If you’re a hardcore Western hunter looking for a top-tier backpack engineered to perform, give Initial Ascent’s backpack line a look. Your hips, back, and shoulders will thank you.
by Zach Bowhay
I don’t remember the exact year, but I vividly recall the first time I met Joe and Dennis, the founders of the backpack company Initial Ascent. It was at the Western Hunting Convention in Salt Lake City. These two guys stood out in a room full of alpha males and big egos. Not because of any bravado but because of their kindness and genuine personalities.
After that show, I kept in touch with Joe and Dennis and always looked forward to running into them. So, when they told me a couple of years later that they planned to start a backpack company, I was rooting for them. I knew they were brilliant, but I must admit, with a market flooded with backpacks, I was skeptical about how things would go for them.
The Launch
After extensive research and development, they officially launched Initial Ascent in 2018, introducing the IA2K, IA4K, and IA6K packs to the public. They built a modular pack system around their Integrous frame, and it quickly became evident that these guys were onto something. The packs were well-built and comfortable, clearly designed to withstand Western hunts. Still, a few years in, there were some aspects they could have been happier with, and they knew changes were needed.
2024 Models
The team at Initial Ascent had been rigorously testing their products, but this time, they had valuable feedback from an army of users who had put their packs through the wringer. Using this wealth of information, they launched three new models earlier this year: the IA3K, IA5K, and IA8K.
The IA3K pack is ideal as a day pack or for short-duration overnight trips, offering 3,475 cubic inches of space, with 2,950 inches in the main bag and the rest in the lid. The IA5K, perfect for most backpack hunters, comes in at 5,200 cubic inches, while the IA8K, designed for expedition-style hunts, offers a whopping 8,200 cubic inches of storage.
Each pack is available in three hip belt waist sizes: Small (27-31 inches), Medium (32-37 inches), and Large (38 inches and up). Additionally, each model can be purchased with the Invictus Female Frame, designed for torso lengths of 13 to 17 inches. The best part is that you can buy multiple bags to accommodate different hunts.
Each bag features a horseshoe zipper for easy access to the pack’s interior, spotting scope pockets on one side, and a dedicated tripod slot on the other.
New models are available in Coyote, Wolf Gray, and OD Green. The suspension on all three models is Wolf Gray, and the OD and Coyote bags have Wolf Gray panels, so they all blend for a nice look.
The Frame
Before diving deeper into the new models, it’s essential to highlight the Integrous frame. This is the foundation of the entire system. This frame is crafted from triaxial woven carbon fiber, making it exceptionally tough. The frame’s design positions heavy loads at the center of your back, distributing the weight over your hips. This drastically reduces shoulder fatigue and soreness.
The frame is also highly adjustable, with torso adjustments ranging from 18 to 22 inches. You can customize the placement of the load lifter on the frame to suit your needs.
First Impressions
I received my IA3K this spring, and it was immediately apparent that there were significant upgrades from my previous model. The first thing I noticed was the new suspension and buckle system. With my original IA pack, the waist belt occasionally slipped, especially under a heavy load, requiring some adjustment to get it right. However, the newer model stays put once the belt is pulled and tightened into place.
My favorite upgrade is how the newer models secure the bag to the frame. While the older models buckled to the top of the frame, the new ones feature slots that the bag slips over, creating a much tighter fit with less movement. The same goes for the lid, which now has holes that slide securely over the frame, unlike the older models, where it merely sat on top.
The newer bags also compress better at the bottom of the pack. Combined with the improved straps, these features make the pack more streamlined when not fully loaded while still allowing for significant expansion when more gear is needed.
Active Hunting
When actively hunting and pursuing game, I need my pack to compress down small, allowing me to store all my gear securely without flopping around or making noise with loose straps. The Initial Ascent pack addresses all of these needs perfectly. It has plenty of straps to keep everything lashed on, secure, and quiet. Each strap features a Velcro loop, allowing you to roll and secure them, preventing them from hanging down.
The pack includes two buckled straps across the back for lashing items, two buckled straps on each side for securing additional gear, and a third strap behind the bag that can be brought around if necessary.
The spotting scope pocket is spacious enough to accommodate any spotter on the market, while the opposite side perfectly fits a tripod or trekking poles. Both sides also have water bottle pockets with stretch openings for easy access.
The lid tries the entire system together. The lid comes over the top and buckles in the front, securely holding everything in place. Inside the main compartment, there’s a smaller pocket for stowing smaller items, while the lid has a large pocket that holds a surprising amount of gear. Also, under the lid, there’s a small pocket perfect for holding a hunting license or similar items.
Heavy Lifting
Most packs on the market can carry your everyday gear comfortably, but when you load them down, the great packs separate themselves from the rest. Like many hunters, I often find myself far from the road in steep, unforgiving country, and I need a pack capable of handling a heavy load on my initial trip back to the trailhead after a kill.
I used to hunt with just a day pack and nearly killed myself trying to haul part of the meat back to the rig to save an extra trip. I refuse to do that anymore. Now, I insist on having a pack that’s up to the task. I recommend purchasing the Pannier Load Carrier Accessory with this pack. This feature allows you to remove the bag from the frame, place meat or quarters in the Pannier, lash it down tightly, and then strap your bag with all your gear over the top. This keeps my gear clean and separates it from the blood and meat while securely storing it inside the pack.
I cannot overstate how well this pack carries weight. I have carried two elk quarters on this pack multiple times in the past couple of seasons, and it handled them better than any pack I have previously used.
Final Thoughts
Having tried dozens of packs over the years, including many excellent ones, I can confidently say that Initial Ascent packs are among the top choices for serious Western hunters. Yes, they are pricier, but that’s a common trait among high-quality packs.
After a day of carrying an elk quarter or two off the mountain and still being able to stand upright without collapsing into bed, you’ll appreciate the value of your investment. If a new pack is on your horizon, I highly recommend considering the latest offerings from Initial Ascent.
