Eberlestock

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razorsdescent

Joined
Jan 16, 2005
Messages
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there seem to be alot of threads lately about packs but i never hear anyone mention eberlestock packs. I really love mine. Is there something im missing here or are they just not a well known company. :confused:
 
I'd really like to pick up a Halftrack pack, I really like the layout of it. The scabbard packs are cool and all, I just don't find myself needing to carry a rifle all that often. I've never handled one of their packs in person though, so I don't have much to add.
 
Yeah im in afghanistan right now using the half track pack and its amazing. 6shooter i highly recommend it it sits fine with body armor on but its very comfortable without the aarmor on, its great at transfering weight to the hips, i can throw 50lbs or more in it and go for a run and not feel like my shoulders are going to tear off. The inside of the pack is very well designed i like the little pockets and that the divider can fold down. i also prefer the hydration system they use to camel bak. the ability to open it wide and fill it up with ice or whatever is great and makes cleaning easy.

I ordered 2 kifaru packs but until i have the chance to try them out eberlestock remains the best pack ive tried on. :thumbup:
 
i picked up a dragonfly in brush .... and i really like it ... its definatly looks like i just need one pack .... truely top notch stuff.

i have a photo lay out of it on another board i need to revise
 
I basically don't really like the layout of the ones I've seen. Other than that, I hear good things about them.
 
The Eberlestocks look pretty good, but I've just never bought any.

I nearly bought a Badlands pack a while ago, though. They make some very nice packs as well.
 
I've only played with them and have never actually used one in the field. I do like what I have seen, but I've read very mixed reviews on them.

I thought they were the greatest idea when they first came out, but a lot of people that I knew who used them or who were issued them went on to other packs, namely Kifaru and Mystery Ranch military line packs. I've talked to a couple of people who quit using the rifle scabbards on them because they didn't like them (that's the feature I liked best about them so was disappointed to hear that). I've also read reviews by people who are completely enamored by these packs. I've heard that they're good packs, but there are just better ones out there.

Badlands packs are sometimes touted as better packs than the Erblestocks on some of the hunting forums.

I would like to see a side-by-side comparison of some of the packs from all of these companies (Erblestock, Kifaru, Mystery Ranch and Badlands). Anybody have a few thousand dollars they want to part with to test these all out?

I would like to get a pack for hunting that would protect my rifle and still be used to easily pack out meat. The pack board features of the Kifaru and Mystery Ranch packs appeal to me for this, but the weights and prices of these miliary packs does not. I own a ridiculous amount of packs, but of course I have an original Dana Designs Astralplane Overkill that weighs a ton and cost about $450 but is still my absolute favorite pack, so I obviously have no idea what I want.
 
razorsdescent said:
Yeah im in afghanistan right now using the half track pack and its amazing. 6shooter i highly recommend it it sits fine with body armor on but its very comfortable without the aarmor on, its great at transfering weight to the hips, i can throw 50lbs or more in it and go for a run and not feel like my shoulders are going to tear off. The inside of the pack is very well designed i like the little pockets and that the divider can fold down. i also prefer the hydration system they use to camel bak. the ability to open it wide and fill it up with ice or whatever is great and makes cleaning easy.

I ordered 2 kifaru packs but until i have the chance to try them out eberlestock remains the best pack ive tried on. :thumbup:
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Thanks for the info. Seeing as I don't need to carry a rifle, I don't find myself needing to wear body armour, so it's good to know it fits fine without.

How do you set up your hydration system with it? Do you use the outer side pockets, or the ones inside? I was kinda curious about that, with water being fairly heavy, I wondered if having a bladder on one side of the pack would throw the balance off at all.
 
razorsdescent said:
there seem to be alot of threads lately about packs but i never hear anyone mention eberlestock packs. I really love mine. Is there something im missing here or are they just not a well known company. :confused:
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I have a Operator built up with sidescabbards and a few TAD gear organization pouches. It's my BOB and I love it to death. They are made right down the road from my house. My dad used their biathlon stocks for 20 years while coaching Junior Olympics biathlon and the combination of an anschutz with Glen Eberle's stocks are unbeatable. I also have a Phantom that doesn't see the light of day anymore, the Operator took its spot. It will probably be my hunting pack for this season, since I'm finally a resident in the state I live in (First time in 3 years thanks to the Air Force) Most people don't know about them-and a majority of those that do can't afford it/don't need it. Their packs appeal to a very specific, but much needed, role. If you don't like or need the scabbard (I think both the built in and the side scabbards work stupendously for quick draw and superior protection) they make a few bags now that don't have them.
 
