Badlands Rise vs Badlands Monster
Quick take: The Badlands Monster costs $10 less; the Badlands Monster carries more (18 vs 15 liters); the Badlands Rise is lighter (2.3 vs 2.75 lbs).
| Spec | Badlands Rise | Badlands Monster |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 | $190 |
| Rating | 4.9★ (38) | 4.6★ (93) |
| Type | Hunting Pack | Hunting Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 15 L (900 ci) | 18 L (1,100 ci) |
| Weight | 2.3 lb | 2 lb 12 oz |
| Max Load | Not specified | Not specified |
| Torso Fit | One size | One size (adjustable harness length) |
| Material | Ultra-quiet, burr-resistant cold-weather outer with suede fabric liner | KXO-32 fabric with aramid bartacking on stress points |
| Back Panel | Padded back panel | Molded foam lumbar suspension |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | No | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Unconditional lifetime warranty | Unconditional lifetime warranty |
Pros & cons
Badlands Rise
- ✓Zipperless Swiftlatch main opening with Fidlock magnetic fasteners is genuinely silent - the single most praised feature in owner reviews
- ✓Semi-rigid bag keeps its shape, so reviewers say digging gear out of the bottom while in the tree is easy and quiet
- ✓Ultra-quiet, burr-resistant outer fabric with soft suede liner - multiple owners call it the quietest pack they've used
- ✓Reinforced hanging loop and magnetic front panel hold the main access door open while the pack hangs at height
- ✓SWAP modular grid system (one grid included) lets you add pouches, tree buckets, and organizers where you want them
- ✓Bedroll/compression straps carry climbing sticks and a saddle platform well - saddle hunters repeatedly recommend it
- ✓Owners rate fit and finish well above big-box store packs; 35 of 38 manufacturer-site reviews are 5-star
- ✓Backed by Badlands' unconditional lifetime warranty
- ✗Only 900 ci (~15 L) - noticeably smaller than most whitetail day packs; a 3-star reviewer notes it 'will not hold very much'
- ✗No waistbelt - an owner specifically wished for a stowable belt strap for hiking in
- ✗No hydration sleeve or dedicated bladder routing
- ✗Gun boot, bow boot, and extra pouches are all separate SWAP accessories, so the real cost climbs past $200
- ✗Interior has only large pockets - reviewers ask for small organizer pockets to divide gear
- ✗Limited external MOLLE/attachment real estate; one reviewer returned it because his accessory setup wouldn't transfer
- ✗The Fidlock slide clip on the lid takes practice - one owner fumbles it with cold hands
- ✗Treestand-specific design: no meat shelf, load shelf, or frame for western pack-out duty
Badlands Monster
- ✓Hybrid design: run it as a lumbar pack or clip on the adjustable shoulder harness for backpack-style carry - owners love having both
- ✓Seven-pocket layout is repeatedly praised for organizing calls, rangefinder, thermos, and field-dressing kit for a full day
- ✓Delron Flex Frame puts weight on the hips; one owner reports it rides well even loaded with 18 lb
- ✓Exceptional durability record - multiple elk guides report 10-12 years of hard use ('bombproof'), with zippers that never failed
- ✓Works with a treestand or saddle setup on your back, and can be strapped around the tree for in-stand access
- ✓Fold-down workstation pockets keep small gear visible and contained
- ✓Hydration compatible (1L bladder) with all-day water per longtime owners
- ✓Cooler than a full backpack in hot weather, backed by Badlands' unconditional lifetime warranty
- ✗1L hydration capacity is small, and reviewers say the mesh bladder pocket is a liability in freezing weather
- ✗No water bottle holder you can reach while wearing it - a repeated request across reviews
- ✗Zippered access is louder than Badlands' zipperless packs; one reviewer wants magnetic pouch flaps instead
- ✗Current version dropped the small 'secret' pockets some longtime owners depended on
- ✗No Bino Connect compatibility and fewer strap attachment points than owners of older Badlands hip packs expect
- ✗No hanging loop for hoisting or hanging it in the tree
- ✗Several 3-star reviews call it smaller and less versatile than expected - it can't swallow bulky cold-weather layers
- ✗Occasional QC gripes: a zipper ripped out after five seasons for one owner, and another reports uneven tension between shoulder straps and hip pad