10 Best Bow Hunting Backpacks in 2023 – Buyer’s Guide

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The best bow hunting backpack is designed specifically for bow hunters. Not only will this backpack be able to hold all of your necessary hunting gear, it will also house your bow and all of your arrows safely. You wouldn’t want to do a scavenger hunt on your backpack when you need it the most, do you? Imagine a deer right in front of you, but your bow or arrows are not ready.

There is just something traditional about shooting with bows. A missed shot means the loss of some pretty expensive gear, but archery skills are an art in itself. Patience and attention to detail from a bowhunter put them a step above the others. You’re going to wait out the heat, you’re going to stand up against different terrains. The feeling of accomplishment is unrivaled as you finally receive your reward, the kill.

In a Hurry? The test winners after 10 hrs of research

Best Bow Hunting Backpacks – Overview

The best backpack for bow hunting will have several pockets well thought out to help you keep things balanced in a way that makes sense to you as a bowhunter. There are many different manufacturers out there that make up a ton of features on each one which makes it incredibly difficult to pick one. Most of these backpacks are using external frames as well. But lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of the best bow hunting backpacks out there so you can find one in minutes.

Bow Hunting Backpacks Reviews

1. ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Hunting Pack – Best Value

The ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Hunting Pack is the perfect backpack for hunts where you need a lot of extra gear with you. With a 2700 cubic inch capacity, the aluminum frame and extension lashing straps help you support and carry heavy payloads. The hydration pocket allows you to use your favorite water bladder for hands-free, on-the-go hydration. 

The drop-down weapon holder is designed to hold your gun or bow, keeping your hands free for intense climbing or glassing fields and mountain tops. The adjustable torso range, padded shoulder harness, and padded waist belt will keep you ultra-comfortable and are fitted to allow for a full range of motion. A plethora of pockets allow you to keep your favorite gear close at hand. 

Key Features:

• Unique organizational front shelf pocket helps keep all your gear at your fingertips
• Keep your essentials close with a drop-down rifle/bow holder pocket, quiver holders and hydration pocket and port
• Padded waist belt with two pockets and reinforced webbing to accommodate clip-style holsters
• Blaze orange rain cover included to stay safe and keep your gear dry during inclement weather conditions

Specifications:

• Brand: ALPS OutdoorZ
• Capacity: 44L
• Dimensions: 22″ H x 14″ W x 4″ D
• Weight: 4.06 lbs

2. Badlands 2200 Camouflage Hunting Pack – Premium Pick

Born over 20 years ago, the Badlands 2200 Camouflage Hunting Pack has continued to evolve as we’ve developed new technologies. With its near-perfect center of gravity, this pack works with your body‘s own natural ability to support the weight. The durable built-in meat shelf leverages the T-6 aircraft aluminum frame to transfer weight from your shoulders to your hips. This pack covers all the bases with an internal scope, and tripod pockets, and a zippered rear entry panel for quick access to your gear; DWR-treated, the waterproof fabric offers scent suppression and resists moisture, dirt, and blood

Thermo-Mold suspension matches the contours of your body for added comfort and stability. The foam used becomes more comfortable the more you wear your pack because it continues to conform to your unique shape. Plus, it’s waterproof and resists mold, mildew, and other nastiness. Compression straps give you loads of options for gear attachment

Key Features:

• KXO-32 fabric
• Approach camouflage
• Adjustable load lifters
• Functional waist belt
• Compatible with 2-liter hydration systems

Specifications:

• Brand: Badlands
• Capacity: 36.9L
• Dimensions: 19″ H x 17″ W x 9″ D
• Weight: 5.93 lbs

3. Eberlestock X2 Pack

The Eberlestock X2 Pack is a tough little pack with big pack features. Oversized compression straps for lashing on a heavy load. Dual hydration compartments. Quick-access pockets for spotting scopes and tripods. And best of all, a unique tubular aluminum Intex frame.

