{"id":116723,"date":"2020-03-01T04:34:22","date_gmt":"2020-03-01T09:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=116723"},"modified":"2025-10-24T06:14:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T11:14:45","slug":"hunt-365-field-test-badlands-vario-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/hunt-365-field-test-badlands-vario-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Field Test: Badlands Vario System"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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I\u2019ve spent a grip of my hunting tenure combing the western mountains. I simply can\u2019t get enough of the steep slopes, pungent pines and the sight of golden aspens fluttering in the breeze. I love it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During my treks across the West, I\u2019ve tested more backpacks than Justin Bieber<\/a> has hair gels. Why? Simple, a good pack can make the difference between an enjoyable hunt and a miserable one, especially once the game is put down. Of course, I\u2019ve found a few I can depend on \u2014 backcountry staples that heed the demands of a true wilderness adventure. With that noted, I\u2019m always on the lookout for a new backcountry tote loaded with purposeful features. When Badland\u2019s new Vario Pack System<\/a> arrived on my doorstep, I couldn\u2019t wait to load it up and take it for a test drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About The System<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The roots of Badlands are firmly established, and its latest pack addition may very well be its most extraordinary to date. The Vario System provides the hunter with throngs of customizable options. Hunters love options! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system\u2019s backbone is the Vario Frame. Built to haul serious loads, the frame showcases an adjustable shoulder strap and waist belt as well as a spine-contoured back suspension design. The unit comes with a Vario Frame Meatshelf and Ultralight Batwing Accessory, which is used to suck loads to the frame. Torso sizes of Medium and Large are available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have the frame, the fun really begins. Badlands offers four packs (Vario 65 Bag, Vario 50 Bag, Vario 33 Bag, and Vario Day Bag) that simply slip over the frame. More on this later. In addition, pack builders can also add the Vario Game Bag and Vario Deluxe Batwing to complete their masterpiece. Being able to swap packs of different sizes allows the hunter to better prepare for specific hunts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Vario System was designed to meet the demands of any hunt. If you love customization, this system delivers it in spades. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How It Works<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The system is a breeze to operate. The frame is the base and contains an internal stay system composed of a new magnesium alloy. The frame tips the scale at approximately five pounds. Side of the obvious shoulder and waist belt adjustments, the freeing of three buckles that connect each side of the included Ultralight Batwing Accessory allow access to the fluorescent orange (safety first) Meatshelf. The shelf is sizable, sturdy and top adjustment straps allow you to adjust the size of the shelf to the load. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Three straps on the included-with-the-frame Ultralight Batwing Accessory provides side compression and allow you to suck the load tightly to the frame. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Adding a pack to the system takes seconds. Minus the daypack, each has a pair of sleeves located on the top backside where you can choose Medium or Large settings. Simply release your load-lifter straps on the frame\u2019s top front and slide the sleeve over the frame. Be sure to push the load-lifter buckles through the slits cut into each pack. Now it\u2019s time for the bottom attachment. Remove your bedroll straps and feed them through the bottom buckle on the frame and then run them back through your bedroll straps. Next, reattach the load-lifter straps and start matching buckles. It\u2019s really that simple. I\u2019ve dealt with packs that require a NASA-pedigree to operate. My 14-year-old can switch between packs in minutes with the Vario System.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After removing the load-lifter straps, simply slide the pack’s sleeve over the top of the frame and push the load-lifter buckles through the slits. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Field Test<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

What better test to throw at a new pack than a moose hunt, right? My father-in-law pulled a coveted Colorado tag, and some pre-season scouting revealed plenty of moose in the unit\u2019s high-alpine willows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing we would be making long treks each day and be hauling lots of gear, I attached the Vario 6500 Bag to the frame. This pack boasts a total volume of 6,500 cubic inches and the top-loading design allows for immediate access to inside-the-pack gear. A pull-tab closure system keeps top compartments closed and the ultralight Ripstop Fabric promises durability and keeps weight down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only did the system, because of its many customizable adjustments, carry well, it proved to be a workhorse when my father-in-law dropped the hammer on a great bull moose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I love a pack that doesn\u2019t require bloody game bags to be placed inside the main compartment. With the Vario System, I could fill the meat compartment, strap it down and then reconnect my Vario 6500 pack. Multiple buckles with long straps allow for several points of contact, and because the straps are so lengthy, sucking a load down is super easy. I hate short straps. This pack doesn\u2019t have them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The author loads up a full moose hindquarter in the Vario Frame. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With a full boned-out moose hindquarter loaded in the pack, I slid into the shoulder straps and stood up. I immediately noticed the extra support in the shoulders. Yes, you want the load to ride on your hips, but when you\u2019re hauling a lot of weight off the mountain, your shoulders will take some abuse. Badlands knows this and fitted the frame with its thickest memory foam shoulder straps to date. The shoulder straps also include the load-lifter straps, which allow you to further customize the feel of the load to your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Badlands put its thickest, most comfortable shoulder straps to date on the Vario Frame. The straps are filled with memory foam. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The waist belt buck proved ultra-adjustable. Velcro straps on the belt allow the wearer to choose between a medium or large setting, and the belt sucks down snug and doesn\u2019t move. Over the course of the day, I packed four loads of moose meat off the mountain. It was a labor of love, and the pack performed flawlessly. Yes, I could have easily detached the 6,500 pack for each trip, but I wanted to give the entire system a test drive. It passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A simple Velcro adjustment in the waist belt allows the wearer to further customize waist settings to medium or large. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More To Love<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Badlands put a lot of TLC into this system. Other notable features that caught my eye were the included holster strap located in the waist belt. This holster held my FN 509<\/a> Midsize 9mm well and didn\u2019t create an uncomfortable ride. I also tipped my hat to the fact that most of the packs in the line will tote a bow or rifle<\/a>, is hydration compatible and have a number of additional tie-down points.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The included pistol holster is a great addition to an already impressive pack. Badlands thought of everything with the Vario. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In addition to hauling out a bull moose, I also used the Vario System to tote my 14-year-old’s monster Colorado Pronghorn off the plains. I placed the entire boned-out pronghorn in the Badlands Vario Game Bag and carried it out in one load. This pack is impressive and will be one I will use for seasons to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Vario System holds meat and gear … period! This load contains an entire boned-out pronghorn as well as the head and cape. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Additional Photos<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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