Bowhunting is a challenge that requires specific gear. If that gear fails, it could be a bit of a drag, or it could actually cost you a lot-maybe even the buck of a lifetime. We all want reliability, but really what we want is the right to not even think about something going wrong or a piece of gear not doing its job. That's the perspective we suggest for all gear, but particularly ones you use on every hunt, every time. Beyond a bow and camo, it's the hunting backpack, where all the other equipment is kept and carried, that rings in with top-tier importance. Whatever you sling over your shoulders should be a tool in itself, something that can actually enhance your bowhunting experience if you use it to its fullest. We have curated our top picks for each price range of the best bowhunting backpacks of the season.
The Best Bowhunting Backpacks
1. Our Favorite Budget Backpack
Allen Terrain Cape Daypack 1350 - Amazon, $28.72
The Allen Terrain Cape Daypack 1350 is an absolute steal for a bowhunter on a tight budget. This backpack is by no means fancy, but it has plenty of storage and costs $30. The Allen Terrain Cape Daypack 1350 can get the job done for carrying bowhunting gear. It has two large zippered pockets, a deep, full-pack pocket, and a smaller pocket with three individual pockets for smaller items. It also has dual water bottle pockets for hydration. Each side also has two elastic-topped mesh pockets. The front of the pack has a crisscrossed stretchy elastic band that you can use to maximize storage space.
2. Our Pick for Maximum Storage Space
ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Backpack - Sportsmans, $69.97
Our mid-level budget pick, and the one that really maximizes storage space, is the ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Backpack. It is sturdy, deep, and roomy, with a storage capacity of 2,700 cubic inches. There is plenty of space in the main compartment for extra clothes, binoculars, a rangefinder, snacks, a field gutting kit, and anything else you might need. Add in a little extra storage from clipping things to the outside of the pack, and you have a storage-space dynamo of a backpack.
There is a removable metal spine, which is a nice bit of functionality. While some hunters prefer that added structure and reinforcement, others (like myself) do not. The weight of the Pursuit is comparable to similar packs, weighing in at four pounds, one ounce. The front pocket on the pack is gigantic and filled with lots of extra storage opportunities. It even has a handy shelf that folds down when the front pocket is unzippered fully. That shelf is held in place by straps. Mesh pockets are on that shelf, and several other small pockets are on the vertical face. So much storage room for heavy loads! The Pursuit has three color choices: Coyote Brown, Realtree EDGE, and Mossy Oak Country DNA. It costs between $99 and $140, depending on the retailer.
3. Our Pick for the Ultimate Bowhunting Backpack
Vision Compound Bow Pack - Realtree, $169.99
The Vision Compound Bow Pack is the most comprehensive pack on this list. It has everything a bowhunter would want in a bag: an incorporated bow case, storage compartments, lots of pockets, comfy straps, and several more nice features. Most bowhunting backpacks are a backpack first, with a space to carry a bow seemingly an afterthought. This pack seems to be the reverse: a bow case with added backpack storage. The soft-shelled case compartment is long and wide with plenty of room for most bows, and the backpack portion has lots of room for all your bowhunting gear. Another place this pack shines is in the Tree Shelf Three (TS3) front pocket system, which allows three different pocket use options on the backpack. The first use is a standard front pocket. The second allows the front pocket to be completely unzipped and laid flat, creating a shelf. This option is best used when the pack is strapped to a tree. The final use of the pocket is that it drops it down and has a basket that will pop out. It is available in various color choices, including Realtree EDGE, Realtree EXCAPE, INSIGHTS SE, and soon the Mossy Oak Bottomland and Mossy Oak DNA patterns will be added.
