Eberlestock

[milldozer]

I have an Eberlestock J34 "Just One" pack and it is great for loads up to 50 pounds.  Over that I feel its not sturdy enough to carry heavy loads over long distances.  You can certainly do it, just not comfortably.  95 lbs for 10 miles after the high hunt last year was tough on the body.

[luvmystang67]

If you're trying to be cheap and aren't a "super-light gear guy" the Eberle blue widow is a good choice, especially with the spike duffle.  There have been many used ones on here.  I'll probably try a move to Kifaru at some point, but I don't know what I'm missing just yet and the Eberle hasn't ever let me down.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I have no experience with the Battleship or Destroyer, but the design looks nice and would possibly solve the biggest problem I experienced with the Just One or Blue Widow and that is lack of load lift resulting in loss of comfort rapidly over 50ish pounds. And expansion of the packs width and putting the load away from my center of gravity. That being said the packs are tough, and well constructed. I was very satisfied with the performance of mine. And I used it alot.

That said so much depends on your budget and use that it may not be the "best" choice, however in my experience I dont think it would be a bad one.

[ridgefire]

Like others have said I would save your money and put it towards a used high end pack. I went from the j104 to a kifaru siwash and now a kifaru bt2 and a highcamp 4800 and it was money well spent. I thought the eberle was decent til I tried the kifaru and its night and day difference. You can start by buying a frame and then figure out what bag you want to go with later.

[kselkhunter]

Eberlestock makes a good pack.  Two of my hunting buddies have one, and I've test run one.  Only complaint is when it rains they tend to retain water more than other brands.  And don't handle heavier weight as well, in my opinion.  But, get what fits.  I have Mystery Ranch for hard core stuff, and Kuiu for ultralight.  Love my Kuiu after a few seasons, and loaned my MR out to my best friend.  Many swear by the Kifaru but I haven't tried, so will defer to the experts on that.  Decide how long and far you want to pack and decide from there.  If you know you are addicted like the rest of us for longer packs and durations, go Kifaru/Stone Glacier/MR/Kuiu from the start.  Some people know immediately, and for others it's a process.

[Camo]

If your height is over average, you really need to key in on that first, IMO. I hunted a few years out of a J34, then moved to the Blue Widow because it was "adjustable". I liked both packs, they worked great for day hunts and believe they are built well though a bit heavier than others. Having said that, neither fit me correctly, and very uncomfortable loaded, but I didn't know how they were supposed to fit. Having effective(above shoulder) load lifters is crucial to weight distribution and comfort. Most packs are too short for me at 6'3". A couple of my buddies at 6'+ are having the same issues and have or are getting away from Eberle for the same reason. A call to Stone Glacier (at the time)confirmed that their packs would not work for me which left me with Kifaru and the 26" stays, which in the end was a great decision. However, this post is mute if your of average height.

[ctwiggs1]

I'm 6'2 so thanks for the tip!

[Caseknife]

I was just looking for a pack frame for packing gear into camp and elk quarters out, after breaking my 35 year old Kelty frame.  Bought the Eberlestock frame and the spike duffle.  The frame is VERY compact, but is very adjustable and supports the load of a full bone-in elk quarter quite easily, did need to extend the straps though to fit around the rib-cage.  That being said, I don't know if I would want to use it as a day pack, but I hunt in tight timber and like the flexibility of a smaller day pack.  I think that the Eberlestock frame will be with me for the long run.

[Labredog]

As mentioned earlier, kifaru is hard to beat. Spendy but worth every penny, I currently hunt with a timberline 2 on a bikini frame, I can compress down to daypack size, and still expand out to 5200ci for the back and 1000ci for the lid. Most comfortable pack I've ever owned. Don't rule out a used bag ,  I don't think you could ever wear one out,  anyway Kifaru is warranted for life no matter who owns it.

[Big6bull]

Here's my experience.
We bought an X1 and a team elk eberlestock. My only complaint is that they would both "squeak" , very annoying and loud enough I had to take my pack off for a stalk or if we were into animals. We inquired with eberlestock and they said it's a known problem and we needed to "tape" up our frame.  I didn't think we should need to anything on a new pack spending that much money. Still has a little noise but I can't afford a new pack 

[Utah]

You couldn't pay me to take an Eberlestock into the high country ever again.    Thank us later...

[skagitsteel]

You couldn't pay me to take an Eberlestock into the high country ever again.    Thank us later...

 

Depends somewhat on preference, however my kifaru bikini/ high camp is way more comfortable to haul out a load than an eberlestock.  Ever heard of the 'eberlestock lean'? Load gets out away from your back, load lifters don't work worth crap and you will lean forward under heavy load with a lot of the weight on your shoulders.  My personal preference is kifaru, I have heard lots of good things about mystery ranch and stone glacier as well.

Definitely save a few more bucks and get a better pack, if you are serious at all about packing animals out of the backcountry

 

[Fishhuntmike]

I had an eberlistock just 1.  Gave it to my nephew.  Packed a bear out 5 miles with camp.  Did not use it again.  Weight too far out and too low.  Had to walk out leaning so far forward I could almost touch the ground.

Bought a Kifaru. 

[bobcat]

Gee, these stories of leaning forward with an Eberlestock pack is sounding really familiar. Last year while packing out three quartered antelope in mine, I couldn't stand up straight. That was a tough 1 1/2 miles. I didn't realize another pack might have been more comfortable, and I have no clue what "load lifters" are. Never even heard that term until recently on this site. I guess I need to do some research. Really doesn't matter though, a new pack is not in my budget. My plan for now is to only pack out one animal at a time with the Eberlestock.

[skagitsteel]

I had an eberlistock just 1.  Gave it to my nephew.  Packed a bear out 5 miles with camp.  Did not use it again.  Weight too far out and too low.  Had to walk out leaning so far forward I could almost touch the ground.

Bought a Kifaru. 

 
I think there are a few of us that have made that switch.  Although I did pack out 3 bears with a badlands 2200 my 1st yr.....

Gee, these stories of leaning forward with an Eberlestock pack is sounding really familiar. Last year while packing out three quartered antelope in mine, I couldn't stand up straight. That was a tough 1 1/2 miles. I didn't realize another pack might have been more comfortable, and I have no clue what "load lifters" are. Never even heard that term until recently on this site. I guess I need to do some research. Really doesn't matter though, a new pack is not in my budget. My plan for now is to only pack out one animal at a time with the Eberlestock.

Load lifters are the straps that connect the stays to your shoulder straps.  On a well designed pack they will take the majority of the weight off your shoulders, resting on your hips instead.  Last fall I packed an entire bear and hide out in one trip (about 3 miles), was a 130 pound load, almost none of it on my shoulders.  I had sore legs but no sore shoulders or sore back