Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Pack eberlestock for lighter day loads?

Hello all,

Having read a ton of reviews and other posts on packs it seems the consensus is that the eberlestock packs are not great for heavy loads in that they put a lot of rearward pulling on the shoulders.

How about for lighter day pack loads. I'm really looking for a elk hunting day pack, and I love the option that the eberlestock packs allow for easy packing of the rifle. I can't see putting more than 30lbs in one, and would have a dedicated frame pack for packing out meat.

Is the frame/suspension on the eberlestock packs (gunslinger, x1, J107 etc) not enough to even deal with these such loads?

I wear a gunslinger pack daily all summer and regularily carry 30 pounds in it. Last fall i even packed out and elk with it - one quarter at a time. it is fine for those type of loads and it's ability to easily carry a rifle, tripod or fly rod makes in mighty handy. For heavier loads like moose quarters and boat motors you will be happier with a good frame pack.

They are well made and do not take our word on how something will fit you! If I did not buy my Kifaru's I would still be carrying mine. It may fit you like a glove. Carry a first load out and as mentioned above grab a frame pack. Good luck!

I used mine exactly as you mentioned; as a daypack mostly, then to pack a quarter (in one case an entire boned mountain goat w/cape) back to camp. As a daypack, it shined. Packing quarters, it was okay, then I grabbed my freighter frame.

I screwed up and picked a Just One and ended up using it more like a daypack. It's too heavy for that although my buddy chose to load his brown bear hide in it. He hauled that load which we figured was about 150 lbs. I would have preferred the Gunslinger I suppose but I have nothing bad to say about the Eberlestock line. I'd say Phil has the right idea.

I have given up on my J104 for backpack hunting. It does not handle heavy loads well. I will be using my J104 for a blackbear hunt next week as a day pack to carry a tripod, cameras, and a bunch of other stuff I wouldn�t backpack with. I feel it is comfortable up to about 35-40lbs.

I also have an X2 which I feel is a great daypack and weighs half the J104 and I can comfortably carry just about as much weight.

the j104 is a nice pack and has many great features, having never used another expensive pack, im not sure if it is the fit, but I can also atest to the fact that the j104 does pull on the shulders,from what ive read this is most likely due to the fit of the pack. for a big day pack with the option of carrying a gun of a tripod of fishing pole the just one is a usefull pack.

I went from j104 to j107 and the j107 carries heavier loads much better. Tough packs... I understand the weight away from the shoulders concern due to the scabbard space and the bladder holder. Honestly, I didn't feel it was much of an issue and carried about 80 lbs for 5+ miles multiple times during the week. You don't have to use the scabbard and can cinch down the straps to keep weight closer. No complaints about the 107. Fine for a day pack too. After packing in with 45 lbs and carrying animals with 80 + lbs..... a day pack was light to me any way you look at it.

I will be looking at the new kifaru packs this year though, I hear nothing but good. We'll see how the budget goes.

Take a look at Eberlestock's Halftrack might be just what you're looking for, and you can't beat it for easy access.



Phil

I've use the Blue Widow and a recent hike had around 55 pounds in it. It seemed to carry well even with my 130 pound body lugging it. If I ever get around to adjusting the aluminum stays, I imagine it'll run better. However, the Blue Widow doesn't have the permanent gun scabbard.