Other major features include Ample FlexChassis which can flip forward for use as a seat or cradle loads you strap to the pack. Perfect platform for their ARCG ButtBucket, for carrying a compound bow. Designed to accept either the A1SS or A2SS Side Scabbards, to carry either shotguns or full-scale hunting rifle. Padlock webbing tie-points in key locations for accessory attachment and lashing on gear. “Shooter Harness,” which is both thinner for shooting and more comfortable for heavier loads. Our guide to the best hunting backpacks offers more great products like this.

Key Features:

• KXO-32 fabric
• Approach camouflage
• Adjustable load lifters
• Functional waist belt
• Compatible with 2-liter hydration systems

Specifications:

• Brand: Eberlestock
• Capacity: 30L
• Dimensions: 22″ H x 12.5″ W x 6.8″ D
• Weight: 4.5 lbs

4. ALPS OutdoorZ Traverse EPS

The ALPS OutdoorZ Traverse EPS is capable of holding your bow or gun in the pocket. In the hauling mode, it can move foods, decoys or additional equipment. It has a pocket specially designed to carry and secure your spotting scope. It has 2 easy-access pockets on the waist belt, a large main pack, a side pocket, an internal pocket, and 2 front wing pockets, in addition to all those great features. There are also side compression straps so you can carry more gear.

The Traverse has a top-of-the-line “H” frame configuration and multi-layer foam waist belt with an outer layer of PE allowing the perfect combination for easy handling of heavy loads. Add in the adjustable torso range and this pack has the suspension system every hunter is looking for when carrying out heavy loads on an animal or other.

Key Features:

• Expandable pack section
• Adjustable torso
• Padded shoulder harness
• Built-in rain cover
• Bow pockets

Specifications:

• Brand: ALPS OutdoorZ
• Capacity: 74L
• Dimensions: 25″ H x 15″ W x 7″ D
• Weight: 6.87 lbs

5. SITKA Gear Bivy 30

The SITKA Gear Bivy 30 is made for the savvy lightweight overnight missions, built with enough room for the well-practiced backcountry bivy hunter. An easy-to-remove lid lets you lower your bag into a convenient day pack. This lean formed, alpine-inspired set-up features lightweight pockets to minimize weight and keep your feet warm.

Several people thrive lighting up. If that’s you, then that’s your pack. Built with enough space for the well-practiced bivy hunter on the backcountry, the Bivy 30 is right up your alley. Easy to remove lid lets you lower your pack into a handy day pack. Easy to remove lid allows you to decrease your pack into a manageable day pack.

Key Features:

• Available as one size fits all
• Easy to remove lid
• Minimal pockets to reduce weight
• Lightweight

Specifications:

• Brand: SITKA
• Capacity: 49L
• Dimensions: 24″ H x 12″ W x 10″ D
• Weight: 3 lbs

6. ALPS OutdoorZ Trail Blazer Hunting Pack

Gear up for a day in the Great Outdoors! – Hunt far off the beaten trail without leaving any essentials behind! And do it all with this durable, lightweight and highly-functional ALPS OutdoorZ Trail Blazer Hunting Pack. Designed with 41 liters of storage space, the Trail Blazer has plenty of room for your firearm or bow, extra clothing, and all the gear you could ever imagine.

Plus, it even has front lashing straps and bartacked webbing for extra storage and a hydration port. It has an expandable pocket that allows you to carry your firearm or bow and the PE frame sheet offers extra support. Features a large main pocket for storing your gear, zippered front pocket for accessories, 2 lower side mesh pockets for water bottles or other accessories. Padded shoulder straps for maximum comfort.

