Can anyone recommend a quality brand of backpack for using while hunting in Africa?

May I ask why you want a backpack?

I have never seen the need to have one while hunting.

I take a medium size camera bag, in which I leave in the truck.

I put my SLR camera, video camera, spare ammo, binoculars, sweets and snacks in it.

Personally, I prefer to walk with as little to carry as possible.

I carry my rifle, ammo, some hard boiled sweets, small GPS and a pocket camera in my pockets. I don't even bother with carrying binoculars.

Anytime we leave the truck, one of the truckers always carries a backpack with water in it.

For me, also a light approach. A fanny pack with knife, insect repellent, compass, odds and ends. A leather cartridge case with a few extra cartridges on the belt. Small camera and Leitz 10x25 binoculars in pockets. Pure cotton bandanna around neck.

I do use a sling on my rifle, but can remove it and store in the fanny pack. A backpack would interfere with mounting the rifle, at least in my opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by Rich-:
Can anyone recommend a quality brand of backpack for using while hunting in Africa?

Hi Rich,

Not sure where you are located but the best commonly available decent packs in UK are supplied by stores that sell non-issue kit to the Armed Forces or by specialist mountaneering/explorer manufacturers.

Comfort and reliability being the primary goals, the non-issue kit is generally the most easily "customisable" and of the highest quality. What works for your body might be unsuitable for others.

PM me if you are in the UK.

Milo.

a backpack would be high on my list of non essential items. A small bag doing just what saeed said is more than sufficient. nother thing that you won't need is a big knife. just a pocket tool is enough. if you want to take a bunch of stuff with you, try a safari vest.

Saeed is correct. You won't want to haul around a pack, just the essentials. I love the Texas Hunt Co. PH utility belt! Leatherman, GPS (although the PH usually has one), flashlight, cartridge holder, and a water bottle in a pouch. Take it on and off as needed and it's always loaded and ready.

If you're like me you'll have a pack but it just stays in the truck all day. The Mystery Ranch Dragonslayer is a great pack that has infinite adjustability and will last a lifetime. The Camelbak Trizip is the same design (licensed from MR) but a little smaller and a lot cheaper. Great pack, too, and available at Cabelas.
The Sitka Gear packs are worth a look also.

Regards,
Scott