Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Backcountry Hunting => Topic started by: BigTines on January 15, 2013, 12:18:57 PM
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Anybody have any experience with this pack? I want a pack I can use for day hunts as well as a back country pack for up to five days. This seems to be the winner
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I had one with the same intention, for me it was just to big for a day pack. I did really like the pack, very well made and carried pretty good. I ended up with an x2 for day hunts.
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It's a little heavy for a day pack but compresses down well enough. I jumped up to the J107 for extended stay trips. Though I would have liked it to be a little lighter for that as well. Both of my Eberle packs (JustOne and J107) were fantastic from a durability stand point. And both carried heavy loads with comfort. Other than weight my only real gripe has been the waste belt tends to loosen easily. I sewed some velcro loop fabric to the belt and that has worked rather well. LIttle harder to get it adjusted well, but once I've got it set it does stay there now. It's the best dual purpose pack I have found in that price range. And the people at Eberle are fine folks.
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I packed out a boned out bear plus camp 5 miles last year with it on a solo backpack hunt. First time I used the pack. Liked the quality and construction. Used the camp duffle for my tent, bag, etc and the main compartment for the meat in a kingsized pillow case. I didn't like the weight in the middle of my back as it pulls my shoulders back and strains my neck. Internal frame packs I've used in the past with more weight higher on my back was more comfortable. I rate it as OK. My badlands 2200 is more comfortable with a heavy meat load which I used to pack my elk out last fall. No room for camp gear plus meat however.
I'm still unsure at this point if I really like the j34 for packing out game plus camp. It's better for backpack hunting but only so-so if you are planning to carry camp plus meat
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You want the heaviest weight as close to your back in the middle thats how packs are designed to carry it.
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You'll need the spike camp duffel attached to it with a 5 day camp and hunting stuff IMO. I use that pack. Did the high hunt, climbed Adams,etc it worked great. I've used it for a few years as a day pack. It's a little heavy but not bad.
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ive heard the v90 might be a better option for extended trips at that price point
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Eberlestock is a great brand.. but in my opinion it is definitely made for a larger framed person... especially through the shoulders. I used one on my high hunt in 2011 and it was just fine, but with the added weight of my deer I ended up having to hold the shoulder straps on the entire 8 mile hike out... even adjusted as small as possible. I like their design, camo options, and additional features you can add but for a medium to small framed individual they still have some work to do. I have a Kuiu pack now that rides more comfortably with and without heavy loads.. and it's lighter and equally as good customer service. It passed my test on a 12 day backcountry hunt in Idaho this season.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn1%2F36535_10101723572413968_1850309485_n.jpg&hash=ac127028a3027e8894323b3d9b22c1b7efdce097)
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My J34 usually sits at home these days. I dislike the smaller opening on the scabbard for my bipoded rifles. I have a couple other Eberle's that have the full scabbard instead of the scabbard/hydration bladder combo. It's okay for a 3 day trip, but 5 is stretching it unless you add a spike camp duffel. I like the long vertical pockets, but can't stand the side/overlapping pocket design on the top pouch of the J34. The pack is pretty heavy, as most Eberle's are. Fully loaded, they don't hold a candle to the Kifaru/KUIU/MR in comport. Decent overall pack, but not my favorite. :twocents:
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I think a Kifaru or MR will be my next major purchase.
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I think a Kifaru or MR will be my next major purchase.
i dont think theyre on the same level anymore
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They're both on a higher level than my Eberlestock. It will be a while either way.
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I have both the JP9 Blue Widow and the Fac Track. Love them both. I use the JP9 for day pack, it's about 7lbs empty. I hauled out 2 elk this year carrying around 100-120lbs each load. Very comfortable. Customer sevice is really good, email is just a little slow but they tell you that up front. I'm 6'3". The whole key with these packs are getting them adjusted to fit with a load.
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I have an x2(my son uses it) and I have the just one. Hauled a quartered elk out this year from deepcanyon, and I mean a deep canyon . It did a good job. Rifle scabbard was a godsend. My rifle doesn't have bipod so I can't comment on that.
Broke a waist clip on just one this year. Think it got shut in my tailgate. Called customer services . They sent me out new one at no charge even though I told them it was my fault. I offered to pay two times and they said no way.
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Broke a waist clip on just one this year. Think it got shut in my tailgate. Called customer services . They sent me out new one at no charge even though I told them it was my fault. I offered to pay two times and they said no way.
I did the same thing. Two days later new clip! I'll put up with a few short comings when you get customer service like that :tup:
