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Posted: 9/14/2015 2:32:47 PM EDT
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So I've done quite a bit of research on various Rucksacks - I'm looking at the Eberlestock line and I'm having trouble deciding which model to get -
Main purpose is outdoor hiking / camping (5-6) days .. needs to comfortably haul camping gear 4 season tent and 4 season sleeping bag ..Tent I have is Snugpak "The Cave" and Eberlestock Euro Down. I know my question is kind of vague.. I'm just looking for something multifunctional with the ability to adapt to different circumstances. I would say the average distance I would be walking would be about 30miles spread out between 6 days (5/miles a day) |
| Eberlestock packs are awesome. I have owned a Halftrack and a Little Brother. They are built awesome, have great suspension systems, and are very comfortable. They give you a better price point compared to Mystery Ranch and Kifaru. How big is the four season tent and sleeping bag? Those two items right there can eat up a lot of room and weight. |
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I've been having the same trouble deciding. I like the Eberlestock G4 Operator so far, but that's a big chunk of change when I know the USMC surplus FILBE will do the same job. The FILBE I had was heavy as shit and it was so loud when loaded down it squeaks a lot! |
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F4 Terminator will do all you want.....I have one it rocks....I promise you can load more than you want to drag in it....
my next pack is gonna be the Warhammer......Much more versatility for differing load outs and just seems like it will serve MY purposes better. |
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Eberlestock packs are awesome. I have owned a Halftrack and a Little Brother. They are built awesome, have great suspension systems, and are very comfortable. They give you a better price point compared to Mystery Ranch and Kifaru. How big is the four season tent and sleeping bag? Those two items right there can eat up a lot of room and weight. They do give you a cheaper alternative to Mystery Ranch and Kifaru, that is true, but there's a reason for that. Almost all Eberlestock bags are not made in the USA. Bill |
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They do give you a cheaper alternative to Mystery Ranch and Kifaru, that is true, but there's a reason for that. Almost all Eberlestock bags are not made in the USA. Bill Quoted:
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Eberlestock packs are awesome. I have owned a Halftrack and a Little Brother. They are built awesome, have great suspension systems, and are very comfortable. They give you a better price point compared to Mystery Ranch and Kifaru. How big is the four season tent and sleeping bag? Those two items right there can eat up a lot of room and weight. They do give you a cheaper alternative to Mystery Ranch and Kifaru, that is true, but there's a reason for that. Almost all Eberlestock bags are not made in the USA. Bill I don't remember seeing that the OP wanted something Made In the USA. If I can find something that is made in the USA that suits my needs and budget, great. But everyone is quick to poopoo something made overseas. Let's be honest, people in SE Asia do a lot of manufacturing, and a lot of them do it well. It depends on the manufacturer, some use cheap materials and cheap labor, others the exact opposite. You do get what you pay for, and sometimes buying something that is made overseas is good stuff. YMMV |
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As I've posted in the past, I'm pretty much a life long light weight backpacker. Moderator at a backpacking website. Worked at outdoor outfitters in the past. Etc. My base lightest total load (but still have all what I consider "the luxuries")for 4 days is 10-11lbs. That also includes food and fuel, but no water yet(on board water needs are diff with all of us.That and the area one is in, will have a huge impact on how much we take on board from a given source to the next one). I have about 10 high end backpacks (Gregory. TNF, Osprey, Granite Gear, Dana Designs, ArcTeryx, etc) that range from 7+lbs, to 1.5lb empty. My absolute fav right now is the Granite Gear Crown 60(liter). Weight on my scale is 2lb 2oz. Compared to what alot of backpacks weigh..this saves about 4-5lbs alone. That equals to a good size tent..or 4-5 full AR 30rd mags..or a weeks worth of food...or a G17 AND a 22/45 Lite .22 handgun(plus ammo for both)... etc. Now do this with other key components(ones rifle and support gear, plate carrier setup, etc) and one will end up with just about twice the amt of usable gear/supplies to start out with. Point is for this thread...pay close atten to empty pack weights. Theres a price to pay for all those compartments, 1000 codura fabirc, straps, buckles, snaps, heavy duty suspension, etc. Pack lighter to begin with, and you don't need all that heavy duty chit. Pic of the Crown 60 from solo trip on the AT here in the NC mtns this past winter. <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/hipower90hipower027/AT%20hike%20Mar%20015%20148_zpsleutozrx.