Eberlestock

There’s a few products on the market today that I couldn’t imagine being in the field without. The Eberlestock rifle scabbard carrying system is one of them… It is without a doubt the most comfortable and efficient way to carry a rifle and have it easily accessible for those moments when you have to react quickly in order to get a shot off. Me and fellow pro staffer Sheldon Souter, during a grueling 17km hike while chasing Mule Deer this season, joked about the “dark ages” when we were forced to carry our rifles in our arms, and how at the end of the day they would be used as walking sticks… or drug behind our tired asses. As a side note, non-hunters will find all sorts of use for the scabbard too. I have used it to carry fly rods, trekking poles, tri pods etc…

As big a fan as I am of Eberlestock packs, the only minor complaint that I have ever had is that their day packs are a tad heavy. Enter the Gunrunner…. Weighing in at only 3.25lbs this pack is ultra-light even with the A2SS Scabbard system. I have no idea what they did to reach that weight but after 2 seasons of HARD use it has proved itself to be imo the ultimate day pack for hunters like us who hunt fast and hard and who want a ultra light pack that will carry just enough gear for the day. It features very well fitting padded shooter harness, dual side pouches for water bottles (Nalgene bottles fit perfectly), 1000 CU main compartment, and a 200 CU top compartment. It also features tons of molle webbing for attaching additional pouches for those who want more storage. The waist belt is kind of skimpy, obviously scaled down to save weight, but surprisingly comfortable. My only complaint is it needs one more compression strap… also a weight saver.

Having spent years guiding & hunting in the mountains of BC and the NWT, as well as spending my off season working in outdoor pro-shops, I have had the opportunity to use many different brands of packs over the years. One of the packs I have had the chance to test recently is the Eberlestock J107 Dragonfly. I have used it extensively over the last few seasons with impressive results. Here’s a detailed review on why it has become one of my favorites.

I will break the review down into 4 categories:

– Durability

– Features

– Comfort, Frame, & Load Carrying Ability

– Warranty… How the manufacturer stands behind their product

Durability

I have put the J107 through the paces over the last 3 seasons without any failures. Eberlestock’s NT-7 fabric has held up extremely well, and while I believe the 500 denier cordura fabric used by companies like Mystery Ranch is a tougher over all choice, the NT-7 fabric is quieter and seems to be more water resistant. Also keep in mind that Eberlestock has the same J107 pack but with a 1000 d option! It’s called a J107m, the M being for Military. I haven’t had the opportunity to try one myself, but his pack would be bombproof. The zippers on the J107 packs are huge and tough as nails, and the buckles seemed to be equally as durable.

Features

The J107 has more features than any pack on the market today, hands down. This includes a compression strap system like no other, which uses 3 huge straps to allow you to compress heavy loads closer to your body and enables you to strap just about anything to the pack securely. Another unique feature is the ability to unzip the main compartment expanding the size of the pack from a 2900 c.i pack into a 5400 c.i pack. That will be large enough for most backpacking situations but if it’s not, there’s a slick spike camp duffel add-on that increases the capacity to a whopping 7875 c.i. Like it’s competitors it features a removable lid that convert into a fanny pack, hydration pockets for bladders, as well as a multitude of pouches and cases that can be added to the pack. The feature that really sets it apart from all the others is the built in rifle scabbard. This is the best carrying system out there for packing your rifle and it gives you quick and easy access to it when you need it.

Using the J107 to haul an outboard into a mountain lake.

Comfort, Frame & Load Carrying

The Eberlestock J107 utilizes a full frame sheet and 2 internal aluminum stays to give it the stability and strength to pack heavy. The advantages to this system is the ability to adjust the stays to contour an individuals body. Myself, I find that sharper angled stays on the lower portion work better for me than the factory configuration. The pack features heavy duty load straps and a comfortable waist belt that allows you to distribute the weight onto your hips and shoulders. By adjusting the two you can find that sweet spot needed to pack the heaviest of loads. It does however carry the weight on your shoulders a bit more than some other packs I have used.

Warranty… How the manufacturer stands behind their product

The J107 has a lifetime warranty. The crew at Eberlestock are the best in the business as far as standing by there product, and making sure their customers are happy. The first time I contacted Eberlestock with questions about their packs, I was forwarded to none other than Glen Eberle himself. He went over the pack with me in detail and answered all my questions. I thought that was pretty great. I ended up ordering one and I’m glad I did. I have since ordered a few packs from Eberlestock as well as a horde of accessories and add ons. Every time I have contacted them their service has been top notch.

Conclusion

Once August hits you will likely find the BC & B staff in the mountains of BC chasing Sheep & Goat. The pack I find myself reaching for lately is the Eberlestock J107 Dragonfly. The thing that sets the J107 apart from all the others is the ability to transform from a day pack, to a large meat hauler, to a huge multi-day backpack that has room for anything and everything. This makes the pack incredibly versatile. And then there’s the rifle scabbard….. it is worth it’s weight in gold when hiking long distances and also protects the rifle from the elements, brush, rocks, etc… Your rifle and shoulders will thank you. www.eberlestock.com