Blacks Creek Barbarian Featherlight?

[deadyote]

I am in need of a new pack for this year.  I have kid of dwindled it down to a few, but the one that looks interesting is the Blacks Creek Barbarian Featherlight.  Does anyone have one or has used one and their opinion on it?  I tried one on the other day, but without a load it's hard to tell.  It gets good reviews, but was wondering what you all thought?  Thanks

[dreamingbig]

Take a peek at the x2 from Eberlestock.  It is my new go to day pack.  I looked at the featherlite quite a bit and it is a nice pack as well.  Do you plan to bivy out of it or set up a base camp and hunt from there?

[3dvapor]

I almost bought this pack it seemed like a good one but I thought the badlands sacrifice was better, fabric was a little quieter and hypervent system better they both were very light though.

[starbailey]

I have a slightly used barbarian featherlight that I would be more than happy to sell you for a great price.
PM me and we can work out the details.
Bryan

[Bob33]

http://www.gemcountyarchery.com/jimhorn.php?product=157

[Arrow]

Can't go wrong with any of the Eberlestock packs. I have a couple different ones and they work great for whatever I'm doing.

[deadyote]

Yes, I am going to bivy out of it.  We usually go in about 6 miles and then set up camp for a hunt.  It will be a 4-5 day hunt and need something that will carry a full load of meat.  I was also looking at the Eberlestock Blue Widow, which is up front because I am cheep and can get a new one for ~$200.  What do you guys think of that one?  I have a badlands superday for my day hikes and like it, the warrant is sweet, but the zipper pulls break all the time.  That's not a real problem, it is just and inconvenience to open and close pockets after they break.  Starbailey, can I ask why you are selling yours?  Bob33 that's funny you sent that link because about 20 minutes ago, I just found that and saved the site  .  Thanks for the input.   

[RadSav]

Blue Widow is one heck of a pack.  Plus the Eberlestock guys are second to none in character and service.  I like the organization features of Blacks Creek and their waist belt is better for me.  Weight of their new packs would be nice.  But when it came down to getting a pack for my OIL hunt I went with Eberle and haven't regreted it for a moment.

[starbailey]

 I like the pocket arrangement, size and weight of the pack but the material is noisy. The biggist bitch I have is on their adjustment system. The flimsy wire they have that is to hold the shape is held in place by two snaps at the top of the pack. Well, when you get any weight in at all the snaps fail and the pack separates ending with the bottom section of the pack, along with all the weight, riding clear down by your ass. I spoke to BCreeks about the problem and they said it was the first time they had herd of the problem. It happend with mine and another friend of mine. At least I found out about mine on an Oregon hunt not a Yukon hunt like my buddy did. I fixed mine by putting a couple chicago screws in it and the pack worked fine for on my Russian hunt. $100 bucks and I'll pay the shipping. I'm ordering a Badlands today.
Bryan
 

[ramslam]

I am the one Starbailey is referring to with the pack failing in the Yukon.  I was extremely unhappy with the pack and even more unhappy about how both of us were treated after bringing the design flaw to their attention.  Its one thing to not like material, or zippers etc, its another to have the pack fail when you need it most (like in the middle of a 30 hr death march).I will never buy another one of their products...in fact I may even pay someone $100 to take it off my hands!  Okay, enough...I could go on for pages about this POS.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I think it's gonna depend alot on whether you really want it to hold up with some weight in it ( pack meat), or primarily for a bivy pack, ( camping gear ). I looked hard at this pack, the BW, Badlands 4500, and Sitka bivy 45. I own the BW and Badlands, my buddy just purchased the Barbarian and has used it for some daypack stuff and loaded it with his bivy gear with excellent results. I have researched the MR packs and they sound like the Rolls Royce of the pack world, my problem is if I am getting the work done just fine with a Honda why shell out the coin I could spend to buy tags, fuel, arrows, etc..... . I can vouch for the BW toughness, ability to haul, and roominess. I have attached a couple pics from a wilderness hunt last year of the pack in action, over 8 miles back to truck, I didnt weigh the pack, but I know it was loaded. This was the second of 2 trips packs aprox equal in weight, buck and camp out. ( shoulda skinned the head, since I decided to euro later,  oh well). My overall opinion of the two packs ( and my disclaimer is I dont own the barbarian), is that if your going to bivy and only haul meat a short distance, or go back to truck with your camp come back with frames for meat. The barbarian is your setup, lighter, ,more convenient. If there is a real chance of hauling meat some distance go with the BW. Its tougher, and has the ability to get bigger with spike duffels.

[deadyote]

I love how when I really get into this stuff......every year.......things change all the time.  Now, I am leaning more towards the eberlestock J107.  When I am hiking in for a 4-5 day hunt, I am usuall around the 40 lb mark.  The J34 looks nice, but the beefier J107 looks even better.  I need to get to Cabelas and try the J107 on and see where I can try on the J34.  The other main reason to buy eberlestock is exactly what RadSav said, customer service.  I also have a connection to get them 40% off of retail price, so that helps.  Thanks for all your help.  Once the cash is handed over, I'll let you all know what I think.  And hopefully I get to load it up in a month......bears here I come !!

[RadSav]

The JP9 and the J107 are basically the same pack just the Blue Widow does not have the offset scabbard.  It is also slightly lighter.  I also like the double hood strap on the JP9.

If you are going to be using a base camp on your 4-5 day trip you will want to take a look at the Spike duffel.  Makes organizing much easier.  And it works great as a pillow.

Glad to see you going Eberlestock.  You shouldn't be disappointed. Plus, you will be supporting some great people!

[alecvg]

I looked at the Barbarian, but ended up going with the Sitka 45 bivy.  Hands down best pack I have ever used (compared to Badlands, eberlestock, arcteryx) I love it, I bivy out of it, and can easily fit all my gear in it.  I packed out several loads that were 100+ pounds this last fall, and it handles loads extremely well.  I LOVE this pack.  I still want to try the new Kuiu packs, especially for longer trips, but for 4 to 5 days, the Sitka 45 is the *censored*.  I HATED my eberlestock j104.  I really don't feel like explaining why again on here, if you want to know why, I have explained it several times in the past, I am sure you could find the post. 

[addicted]

anyone ever try the barbarian 2.5