Eberlestock or Badlands?

[brenden]

I have had my eye on an Eberlestock j104 for a while. Then my brother shows up with his new Badlands 2200. It seems like a nice pack as well. I really like the gun scabbbard on the Eberlestock but it is way heavier...almost double. Anybody have any experience with these two packs? If so which do you prefer? Which brand is better overall? I usually use an external frame Tatonka unit but I might try one of these. Any info appreciated.

Brenden

[todbartell]

I have a Badlands Superday & 2800, and a Nano fanny pack, and a Diablo until Gatehouse bought it from me. They make a great product, and back it up for life no ifs or buts. I've never seen or used a Eberlstock but from what I hear they are pretty good too. Lots of good packs out there these days, the Sitka Bivy 45 is another good one, I regret selling mine :(

[Steeleco]

Moved to "Hunting gear", as only mods can reply in the original forum!

[Dirty]

I have had and sold a Badlands Superday and Badlands 2200. As TB mentioned, the warranty of Badlands is second to none. It really depends on what kind of pack you are looking for. If you are looking for a day pack or single night pack, the Badlands 2200 is tough to beat.

If you are looking for a multi day pack, meat hauling pack, or a multi-use pack the Eberlestock J104 or J107 is tough to beat. You can day pack or haul meat with these easily. It can be adjusted/cinched to meet different size requirements. I have also heard good things about the Badlands 4500.

What do you plan on doing with the pack you are looking to purchase? If it is a daypack I suggest the Badlands Superday or 2200.

[brenden]

Short overnighters....mabey 2 nights. Usually long day trips with the hope of hauling meat. My day pack now is a Daystar from MEC. I know, I know! It was a gift. Decent pack but I hate MEC so out of principle I'm turfing it.

[bighornbob]

I have the Eberlestock J107 and love it. Once you carry a rifle in the scabbard you will wonder how you carried a rifle before.

That being said I would not buy the J104 but buy the J107. The 104 is not as adjustable as the 107. The shoulder straps are sewn on and there is no adjustment like many day packs. On the 107 the shoulder straps are adjustable so you can better fit it to your body. the 107 is also stiffer which helps when packing more gear.

Do a search for eberlestock as I have posted some pictures of the pack on preveious threads.

BHB

[Dirty]

Short overnighters, I would say Eberlestock, hands down!

[Ambush]

I have both the Badlands 2200 and the 4500. I really like them both. The 2200 is a day pack that can haul your meat if you get some. It is the best daypack I've ever used. Hauls a treestand very well also. But it is a DAY pack! Not really suitable for over-nighters IMO.

I think the 2800 would be a good over nighter, but then I would just use the 4500.

Badlands has the best warranty in the business.

Never used the Eberlstock , so I can't comment on them.

[frenchbar]

Short overnighters, I would say Eberlestock, hands down!Iwished i had got the eberelstock instead of the badlands 2800 ,the bad lands is a great day pack ,but when i had it stuffed right to the nines with my muley this yr i found it to be a bit small and awkward.go with something bigger like the J107.

[BlacktailStalker]

Got a J104, great for a day or 3 if you plan on packing something out but for extended trips go for the J107, better support and packs more weight.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f314/BlacktailStalker/Picture1439.jpg

[dana]

When I find a product that actually works well for me and lives up to the claims, I will endorse it. I am very very hard on equipment. Most of my friends think I should get a job as a product tester because if it lasts through my abuse, it will hold up for everyone. The eberlestock is indeed one pack that I can't stop raving about. What I love about the eberlestock is that it makes one hell of a good day pack and when meat hits the ground, it opens up to be an amazing meat hauler. No need to hike all the way back to the truck and grab the packboard. You can pack a ton of meat in it and it can handle it. I have put way more than I could physically handle in it and it holds up strong. I've packed moose, deer, goats, lions and bears in it. I carry it where ever I go, be it for a 30 minute shed hunt or a week long backpacking trip. It is that versitile. Word of caution though, I'd go with the J107 over the J104. The J104 doesn't adjust for different heights, the J107 does. I've heard of some people finding the J104 doesn't fit them correctly. I have the J105 (2005 model) and it also adjusts for different heights. I believe the J107 (2007 model) is tweeked even more for comfort. The J104 (2004 model) was their first model.

