Eberlestock ?

coyote.204 · 02-04-2009, 08:46 AM

Do any of you have one of these packs? What do you think of them?

stlhdr1 · 02-04-2009, 08:55 AM

I wore a buddies a couple times, although it's very comfortable I went with the Badlands 4500. Much better feel on the back and shoulders....

Keith

TheTexan · 02-04-2009, 09:10 AM

I have both the J107 and the slingshot. Both are very comfortable, very well laid out, with plenty of room.

forkhunter · 02-04-2009, 09:16 AM

I have both the gunslinger and the J107. I used the J107 last year and packed out 2 bucks with it. I really liked it. A bit heavy for a daypack, but I love the fact that I just expand it and we got the deer out without having to make another trip.

The gunslinger is a nice pack too, but I am going to sell mine as I probably won't use it anymore.

Rifle scabbard it nice to have!

ehunter · 02-04-2009, 09:19 AM

I ahve the day pack it is a little havy for a day pack but my biggest complaint is mine is a couple of years old and its not water proof not sure if the new ones are. I carry 22 with me when I hike with the dogs and I like the way it carries. It also holds a bow nice and it easy to get off your back so for the most part I like it.

RJS34 · 02-04-2009, 10:21 AM

I have a J104 and my dad has a J105 and we can pack out a good sized muley between the two of us. We can also fit an elk ham (plus some extra meat) or two shoulders comfortably. They are a little heavy for a day pack but it is worth it not having to hike down and then back up 3500 ft to get a pack board.

chromebright · 02-04-2009, 11:37 AM

Just bought a slingshot for a very specific reason. I like to hunt with pretty small fanny/shoulder strap type pack, but I also do a lot of mt. biking with my bow. In the past I was using my badlands 2800 just too carry my bow in on my bike then using a cableas all day transport fanny for hunting. The slingshot has a cool system for lashing the bow and now I can accomplish both with this pack. Seems well built and good amountof storage for the size. Still use the 2800 for meat hauling.

Pan Fry · 02-04-2009, 03:57 PM

I have the Badlands 2200 and it works great for multi-day trips.
Eberlestock are good packs. I liked the Badlands because if I was to ride a bike in a ways before hiking with my bow or gun, it didn't stick below my butt.
They are both good packs, personal preference.

ElkChaser · 02-04-2009, 05:59 PM

I bought the J107 last year for a backpack hunt. It was a comfortable pack and carried a load well. I choose this pack because of it's versatillity. I could haul in all my gear, empty out my pack and compress it down into a day pack.

I also used it as a day pack deer hunting this year. It is on the heavier side as a day pack but if you get something you don't have to go back to get a frame pack.

I shot a forked horn and decided to see if this really was a "Just one pack" and strapped the whole deer onto it and packed it back to camp. To my suprise it carried the weight comfortably with no malfunctions. I strapped the deer to it with just compression straps on the pack and nothing else.

Overall I think they make high quality packs. Another reason to like them is they are made in the U.S. in Boise, ID. I'm goint to buy the slingshot for next season.

klr kut · 02-04-2009, 06:00 PM

There nice to bike with. Mine has the rifle scabberd on the side, but it doesn't hold a bow very well. Pretty heavy for a day pack, but a great comfortable meat hauler.

NWaddict · 02-04-2009, 07:02 PM

I have a j107. I'm 6'6" and I just couldn't get good weight distribution with it. My buddy has one though and he loves it. He's tall too but built a little broader than I am. I ended up getting a mystery ranch and like how it fits a lot better, but it costs a lot more too. We packed out a couple deer in SD this year. He carried half a mature muley with no problem.

My experience makes me think that not all packs are made for all people. The j107 is well built and well thought out (the scabbard IS nice), but i just coudn't get it fit me well.

If anyone wants to buy a j107 PM me.

Dom

Fried Oyster · 02-04-2009, 09:01 PM

I'm 6 foot 3, and my "Just One" pack just fits. If I were taller, I think it would be maxed out. That said, it is far more comfortable than my Badlands pack, and very well laid out. It is my go-to. An awesome pack.

coyote.204 · 02-05-2009, 09:46 AM

Thanks for all the feedback. The j107 seems to be the popular model. What made you pick that model over the others?

