There’s something classic to bow hunting. The stakes are higher. A missed shot means the loss of some pretty expensive equipment, but the skill of archery is an art in itself.
The kind of immediate gratification that comes with rifle hunting, shooting away until you hit your mark, is not for the bowhunter.
A bowhunter’s patience and attention to detail sets them a cut above the rest. You will wait out the weather, you will withstand different terrains. When you finally receive your prize, the kill, the feeling of satisfaction is unmatched.
Your bow hunting pack says a lot about the kind of adventure you’re about to undertake. Get to know your hunting packs and be prepared for anything!
Bow Hunting Backpack – Comparison Table
| Product | Features | Latest Price |
|---|---|---|
 
1. ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Hunting Backpack |
|
Check Price |
 
2. ALPS OutdoorZ Pathfinder Hunting Pack |
|
Check Price |
 
3. Badlands 2200 Camouflage Hunting Backpack |
|
Check Price |
 
4. ALPS OutdoorZ Traverse EPS Hunting Pack |
|
Check Price |
 
5. ALPS OutdoorZ Matrix Hunting Pack |
|
Check Price |
 
6. Eberlestock X2 Hunting Bagpack |
|
Check Price |
 
7. Eberlestock M5 Team ELK Pack |
|
Check Price |
 
8. Tenzing TZ 4000 Hunting Pack |
|
Check Price |
 
9. ALPS OutdoorZ Trail Blazer Hunting Pack |
|
Check Price |
 
10. Eberlestock X1 Pack |
|
Check Price |
Top 10 Backpacks for Bow Hunting
1. ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit Hunting Backpack
Great for taking on a day’s hunting trip, this pack nicely fits all the necessary gear, bearing the load with ease.
Its designs allow you to secure a bow right at the front face, held in place by lashing straps. A drop-down pocket holds the bow in place, preventing it from sliding off.
The body of the pack is made of a brushed mossy oak break-up country fabric. The material withstands the harsh outdoor conditions while keeping your bow safe inside.
There’s a blaze orange rain cover to ward off the water. The padded back and waist belt provide comfort for your back and shoulders.
Pros
- Fits different types of bows.
- Drop down pocket large enough for spare rifle and makes for easy bow access during your hunts.
- The front compartment has a lot of pockets so you can organize or store small items with ease.
- Comfortable support padding with padded shoulder straps, as well as a waist belt that helps distribute the backpack weight more evenly.
- Rain Cover included to keep you nice and dry during unexpected showers.
- The pack is ideal for single day trips because it’s small, light, and won’t weigh you down.
Cons
- This pack doesn’t have a dedicated meat hauling pocket.
2. ALPS OutdoorZ Pathfinder Hunting Pack
Although its fanny pack form is only 800 cubic inches, it rolls out to a full day pack of 2700 cubic inches, ready for anything.
There are two side pockets, front pocket, main pocket, the fanny pocket and the day pack pocket. You also get a hauling mode and bow carrying mode.
It holds the bow securely, giving you easy access. Once you’ve gotten your prey, you can shift to the hauling mode where the pack provides extra space to store your kill.
It comes with additional detachable compartments for binoculars, camera, harness and more.
Pros
- Adjustable size
- Personalized function and it’s possible to shift your hauling mode so you can stay flexible while you’re hunting.
- Detachable compartments including scope pocket
- Thorough features
- It has a large meat compartment where you can store or carry along a smaller kill
- You can combine this pack with other bow carrying backpacks to extend your storage capacity, go on longer hunting expeditions, or wear it as a simple fanny pocket for quicker hunting expeditions.
Cons
- The accessory pockets sold separately
3. Badlands 2200 Camouflage Hunting Backpack
Badlands are masters at engineering high-quality hunting backpacks. Nothing underscores this fact than their unconditional lifetime warranty.
With eight pockets that combine to give a total of 2250 cubic inches carrying capacity, this pack is very generous.
With its pockets, straps, and compartments, there’s no shortage of room for your hunting essentials.
Pros
- 2+ day holding capacity
- T-6 aircraft aluminum internal frame is lightweight and the waist belt reduces the tension on your back.
- KXO-32 fabric: waterproof, scratch proof, high durability
- It can hold up to 2-liter water reservoir.
- The 2250 cubic inch carry capacity is ideal for storing or carrying a lot of meat or relatively large kills.
- Lots of straps will keep your bow nice and secure while you hike.
Cons
- The bow or rifle boot is sold separately. It would have been much better if they offered both boots on the purchase.
4. ALPS OutdoorZ Traverse EPS Hunting Pack
When you think it’s filled, it unleashes more space. Whatever you need to carry: tripods, camera arms or even large items of clothing. You’ll be covered.