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/hipower90hipower027/AT%20hike%20Mar%20015%20148_zpsleutozrx.jpg</a> Concerning items carried...theres the "Big 3", which is the pack, bag, shelter. Those are typically the biggest heaviest items that one is carrying. If one can get these 3 items down to or below 10lbs total(which is pretty easy nowadays with todays best gear), then they are ahead of the game toward having a lighter load. Regarding 4 season items..a good floorless shelter like the Black Diamond Betamid is all of 3lbs. My Western Mtneering Ultralite bag is 1.5lb. I've used both countless times while snow camping above treeline while solo for up to a week long. Those with the pack above, and your only at 6.6lbs for the Big 3, even for winter. The 3lb Betamid at 6k' during a solo trip here in NC... <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/hipower90hipower028/JoyceKilmersolo91807106_zpsrsqivzw6.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/hipower90hipower028/JoyceKilmersolo91807106_zpsrsqivzw6.jpg</a> Or around 10k' in the Rockies.. <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/hipower90hipower028/InianPeaks132_zpszwdc1xgq.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/hipower90hipower028/InianPeaks132_zpszwdc1xgq.jpg</a> Or go with a teepee setup. About 3.5lbs, and plenty of room for 2. My Black Diamond Megamid. Also 4 season, by the way. <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/hipower90hipower019/Wayne%20Morris%20Worlds%2009%2013%20335_zpsuwetqpw8.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/hipower90hipower019/Wayne%20Morris%20Worlds%2009%2013%20335_zpsuwetqpw8.jpg</a> A teepee does just fine at 11,600 in April in the rockies. My bud Brian chill'n in the Golite Hex. <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/hipower90hipower029/P6010060_zps95qkuyjd.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/hipower90hipower029/P6010060_zps95qkuyjd.jpg</a> All good point Sir. One thing we Arfcommers get confused about is gear designed by civvies for civvie use and gear designed for soldiers for soldier use. Decent civvie gear can be and often is made overseas, but with good QC and yearly design changes and of lighter and better materials. The R&D for civ gear will usually be years ahead of even the best grunt gear. That difference shrank some during the height of OEF/OIF of course but the pendulums is swinging back. Those lighter materials would no doubt have a difficult time surviving in the hands of an 18 year old PFC in theater but you probably won't be tossing your pack in and out of MRAP every day for 4 months. Another consideration will be lack of availability in subdued colors if that matters. Mil gear takes committees years to develop, weighs more and gets bombproofed to the point of absurdity. Case in point, the Arcteryx Bora was an awesome pack back in the day and ended up morphed into the ILBE which was just about universally hated. I'm not Mil but worked in the outdoor industry for years. Over 10 years ago I transitioned to an LE agency where I routinely conduct backcountry ops and patrols lasting up to a week. I do winter patrols along the AT for example. For some of these missions I might need to sneak around carrying a bunch of heavy crap that I'd never carry otherwise like cameras, spotting scopes and hide materials. I'd like to think I understand a little bit about the bridge between civvie and Mil gear. For recreation I use either my Osprey or Black Diamond packs but for work that requires sneaky surveillance, etc I suck it up and use my multicam Mystery Ranch SATL or Snapdragon. I've never carried a Kifaru but wouldn't mind giving one a go. The OP asked about a "ruck" which implies, if you will, uncomfortable forced marches but clarifies with what sounds like standard intermediate backpacking. If you're not being forced to go backpacking, go easy on yourself and get something that weighs less than half and is infinitly more comfortable than the comperable Mil pack. I'd strongly suggest the Osprey line of packs to the OP. |
