Looking seriously at Eberlestock pack/ picking which one advice?

[Westside88]

As the title says, I'm looking seriously at getting a new/nicer pack. I currently use a Cabela's fanny pack type with suspender straps. It's ok, but maybe a little heavy for what it is. I'm sure I'll keep it around, but I'm really looking for a pack that will also carry a Bow or Rifle. I'm drawn to Eberlestock so far. Probably because of this feature. I'm really not concerned with a pack for hauling out meat. I have that part covered, although, some capacity is a bonus. My main motivation for this type of pack is carrying my weapon and some light gear while riding a bike several miles behind gates and or hiking steep/rough terrain and having my hands free.  So far I'm thinking I like the X1A1, X1 Europe, Gunrunner ( although I'm not sure it accommodates a Bow), and the Team Elk.  Anyone have experience with these you'd like to share? What should I be looking at I haven't mentioned?  Thanks

[Magnum_Willys]

If you are concerned about weight check the specs.  Eberlestocks are Heavy !

[ghosthunter]

I have bought four off this forum.

I bought wo J105s and they are good packs but they are heavy empty.
I bought them for the same reason to carry my gun. One for me and one for my son.
He likes his but he is 30. At 68 I am lighting the load.

I had bought a gunrunner for my grand son and two years later decided to buy one for myself. I like it a lot better.

They are not water proof and get heavier when wet. But for caring my rifle and light gear I love it.

[Westside88]

I did notice they seemed a little heavy, but I’m most concerned with function and durability. Finding one that holds a weapon securely but still allows reasonably quick access it one of my main goals. Thanks to both of you for the input I appreciate it

[ghosthunter]

I find them the most comfortable pack I have ever had.

Not sure about easy accessible in the pack. Young guys maybe can reach behind their head and draw a rifle. I can’t.

I swing it off one side and draw.

Most the time I carry my rifle in hand. I use the pack scabbard when I need my hands free.

[The scout]

I would go with one of the bigger packs over the gunslinger, mainly because they sinch down to a pretty small size and you can still expand them to haul some meat if you want

[jdb]

My son has the team elk pack and loves it. I had a X1 and loved it. If I were ever to need another pack I'd buy the team elk pack

[The scout]

I’m going to be selling my pack real soon. I think it’s the j34 just one pack if your interested

[Westside88]

Thanks everyone I really do appreciate hearing everyone’s input. Is the just one set up to carry a bow as well? I’ll be checking their website out again soon after hearing everyone’s thoughts

[KFhunter]

I use an X1A1 thinking I'd carry my bow in it, or gun, or spotting scope tripod. 


Turns out I never carry the bow in the pack, won't fit an AR very well and it's hard to slide a tripod in it.  So mostly I bought bling that adds weight.  Last time I emptied the gun scabbard I had 1/2 pound of fir tree needles in it.

[buglebrush]

Unless you have a very short torso you'll likely not have functional load lifters on the eberlestocks.  Probably one of the last packs I'd every consider. 

[jasnt]

Running the team elk and love it

[Duckslayer89]

Kifaru don’t look back

[RockChuck]

I have the X1 and it is an bit  heavy, I use the rifle scabbard on first trips out with game, I also use it for my spotting scope quite regularly. I take the waist strap off for most hunting but roll it inside the bottom of the pack while elk hunting to install if needed for that first pack back to camp.

[MooseZ25]

I have a X1 and love it.  It has a bow bucket and is probably the best day pack I have used.  It does not have a frame so heavy loads can be hard on my body.  I bought a Team Elk and this has solved all of the problems with heavy loads and also works great for bows to rifles.  I sure like the way Eberlestock packs fit me. 

[NW SURVEYOR]

I bought a used Team Elk a couple years ago and really like it.
It's been with me for a couple hundred miles and is very comfortable.
My kid wants one, so I may be in the market for a new or used one again.
Later,
Rob.

