The Halftrack hunting pack is built from the same pattern as our F3M military pack, which was highlighted by the Army Times in a 2009 field test as their pick as the best 3-day military pack. It's a front-loader, with two levels of varying-sized tuck-pockets lining its interior, PALS racks inside and out, and a fold-down shelf that can be used to divide the main compartment into upper and lower chambers. The hunting version of the Halftrack has a few specialized features, including stow-able oversized compression/grapple straps, roof-rack interior straps, and a strap with side release buckle on the top of the pack that's handy for hanging the pack in a tree, whether you're way up there in a stand, or in camp and using the pack as a pantry. It will carry two 3-liter hydration kits, mounted in side pockets, or two 2-liter bladders in sleeves inboard of the outer pockets if you want to free the main side pockets for other gear. Tunnel pockets on either side have a D-ring at the top, which is useful for carrying skis, long poles, or other long equipment. Includes a pull-out rain cover.

• 6.5lbs