8 Best Game Bags For Deer, Elk & Big Game Hunting 2025

A well-prepared hunter always sets the stage long before hitting the field, and a quality set of game bags is one piece of gear that’ll help ensure a successful 2025 harvest.

Once you kill an animal, you must protect its meat from dirt, bugs, bacteria, and temperatures that can spoil it. Covering all the bases before setting off into the field is essential.

Whether you need game bags for elk, deer, moose, bear, or small game, you name it, we’ve got a set on this list that’ll suit you. I’m a hunting guide, and I dress and pack many animals in the field during the season.

Why Trust Us?

We know what works and what doesn’t. Over the past few years, we’ve tested many of the bags on this list, and I want to share that experience with you.

Our list includes some of the best, most durable, breathable, and downright reliable options today. Since every hunter’s budget differs, we’ve included products across several price points.

I’m a run-a-gunner. I like to get into the deepest, darkest hidey-holes on the mountain. Which usually means I’m taking a minimum of 25k steps a day. Every ounce in my pack is deliberate, and I try to pack as light as possible. Lightweight game bags are a no-brainer to me.

From KUIU, Caribou Gear, Argali, BlackOvis, FInal Stalk, and other trusted names, we tried to put a little bit in here for every hunter type, with weight in mind at all price points.

By all accounts, these sacks from KUIU are among the most durable, antimicrobial, and temperature-regulating options available in 2025.

Look no further if you’re a professional hunter or guide who must protect their harvests at all costs.

Some of us want our gear to perform at the highest level — whether game bags, socks, or rangefinders — and these bad boys won’t let you down. For those hunters who leave nothing to chance, you’ve met your match.

KUIU offers several size options and has bone-in and boned-out versions.

• Materials – Lightweight synthetic fabric blend, mostly nylon
• Weight – 2.2 – 4.5 oz per bag
• Why We Like Them: They are as good as it gets in terms of breathability, temperature regulation, and durability.
• Potential Drawbacks: A little pricey and heavier than some backcountry options.
• KUIU VS Final Stalk Game Bags: KUIU’s material design is slightly more substantial but considerably heavier. Go with Final Stalk if you’re an ultralight junkie.

Tired of heavy, bulky game bags? Final Stalk’s Ultralight Game Bags are the ultimate solution.

These featherweight, durable bags maximize storage space while minimizing pack weight.

Designed for the serious hunter, they’re perfect for any game, from whitetail to elk. Hunt harder, faster, and lighter with Final Stalk.

Materials: Ultralight RipStop
Weight: 0.8 oz per bag. The bag kit is under 5 ounces!
Why We Like Them: Well, we created them, for starters. We’re just some hunters trying to cut weight in our packs. Let us know what you think of them below.
Potential Drawbacks: Like all ultralight gear, you sacrifice some durability. We’ve had no problems with tears or holes, but beware: the fabric has limitations.
Final Stalk VS VIAM Outdoors BOB Ultralight: Although the bags are larger, Final Stalk’s kit is nearly 40% lighter.

BlackOvis isn’t just an online marketplace; they produce durable, affordable hunting gear. I consistently choose their products due to their quality and straightforward return policy.

The bags are super compact and lightweight and do well at keeping the bugs away.

I’ll be using the XL-sized bags this year on my elk hunt. I used their large size last season but had difficulty getting the hindquarters to fit, so I had to trim a few roasts off.

The bull we took down was a monster, to be fair.

• Materials: Taslan nylon with reflective strip
• Weight: 1 lb 9 oz
• Why We Like Them: Breathable, lightweight, durable, they come with gloves and a tarp
• Potential Drawbacks: If there are any drawbacks to this product, we’re having difficulty finding it. Ovis Sacks are quality, affordable game bags.
• Ovis Sacks VS Argali: In short, Argali is much lighter and more packable, but some worry about durability. We don’t; Argali has never let us down.

I’ve seen a few of these in action in the field, and I’m always quite impressed at how form-fitting they are for a Meat on Bone (M.O.B.) elk pack-out. They’re lightweight and pack down tiny but are also made of modern materials. These are attributes that make them very tough, durable, and breathable.