[kselkhunter]

Some of my hunting friends have the Blue Widow, X1, J34, and Team Elk.   Having tried them all on for awhile, I prefer the Team Elk. 

My issue with the scabbard between the back bag and my back is it never felt comfortable to me, as I prefer the pack as close to my body as possible especially with heavy loads.  And I definitely couldn't reliably pull my rifle out of that scabbard without taking the pack off.  I prefer using a gun bearer mounted on the pack waistebelt for my rifle.   Eberlestock packs are nice and quiet compared to other packs due to that material, unfortunately it does tend to hold water more than other material and can make them heavy.  Overall they're decent packs.   

If you don't plan to haul out meat with it, the Gunrunner is a much lighter and lower cost option than the other models.  3lbs lighter than the Team Elk.   

[jackelope]

I thought they were great until i went up to the next level. Any pack with cinch straps will carry a bow or rifle. I’ve never tried a team elk pack on. Lots of folks have good things to say about them. They’re heavy and they don’t have functional load lifters so a heavy load of meat is gonna suck. I found that I used the scabbard on mine more for a spotting scope and tripod than anything else. The scabbard is off center and the weight of a rifle in there really screws up the load from a balanced/centered standpoint.

[Westside88]

I thought they were great until i went up to the next level. Any pack with cinch straps will carry a bow or rifle. I’ve never tried a team elk pack on. Lots of folks have good things to say about them. They’re heavy and they don’t have functional load lifters so a heavy load of meat is gonna suck. I found that I used the scabbard on mine more for a spotting scope and tripod than anything else. The scabbard is off center and the weight of a rifle in there really screws up the load from a balanced/centered standpoint.

When you say next level, which are you referring to?

[Westside88]

Thanks everyone for all the input, I may have more to consider now than before, but that's why I ask. I'd rather beat the question up and be happy with the purchase in the end

[X-Force]

I thought they were great until i went up to the next level. Any pack with cinch straps will carry a bow or rifle. I’ve never tried a team elk pack on. Lots of folks have good things to say about them. They’re heavy and they don’t have functional load lifters so a heavy load of meat is gonna suck. I found that I used the scabbard on mine more for a spotting scope and tripod than anything else. The scabbard is off center and the weight of a rifle in there really screws up the load from a balanced/centered standpoint.

When you say next level, which are you referring to?

Im assuming he is saying

Kifaru, Stone Glacier, Exo, Mystery Ranch, maybe even Seek Outside or Kuiu... probably in close to that order.

I have no experience with Eberlestock but I did have a Mystery Ranch Crew Cab with Nice Frame... No functional load lifter (like an eberlestock) and it was a super durable pack but HEAVY and without load lifters it was taxing packing out heavy loads.

[jackelope]

I went with a Kuiu. I’ll upgrade that soon. Hasn’t broke on me yet LOL. It’s 10x more comfortable than any eberlestock pack I’ve owned.

[boneaddict]

Ive had the battleship or something like that. Whatever the big beast is.   It does a pretty good job of fitting my back, which most packs dont real well.  (6'5", longer back than legs).   No complaints other than it seems heavy to start with.  Its hauled some serious loads in some serious country.  Its held up better than my knees.

[Westside88]

Thanks to everyone for your input, the more I look at these the more I can see there’s never one perfect option. Going back to what my original plans intent is, I’m leaning towards the gunrunner. Lighter, carries a rifle and a more minimalist profile. I’m going to try and find one to see about carrying a bow on it. If I could add a bow cradle, and maybe the attachable saddle bags, I think it would fit my needs. Of course if I go this route I’ll also want to look for a larger daypack at some point which will lead me back to exploring some of the other options that have been shared. Thanks everyone

[The scout]

I think some people aren’t reading what you will be using the pack for. I’m sure he knows that kifaru, exo, stone glaciar are all better for most stuff, but an eberlestock will work good for your needs.