Anyone use this pack (Eberlestock M5 Team Elk)

[jrebel]

Tried it on the other day and it fit really well.  I really like how compact it is while still having plenty of room for gear.  It seems to be a perfect size for 1-4 day trips.  Anyone have this pack or know someone that does?  How do you like it?   

Here is a link to the specs

http://www.eberlestock.com/M5%20Team%20Elk%20Pack.html

Thanks

jrebel

[hoyt2002]

My wife has that pack. We just picked it up and haven't got to use it yet. I think it's going to be a good pack for her. I thought about getting one for myself but I ended up with the Badlands clinch. It just fit me better. My initial thought on the pack is that it is packed with good features but like I said we haven't really tested it. Hope someone had more info for you.

[MtnMuley]

I bought one to try this year.  I used it on every hunt this past fall and overall was impressed.   Best features about this pack, as is with any Eberle in my opinion, is the gun scabbard.  This one has the large scabbard which easily holds any style of rifle with bipod.  Another thing I liked about this pack was the two vertical long pockets on the side.  They're easy to get into and held my tripod, spotting scope, and hiking poles with room to spare.  Another nice feature is the top pouch.  One of Eberle's better designed tops, much like the Gunrunner II.  Another nice feature was the "grab it" I will call it, as it's the same principle as the Kifaru's.  This one had a pouch for that last minute thing you might have forgot after packing your pack and it lashed to the top bag securely without anything in the pack.  This isn't true with many other Eberle's that are unloaded.  This pack easily hauls two hind quarters unboned, which is nice in my opinion.  I'm sure it's hold a completely boned deer.  Lashing on this pack is great as is with all Eberle's. The pouchbuilt into each side of the waist belt is great.  Elimintes me having to put on my rangefinder pouch and extra bullet pouch.
Now for the things I feel could be improved:  I don't know why they chose the semi-exposed aluminum frame.  This pack "creaks" loaded and unloaded.  Especially when loaded.  Noise in packs is a big negative to me.  This pack easily hauls 80-100 lbs, but if the hike out is a ways, your shoulders are going to get tired.  The suspension on the pack isn't designed for more than 70# I'd guess.  Ii wish the chest strap could go tighter as well when in a t-shirt, because with a heavy load the pack shifts a little up there in the chest area.
Overall, this pack has become my "go to" pack when day hunting.  With a few modifications, I feel this could be the best day hunting pack ever and I hope Eberlestock tweaks it a little.  I see you mentioned going for 1-4 days.  I definitely don't think this is the pack for that.  Overnight pack at best, and you better pack small.  Hope that helps..............even though you're a Whiners fan

[jrebel]

I bought one to try this year.  I used it on every hunt this past fall and overall was impressed.   Best features about this pack, as is with any Eberle in my opinion, is the gun scabbard.  This one has the large scabbard which easily holds any style of rifle with bipod.  Another thing I liked about this pack was the two vertical long pockets on the side.  They're easy to get into and held my tripod, spotting scope, and hiking poles with room to spare.  Another nice feature is the top pouch.  One of Eberle's better designed tops, much like the Gunrunner II.  Another nice feature was the "grab it" I will call it, as it's the same principle as the Kifaru's.  This one had a pouch for that last minute thing you might have forgot after packing your pack and it lashed to the top bag securely without anything in the pack.  This isn't true with many other Eberle's that are unloaded.  This pack easily hauls two hind quarters unboned, which is nice in my opinion.  I'm sure it's hold a completely boned deer.  Lashing on this pack is great as is with all Eberle's. The pouchbuilt into each side of the waist belt is great.  Elimintes me having to put on my rangefinder pouch and extra bullet pouch.
Now for the things I feel could be improved:  I don't know why they chose the semi-exposed aluminum frame.  This pack "creaks" loaded and unloaded.  Especially when loaded.  Noise in packs is a big negative to me.  This pack easily hauls 80-100 lbs, but if the hike out is a ways, your shoulders are going to get tired.  The suspension on the pack isn't designed for more than 70# I'd guess.  Ii wish the chest strap could go tighter as well when in a t-shirt, because with a heavy load the pack shifts a little up there in the chest area.
Overall, this pack has become my "go to" pack when day hunting.  With a few modifications, I feel this could be the best day hunting pack ever and I hope Eberlestock tweaks it a little.  I see you mentioned going for 1-4 days.  I definitely don't think this is the pack for that.  Overnight pack at best, and you better pack small.  Hope that helps..............even though you're a Whiners fan

Excellent review.....99% of the time it would be a day pack.  I do a few trips during the summer that are 2-4 days and I do pack very light....they are usually not hunting trips so I am not carrying a rifle.  The noise is a huge factor for me...as I hate noisy packs.  I am a bow hunter and any noise can be a game changer.   