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I considered the Red Cloud before I bought my REI XT 85, the front opening clam shell I didn't like. It isn't a true clam shell opening like Mystery Ranch. Quoted:
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What about the kelty red cloud or kelty eagle? They have front access I considered the Red Cloud before I bought my REI XT 85, the front opening clam shell I didn't like. It isn't a true clam shell opening like Mystery Ranch. I've been looking heavily at mystery ranch.. I'm really starting to like them... with so many different models ..What model does Mystery Ranch offer that is comparable to eberlestock's F4 Terminator ? I do like their tri-zip packs! |
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I don't remember seeing that the OP wanted something Made In the USA. If I can find something that is made in the USA that suits my needs and budget, great. But everyone is quick to poopoo something made overseas. Let's be honest, people in SE Asia do a lot of manufacturing, and a lot of them do it well. It depends on the manufacturer, some use cheap materials and cheap labor, others the exact opposite. You do get what you pay for, and sometimes buying something that is made overseas is good stuff. YMMV Quoted:
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Eberlestock packs are awesome. I have owned a Halftrack and a Little Brother. They are built awesome, have great suspension systems, and are very comfortable. They give you a better price point compared to Mystery Ranch and Kifaru. How big is the four season tent and sleeping bag? Those two items right there can eat up a lot of room and weight. They do give you a cheaper alternative to Mystery Ranch and Kifaru, that is true, but there's a reason for that. Almost all Eberlestock bags are not made in the USA. Bill I don't remember seeing that the OP wanted something Made In the USA. If I can find something that is made in the USA that suits my needs and budget, great. But everyone is quick to poopoo something made overseas. Let's be honest, people in SE Asia do a lot of manufacturing, and a lot of them do it well. It depends on the manufacturer, some use cheap materials and cheap labor, others the exact opposite. You do get what you pay for, and sometimes buying something that is made overseas is good stuff. YMMV Easy there tiger... No one said anything about the quality not being good on products made overseas. You took my comments and basically went off the rails with them. I suggest you re-read them. I just pointed out why the other brands were more expensive than Eberlestock. I have owned several of both Kifaru and Eberlestock bags and they both have their pluses and minuses. I choose what I choose because it suits me, you should do the same, but for Christ's sake do not put words in my mouth... Bill |
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Quoted: OP hasn't said what weight he will be carrying, nor has he said whether internal or external framed packs are preferred. No mention of torso/girth requirements. Without such info, valid responses cannot be made. Shhhhhhhhh.... Thats my line lol . Four season tent...theres 4-5lbs...4 season bag lmao. Kelty falcon. Imho best go between civy meets military. With a shit pot of options. Got well over 100 miles under mine. Op...pick lighter gear...your in Indy....not siberia lol |
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I did look at Kifaru and I also looked at Mystery Ranch... what I liked about Eberlestock is that some of their packs were front loading... They had a lot of organizational pockets Don't be afraid of purchasing a pack without lots of organizational pockets. Sil-nylon or mesh stuff sacks weigh next to nothing, allow you to organize your pack easily based on your needs for the particular trip, can be purchased in different colors to facilitate color-coding of items for quick recognition, and make reconfiguring your pack due to weight distribution or quick access needs a breeze. By focusing on a pack with tons of small pockets and pouches, you overlook a lot of really great packs. Stuff sacks make those an option again. I'm a big fan of Mystery Ranch. I own lots of their stuff. They build packs in the US and at Clark Field in the PI. They will be expanding their commercial backpacking lines and jumping into the ultra light realm very soon. They're also getting heavily into internal frame packs, something Dana hasn't done much of in years. Their stuff is bombproof, but the military/tactical/hunting packs can be heavy. If you don't have to purchase today, keep watching for the release of their new packs soon. |
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