Rokslide Pack Comparison Video
I am currently running a Slumberjack Deadfall 65 backpack. I have used a Cabela's Alaskan Frame pack, Cabela's Prestige 70L frame pack, and a the Slumberjack Deadfall 65 frame pack while elk hunting in Colorado. I have only hauled a quarter with the Cabela's Prestige 70L. I have also owned a Cabela's Fast Tracker 63L pack. The Slumberjack Deadfall has been favorite of these 4 packs, and I am taking it on an 8 day elk archery trip this fall. |
Slumberjack Deadfall 65L: the first year I went out west, I borrowed my buddy's Cabela's Alaskan pack, and overall it was pretty good pack, but it was very basic and not the most comfortable pack. The next year, I bought the Cabelas Prestige 70L pack, and it was very comfortable, but at 9lbs, it was too heavy and bulky. I always left the pack back at camp, which isn't very convenient when someone gets an elk. After more research, I decided I wanted an internal frame pack that weighed around 5lbs. I already had a Slumberjack Hone daypack that I really liked, and then Slumberjack came out with the Deadfall 65L pack. I have looked very seriously at used Kifaru, Stone Glacier, Exo Mountain, Mystery Ranch, Kuiu, and several lesser known brands. While I fully admit those are some of the best packs out there, I could not find what I was looking for in the $150 price range. The Slumberjack Deadfall checked almost all my boxes, and I was able to buy it brand new $170. While it's certainly not a high end pack, I think it is much better than some of the really cheap packs on the market.
The Deadfall 65 weighs in at just under 5.5lbs, and is a very versatile pack. Even though it is only 3,966 cubic inches, the pack feels much larger with the front panel and side wings. I loaded the pack up to 80lbs before the trip, just to test it out. The waist strap is very easy to adjust and has good padding. The shoulder straps could use a little more padding when the pack is loaded with more than 50lbs. The aluminum stays provide plenty of rigidity, but can flex too much if the pack isn't properly packed. The first way I packed my pack, I had the middle straps of the panel too tight and it caused a weird bow. Once I repacked the pack with the load distributed more vertically, it was extremely comfortable. I was able to carry 7 days worth of hunting gear and food though I would say that was on the upper end of how much it will hold. My sleeping bag is fairly bulky though, so you might be able to get up to 10 days with a nice down sleeping bag depending on how much food you brought. Reading reviews online, most people are using this pack for 3-6 day trips. The pocket configurations were well thought out, and I highly recommend this pack if you are on a budget. I even bought one for my brother. He didn't get to go on the trip, but he loaded his down and did a lot of practice hikes with it. We were both in the military and have hiked a lot. I don't have any real negatives to the pack other than the shoulder straps needing a little more padding with heavy weight. There aren't many comparable packs in the $200 range, and it can be found for $150 if you are patient.
The Deadfall 65 weighs in at just under 5.5lbs, and is a very versatile pack. Even though it is only 3,966 cubic inches, the pack feels much larger with the front panel and side wings. I loaded the pack up to 80lbs before the trip, just to test it out. The waist strap is very easy to adjust and has good padding. The shoulder straps could use a little more padding when the pack is loaded with more than 50lbs. The aluminum stays provide plenty of rigidity, but can flex too much if the pack isn't properly packed. The first way I packed my pack, I had the middle straps of the panel too tight and it caused a weird bow. Once I repacked the pack with the load distributed more vertically, it was extremely comfortable. I was able to carry 7 days worth of hunting gear and food though I would say that was on the upper end of how much it will hold. My sleeping bag is fairly bulky though, so you might be able to get up to 10 days with a nice down sleeping bag depending on how much food you brought. Reading reviews online, most people are using this pack for 3-6 day trips. The pocket configurations were well thought out, and I highly recommend this pack if you are on a budget. I even bought one for my brother. He didn't get to go on the trip, but he loaded his down and did a lot of practice hikes with it. We were both in the military and have hiked a lot. I don't have any real negatives to the pack other than the shoulder straps needing a little more padding with heavy weight. There aren't many comparable packs in the $200 range, and it can be found for $150 if you are patient.