Hunting pack for a growing youth hunter

[Southern Elk]

My son will be elk hunting for the first time this year. He will be 12 and he is growing like a weed. He's asking for a hunting pack for his birthday. Is there a decent pack out there that will grow with him and last several years? Up until now, he has watched me pack out all of the meat. I intend to remedy that this year and make him pack his fair share.

 

[Werty]

I reccomend Mystery Ranch, there packs have a ton of adjustment.

 

[IEATELK]

Kuiu

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Mystery ranch popup 28, 100%. My wife and 3 boys all use them. They have adjustable sizing and fit smaller people well. We've packed multiple elk with them.

 

[IAhawks84]

The new pop ups by mystery ranch are awesome. I also strongly recommend that with all of the room for adjustments.

 

[mtnrunner260]

Exos XS frame fits my 12yo really well.
Eventually he'll be to tall but not sure it's possible to get something that will fit forever at this age.

 

[npaden]

My son got my hand me down Stone Glacier 3300 pack when I upgraded to a 6400. I think most of these modern packs are very adjustable. I had the medium waist belt on it and he probably had a 30” waist at the time and it worked fine. Shoulder straps are very easy to adjust based on torso length. He’s grown about 6” since he got it and we just have to adjust the shoulder straps a bit each season.

 

[mdunc8]

I got my 10-year-old son a Stone Glacier Avail. He won’t be putting an elk quarter in it but it’s a great size for him right now and he’ll be able to wear it his entire life.

 

[jwatts]

My son will be elk hunting for the first time this year. He will be 12 and he is growing like a weed. He's asking for a hunting pack for his birthday. Is there a decent pack out there that will grow with him and last several years? Up until now, he has watched me pack out all of the meat. I intend to remedy that this year and make him pack his fair share.

I picked up a Mystery Ranch Scapegoat 25 for Cole. It has a decent amount of adjustment and fits him now. He took it on the antelope hunt when he was 11 and it worked for him then. He's about to be 13 and it's still fitting and seems to have enough adjustment to last a while.

 

[Gynaroo]

We used a Mystery ranch pop up. Didn’t buy it for him until he could carry the rifles. Been great. He packed a quarter of an elk last year with minimal complaints.

 

[npaden]

This is just 2 years ago on his Utah youth elk hunt. He is 6’ tall now and the pack is even with his shoulder.

 

[Unlucky]

I got my 2 oldest kids the tenzing shooter packs. 2 yrs ago. Not water proof only down side but great day pack. Plus a great pack to use as shooting rest

 

[npaden]

What we need is adjustable size boots! He’s gone from size 9 to size 12 in the last 2 years. I need to post up the boots he has outgrown for sale.

 

[Jbotto]

What we need is adjustable size boots! He’s gone from size 9 to size 12 in the last 2 years. I need to post up the boots he has outgrown for sale.

I feel like I wore the same shirts from middle school well into college, but I remember my legs and feet grew fast in those years. I can definitely relate to this!

 

[Todd10]

I reccomend Mystery Ranch, there packs have a ton of adjustment.

I concur. I was able to adjust my old Mystery Ranch Sawtooth 45 to fit my 12 year old. Very easy to adjust the torso length too.

 

[Southern Elk]

Where is everyone finding the best prices on Mystery Ranch?

 

[Werty]

Where is everyone finding the best prices on Mystery Ranch?

Camofire if u can catch them, Rokslide, end of the year sales!

 

[HiMtnHntr]

I've bought some from Optics Planet and Mountain Archery.

 

[Todd10]

I picked the Sawtooth up at Scheels on a Father’s Day sale a few years back.

 

[Flatbrimmer]

What we need is adjustable size boots! He’s gone from size 9 to size 12 in the last 2 years. I need to post up the boots he has outgrown for sale.

Same. My sons gone up nearly 3 sizes just this year, and they’re practically the same price as adult shoes/boots! OOF