Badlands MRK 2 vs Badlands ATX 25
Quick take: The Badlands ATX 25 costs $140 less; the Badlands ATX 25 carries more (41 vs 39 liters); the Badlands ATX 25 is lighter (3.85 vs 5.5 lbs).
Which one to buy
A deer or an elk: that's most of the $140 gap between these Badlands day packs. Both have built-in meat shelves, nearly the same volume (39 L for the MRK 2, 41 L for the ATX 25) and the same unconditional lifetime warranty. What the extra money buys is frame. Reviewers report the MRK 2's magnesium frame and Strata suspension staying comfortable with 50-70 lb meat loads. The ATX's minimalist aluminum frame flexes under truly heavy pack-out weight, which makes it a deer-and-quarters tool.
Fit is the other half. The MRK 2's torso adjusts, which is rare below $500. The ATX is one size with a fixed suspension and a waistbelt that doesn't come off, so it suits hunters of average build. If you're tall or short, that alone may decide it. The MRK 2 also has built-in bow and rifle carry, where on the ATX a weapon gets rigged with compression straps.
The ATX's case is weight and price. At 3.85 lb it's more than a pound and a half lighter than the MRK 2's 5 lb 8 oz, and owners report all-day comfort on long approach hikes. Its weak spot is noise: reviewers repeatedly call the fabric crinkly for still-hunting and close-range archery. Neither pack includes hipbelt pockets or a raincover, and reviewers note those add-ons push the MRK 2's real cost well past $400. On the ATX, the $140 you save covers those extras with money left over. The MRK 2 earns its price the first time you carry an elk quarter a long way.
Badlands MRK 2
Worth the extra $140 for elk hunters, and for anyone whose torso falls outside a one-size fit.
Badlands ATX 25
For deer hunters of average build who want a lighter framed day pack with a meat shelf and the same warranty for less.
| Spec | Badlands MRK 2 | Badlands ATX 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 | $260 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Hunting Pack | Hunting Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 39 L (2,400 cu in) | 41 L (2,500 cu in) |
| Weight | 5 lb 8 oz | 3.85 lb |
| Max Load | Not published by the manufacturer | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Torso Fit | Adjustable torso length | One size, fixed suspension |
| Material | Heavy-duty nylon (fabric spec not published) with MOLLE Connect webbing; Allite Super Magnesium frame | Durable 2-layer fabric with C0 (PFAS-free) DWR finish |
| Back Panel | Strata Suspension System with adjustable torso and load-distributing frame | Comfort-focused molded foam suspension over an internal T-6 aluminum frame |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Badlands Unconditional Lifetime Warranty: defects in materials or workmanship for the life of the product; field rips and tears repaired on a best-effort basis | Badlands Unconditional Lifetime Warranty: defects in materials or workmanship for the life of the product; field rips and tears repaired on a best-effort basis |
Pros & cons
Badlands MRK 2
- ✓Unconditional lifetime warranty - Badlands covers defects for the life of the pack and promises its best effort to repair field rips and tears
- ✓Allite Super Magnesium frame is stiffer and lighter than comparable aluminum stays, and it hauls real weight for a day-size pack
- ✓Quick-Deploy meat shelf drops out fast so you can load a boned-out quarter without unpacking your gear
- ✓Adjustable torso length is rare at this price and lets you dial in the fit like pricier western packs
- ✓Strata suspension gets consistent praise for comfort with 50-70 lb loads on pack-outs
- ✓MOLLE Connect webbing on the belt and Bino Connect compatibility let you customize the front-country setup
- ✓Meaningfully cheaper than Kifaru, Stone Glacier, or Mystery Ranch haulers with similar day-hunt capability
- ✓Burly zippers and bartacked construction - 4.65/5 across 62 reviews on Badlands' site with durability rarely questioned
- ✗Heavy for its size at 5 lb 8 oz for 39 L - ultralight competitors carry more capacity at a pound or two less
- ✗2,400 cubic inches fills up fast; overnight or multiday hunts push you to the bigger MRK 4
- ✗Suspension loses composure with very heavy loads (80+ lb) compared to dedicated expedition haulers
- ✗Hipbelt pockets are not included - the MOLLE belt takes Badlands accessory pouches at extra cost
- ✗No raincover included, and Badlands does not publish the fabric spec or a load rating
- ✗MRK 1, 3, and 6 were discontinued, so the series now offers only two sizes to choose from
- ✗Colorways sell out frequently on badlandsgear.com (Approach OG and Slate often unavailable)
- ✗Add-ons hunters expect (bino harness, belt pockets, rain cover) push the real cost well past $400
Badlands ATX 25
- ✓Genuinely light for a framed meat hauler - 3.85 lb with an internal T-6 aluminum frame is closer to ultralight brands than typical Badlands weight
- ✓Built-in blaze-orange meat shelf deploys for hauling quarters without buying any add-ons
- ✓Streamlined, uncomplicated layout - reviewers like that it skips the pocket overload of older Badlands packs
- ✓Unconditional lifetime warranty covers defects for life, with best-effort repair of field damage, a standout at this price tier
- ✓Comfortable molded-foam suspension - owners report all-day comfort on long approach hikes with elevation
- ✓SWAP accessory system and Bino Connect compatibility let you bolt on pouches and a bino harness cleanly
- ✓C0 PFAS-free DWR sheds light rain and morning brush moisture well
- ✓At $259.99 it undercuts most framed hunting packs with a meat shelf by $100 or more
- ✗Fabric is noticeably loud/crinkly for still-hunting and archery-range encounters - a repeated reviewer gripe
- ✗Fixed one-size torso and suspension - very tall or short hunters can't fine-tune the fit
- ✗Built-in waistbelt is not removable, so you can't strip it down for treestand use
- ✗No dedicated rifle or bow boot - weapons have to be rigged with the compression straps
- ✗Minimalist internal frame flexes under truly heavy pack-out loads compared to Badlands' MRK series
- ✗Small review base so far (28 reviews) since the ATX line is relatively new
- ✗No raincover or hipbelt pockets included
- ✗41 L is a stretch for anything beyond a single overnight, and the ATX line offers nothing bigger
Badlands MRK 2 vs Badlands ATX 25: common questions
Can the ATX 25 handle elk like the MRK 2?▾
The ATX's frame flexes under truly heavy loads, which makes it a deer-and-quarters pack. MRK 2 reviewers report comfortable 50-70 lb meat loads, with the suspension losing composure only past 80 lb.
Is either one quiet enough for archery?▾
Not the ATX: reviewers repeatedly call its 2-layer fabric crinkly at close range. The MRK 2 is a heavy-duty nylon hauler, so if silent stalking is the priority, neither is the obvious pick, but the ATX is the one with a known noise problem.
What if I need more room for overnights?▾
The ATX line has nothing bigger than 41 L. The MRK series continues to the 65 L MRK 4, listed at $450.