Frame vs Frameless: The Load Capacity Divide
The frame in a hunting pack is the rigid structure that transfers weight from the shoulder straps to the hip belt — specifically to the strong bony ridge of your iliac crest. Without a frame, the load hangs from your shoulders and upper back. This distinction matters enormously when you're hauling 60–100 lbs of meat.
Frameless packs are lighter, packable, and great for fast-and-light day hunting under 35 lbs. They lack the structure to transfer heavy loads to the hips efficiently. Good for eastern hunting where you rarely carry more than day gear and clothing.
Internal frame packs use stays (aluminum or carbon rods/sheets) inside the pack to create structure. The stays transfer weight to a rigid hip belt. Can comfortably carry 60–80 lbs when properly fitted. Essential for backcountry hunting where you'll pack out meat.
External frame packs (Kifaru, traditional military-style) have the frame outside the bag. Maximum hauling capacity, excellent airflow, but bulky and can snag on brush. Preferred by serious elk hunters who regularly haul 80–100+ lb loads.
Meat Shelf Systems: The Critical Feature for Backcountry Hunters
A meat shelf (game hauler, pack shelf) is a rigid platform at the bottom of the pack's frame that creates a stable base for lashing boned-out meat. Without a meat shelf, you're strapping awkward, wet bags of meat to the outside of a pack designed for dry gear — it shifts, sways, and causes balance problems on long descents.
Key features to look for in a meat shelf system:
- Load lifters: Straps that pull the top of the pack toward your shoulders — critical for transferring heavy meat loads to your hips correctly.
- Lash points: Multiple anchor points for securing full elk quarters or bag loads of boned meat using game bags and straps.
- Shelf width and depth: Wider shelves accommodate larger loads; too narrow and meat bags slide off.
- Material: Aluminum shelf is standard; some use HDPE plastic. Avoid plastic on packs you plan to load heavy.
Capacity Guide by Hunt Type
| Hunt Type | Recommended Capacity | Pack Style |
|---|---|---|
| Stand hunting day hunts | 20–30L | Day pack or hydration pack |
| Spot-and-stalk day hunts | 30–45L | Light framed or frameless |
| Mule deer overnight | 45–65L | Internal frame with meat shelf |
| Elk 3–5 day backcountry | 65–80L | Internal frame, full meat shelf |
| Elk/moose meat hauling | 75–100L+ | External frame, large meat shelf |
Fit and Torso Length: The Most Important Spec
A pack that doesn't fit your torso cannot transfer weight properly regardless of frame quality. Torso length (not height) determines your pack size: measure from your C7 vertebra (prominent bump at the base of your neck) to your iliac crest (the bony ridge of your hips).
Most hunting packs come in Small (under 18"), Medium (18–20"), and Large (20"+) torso fits. Some brands offer fully adjustable suspension systems that eliminate the need for sizing. Fitting at a store is ideal — bring a loaded pack and walk for 15 minutes. A properly fitted pack should have the hip belt sitting across the iliac crest (not the waist), with load lifters engaged at about 45 degrees.
Materials and Durability
Hunting packs live hard lives — brush, rocks, wet game, cleaning blood, dragging over logs. Material choices matter significantly.
- 500D Cordura: Budget-tier hunting pack fabric. Durable but heavy.
- 210D or 330D Nylon: Lighter weight fabrics used in premium packs (Mystery Ranch, Kuiu). Lighter but less abrasion resistant.
- VX-21/Dyneema blends: Ultra-light, ultra-strong, expensive. Used in ultralight hunting packs for those who obsess over ounces.
- Waterproofing: Look for DWR coating at minimum. Some packs use silnylon or DCF materials that are inherently water resistant. No hunting pack is fully waterproof — always use a rain cover or liner bags for wet conditions.
Top Hunting Backpack Picks
Common Hunting Pack Mistakes
Frequently Asked Questions
What size hunting backpack do I need for deer hunting?
For day stand hunting, a 20–30 liter pack carries everything: food, water, rangefinder, rain gear, calls. For elk or mule deer backcountry overnight hunts where you'll pack out meat, a 50–75 liter framed pack with meat shelf is the minimum practical size.
What is a meat shelf on a hunting backpack?
A meat shelf is a rigid platform at the bottom of the pack frame that creates a stable base for lashing boned-out game meat. It transfers the weight of raw meat directly to your hip belt rather than hanging off soft pack fabric. Essential for any pack designed to haul harvested animals.
How much weight can a hunting backpack carry?
A quality framed hunting pack with a meat shelf can carry 100+ lbs when properly fitted. However, 60–80 lbs is the practical maximum for most hunters on multi-mile pack-outs. Frameless packs are comfortable up to about 35 lbs — beyond that, a frame is necessary.
Sources & Further Reading
- Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. "Pack Selection for Western Hunting." backcountryhunters.org
- Mystery Ranch. "NICE Frame Suspension System Guide." mysteryranch.com
- Rokslide. "Best Hunting Packs: Field Tested Comparison 2025." rokslide.com
- Kifarupack.com. "How to Pack Out a Bull Elk." kifaru.net
- Meat Eater. "Backcountry Hunting Gear Guide." themeateater.com