Hornhunter · 02-05-2009, 10:31 AM

You should get the 09 manibeam or mainbeam xl from hornhunter. Just a suggestion, but a friend of mine has the just one pack and it is a sweet pack.

ElkChaser · 02-05-2009, 06:24 PM

Picking the right pack is hard. There are several quality packs being built and they all do the same thing but a little differently. I picked the J107 over other packs because if it's ability to change size from a freighter to a day pack. You can use it as a day pack and then fold it out and haul out an elk quarter. I also thought that it's strapping system was superior to other packs also as you can see by the way I strapped my deer to it. This is just my opinion and there are other packs to consider. Figure out what's important to you in a pack and then go and try one out.

thefishslayer · 02-05-2009, 06:28 PM

it seems like badlands has been very popular

Beaglehunter · 02-05-2009, 07:44 PM

I have not packed any meat with mine yet, but i did use it a lot on my beattys butte dear hunt this year and loved it. I take it shed hunting with me so i can pack my rifle without having my hands tied up. Lots of room for sure.

chukarchaser · 02-05-2009, 09:08 PM

Elkchaser...

Boise company but I believe the packs are made in Vietnam.

CC

Hornhunter · 02-06-2009, 07:03 AM

Hornhunter packs proudly made in the USA

Chesapeake · 02-06-2009, 03:03 PM

I've never worn one, but I've run down the mountain behind a guy wearing one. Long story.

Any way, I'd never buy one. I realy dont like the way they place the scabbard between the compartment and the harness. This only serves to move the load and center of gravity away from your back. It basicaly cantilevers the load a good 4 inches out away from your back.

Look at the pic above of the guy suffering all hunched over with an entire deer hanging realy low and out of ballance. Then look at the black scabbard opening right by the harness mount point that is causing all the missery. It doesnt allow you to suck the load up tight to your body like needs to be done. I've seen this kind of suffering first hand. And tried to help adjust the pack to correct it. There wasnt anything you could do.

Do yourself a favor and try a Badlands out before you decide. If you realy must have a scabbard, Nimrod sells one you can strap on to any pack for about $100.

(My comments are based on the eberlestock packs with the scabbard setup. Maybe they make something without this, I dont know.)

Thats my

and I own a Badlands 4500 so I'm obviously biased!

Well it looks like they too have recognized the issue with the design and now offer a sort of work around.
This is a quote from thier site:

"Secondly, as the packs have evolved, we've added small webbing loops to the main panel of the pack, at the forward side of the scabbard layer, as shown in the photo at left. These allow you to compress the scabbard layer if you choose to do so. However, if your particular rig works better with the scabbard layer un-compressed (for example, to allow your rifle to slide in and out more easily), then just bypass the loops, and go directly around the pack."

RJS34 · 02-06-2009, 08:04 PM

The Eberlestock scabbards are great. I think it just comes down to the individual. they need to try it out for themselves to see if they like it or not.

Fried Oyster · 02-06-2009, 08:09 PM

The scabbard is great on the Eberlstock. Reason being, it keeps a pretty heavy item (the gun) close to your back, the way you would want it, instead of a "strap on" scabbard keeping it on the outer edges of the pack, disrupting your balance. Talk about a work around.

Anyway, the guy with the deer said all he did was strap it on with some compression straps, didn't even load the deer in the pack's meat compartment. Also, the guy doesn't seem to be suffering, in fact looks capable of carrying twice as much.

I have test-loaded 90 pounds of iron into my pack, along with my rifle in the scabbard, and felt I could traverse miles in this way, packing meat if need be. No problem whatsoever, with awsome weight distribution.

forkhunter · 02-07-2009, 01:32 AM

Also, the j107 compression straps can be used to compress the scabbard when not in use. It does help with the issue of having weight away from the body. I can't imagine that there is a more comfortable place to have the scabbard. It was a lifesaver when I was so drained I could hardly stand up, but needed to climb out of a huge canyon on the snake river. It would have been much more difficult to fight that rifle on my shoulder. But, for what it is worth, I think there are some other great packs out there. Personal fit and preference certainly play a key role. Try 'em out and don't buy too quickly. I have done that in the past.

majcl5 · 02-07-2009, 07:48 AM

I have the j104 and the j105 It is with out a doubt the best hunting tool i have ever owned i love them. They ar comfertable and it saves you time and your rifle fits right in the scabbared. Cant hipe this product anymore!!

