2024 Best Backpack Gear for Hunters

Hunters in 2024 have a unique opportunity to explore and hunt America’s public land system in a way that many hunters worldwide and even in the past did not. Vast tracts of undeveloped land throughout the country, from cypress swamps in the southeast to mountain ranges in the Pacific Northwest, are available for sportsmen to recreate. However, Much of this land requires foot exploration, making backpack hunting the best way to get to your target species.

As more hunters explore these unspoiled areas, hunters looking for unpressured game must hike farther into the woods. The long-range hikes to hunt areas “where others won’t go” means that the gear we carry needs to be purposefully selected. While we can’t cover every piece of region-specific gear in this article, we are going to highlight the best general-use gear for backpack hunters to have.

Range Finder

Hunting new areas, especially hunting areas with limited help for recovery, makes knowing your shot distance even more important. Being able to quickly determine the distance between you and your target helps tip the odds in your favor, especially when hunting areas where range estimation can be faulty based on limited markers. The Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB is a combination range finder and ballistic calculator that can accurately range game up to 2000 yards. No, we don’t recommend ever shooting a game at that distance, but gathering precise range data can make the stalking game much more manageable. This compact package weighs 10.1 ounces and measures 4.4 inches long.

Pad

Folding pads aren’t just for sleeping. When glassing, waiting for your animal, or even breaking down gear, a lightweight pad is a welcome addition to keep your knees, rear, and gear off the rocks and out of the damp. The GOHunt Glassing Pad may not be the newest pad on the market, but it represents the gold standard for foldable multipurpose pads. A blaze orange side is a great tool when marking your spot on the side of a mountain.

Head Lamp

Going the distance means leaving the truck early and not returning until well after dark. When an animal is harvested, it’s often dressed in the field, requiring some illumination to do the work while the sun is setting. Having a powerful headlamp makes navigation and butchering much easier.

The FENIX HM50R V2.0 Rechargeable Headlamp is a lightweight 700-lumen headlamp with an aluminum body construction and easy-to-use buttons. The lamp itself is removable and can be used as a flashlight or beacon if the need arises. The HM50R is USB rechargeable and has a run time of up to 42 hours on the low-lumen setting.

Rain Gear

Weather is part of hunting, and being hours from a shelter means keeping dry is a priority. Having a lightweight hardshell outerwear set stuffed in your pack will greatly reduce the risk of hypothermia when the weather changes for the wetter. The Kryptec Jupiter packable rain jacket and pants are a super lightweight and compact option for backpack hunters. The Jupiter series comes in four patterns and packs into nearly any pocket of your backpack.

Game Bags

Meat preservation is key to getting the best quality meat from your game animals. Every hunter hopes to come home at the end of the hunt with a pack full of game meat, but meat exposed to direct sun, insects, and dirt will spoil quickly, diminishing the quality and enjoyment of your meals. The Argali Large Game M.O.B. Pack Game Bag Set is a compact 5-bag set weighing in at just 15oz, perfect for the biggest of the game. Each regular bag can fit a quartered elk or caribou, allowing hunters to keep their meat safe and suspended away from scavengers during the multi-trip pack out.

Backpack hunting is about more than just getting to the back 40, it’s about coming back too. Planning and carrying enough gear to succeed even in adverse conditions is what makes public land hunting with a backpack such a thrilling and rewarding activity. With new ultra-lightweight gear and compact computer systems that allow hunters to become explorers and adventures in a way that connects with American greats like Crocket, Boone, and Jerimiah Johnson. Hunt hard, go far, and never stop exploring.