It’s expandable section offers an extra 1200 cubic inches of storage space. Your meat will neatly fit inside, while extension lashing straps allow you to attach extra gear on the outside.
ALPS OutdoorZ knows that nature can be very unpredictable, a rain cover and gun holster accommodate for changing conditions.
Pros
- 3300 cubic inches in total with 1200 cubic inch storage space for hunting gear or for your kill.
- Expandable pack
- Belt rifle holster
- Padded shoulder harness will keep you comfortable on long trips.
- Highly adjustable straps are nice and breathable to keep you cool.
- Built in rain cover to keep your bow and hunting gear nice and dry.
- Drop down pocket for rifle or a bow that offers lots of protection for your hunting gear.
Cons
- No inbuilt frame
5. ALPS OutdoorZ Matrix Hunting Pack
You’ll need support with this one, and you’ve got it! A center aluminum stay helps to evenly distribute the weight of the pack’s contents making it easier to carry.
The weapons are secured in place by the two padded straps that start in the middle of the backpack and wrap around the weapon. On the wing pockets, you can insert your arrows and have them conveniently placed by your side.
With a hydration pocket and port included, you won’t have to worry about removing your backpack to reach for your water.
Pros
- 2700 cubic inches is plenty of space to fit your kill
- Center aluminum stay and waist belt eases your carrying when you’re packing heavy loads.
- The blaze orange rain cover will keep your gear nice and dry in case of unexpected showers
- Versatile design with its expandable loading area that increases your capacity from 500 cubic inches up to 1,200 cubic inches.
- Hydration pocket and port as well as mesh pockets for water bottles is ideal for staying hydrated on hot days or long hunting expeditions.
- It has lots of easy-access pockets that are ideal for quickly accessing hunting gear while you’re out and about.
Cons
- No dedicated meat hauling system.
6. Eberlestock X2 Hunting Bagpack
The Eberlestock X2 hunting backpack joins this list with a range of features that make it an ideal bow hunting carrying backpacks. This pack’s size gives you a considerable amount of room to pack in a day’s worth of hunting supplies.
With dimensions of 22.5 inches by 16 inches by a depth of 6 inches, the X2 offers a total of 1,839 cubic inches in carrying capacity. This might seem inadequate for some but hold judgment and see why it’ll do.
The pack has been cleverly designed to present an array of pockets in unique fashions. There are side pockets on either side of the pack. These open up like wings to reveal two tuck pockets on their interior, excellent for quick access.
Then, there’s the main compartment which can carry a massive load. But wait, there’s more. Eberlestock added their FlexChassis feature that enables the lower end of the pack to flip forward to be used as a seat.
To ease the carrying of the massive load that the X2 is likely to bear, there’s an internal aluminum frame. And we know that having a frame transfers the weight of the pack from your shoulders, lower down to your hips. This gives you a more upright position and an easy walk. Also, there’s a well padded full mesh back panel. This panel hovers over the main pocket, separated by an air gap to enhance breathability while carrying.
Pros
- Though the X2 has a compact, lightweight build, it’s made to bear massive loads in its 1839 cubic inches of carrying capacity.
- The numerous pockets, cleverly placed in the backpack give you ample space to insert your gear.
- Having a tough and lightweight aluminum frame makes it much easier to carry the heavy load in the pack.
- Using the lashing straps on the load, extra gear can be attached on the outside of this backpack.
- Eberlestock’s FlexChassis provides a feature in which the bottom of the X2 flips forward to reveal a seat for the hunter.
- This pack has a side scabbard in which a bow can easily fit. It can also accommodate a rifle.
Cons
- The size of the pack seems too small for individuals as tall as 5’8’’ or taller. The tall users have complained that it barely fits them properly.
7. Eberlestock M5 Team ELK Pack
Another Eberlestock product, the M5 bears the characteristics of the Eberlestock family. These are the quality build, the versatility and the functionality. The M5 was made specifically for the Elk-hunter.
So, with dimensions of 23 inches by 11 inches by a depth of 9.5 inches, a whole elk can fit in here. And I don’t exaggerate. It has a total carrying capacity of 3100 cubic inches making it ideal a day’s hunting trip.
Being able to carry such a heavy weight, we would need support to easily carry the pack. And support you get.
With the Intex tubular aluminum frame, the pack’s weight is evenly divided and then rested on your hips. This makes it seem much lighter than it actually is, allowing you to carry it more comfortably.