Packin out my son's 2008 mountain goat
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/Hunting%20Pics/Sept20057a.jpg

Packin out my son's 2007 muley
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/Hunting%20Pics/oct28026a.jpg

[daycort]

I have the Badlands 2800 and the J107 by Eberlestock. My wife now uses the badlands pack. I used it from a 14 day sheep hunt to chasing big cut block muleys on day trips. It is awsome, as so many other people have said. Buy it you will not regret it. Later you can add the the zip on duffel bag and go sheep hunting.

[BCRiverBoater]

I have the Badlands 2800 and the J107 by Eberlestock. My wife now uses the badlands pack. I used it from a 14 day sheep hunt to chasing big cut block muleys on day trips. It is awsome, as so many other people have said. Buy it you will not regret it. Later you can add the the zip on duffel bag and go sheep hunting.

I am sure the wife is using it to pack your fat ass around. I have been meaning to call you one day to see the J107. I am going to have to buy one soon. My Kelty only has a trip or two left in it. I am also getting tired of packing my rifle over the shoulder.

[daycort]

your fat ass around

now you have gone and said the f word. Call anytime no more camp work for me anymore, in town all the time.

[kootenayelkslayer]

I thought the Badlands 2200 was one of the worst backpacks I've seen in the field. For packing any kind of loads of weight or volume I thought it was brutal. Several sheep hunters brought them on our backpack hunts this summer, and not many were impressed. I threw that pack on my back to see what the hunters were bitching about and I couldn't wait to take it off. No matter how we packed them we could just never get it to distribute weight properly. It would usually result in an awkward top-heaviness.
I know Badlands makes good day packs, but I wouldn't use one for backpacking. External frame all the way for me!... (Although I've heard the 4500 is suppose to be a bit better than the 2200 or the 2800)

[frenchbar]

I thought the Badlands 2200 was one of the worst backpacks I've seen in the field. For packing any kind of loads of weight or volume I thought it was brutal. Several sheep hunters brought them on our backpack hunts this summer, and not many were impressed. I threw that pack on my back to see what the hunters were bitching about and I couldn't wait to take it off. No matter how we packed them we could just never get it to distribute weight properly. It would usually result in an awkward top-heaviness.
I know Badlands makes good day packs, but I wouldn't use one for backpacking. External frame all the way for me!... (Although I've heard the 4500 is suppose to be a bit better than the 2200 or the 2800)
couldnt agree more !if you got a heavy load ive found iut to be the shits on the 2800.

[BlacktailStalker]

I'm pretty sure the J105 was their first pack and was a cross of the J104 and J107, but preceeded these two packs.
The J104 has less stability forms in it and the J107 has what the J105 had, but better (although heavier, the downside)

I know when I bought mine I wanted a J105 but couldnt find one as they were out of production...

Seems they made the perfect pack the first time imo.

[dana]

The model names go with the years they started production. J104 in 2004, J104 in 2005, J107 in 2007. The J1 means Just One.

[Dirty]

I compared the J104 and J107, and the J107 is definitely a lot stiffer than the J104. It definitely gets my vote, it is a great and versatile pack.

[BlacktailStalker]

Hmm that sounds right, I think they did have the J104 and 105 at one time and then swapped the 105 out for the 107, been a couple years now.
Glens a nice guy and great customer service for those that decide to get one... Expedited shipping at n/c when I needed it too.

[Gateholio]

For multi day (5 day and up) trips there are better packs than the Eberlestock packs, like the ones I own, Mystery Ranch (unconventional frame) or Bullpac (external) and certainaly a few others, but for a coupel of days or as a day pack, the Eberlestock packs look pretty darn good, especially for their expandable feature to haul meat. That is very attractive as a day pack...

