You know, there's a good number of people who use Eberlestock packs and are happy. I've had two. The X-1 which is a good daypack size, and the J-107 Dragonfly.
Both seem to be well made IMO, and a good value for the money, especially for someone who wants a decent pack but doesn't want to, or can't drop 5 or 6 bills on a pack.
I've packed a full whitetail in the X-1. And I've carried it on numerous turkey hunts in the last few years. No real complaints and nothing has blown out. The whitetail is the heaviest load it has carried.
I carried the J-107 last year on a couple of weekenders and in Idaho for a mule deer hunt, packing in and out camp. No problems.
Admittedly, I don't have decades of experience packing heavy loads and I've never carried a Kifaru, Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, Kuiu, McHale, etc.
I have carried a DD Terraplane a "few" miles and like it a lot.
Having said all that, the J-107 is heavy IMO at about 9lbs. Using it as a daypack while hunting, climbing the mountains out west and down into the gorges around here, it's just too heavy as a daypack.
So I sold it for that reason. It's just too darn heavy.
I bought the Paradox.
I like it's configuration and versatility. I like that it's made in Colorado by some quality guys on this forum. I like supporting mom & pop businesses, especially those dealing in quality products. And I really like its light weight.
I got the 4800 bag, with zipper, and the base Talon compression panel & frame extension.
FWIW that combo weighs 3.7 lbs on my little electronic scale.
Anyway, my two cents.