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I'll add I've used Dana and Kifaru packs as well, and all three companies are made from top of the line materials and you won't find so much as a stitch out of place throughout the entire pack, but as far as comfort, weight distribution and organization Eberle takes the cake. I have packed as much as 150 pounds on the Operator and it's rediculous how light it makes the weight feel. I don't think you could go wrong with either company, but it all depends on what role you are going to use it for.
 
To answer your question i havent experienced any real problem with just carrying one hydration bladder, i fill it up and cram it inbtween the side sleeve and the pack.

Nothing is truly comfortable or ergonomic with body armor, but without the body armor the eberlestock is quite comfortable. again as i said i highly reccomend it.
 
I too have been researching larger packs like Eberlestock and Mystery Ranch. I just picked up a mini mi from Eberlestock instead of a camel bak. I get it on the 22nd and am expecting great things. The kifaru's also are highly recommended but most are top loading which doesnt appeal to me. Pretty much the same with Mystery Ranch though more are available with back door openings. All the eberlestocks, I think, have the rear opening and from what I have read ride on your hips just as nice as the mystery ranch's. I think Ill be picking up an Eberlestock in a couple of weeks. Having problems deciding which one.....
 
Im the exact opposite. I love top loading packs, They are almost failure proof. granted a well built pack with quality zippers probably wont fail you but it could still happen. The reason that the eberlestock works for me here is that i can get to most anything in it in the confines of a helicopter or an MRAP. currently my platoon RTO uses the fac track so i have alot of experience with that pack to. ill probably end up buying it off of him when his kifaru arrives.

If you dont have the need for gun storage id suggest you look into either the half or fac track models. They are both excellent designs with the half track being a bit bigger, and the fac track having a little more organizational options. They both have that large full zipper that you said you liked and they alseo both have a fair sized top pouch thats quite easy to access, another nice feature about eberlestocks are that their zipper pulls have wide open loops with a plastic cover that are easy on the fingers and wide enough to pull wearing gloves.
 
kage said:
I've only played with them and have never actually used one in the field. I do like what I have seen, but I've read very mixed reviews on them.

I thought they were the greatest idea when they first came out, but a lot of people that I knew who used them or who were issued them went on to other packs, namely Kifaru and Mystery Ranch military line packs. I've talked to a couple of people who quit using the rifle scabbards on them because they didn't like them (that's the feature I liked best about them so was disappointed to hear that). I've also read reviews by people who are completely enamored by these packs. I've heard that they're good packs, but there are just better ones out there.

Badlands packs are sometimes touted as better packs than the Erblestocks on some of the hunting forums.

I would like to see a side-by-side comparison of some of the packs from all of these companies (Erblestock, Kifaru, Mystery Ranch and Badlands). Anybody have a few thousand dollars they want to part with to test these all out?

I would like to get a pack for hunting that would protect my rifle and still be used to easily pack out meat. The pack board features of the Kifaru and Mystery Ranch packs appeal to me for this, but the weights and prices of these miliary packs does not. I own a ridiculous amount of packs, but of course I have an original Dana Designs Astralplane Overkill that weighs a ton and cost about $450 but is still my absolute favorite pack, so I obviously have no idea what I want.
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I had a 4500 Badlands. It was a super comfortable pack.Another guide here has it and loves it. He works up in the higher elevations down south.

I went to something lighter and better for off trail. A Rivendell Jensen giant.
I go some crazy places hunting for plants so I need as snag free a rig as possible.
Plus it has a trick liner setup so I don't need a cover if it's too brushy for my poncho.

Were I in 'normal" terrain I'd jump in a Badlands in a heartbeat.
 
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Hey Toucan Oasis,

Thanks for the input on the Badlands and the Rivendell Jensen (I've never heard of Rivendell but I'll check it out).

What kind of guiding are you doing (backpack hunting, basecamp hunting, driving in and short walking, etc.) and what are you guys hunting for? How do you haul the meat out?

Truth be told, I have plenty of packs that would work, but I want a dedicated large hunting pack because it's like some sick fetish with me. I'm really leaning heavily towards packboard type backpacks because of their convenience for hauling large and awkward loads, such as animal quarters, firewood, water cans, etc. while still being able to throw a pack on it for conventional use. They are very heavy and expensive though and I fear that they won't be as good for offtrail use because of the center of gravity being further back like on external frame packs.
 
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