Looking seriously at Eberlestock pack/ picking which one advice?

[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.