates from frame to haul meat
- Great for spot-and-stalk rifle hunts
Cons
- Scabbard is dead weight if you bowhunt
- Mid-size volume for long trips
- Heavier than a simple daypack
Glassing up a ridge with a rifle slung off your shoulder is miserable. The Eberlestock Team Elk fixes that with its patented rifle scabbard built right into the pack, so your gun rides secure and hands-free while you hike and climb.
It is more than a gun holster. The aluminum frame carries a real load, the pack separates from the frame to haul meat, and the 42-liter body fits a full day of gear with room to spare. For the rifle hunter who covers ground, it is a purpose-built tool.
If you bowhunt, the scabbard is just extra weight, so look elsewhere. But for spot-and-stalk rifle hunting, carrying your rifle on your back instead of your shoulder changes the whole day.
Best For: Rifle hunters who cover ground and want to carry their gun hands-free.
6. Badlands 2200: BEST DAY PACK
- Best For: day hunts with meat-hauling backup
- Type: day pack with hidden meat shelf
- Capacity: about 34 liters
- Frame: magnesium
- Weight: about 5 lbs
- Price: around $400
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort | 4/5 |
| Load Hauling | 4/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Organization | 5/5 |
| Value | 4/5 |
Pros
- Hidden meat shelf for an unexpected pack-out
- Magnesium frame carries more than its size suggests
- Unconditional lifetime warranty
- 25-year proven design
Cons
- Heavy for a day pack
- Pricey for the volume
- More than a pure sit-and-glass hunter needs
The Badlands 2200 has been a day-pack classic for over 25 years, and the reason is simple: it carries far above its weight class. The magnesium frame and dialed suspension let a 34-liter day pack haul a load that would crush a normal daypack.
The killer feature is the hidden meat shelf. Shoot a buck two miles from the truck on a day hunt and you are not stuck, because the pack opens to carry quarters out. Badlands also backs it with a no-questions lifetime warranty, so it is the last day pack you buy.
It is heavy and pricey for a daypack, and a pure stand hunter does not need this much pack. For the day hunter who might tag out far from the road, it is the smart choice.
Best For: Day hunters who want a tough pack that can haul meat when the hunt goes right.
7. Sitka Mountain 2700: BEST PREMIUM DAYPACK
- Best For: quiet, comfortable day hunts
- Type: day pack
- Capacity: about 2,700 cu in
- Frame: internal stay
- Weight: about 3.5 lbs
- Price: around $238
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Load Hauling | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Organization | 4/5 |
| Value | 4/5 |
Pros
- Carries 45 pounds like a much bigger pack
- Quiet fabric for close encounters
- Comfortable multi-day-grade suspension in a daypack
- Clean Sitka build and camo options
Cons
- Day-pack volume only
- Premium price for the size
- Not a heavy meat hauler
For the hunter who wants day-pack simplicity with real comfort, the Sitka Mountain 2700 punches well above its 2,700-cubic-inch size. It comfortably carries 45 pounds thanks to a suspension borrowed from much larger multi-day packs.
The fabric is quiet, which matters more than people admit when a bull or buck is at 40 yards and a noisy pack zipper can blow the whole stalk. The fit is dialed and the Optifade camo blends well. For a full day of glassing and moving, it disappears on your back.
It is a day pack, so it will not haul a boned-out elk in one trip, and you pay a premium for the Sitka name and quality. For comfortable, quiet day hunting, it is excellent.
Best For: Day hunters who want quiet fabric and multi-day comfort in a compact pack.
What to Look For in a Hunting Backpack
Size it to your hunt. Day hunters want roughly 1,800 to 2,700 cubic inches, enough for water, layers, optics, and a kill kit. Multi-day backcountry hunters need 4,500 to 6,000-plus so they can carry camp in and meat out. Buying too big is better than too small, since most packs compress down.
The suspension matters more than the bag. A quality frame and a hip belt that actually transfers weight to your hips are the difference between finishing a pack-out and leaving meat on the mountain. Spend your money there before you spend it on pockets and features.
Look for a load shelf, sometimes called a meat shelf, that carries a quarter between the frame and the bag. And do not overlook other strong frame packs worth a look, like the Exo Mtn Gear K3 and the Kuiu Pro, if the picks above do not fit you. Whatever you choose, load it with 50 pounds and walk before you buy.
How We Evaluated
These packs were judged on what matters when you are miles from the truck: how comfortably they carry a heavy load, how well the frame and hip belt transfer weight, durability over hard seasons, organization, and value for the money. I leaned on real pack-outs with these on my back, plus long-term feedback from hunters who have hauled far more weight on them than any one season allows.
Bottom Line
For serious backcountry hunting, buy the Stone Glacier Sky 5900. It hauls brutal loads and carries light, which is the whole point. Want one pack for everything? The Mystery Ranch Metcalf does it all. On a budget, the ALPS OutdoorZ Commander gives you a real meat-hauling frame for around $240.
Day hunters should look at the comfortable Sitka Mountain 2700 or the haul-anything Badlands 2200. Match the pack to your hunt, prioritize the suspension, and load it before you buy. Your back has to live with this choice.
FAQ: Hunting Backpacks
What is the best hunting backpack?
The Stone Glacier Sky 5900 is the best all-around hunting backpack for 2026. It hauls 150-plus pounds of meat comfortably yet stays light on the way in, making it ideal for serious backcountry and western hunts.
What size hunting backpack do I need?
Day hunters want about 1,800 to 2,700 cubic inches. Multi-day backcountry hunters need 4,500 to 6,000-plus cubic inches to carry camp in and meat out. Most larger packs compress down for shorter trips.
Is a frame pack or a day pack better for hunting?
It depends on the hunt. A frame pack carries heavy meat loads for backcountry and multi-day hunts. A day pack is lighter and simpler for hunts close to the truck. Some day packs, like the Badlands 2200, add a meat shelf for backup.
What is the best budget hunting backpack?
The ALPS OutdoorZ Commander is the best budget hunting pack at around $240. It includes a full aluminum freighter frame and a detachable pack bag with over 5,000 cubic inches, giving you real meat-hauling capability cheaply.
What is the best backpack for elk hunting?
For elk, you need a frame pack that hauls heavy meat loads. The Stone Glacier Sky 5900, Mystery Ranch Metcalf, and Kifaru Absaroka are all top elk packs, with the Stone Glacier leading on weight-to-capacity.
How much weight can a hunting backpack carry?
Quality frame packs like the Stone Glacier Sky 5900 and Kifaru Absaroka comfortably haul 100 to 150-plus pounds when the load is packed correctly and the hip belt is dialed. Day packs typically top out around 45 pounds.
What is the best day pack for hunting?
The Sitka Mountain 2700 is the best premium hunting day pack, carrying 45 pounds comfortably with quiet fabric. The Badlands 2200 is the best day pack with meat-hauling backup thanks to its hidden meat shelf.
Do I need a meat shelf on my hunting pack?
If you pack out your own animals, yes. A load shelf or meat shelf carries a bloody quarter between the frame and the bag, keeping the mess off your gear and the weight close to your back. Most serious hunting packs include one.
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