Gear ALPS OutdoorZ Extreme Backpacks Incoming April 27, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More ALPS OutdoorZ recently told us about their extreme line of packs. This line promises to meet your needs whether you are out in the field or on a hunting trip. Here’s what they tell us. ALPS OutdoorZ Extreme Backpacks The single piece of gear that hunters carry with them where design and construction are critical to how well it performs is the backpack. Poorly designed hunting packs render your back and shoulders sore, don't carry everything you need, don't keep your gear dry, are hard to balance and hard to organize. Zippers stop working, seams and pocket corners blow out. If you've ever been up in your tree stand and had to unpack half your pack to find a piece of gear you need, you need a pack that's better designed for your hunting. The ALPS OutdoorZ Extreme line of hunting packs brings together top-quality components with design features made by serious hunters for serious hunting. You'll notice the difference that practical design makes when you load the pack and everything you need not only fits, but, can be organized so you can get to gear in the order you really need it. You'll notice it on the way in to your hunting location, because the system of shoulder straps, compression straps, and options for securing your bow or gun give you a comfortable, quiet, hands-free packing experience. These packs have all the features you've come to expect that make the ALPS OutdoorZ Extreme line a step above the rest, like a molded foam back panel, tough 1680D ballistic nylon fabric, and Hypalon to add strength at stress points. The Extreme line of packs come in several configurations, each designed to provide maximum efficiency for different hunting scenarios. If you hunt the back country, for example, the Traverse X starts out as your go to daypack with capabilities to carry everything from your expensive glassing equipment (the pack has special side pockets for carrying a spotting scope) to your trusty side arm and rifle or bow. It then ends up being a meat hauling solution for the spoils of a successful hunt with its foldaway meat shelf component. On the other end of the spectrum, if what you need on most hunts is a spacious lumbar pack, the Big Bear X is tough and versatile, giving you very comfortable carrying pads, handy side pockets, and includes a bow hook that will hold your bow while you take a break or glass the surrounding area for game. Unlike other lumbar packs on the market, the Big Bear X includes a hidden daypack feature that can be unfolded if you want to convert the Big Bear from a lumbar pack to a full day pack. Its really two packs in one. A great example of how the Extreme line marries technologically advanced components with practical, thoughtful design for hunters is found in the Pursuit X pack. At the top of the pack is a D-ring, so you can hang it upright once you are in your stand. That allows you to take advantage of an extremely handy design feature: the outside pocket has a zip down flap giving you access to compartments for optics, knives and other small but critical gear. The exceptional part of the design, though, is that the flap, once unzipped, folds out flat and serves as a working shelf that you can put your gear on. No more taking gear out of your pack and having to put it on the foot rest of your stand, or remembering what pocket you put it in. If you want your calls or other small gear handy but out of the way, on the shelf they go. Here’s a video. If you would like to learn more about ALPS OutdoorZ, you can click here to be directed to their website. Explore RECOILweb:Franklin Armory's BFS-3 for the Glock 17: Re-PerfectionCRKT Relay Everyday Carry KnifeCody Wilson Resigned From Defense Distributed, Paloma Heindorff Named As New DirectorGear Head Works One Bolt Action Pistol NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.