A saddle setup means carrying your stand on your back: the saddle, sticks, platform, rope and everything else. This guide compares a big box hunting pack with two purpose-built saddle packs, using specs from the makers. Sources are at the end.

My pack is the Cabela's Bow and Rifle 2500 V2. It has everything I need: it's quiet, it's light, and it has plenty of pockets and accessories. It has a ton of straps and carabiners, but you may need to mod it a little to carry climbing sticks. Mine runs about 25 to 30 pounds with everything, and I'm an over-packer by choice.

Side by side

Last verified October 10, 2026. Check makers for current prices.

Cabela's Bow and Rifle 2500 V2 Tethrd FAS Pack Latitude Ranger 22
Type General bow and rifle hunting pack Purpose-built saddle pack Purpose-built saddle pack
Capacity 2,500 cu in 1,000 cu in main, plus 600 to 800 cu in in lid and side pockets 22 L
Weight Not confirmed (Cabela's page blocks our checker) 3 lb 4 lb 2 oz complete, 3 lb 1.5 oz without compression panel and hip belt
Notable features Bow or rifle carry, removable padded hip belt, compression straps, hydration sleeve, blaze flag, 15 pockets Laser-cut MOLLE, 20 tab loops, micro-fleece lined interior, pass-through top lid, shapeable frame sheet Compression panel, hip belt, adjustable frame
Materials See Cabela's 500D Cordura plus other listed fabrics, YKK zippers See Latitude

Cabela's specs match its product copy as carried by other listings, since Cabela's site blocks our automated checks. Latitude's numbers are as quoted from Latitude in ArcheryHunting.com's review.

What to check

  • Carrying sticks and platform. Tethrd sells the FAS as a saddle hunting pack, with MOLLE and tab loops throughout. With a general pack like the 2500 V2, you may need to mod it a little. See gear hangers and MOLLE hooks, like the CAVEKEAP hook (currently unavailable on Amazon as of Oct 10), and climbing sticks compared.
  • Hip belt vs saddle belt. ArcheryHunting.com's reviewer says the Ranger 22's hip belt sits away from the saddle's rope belt, so they don't fight for the same spot. Check this with your saddle.
  • Noise. Tethrd lines the FAS interior with micro-fleece for quietness. Silence any metal on your gear too. See the quiet climb setup.
  • Size. Bigger packs hold more layers and recovery gear. If the walk in is long, that's where weight matters, so decide what earns its spot for your hunt.

Is there a "best" saddle pack?

We only call something best when at least two independent reviews agree. One ArcheryHunting.com roundup picks the Ranger 22 as its top saddle-specific pack, but we haven't found a second independent review that agrees, so we're not naming one.

Other good options

ArcheryHunting.com's roundup also covers the Mystery Ranch Pop Up 30, Eberlestock X2, Trophyline CAYS 2.0 and Mystery Ranch Treehouse 20. Forum users on ArcheryTalk run everything from modified stand harnesses to small packs with gear lashed outside.

Questions hunters ask

Do I need a saddle-specific pack? No. I use a general hunting pack. Saddle-specific packs like the FAS add MOLLE and tab loops for attaching gear.

How big a pack do I need? It depends on what you carry. The packs here run from about 22 L to 2,500 cu in.

How heavy is a full saddle pack? Mine runs about 25 to 30 pounds with everything.

Sources

  • Cabela's Bow and Rifle 2500 V2: https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/SearchDisplay?searchTerm=Bow+and+Rifle+2500+V2+Pack
  • Tethrd FAS Pack: https://tethrd.com/products/fas-saddle-hunting-backpack
  • ArcheryHunting.com, "Best Saddle Hunting Packs for Mobile Bowhunters": https://archeryhunting.com/best-saddle-hunting-packs-for-mobile-bowhunters-youll-rethink-your-backpack-setup/
  • ArcheryHunting.com, "Latitude Outdoors Saddle Hunting System Review": https://archeryhunting.com/latitude-outdoors-saddle-hunting-system-review/
  • ArcheryTalk forum, "Saddle Hunters! What's Your Pack Look Like": https://www.archerytalk.com/threads/saddle-hunters-what%E2%80%99s-your-pack-look-like.6320257/