Thanks for the review.

jrebel

[vandeman17]

I have the X2 which is pretty similar and love it! It is my favorite pack I have ever owned!

[MtnMuley]

The X2 is actually quite different.  It's only 1830ci while the Team Elk in 3100ci.  The X2 doesn't have the built in scabbard either.  The X2 holds a bow, but doesn't have the built in bow bucket like the Team Elk.  Overall, The X2 is a great choice for day hunts only with a bow, but don't look for it to pack too much meat out. 

[vandeman17]

The X2 is actually quite different.  It's only 1830ci while the Team Elk in 3100ci.  The X2 doesn't have the built in scabbard either.  The X2 holds a bow, but doesn't have the built in bow bucket like the Team Elk.  Overall, The X2 is a great choice for day hunts only with a bow, but don't look for it to pack too much meat out. 

Ya, I meant more in overall design/feel. The size brings the Team Elk more options as well as the rifle scabbard but I think they are pretty similar, at least when I was comparing them. Both great packs depending on what you need them for. 

[Rob]

The Team Elk looks very nice.

I picked up the X2 and have been happy with it on the couple hikes I have done.  I have put 60+ pounds of water in it and hiked up 4K feet of gain with it and it packes just great.   Evidently you can pack out a quarter Elk with it and after using it I believe it.  (just need to get a quarter elk sometime to test that out with!)

Personally I sold my last Eberlestock pack (Dragonfly) because of the rifle scabbard.  I liked the idea but it is so dang heavy.  I don't want to haul what is essentially a soft case with me out in the field.  The fact that the scabbard was an add on to the X2 is what sold me on that pack (that and the aluminum tube frame).  I made a little rifle holder out of nylon webbing that works great and weighs about 2 Oz.  It weaves right into the molle webbing on the pack.  I can't "draw" from it, but I prefer to hunt with my rifle on a sling on my shoulder than in a scabbard.  The holder I made is just for really steep stuff, or night time/non hunting hours travel.

I'm sure the scabbard works great for some folks, just not my cup of tea.

[Alchase]

For those of you with Eberlestock packs with the frame (X2, ect...)
if you hear a squeak coming from the frame, there is a plastic piece on the frame, that is making the squeaking noise. It is really easy to fix this. loosen the straps holding the frame in so you can pull the frame out. Apply electrical tape (I used duct tape) around the contact are near the plastic piece, and no more squeak. Takes about 5 minutes.

[jrebel]

Beings that I don't rifle hunt a lot I am unsure about the scabbard.  I wish it was detachable....but it's not.  I figure that it could  always be used for other storage.  When not in use with the rifle it does fold up and secure so it is not dangling. 

I guess nothing in life is perfect.   

[MtnMuley]

Beings that I don't rifle hunt a lot I am unsure about the scabbard.  I wish it was detachable....but it's not.  I figure that it could  always be used for other storage.  When not in use with the rifle it does fold up and secure so it is not dangling. 

I guess nothing in life is perfect.   

Another nice feature with the scabbard on the Team Elk pack, is that it has a zipper on top so that it can be used as concealed storage.  No other hunting Eberle that I've seen had the zipper.  Much of the time my tripod and spotter are in there all set with the legs extended.  Makes it nice and quick using the spotter.

[jackelope]

That. I use my scabbard 3x more for stuff other than my rifle.  Spotter, fishing rod tube, etc. Hardly ever is my rifle in there.

[Jason]

I have the Team Elk pack, got it last September. I have been really impressed with the amount of storage areas and the dual excess to the main compartment from either the top or front, I like to be organized and really like the extra pockets inside the main compartment, keeps stuff more accessible without having to fumble through the bottom of the pack to look for smaller items. Pockets on the waist belt are plenty big enough for rangefinders, cell phones or anything else you need quick access to. the bow bucket and rifle scabbard are great features, I have used the scabbard but not the bow bucket, and like said before they both have zippers and can be utilized for extra storage when needed. The side pocket easily stores my Nikon fieldscope III, I store the tri-pod in the main compartment so I can have a water bladder in the other side pocket. Pack has lots of adjustment with the ladder system, boy is this pack comfortable