Backpack Review: USMC ILBE By Arc'teryx

[Special T]

I bought one of these for my brother. There is a company in Lynden that sells them for pretty reasonable. I think its $150ish for both the main pack and battle pack.

If i didnt already have one Id buy one...

[lamrith]

I bought one of these for my brother. There is a company in Lynden that sells them for pretty reasonable. I think its $150ish for both the main pack and battle pack.

If i didnt already have one Id buy one...

I saw those on cl.  $170 but think includes bladder too.

[Bean Counter]

just keep in mind, for some people(me), and where and how they hunt, its imperative they be able to haul, well over 100lbs(for me its more like 70-80% of my body weight) for 5, 10, maybe 15 miles. others would never even consider it. all things to consider when talking packs...

Have you actually stepped on a scale with 100 lbs on your back?  Then taken that very same pack load on those 10-15 miles? I'm in dammed good shape and there's no way I could do that.

You could always toss two 50 lb bags of salt in your backpack to try.

Don't mean to start a  but I just can't believe that. 

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

just keep in mind, for some people(me), and where and how they hunt, its imperative they be able to haul, well over 100lbs(for me its more like 70-80% of my body weight) for 5, 10, maybe 15 miles. others would never even consider it. all things to consider when talking packs...

Have you actually stepped on a scale with 100 lbs on your back?  Then taken that very same pack load on those 10-15 miles? I'm in dammed good shape and there's no way I could do that.

You could always toss two 50 lb bags of salt in your backpack to try.

Don't mean to start a  but I just can't believe that. 

We both did it last year.  And plan on doing it again multiple times this year.  Half a bear each, plus camp and hide one trip.  We both regularly train with over 100 pounds.  In fact I loaded mine up with a 124 pounds on our local mountain the other day. 

At 40-45 pounds of camp+water, 40-50 pound hide and  40/50 pounds of meat, I was probably around 125/30 packing out my bear last year.  Scott's pack was pretty similar in weight.

Maybe you should train harder? 

I'll tell you what though.  I wouldn't put that kind of weight in the ILBE...Which is basically the point FTF is trying to make.  High quality packs allow you to pack more weight further because of fit, function and form. 

[Bean Counter]

Maybe you should train harder? 

maybe 

Don't mean to impugne your integrity. I know sometimes distances feel stretched out with lots of weight sometimes. I can, have, and will continue to carry 75-80 pounds a number of times and about a mile, maybe two, but I'll stick with my assertion that 100-125 lbs for up to 15 miles is a tall tale. Drug mules from Mexico, high on amphetamines, don't even attempt that.

[b.roberts]

Bean Counter, those guys do it.  Not all of us can.  I do the high hunt for fun, and  my twelve year old daughter has come with for the past 3 years.  That means I am carrying a comfortable camp for 2 at about 70+ lbs.  Each of the last 3 trips have been 4 miles or more.  If I can do that, I don't doubt others that actually train and have more expensive equipment ability to do much more.

BTW, the ilbe pack can handle weight over 100lbs.  I can't carry  it without pain, but 20 year-old marines can.  I like the ilbe pack, it's tough and cheap.  But after trying it out, I realized I needed a taller pack where the load lifter straps could pull the shoulder harness off my shoulder a bit.

[b.roberts]

Forgot to say that I switched from the ilbe to a rei xt85.  It isn't nearly as bomb proof as the ilbe.   However,  the frame and suspension carry weight much more comfortably than the ilbe.

[MountainWalk]

Yes, their doo doo has muscles in it too.  But, what kind of animals are they tagging?

[Special T]

While i Didnt use an IBE I carried a 80lb pack for 115 miles.
I also had a Short haul About 4-5 miles with a 125 ish pack.
I used a Mountain Smith Backpack... Pretty sure it would be difficult or near impossible today for me to repeat.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Maybe you should train harder? 

maybe 

Don't mean to impugne your integrity. I know sometimes distances feel stretched out with lots of weight sometimes. I can, have, and will continue to carry 75-80 pounds a number of times and about a mile, maybe two, but I'll stick with my assertion that 100-125 lbs for up to 15 miles is a tall tale. Drug mules from Mexico, high on amphetamines, don't even attempt that.

[jackelope]

The man juice is flowing now!! The ILBE pack is a well built, tough, inexpensive pack for those that can't afford or don't want to drop the big $$ on a top tier pack. May not be as comfortable but I'd rather use it than nothing if thats what it came down to.

[jjhunter]

I can't wait to see all of these packs full of critters in a couple months!

[ctwiggs1]

I have several times with a pack similar to this one.   We were required to set the pack on a hanging scale to make sure we were carrying regulation weight.  It's a different mentality for sure.  It's definitely not a comfort haul, it's more of an "embrace the suck" moment.   Keep  in mind also the best way to get better at rucking is just to go ruck.

My wife is in great shape but a 35lb pack put her down for the count last weekend because she just wasn't ready for it. My fault - should have started her lighter.

Be safe - anything can go wrong when you have that much weight on.

[jackelope]

I can't wait to see all of these packs full of critters in a couple months!

I just drag mine out whole.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

The man juice is flowing now!! The ILBE pack is a well built, tough, inexpensive pack for those that can't afford or don't want to drop the big $$ on a top tier pack. May not be as comfortable but I'd rather use it than nothing if thats what it came down to.

At this point we really aren't talking about the ability of the pack.  The pack is a viable option for someone for a 100 bucks, but IMO, there's better options out there in that price range. 

We are talking about being called out for "tall tales."

Without trying to be overly confrontational, there's a contingent of people on the internet who have a mindset that if "they" can't do something, no one can.  The human body is capable of doing amazing things, and with proper training, dedication, and mental fortitude, you can achieve much more then you think is possible.

I'll say this Bean, you're more then welcome to come train with Scott and I (And occasionally Brock) any day of the week.  We'll load up 100 pounds for you and do and up and over and back on Mt Peak in Enumclaw, which comes out to 5.4 miles.  Keep up if you can.

Though if you want to do this, you're going to have to wait until Scott and I get back from Colorado next week from our scouting trip.