Key Features:

• Expandable pocket to carry your gun or compound bow securely
• Bartacked webbing gives multiple attachment points
• Fully equipped with hydration pocket/port
• Front lashing system
• Blaze orange rain cover

Specifications:

• Brand: ALPS OutdoorZ
• Capacity: 41L
• Dimensions: 21.5″ H x 14″ W x 2″ D
• Weight: 2.56 lbs

7. Timber Hawk Killshot Backpack

The Timber Hawk Killshot Backpack is ideal for both day hunts and multi-day backcountry adventures. Small enough to quietly navigate thick timber, the Killshot’s main compartment has enough capacity to hold several nights’ worth of gear and pack out meat afterward. Crafted of polyester brushed tricot with PVC backing, this quiet-cloth backpack includes a pull-out orange blaze rain cover to protect and provide visibility when needed. It also comes with a two-liter hydration bladder with an insulated hose, and can also carry a rifle or bow in several different ways.

Raptor compression straps shrink the pack for load stability, while right and left hip belt accessory pockets to give instant access to gear or snacks. Other features include the Hawk-Eye binocular strap system, Silent Stalk quick-ejection clips for dropping the pack in a hurry, bottom and top lashing points for external storage, a drop-down scabbard for secure rifle storage, an internal spotting scope sleeve, and dual shoulder strap pockets for radios, phones, and GPS.

Key Features:

• Carries a rifle, bow or tripod in multiple ways
• Includes durable, ultra-quiet twill lining, pull-out rain cover, and two-liter reversible hydration bladder
• Adjustable shoulder strap system
• Deluxe padded waist belt with ergonomic tightening adjustment
• Bottom and top lashing points for external storage

Specifications:

• Brand: Timber Hawk
• Capacity: 56.2L
• Dimensions: 22″ H x 12.5″ W x 12″ D
• Weight: 7.6 lbs

8. Allen Pagosa 1800 Hunting Daypack

The Allen Pagosa 1800 Hunting Daypack features a quiet, 240g tricot brushed fabric construction. Featuring bright lining and zipper pulls, this bag allows you to easily locate your stuff even under low-light conditions. Available in Mossy Oak Break-Up Country and Realtree Xtra, this hydration ready backpack also has two water bottle carriers, side tension belts, an elastic sternum strap, padded shoulder straps, and a 52 “waist belt.

The back support panels are designed to help keep you comfortable to and from your blind. Even when your bag is filled to the max, the padded panels are lined with cool mesh to keep you comfortable on those long treks. With an 1800 cubic inch capacity, internal and external pockets and organizers, you’ll be able to bring everything you need – and stay organized. Loops on the front allow you to attach other accessories to the outside of the pack as well.

Key Features:

• High-vis lining and zipper pulls are great for low-light conditions
• Quiet fabric to help you go unnoticed
• Hydration pouch ready with dual water bottle pockets
• Adjustable padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, and waist belt

Specifications:

• Brand: Allen Company
• Capacity: 29L
• Weight: 2.21 lbs

9. ALPS OutdoorZ Falcon Hunting Pack

The ALPS OutdoorZ Falcon Hunting Pack offers a vented back design that allows for maximum airflow to your back while carrying your gear. The vented back of the Falcon increases comfort in an already reliable platform that you would expect from ALPS OutdoorZ. It has two main compartments: one containing organizational pockets to keep everything right where you want it and the other is a large main compartment that also has a sleeve and port for a hydration bladder.

The Falcon has 2500 cubic inches of storage and has a dual directional frame to help support heavy loads. The padded waist belt also has two zippered pockets for small gear that needs to be easily accessible such as your range finder, GPS, or extra ammo. With a drop-down weapon pocket you can carry your bow or rifle securely, safely and hands-free. Other features include a Blaze orange rain cover, lower side mesh pockets and webbing straps for lashing on extra gear.

