Every year, the load of gear I need to carry afield while hunting seems to increase. Hunting knives, elk calls, gloves, binoculars, snacks, camera gear, phone battery banks—all of it needs a place.

Hunting backpacks are a personal choice. They must carry very specific items and, in the case of big-game packs, handle massive loads of meat after a kill. But they must remain light and nimble for ...

There’s a special kind of misery that comes from using the wrong pack for the job. But if you have a hunting backpack that fits you and matches the task, you’ll hardly notice it’s on your back. The ...