To carry the weapon, you get a fold away rifle scabbard and, for the bow hunters, there’s a built-in bow carrier. All these are placed at convenient points that make it easy for you to access the weapons.
Pros
- With a carrying capacity of 3100 cubic inches, this pack is big enough to carry as a day pack.
- The M5 has an inbuilt tubular aluminum frame that makes it much easier to carry the massive load that the pack is bound to bear.
- It is ideal for both rifle and bow hunters. There are a fold away rifle scabbard and a built in bow carrier.
- Access to the main compartment can either be through the front or top making it easy to quickly reach your gear.
- The M5 is also built with hydration pockets that allow for attachment of the reservoirs to keep you supplied with water.
Cons
- The side pouches are rather small and can’t accommodate bigger spotting scopes.
8. Tenzing TZ 4000 Hunting Pack
If you’re looking for a deceptively compact backpack, then the Tenzing TZ 4000 hunting pack is for you. I say deceptively because, at first glance, it looks rather small. However, it offers a sufficient carrying space of 2500 cubic inches. Still, the deception doesn’t end.
When in need of more space, the side of the pack reveals expanding compartments that offer an extra 300 cubic inches. But wait, there’s more. There’s a central meat compartment that carries the meat on your way back. This one takes in a staggering 1400 cubic inches.
To be able to carry this whopping load, the designers at Tenzing endowed the TZ 4000 with an adjustable torso suspension. With this, any person can comfortably carry the pack irrespective of their body size. To add onto this, the TZ 4000 has an internal aluminum frame that makes it much easier to carry the heavy gear in the pack.
We know that you need to carry your bow and Tenzing know that as well. They thus included a foldout carrying boot that not only accommodates your bow and arrows but can also carry a gun making this ideal for all hunters.
Pros
- The Tenzing TZ 4000 has a main carrying capacity of 2500 cubic inches.
- The capacity can be increased through the expanding side compartments. This adds an extra 300 cubic inches.
- To carry the meat, there’s a central meat compartment that increases the carrying capacity by another 1400 cubic inches.
- With the internal aluminum frame, carrying the massive load won’t be a problem.
- Bearing an adjustable torso suspension, hunters of varied body sizes can comfortably carry the backpack.
- The TZ 4000 has a fold out carrying boot in which you can fit your bow or even a gun.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a rain cover.
9. ALPS OutdoorZ Trail Blazer Hunting Pack
True to ALPS Outdoor Z character, they have created another brilliant backpack, the Trail Blazer. It’s designed to embrace your back comfortably as its straps hang over your shoulders. With a carrying capacity of 2500 cubic inches, this is more than ideal to use as a daypack.
It has a large main compartment that offers secure storage for your gear. To the front, there’s a zippered pocket that’s is excellent for the smaller gear like binoculars or your camera. This pocket places the gear within quick reach. If the space inside the pack isn’t enough, you can attach more gear externally thanks to the bar-tacked webbing on the front of the pack.
ALPS Outdoor Z also didn’t forget about your weapons. The Trail Blazer has a drop down pocket that securely fits your bow or even your rifle. And using the front lashing system, you’ll be able to firmly lash the bow, keeping them safely held on the backpack.
The Trail Blazer also has a hydration port and pocket in which you can fit in a compatible reservoir to keep you well hydrated throughout your hunting expedition. To carry this massive load, the pack is fitted with a PE frame sheet that offers additional support, evenly distributing the weight of the pack making it easier and more comfortable to carry.
Pros
- The Trail Blazer has an ample carrying capacity of 2500 cubic inches, excellent for use as a daypack.
- The pack has an array of pockets in which you can secure your gear.
- ALPS Outdoor Z also included webbing on the pack on which additional gear can be attached.
- A drop down pocket on the pack securely fits a bow or rifle.
- This pack also has a built in rain cover for protection from rain.
- With the PE frame sheet on the Trail Blazer, the load is made easier to carry.
Cons
- The pack is too small for more than a day’s hunting trip.
10. Eberlestock X1 Pack
Eberlestock is renowned makers of excellent quality hunting backpacks. The pack is no exception. It’s one of the best bow hunting backpacks in the market. Its chief selling point is the ability to carry not just a bow but also a rifle. This usefulness makes it a popular choice for hunters who don’t want to be tethered to just one weapon choice.
