Getting Tired Of Cheaply Built Badlands

[Bigtine96]

I have had the old Bandlands pack and loved it, never gave out on me and held strong. But battery acid can destroy most any pack

So 5 years ago I bought a new Badlands pack and I have been blowing out clips on it left and right!! I am getting pretty tired of these tiny plastic clips that are on packs made to carry out deer and elk.

Anyone else feel the same way?

[bow-n-head]

Yea I know several of my friends feel the same way. They are looking for different packs. Sad to see. As you said the old ones were tough. The newer ones have buckle and zipper trouble. I also don't like the straps as well as the old ones. I hope they turn it around, hate to see them go under.

[Bigtine96]

I talked to the Rep at the SCI convention this year and he kept giving me the run around on why there getting cheaper and cheaper..

I also talked to the KUIU owner and THAT is a pack, without a doubt that is the next pack I will be purchasing. Now if I can push myself to spend the $500 its mine!

[Devinshoe]

Yea i have busted my buckles on my superday pack. Wish they were a bit stronger.

[h2ofowlr]

I have the super day pack and have busted almost all the zipper handles and several clips.  I sent it back a month ago, and they replaced all the items for free.  Still a pain to have to pay to have it shipped.

[Bearhunter]

I did not care for the Kuiu other than it being Ultra light.  The straps would loosen every 5 minutes so you were constently retightening the pack to your body, and the pivoting hip belt would squek loudly, I tried different lubes.  Bow wax seemed to be the best but after a full days use it would squek again and have to be rewaxed everyday.  Something a bowhunter can not deal with is a noisy pack....

[carpsniperg2]

I only used mine for one season and never used it hard. I always used just a pack frame for big loads of meat and gear. I never trusted mine very much. I switched and got setup with a wilderness pack this year. 1 animal down so far and I am really digging the pack. After about 30 more this year, I will let you know if I am in love with it!!!

[Bearhunter]

30 more animals?  You must be going on a Safari this year?

[carpsniperg2]

No just a outfitter/guide and hunter Oh and pack Who$#

[carpsniperg2]

Oh and I forgot I hunt a lot! I took 13 big game animals with my own tags last year. Then you add on friends and family and clients. The numbers sure jump up quick!!!

[Bearhunter]

Wow thats a lot of hunting!

[carpsniperg2]

Indeed. I am a pack companies best friend or worse nightmare!!! A good pack really is something special. I would not say I disliked my 2800, it just did not fit me well. I also realized there was no way I could pack a elk or stag quarter with that thing! Just not enough space and not strong enough for my taste. It held up well with the lighter loads that I ran with it. If I could I always grabbed my solid pack frame to haul the big loads. When I took my first load out it was always with the smaller badlands and I never over did it. I hauled a couple lopes in it and it did o.k with them.

[RadSav]

I agree!  I think Badland's designs are very nice and the fit is great.  Even before the new owners took over quality of zippers was poor and we had problems.  I stuck with it because the owner and guys at the shows were helpful and nice.  A few years ago I decided to go with the heavy duty OX to see if things would get better.  Especially since Cameron Hanes was such a huge supporter of that pack.  I stopped by their show booth at the ATA show early one day when no one but employees were in the booth.  No one had time to answer any questions even though the show was underway.  After about 15 minutes I walked away having had not one even say hello.  They did have plenty of time to talk about their recent hunting trip to each other though.  Later in the show when I knew the big wigs were there I stopped by again.  Myself and two other customers stood around and tried to get help.  After another 15 to 20 minutes we all three left having not been help or even greeted.  Again they had time to talk with one another, just no time for their customers.  I decided right then and there that I would never own another Badlands pack.

Back at the RAD booth I was talking with a sales rep about the poor experience.  A fella came in and introduced himself and said he was working the Eberlestock booth one isle over.  "The owner will be back at the booth in a few minutes.  You should stop by", he said.  Fifteen minutes later I stumbled over to the Eberlestock booth and was immediately greeted by the salesman.  He shook my hand and said, "Wait right here.  Let me get Glen."  For the next half hour Glen Eberle and I talked and he showed me everything I could ever want to know about Eberlestock.  Before I left I had purchased a Just One and two J107 Dragonfly's with all the goodies.

As with just about any pack there are things I dislike and things I feel are missing on the Eberlestock packs.  But I have beat the living tar out of them and have only had one belt clip break.  And that was due to closing it in the tailgate of the truck.  I've been in search of an ultra lightweight pack with all the features and compartments I want that will carry heavy loads of elk with ease - the search continues as I have yet to find one.  Until that magical pack appears I remain a big supporter of all things Eberlestock.  Probably always will if ownership remains he same.  Quality of craftsmanship, materials and quality of people goes a long way.  And I have found no better people in the pack business than those at Eberlestock.

[washelkhunter]

Business is simple. Produce a quality product, listen to what the customer has to say, and provide excellent customer service.

[huntnnw]

I dont care for them..cheap materials..really dont stand up to any abuse