Tips on choosing an Eberlestock pack

Tactical Gear Tactical Gear
1

I’m looking for some tips on choosing a good 3+ day pack, something that would serve for backpacking and hunting, but can also be set up as a 3-day go-bag (GB) when not using it actively.

Initially I was looking at getting another Maxpedition model (I just bought a Falcon 2 as a get-home bag, based on on another thread in this section). However, from some other threads here (see the following), I ran across the Eberlestock brand, and liked it because their designs are so robust, well thought-out, and they integrate a long gun efficiently into the pack system.

Some threads on Eberlestock packs:

Has anyone had experience with using any of the Eberlestock packs as a good, all-purpose 3-day pack system for backpacking or a GB? What are the pros and cons, and what models would you recommend for general use, something in the 2500 to 3000 cu. in. capacity range, and something that can attach a long gun carrier?

Here are a couple of designs that I looked at and found interesting, after calling and talking with them:

Gunslinger 2
[Little Brother](http://eberlestock.com/J79%20Skycrane%20II.htm#G1 pack)
X4 Hispeed
X3 Lodrag

I think of these, the X3 and the Little Brother look the most interesting. These are newer designs, but both are relatively “lighter” 3-day packs that have a lot of flexibility and expansion capability built in. The Little Brother, especially, can really add a lot of attachments in addition to a scabbard, so it can add on as much stuff as you need to the base pack.

Would really appreciate hearing other thoughts on these, especially from folks who have tried them and compared them to other good options out there.

2

I bought one of the larger Estock packs for a pack in hunting trip. Sold it before the trip after training with it some.

It’s important with heavy loads to keep the weight sucked up close to your back. The built in scabbard creates a built in sag with heavy loads. And if you use the scabbard but cinch it up tight you lose the ability to quickly un-scabbard your rifle.

With lighter loads you won’t have as much of a problem and YMMV.

3

Interesting (but useful) feedback. I had heard that these are some of the premier packs available, but it sounds like your experience wasn’t as good. I’ve been wondering what the user experience is like when you are fully loaded out, with a rifle in the scabbard.

It seems like everybody is interested in these, but not that many actually HAVE them. At least not here. Maybe there’s a bit of a yellow flag in that fact.

4

I have the Halftrack from Eberlestock. I’ve used it religiously overseas and in training since 2009. I love Eberlestock packs. I’ve never used any of the packs that you want, but Eberlestock is a good pack especially if you wanted to carry another rifle.

My next pack will be a Kifaru pack. I’ve purchased there small E&E pack and like it. Now it’s time to save.

5

FWIW, I had a J107, which is much larger than what you’re looking at. I was planning on packing gear and a boned out deer, so made my decision based on a lot more weight than what you might be thinking about. Get one with their wide belt and they’re very comfortable packs.

Unless you’re packing sandbags, you probably couldn’t fit enough into a 2500 ci pack to notice a lot of sagging. I think the Estock packs would really shine in that size range.

I got a Mystery Ranch for heavy loads and have heard good things about Kifaru as well.

ETA: I think you’d be waaay ahead of any Maxpedition with an Estock.

6

Just make sure you will actually have a use for one. I pulled the trigger for a GunSlinger 2 and used it one time and absolutely HATED it. I sold it and took a loss for buying something I thought I would like. Loaded with gear , Ammo , Mags and a Carbine it probably weighed 75lbs or more.

      I thought it would be a good pack to haul my gear at 3 gun Matches but I'll bring a wagon or make a Tactical Stroller..:sarcastic:
7

I’ve heard the same about the ones with the built in scabbard. A friend says the rifle shifts in the scabbard when you run, and carries the weight too high.

I bought a Destroyer, and haven’t field tested it, yet. It’s a standard pack. You can strap a rifle to the outside if necessary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=js9nUVRSfBg

8

There is a new shop in the mall that sells tac gear and packs. I was in there the other day and noticed the same thing with the packs that have the built in scabbard. It definitely pushed the main load to fare off of your back. Although I did have it fully loaded or anything but it was noticeable just with the stuff they had in the display model.

9

It’s almost a 50/50 split on the Eberlestock w/scabbard. People either love 'em, or hate 'em. Hard to make a decision on a $400 pack with that kind of spread.

I am also currently pondering either a G4 operator or a Phantom.