They’re reusable and will make for an excellent investment. Caribou Gear represents a considerable step from the old cheesecloth bags your grandfather taught you to use. There’s nothing wrong with old-school hunting tactics. But,  sometimes, it’s beneficial to introduce a little innovation now and again.

• Materials: Synthetic nylon blend
• Weight: 1 lb 2 oz. 4.5 oz per bag
• Why We Like Them: Designed to fit elk, small footprint in your pack
• Potential Drawbacks: I packed bulls with these bags during several rifle seasons. Besides their relatively larger footprint and weight in my bag, I’ve got zero qualms with them.
• Caribou Gear The Wapiti vs. Badlands Game Bags: These are very comparable in size and overall footprint in your bag. Badlands are slightly lighter weight but cost a little more.

I’ve been eyeing Argali game bags for a while, and this year’s Colorado archery mule deer hunt was the perfect opportunity to try them. These bags have gained popularity among backcountry hunters for their versatility and durability.

These bags are built to last and have ample space to haul all your harvest. The durable fabric resists stains, ensuring they look good season after season.

Plus, they’re machine-washable, making maintenance too easy. If you’re looking for a reliable game bag that can handle the rigors of backcountry hunting, consider Argali.

• Materials: Nylon blend
• Weight: 12 oz
• Why We Like Them: They’re well-reviewed online, lightweight for quarter bags, and don’t take up too much real estate in our bags.
• Potential Drawbacks: Price: they do cost a pretty penny.
• Argali Large Game M.O.B. VS. Caribou The Wapiti: Unfortunately for Argali, Caribou’s bags are lighter and cost less money.

Will my wife please buy these for me for Christmas? Gah, it’s hard to justify spending $130 on some game bags, but when you hunt as much as I do, you can consider it an investment. That’s what I’ll tell my wife anyway.

We’re huge fans of Aaron Snyder and the Kifaru crew. From their super durable packs to their nitty-gritty game bags, we’ve zero problems pointing our audience at their products.

Hopefully, I’ll snag a set of these this year so I can do an in-depth review of them for 2025.

Materials: Rugged synthetic nylon material
Weight: 3 – 6 oz, depending on size
Why We Like Them: We support Kifaru, and their products speak for themselves concerning quality and dependability.
Potential Drawbacks: Kifaru means premium. Premium means you’ll be kicked in the wallet a little harder. While super durable, they’re considerably bulky compared to others on this list.
KIFARU vs. KUIU: We may be splitting hairs here, but both options are premium selections if you can afford them. If durability over time is an issue, go with Kifaru.

Allen is a household name in the world of quality hunting gear, and this slightly less expensive set of meat sacks is an excellent example of why.

I used these this past year on several mule deer and elk packets, and they held up really well. There were no rips or tears, and they washed easily.

They weigh in at 1.5 pounds total, so they are also a bit heavier. However, they can hold pretty big quarters with a size 40” x 20” bag. You may push it on a big bull Moose, but you shouldn’t have problems fitting an elk or a caribou quarter inside.

• Materials: Nylon blend
• Weight: 1 lb 8 oz, About 6 oz per bag
• Why We Like Them: Fantastic economical option for those who don’t want to skimp on quality.
• Potential Drawbacks: Obviously, you get what you pay for. While high quality, you’ll have to make some weight sacrifices. Also, I found that they never return to white after getting blood-stained.
• ALLEN Imperial Backcountry vs. Argali Highcountry: It’s hard to call the Allen bags a “budget” option, but they certainly are less expensive than the Argali bags.

These bags are good enough for most hunting applications, regardless of your situation. Yes, they are bulkier and heavier than other options on this list. But their cheesecloth-style fabric lets in plenty of air to cool down your meat as you pack it out.

They won’t take a beating like BlackOvis or KUIU bags, but what would you expect for a kit of sacks that typically rings in under $25? Here they are if you’re after a no-nonsense set of bags that’ll save you some serious cash to spend on your other gear.