NWaddict · 02-07-2009, 08:25 AM

I agree that the scabbard keeps the weight away from your back a little, but frankly, if it works for a guy, I think it is a great compromise. I ended with a mystery ranch because the eberlestock just woudln't fit my body, period. But i miss the scabbard.

They are really nice for staying mobile in rough, open country. In the badlands of SD my buddy had one and he hunts fast. We covered a lot of country and it got old slinging my rifle trying to climb in and out of washes, etc.

Nothing is perfect, but as far as hunting goes, the scabbard is very nice. Hard to have it perfect both ways (hunting and packing).

Dom

Hookset · 02-07-2009, 11:50 AM

I'm a bowhunter, so the scabbard doesn't work for me. They also make a model to carry a bow, but the compartment/support for the bow takes up a lot of room and actually reduces the size of the compartments available for storage. I like the idea of supporting a bow on the pack, but it should be small or minuscule and light weight, since I spend more time hunting with a bow in hand rather then carrying a bow on my back. Also, since I use a water bladder hydration system and never use a noisy bottle, I detest water bottle holders and refuse to buy a pack with holders predominately located on each side of the pack.

Honestly, I keep looking at packs hoping that I can find exactly what I need in a pack for bowhunting day trips, but so far it's always a compromise. Think I should have started designing packs years ago.

coyote.204 · 02-07-2009, 12:32 PM

Well I ended up getting the X1. It is a med size pack that has a built in scabard and a spot to hold a bow or quarter. Since I rifle and bow hunt it should work good. I have put my rifle in it and can easly take it out while still on my back. Also has a pocket for my water blater. Overall seems to be a good pack.

RidgeRunner · 02-07-2009, 03:47 PM

I looked at the Eberlestock this week at the Sportmans show. Thought they looked good until I saw where the 100 oz fluid bladder was located on the pack I was looking at. I don't want the weight on one side of the pack. To me this poses a off balance problem. I do have another pack that I love and the bladder is centered right down the middle. (Hard Core Pack) All packs have their pluses and minuses. It is not an easy thing finding the right pack. Take your time and see if you can borrow different packs and try them out.
Good Luck

ehunter · 02-07-2009, 06:26 PM

I can center the pack pretty well I use 2 small bladders and it works well so when is empty I just change the hose out and since its small I don't notice the pack unbalence at all. As to carring the bow I like it for what it is it keeps the bow high enough to stay off the rear wheel or off my bike crate in the back. The other nice feature is you can remove a bow or gun without taking the pack off and that is not always possible with other packs. There are good and bad in every pack is it perfect no but it works.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RidgeRunner

I looked at the Eberlestock this week at the Sportmans show. Thought they looked good until I saw where the 100 oz fluid bladder was located on the pack I was looking at. I don't want the weight on one side of the pack. To me this poses a off balance problem. I do have another pack that I love and the bladder is centered right down the middle. (Hard Core Pack) All packs have their pluses and minuses. It is not an easy thing finding the right pack. Take your time and see if you can borrow different packs and try them out.
Good Luck

Quaka Wacka · 02-09-2009, 11:55 PM

I had a J105 and have a X pack. I'm also the guy Chesapeak followed down the mt. For me the 105 was a great pack, that was layed out well. And I especially liked the scabbard because I use treking poles. But when I loaded it up with a fairly heavy load, it was the most uncomfortable pack I've ever worn. Hence, why I was running down the mt. The load just sits too far away from your back, and after several stops to make unsucesful adjustments, I just said screw it and got out as quick as I could.

The packs are well made, and as I mentioned the scabbard is nice, so if the pack fits you I say go for it.

Packs are a lot like boots, in that what works for one 6'3"215lb guy might not work for the next. My best advice is try on or borrow a bunch of packs and load them up to try them. And if you decide on the 105 try looking at the ifish and 24hour clasifieds. A lot of guys will get one try it and sell it because it doesn't fit.

For me the best fitting/loadhauling packs have been Badlands, Osprey cresants, and a kelty pack frames, but everbody seems to like a different kind. And currently hunt with a Badlands 2200, with an added on Nimrod scabbard. Good Luck