Key Features:

• Vented back allows maximum air flow to keep you cool
• Carries a gun or bow securely, waist belt accommodates clip-style holsters
• Dual-directional frame helps support heavy loads with comfort
• Equipped with H20 port/pocket, side mesh pockets, webbing loops for lashing and blaze orange rain cover

Specifications:

• Brand: ALPS OutdoorZ
• Capacity: 41L
• Dimensions: 22″ H x 14″ W x 4″ D
• Weight: 4.43 lbs

10. ALPS OutdoorZ Dark Timber Hunting Day Pack

The ALPS OutdoorZ Dark Timber Hunting Day Pack is a great choice for trips when it is a must for comfort and durability. There is a shoulder strap and a padded waist belt. With 3 separate pockets to keep your gear organized, plus pockets on each side of the water bottle, there’s enough room to bring along the essentials, plus a few! The pack is compatible with hydration and has lashing straps to tie even more gear.

A large accessory pocket and main storage compartment offer plenty of organization and storage space. In addition to the main compartment and accessory pocket, a lower pocket provides additional storage space. Side compression straps help to bring the pack’s weight closer to your body, making carrying heavy loads easier and more comfortable. The adjustable sternum strap ensures a comfortable and secure fit to your body.

Key Features:

• Large front accessory and main pocket to keep your essentials organized and accessible
• Fully loaded with side mesh pockets, lower storage pocket, and hydration pocket and port
• Side compression straps pull in pack’s weight, making heavy loads easier and more comfortable to carry
• Padded waist belt and shoulder straps with adjustable sternum straps for maximum comfort

Specifications:

• Brand: ALPS OutdoorZ
• Capacity: 37L
• Dimensions: 15″ H x 10″W x 4″ D
• Weight: 2.06 lbs

Buying Guide

Materials

A lot of companies are now pushing the limits in the quality of their products being manufactured. Backpacks can now carry large weights using blends of materials such as Hypalon and Aramid, without losing quality. They can also be rendered water-resistant, with the right material. Bowhunting water-resistant backpacks are more popular nowadays and are not as costly as they used to be.

Bow Holder

The backpack should be flexible enough to fit any bow. And don’t forget about your arrows. A bowhunting backpack must have compartments that allow a portion of your quivers to slip easily into. And all of this must be within your control to prevent having to remove the backpack in order to access it.

Meat Hauling Pocket

A good bow hunting backpack should make room for the meat. It should have a dedicated meat pocket which should provide adequate ventilation. So we recommend that you pick backpacks that have the ability to take in a load of meat.

Comfort

Does the bow hunting backpack have a frame? If not then is the back padded? Is it breathable? Is it shoulder harness adjustable? These are the questions that you need to be answered by you. The backpack’s comfort will determine just how much load you can carry easily.

Warranty

Most bow hunting backpacks come with some kind of warranty, but depending on the manufacturer, each one will offer a different kind of guarantee. Generally, the longer the warranty, the better it is because the manufacturer has more confidence in its products.

Frequently Ask Questions

What should I pack in my bow hunting backpack?

A hydration bladder, first aid kit, flashlight, headlamp, rain gear, snacks, hunting knife, and your hunting license are some of the items you need to bring when hunting for the deer or elk.

What are the different types of bow hunting backpacks?

Single day packs in size are lighter, and simpler to transport. Most come with an internal room of 3,000 cubic inches, so that you can store enough gear for one day. This usually involves a change of clothes along with more ammunition, scopes, trail cameras, and small equipment for hunting. If you’re going to be out overnight or longer you’re definitely going to want a bigger bag. Usually, multi-day packs have 4.500 cubic inches. While some will reach up to 7,000 cubic inches of storage capacity.  In. These larger packs may be cumbersome and heavy to bear, so before picking a hunting backpack, it’s also necessary to remember the distance and landscape.

Can I use a regular backpack for hunting?

Because of the natures’ unpredictability, hunting bags are designed such a way they will adjust to certain circumstances the standard backpacks won’t be able to. Therefore it is often recommended that hunting backpacks be used for the optimum hunting experience.

Conclusion

We hope this guide was helpful for finding the best bow hunting backpacks as well as our guide on features to look for in a bow hunting backpack. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this guide, feel free to let us know in the comments section.