Materials: Cotton polyester blend
Weight: 1 lb 3 oz
Why We Like Them: Reasonably priced, breathable
Potential Drawbacks: Consider yourself lucky if you get more than 1-2 uses out of them. They’re heavy and take up lots of space.
KOALA Buck VS. Alaska Game Bags: Same same. But, different.

Allen bags are pretty lightweight, but if you’re using them to remove an animal in one piece, I imagine you’re not super concerned with their weight. All you need to know is that these are exactly as tough as you’ll need them to be when hauling out a whole animal.

Strong enough to hold an entire bull elk but delicate enough to keep your cape, these full carcass bags from Allen are an excellent option for those who do not quarter their animals in the field. They come in two sizes: the longer one is better for elk or caribou, and the shorter one will excel for deer.

Materials: Nylon Blend
Weight: 1 lb
Why We Like Them: Super durable and rugged fabric helps keep your whole animal’s meat intact, clean, and free of the elements.
Potential Drawbacks: None really, except your poor back from hauling that bad boy out whole.

FAQ‘s

It’s common knowledge that you’ll need some sacks to store your meat after the harvest, but choosing the right bag isn’t always easy. If you’ve spent time researching game bags online, you’re probably aware that there are many different styles, sizes, and materials to choose from.

Modern-day game bags run the gamut, so the best you can do is study the terrain you’re hunting, know the size of the game you plan on taking down, consider your budget, and pick an option that works for you. Not all are made the same.

What Type of Material is Best for Game Bags?

The old cheesecloth-style sacks are timeless; they allow the meat to breathe and cool down while protecting the harvest from the elements. But there are new lightweight options made from synthetic fabrics that will breathe better. They also hold up for longer and better stave off bacteria.

Synthetic materials are also less bulky and typically stronger than cotton-made cheesecloth bags. If you anticipate traveling deep into the mountains and lugging your harvest for miles, I highly recommend the synthetic bags over the cheesecloth style.

How Many Bags Do I Need?

 If you’re hunting big game, you’ll need room to carry four quarters, backstraps, tenderloins, and all the neck, brisket, and miscellaneous meat. I like to keep most of these cuts separate, which helps with the cooling process, and I never recommend putting two quarters in the same bag.

Four or five bags will likely be enough to hunt for mule deer, whitetail, or similar-sized big game animals. But how many for an elk? I always carry five in my pack, although occasionally, it’s nice to have an extra on hand in case you take down a monster.

How Big Should Should My Bags Be?

Deer? Moose? Squirrel? What size animal are you shooting at anyway? The answer to that question will determine which size of game bags you need.

Most are available in S, M, L, and XL sizes, but some are tailor-fitted to the type of game animal you’re chasing. Small and medium-sized bags should be good for most small game, whereas big game should call for large, extra-large, and a few mediums for the premium cuts.

Do I Need M.O.B. or Boned Out Bags?

If you keep your meat on the bone (M.O.B.) and take the whole quarter out, you’ll need larger bags to carry the entire kit and caboodle. But, like some hunters, you may separate the meat from the bone in the field. If that’s the case, you can purchase “boned-out” bags.

Which Game Bags Will You Choose for Your 2025 Hunt?

There you have it: the best game bags for your 2025 hunting season and beyond. We hope you’ve found everything from tiny game vests to ultralight backcountry bags to super tough and durable sacks for the biggest beasts.

You may be tracking elk through the Rockies, chasing moose through Alaska, or stalking monster muleys in Arizona. Ensure the best possible game meat sacks for the job are in your pack. They’re one of the most critical gear in your bag for protecting and preserving that hard-earned meat and trophy.

We included selections from the industry’s top brands — like KUIU, Caribou Gear, Allen, Argali, Final Stalk, and Black Ovis — so you can rest assured you’re buying bags that’ll last. Do you think we’ve left out an option that deserves to be on this list? Leave us a comment below to help us keep up with the top products in an ever-changing market.

Thanks for stopping by to check out the best game bags of 2025.

Now, get out there and fill them.