Would like to hear more details on the love/hate.

10

I never really loved or hated mine, it just didn’t do what I needed. My MR Crew Cab carries heavy loads better, which is what I needed at the time. But the CC is heavy and the super thick belt and shoulder straps are overkill for most stuff.

TZoid mentioned 75#, which is heavy regardless of what pack you’re using. Only lots of stairs will make that comfortable, although some packs obviously carry better than others.

For day trips or moving gear and a rifle from your trunk to a patrol car I think they’d be ideal. When I was on a long gun for my old department I always thought an Estock would be perfect for carrying all my kit in the trunk.

11

Agree. I’m not hearing the intensity of love I would have expected on such an expensive pack. I usually don’t hear this same level of ambivalence about Kirafu packs.

12

I have a G4M Operator. Unfortunately, I have only used on three occasions. One ruckmarch (about 50lbs), one ruck-run (about 40lbs), and one backpacking trip (about 35lbs).
On both rucks, I didn’t have a rifle in the scabbard, but I did carry an AR15 on the backpacking trip.

Unfortunately, I don’t love the pack. I feel that the load rides too far away from my back (rifle or no rifle, straps all cinched down completely) and sags. The load lifter straps don’t pull the pack up nearly as much as they should, either. Unfortunately, I do not feel that the scabbard system is the way to go.

I love Eberlestock for all the cool pockets, straps, etc. but I don’t think I can recommend this pack to anyone.

13

Do you think that a pack with the scabbard mounted to the back would be better?

I would have thought that w/o a rifle in the scabbard the pack would have cinched down enough to collapse the scabbard and ride nice and tight.

By sagging, I presume you mean at the bottom? Would a frame support have cured this, or is this a matter of too much pack, not enough filling for the pack to work well?

14

The scabbard can cinch down fairly tight, but there’s still a couple inches of material before your main pack starts. I don’t know if a rifle mounted on the back of the pack would be any better. Really, I would like to try a rifle mounted to the side of the pack. You would have to find a way to compensate for the pull on that one side though…

A real frame would definitely help, but I believe the sagging (yes, at the bottom) is caused by the scabbard keeping the weight of the pack away from your body.

15

Sorry for the necropost, I have a LGS that has the Gunslinger 2, Little Brother, Lo Drag and the Gunrunner in stock. Eberlestock shows an internal frame that can be bought from their website and am wondering if this would help with the load shift. I am going to take some measurements of various rifles that I have and go and take a harder look at these packs. My needs are just hiking/hunting and travel to/from the range.

16

You guys saved me some money I was wanting to pull the trigger on a eberlestock gunslinger thanks for the reviews.

17

The G4 operator does make a great range bag, but I would have to agree that the load does sit a bit far back with that scabbard.

I have not used it as a 3 day pack yet, I have a tendency to over pack and need to get that under control before I try.

When you are starting out with a pack that already weighs 10 pounds, that bitch can get awful heavy by the time you start adding what you think is necessary.

Glad I got a deal on it.

18

I think people fail to realize that any pack with a scabbard mounted inboard as opposed to the side will cause the pack to sag. Regardless of manufacturer, you are pushing the pack farther away from you whenever you put your weapon between you and the pack. It can help to cinch the pack tight, but then you remove quick access to the weapon. That may or may not be a problem. It isn’t for me as my primary will always be in my hands, and the precision rifle would be tight in the pack. If my precision rifle is my primary, my AR will be tight in the pack. Neither of which require quick access to the packed rifle. For hunting, it would be in the pack for hiking as I don’t expect to make any shots while in the move, or in my hands and there is no problem as the pack is cinched tight.

The only system that may alleviate this, and I don’t own one so I can’t comment, is the Mystery Ranch pack with it’s external frame. However, it is an expedition type pack, not a small 3-day type. It’s also really effing expensive at just a couple hundred shy of a grand.

19

So how is the quality of the Eberlestock packs I am loking for a 3 to 4 day bug out pack.

20

I have used mine on a couple of hikes and the quality of the stiching and construction seems top notch. I loaded mine up (even with a “faux” AR) to 30lbs and it was comfortable. I felt that it actually helped my posture during the hike, alleviating some annoying sore spots. The load does ride much further back but not uncomfortably so, for me anyway. FWIW.