The back scabbard snugly fits a full-scale hunting rifle. Eberlestock calls it a quickdraw scabbard. As the barrel of the rifle sits safely inside the scabbard, the butt protrudes above and rises outside behind you.
This positioning makes it easy to pull out the gun at an instant. On the front face of the Eberlestock, there are X pockets which were designed to give your bow a place to sit. The bow is then secured in place using the ripcord bow tether.
The assortment of pockets in the pack provides a safe place to stuff your gear in. This makes for a daypack that can carry more than enough gear for a day’s trip.
Then, to ensure that you’re comfortable while carrying such a load, the shoulder harness has been made such that it’s vertically adjustable to fit different torso lengths. No matter your size, this backpack will accept you. Even if you’re carrying a really heavy load, this adjustability allows you to shift the harness and the load to a position that’s most comfortable for you.
Pros
- The Eberlestock is able to carry a full-scale hunting rifle in its quick draw scabbard.
- A bow snugly sits X pockets and is then secured by the ripcord bow tether keeping the bow stable while you walk or run.
- The adjustable shoulder harness makes the pack comfortable to wear for people with varying torso lengths.
- A large number of pockets accommodate more than enough gear for a day’s hunting trip.
- Webbing tie-points all over the pack allow for attachment of extra gear externally.
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a rain cover.
- There is no frame built into the backpack.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Best Bow Hunting Backpack?
Material
Manufacturers are pushing the limits in the build quality of their products. Using combinations of materials like Hypalon and Aramid, backpacks can now bear massive weights without losing quality.
Also, with the right material, backpacks can be made water-resistant. Bowhunting backpacks that are water resistant are more common nowadays and aren’t as expensive as they used to be.
Weapon Carrying System
The backpack should be flexible enough to fit any bow. Don’t forget your arrows. A bowhunting backpack must have compartments that allow your quivers a section into where they can easily slide. And all this must be within your reach to avoid the need to remove the backpack to access them.
Comfort
Does the backpack have a frame? No? If not then does it have a padded back? Is it breathable? Is the shoulder harness adjustable? If these questions are not answered to your satisfaction then run as far away from the pack as you possibly can. The comfort of the backpack will determine how much of a load you can easily carry.
Meat Hauling Pocket
A good hunting backpack will provide space for the meat. It’ll have a dedicated meat pocket which should provide proper aeration. Some backpacks are built to expand their capacity to take in the extra load of the meat.
Warranty
Finally, if you’re looking for a hunting backpack, ask about the manufacturer’s warranty. One with a short span warranty shows the degree of confidence the company has in their product. The good news is that with genuine products, manufacturers will often offer lifetime or unlimited warranties.
Hydration Bladder
Dehydration is dangerous for your health. It can get pretty hot and tiring to wander about in the wild. A hydration bladder is a very handy accessory to have because you can easily sip cool water while waiting for your kill. If your backpack doesn’t come with a hydration bladder then it should at least have some space where you can install one.
Weight
Your bow, arrows, and other hunting accessories already weigh quite a bit. It makes sense to find a backpack that’s light so you won’t end up weighing yourself down unnecessarily. Backpack weight is especially important for hunters who prefer to track down their prey instead of simply waiting around the waterhole for a kill.
Size
Bow hunting backpacks come in all sizes. You can get a single-day backpack for short trips or invest in larger multi-day hunting backpacks for longer trips. Bigger bags do tend to be bulkier and heavier but will also allow you to carry a lot more hunting gear.
Final Verdict
Be sure that when you buy a pack, you’re investing in the real thing, not a counterfeit. The manufacturers mentioned above are reputable with excellent quality products. Unfortunately, because of their popularity, the product above is replicated by shoddy manufacturers.
The best indicator of a genuine product is the warranty. All the bow carrying backpacks in our list come with lifetime warranties. Then also, look at the branding carefully. Counterfeits tend to have misspellings on the brand names. That aside, our list above contains the best bow hunting pack you can find in the market. Whatever your taste and preference are, you can’t go wrong by choosing one of them.
Top 10 Bow Hunting Backpacks – Video Review
