What is IN Steve's pack, and what is ON Trent's Pack?
We have been good friends with the Born & Raised Outdoors crew for more than a decade now. And they have been using our packs since the earliest pre-launch prototypes in 2013.
We have made some great memories in the elk woods with them (including this double hind-quarter packout with a K2 pack in 2017), and we are excited to join them on an archery elk hunt again this fall.
Trent from Born & Raised recently came by the Exo HQ and they filmed a comparison of what Trent takes for a 5-Day Archery Elk Hunt, compared to what Steve packs...
QUESTIONS & RESOURCES
While browsing through the comments on the YouTube video, and in messages we have received since this video launched, we noticed some common questions that we could answer, and also have additional links/resources to point people to. Be sure to check those out below.
And if you want to get a more detailed look at how Steve loads his gear in his pack, here is an in-depth look at how to load your pack for a muli-day backpack hunt.
Aren't you missing ______?
If you want to see a fully itemized, 100% complete gear list for a backpack hunt, we have gear lists posted at the end of this article.
What is the recipe for Steve's homemade bars?
We have shared the recipe, as well as some more information about the food we pack (and how we pack it).
What water filter bag system is Steve using?
The Katadyn BeFree Filter with a Hydrapak Seeker bag. Get links for those items and see how we filter and carry water.
What was the medicated cream Steve mentioned?
That is Voltaren.
What was the knife sharpener Steve showed?
It is the DMT Dia-Fold. We have a link for that specific sharpener, as well as some tips for how to sharpen knives in the field.
What about _____ when using a bivy shelter?
We got a lot of questions about using bivy setups, so we have an in-depth article and podcast on the questions and misconceptions about using a bivy.
Do you really stay warm enough in a quilt?
We love quilts and don't ever plan to go back to a traditional sleeping bag. A big factor in warmth is the sleeping pad itself, not just the sleeping bag/quilt temperature rating. Learn more about sleep systems for backpack hunting.
Are you wearing the same clothes for all 5 days?
Yes, absolutely. We do not pack any extras or duplicates of clothes. We will bring extra socks or boxers on some extended hunts. Learn more about the clothing layers you need for a backpack hunt.
What would change for a 5-day elk hunt in rifle season?
Generally, not much. The weapon, of course. We always bring a tripod on rifle hunts, but do not always bring one on archery hunts. Shelter and clothing may not change at all, based on the specific conditions of the hunt. You can get an example with Mark's Rifle Elk Gear List.
MORE GEAR LISTS (And Free Template)
We have a free gear list template (spreadsheet) to help you plan your backpack hunt, and we also have more examples of different gear lists for different hunts (sheep, bear, mountain goat, etc). You can find all of those here...