[Brambles]

Regardless if I spend two nights in the bush or 10, my basic gear remains the same. The only thing that changes is maybe a couple batteries, more food and maybe an extra fuel canister. Sure i can probably sacrifice and go with less gear on shorter trips, but I gotta get use to packing it anyways so what the hell.

I have the Tatonka external and Eberlestock J107 internal. Both great packs, both very comfortable both handle weight nicely. The J107 has the advantage of being expanded and has a scabbard. I love the zip of spike duffle, great to have around camp, use as a pillow. Not having to rummage through your pack all the time or having stuff scattered all over. One of the best features of the whole pack IMO

[BCRiverBoater]

Regardless if I spend two nights in the bush or 10, my basic gear remains the same. The only thing that changes is maybe a couple batteries, more food and maybe an extra fuel canister. Sure i can probably sacrifice and go with less gear on shorter trips, but I gotta get use to packing it anyways so what the hell.

I agree. My 2 day pack is almost identical to the 10 day pack. More fuel, more freeze dried and maybe 2 more socks and 2 more liners. Basically within 5-7 lbs from 2 days to 10 days. So I see no difference if it packs for 2 or 10. They are all heavy on the way out if you get an animal on day 1 or day 10.

[BCRiverBoater]

now you have gone and said the f word. Call anytime no more camp work for me anymore, in town all the time.

What are your plans this fall now that you have a better schedule?

[Tikka7mm]

I have the Eberlestock J107 and love it. Once you carry a rifle in the scabbard you will wonder how you carried a rifle before.

That being said I would not buy the J104 but buy the J107. The 104 is not as adjustable as the 107. The shoulder straps are sewn on and there is no adjustment like many day packs. On the 107 the shoulder straps are adjustable so you can better fit it to your body. the 107 is also stiffer which helps when packing more gear.

Do a search for eberlestock as I have posted some pictures of the pack on preveious threads.

BHB

X2 I can't say anyhting good or bad about the Badlands packs but I own a j107 and I'm really happy with it!

[Bow Walker]

I just got my hands on a new Badlands Diablo daypack. It's great. Plenty of pack for my needs and my age/condition. It'll do more than I'm capable of demanding of it.

[kennyj]

I used a Badlands 2200 last year and I loved it. Awesome hunting pack.You can carry your gun on the pack. It will carry as much meat as i can pack. Not big enough for multi day trips though unless you have very specialized gear.
kenny

[40inchtwister]

Thats the 2200 with 90 pounds of gear.... lasted me 6 days in the willmore... cant beat that .... i later bought the 4500 and its got a little bit more room for thoes long hauls ahah

[The Hermit]

I have a one season old Badlands 2200 and like it EXCEPT that the little tongs/pull tabs on most of the zippers have broken off. I just put ZipStraps on and its all good. Having said that, I am thinking about selling it for $100 and getting a slightly bigger pack.

[kootenayelkslayer]

Thats the 2200 with 90 pounds of gear.... lasted me 6 days in the willmore... cant beat that .... i later bought the 4500 and its got a little bit more room for thoes long hauls ahah

90 pounds of gear?!? Where'd you put the kitchen sink? :D

[todbartell]

I have a one season old Badlands 2200 and like it EXCEPT that the little tongs/pull tabs on most of the zippers have broken off. I just put ZipStraps on and its all good. Having said that, I am thinking about selling it for $100 and getting a slightly bigger pack.

send it to Badlands and tell them you're unhappy with its performance and I bet they will offer you a refund/pay difference to the 2800. Take it direct to them, dont take it back to the store you bought it from. Badlands are super great to deal with

[ElectricDyck]

I haven't tried a badlands, but my brother in law has a 2800 and likes it alot, his only problem was the zipper pulls broke right away and the pack is a little small for all his gear, but he over packs.

I got the j107 about a month ago from cableas. I got just the pack and none of the accessories. I've packed about 53 pounds for about 20km with limited elevation gain, just getting used to it and getting in shape.

I really like the adjustment and have been tweaking tit since I got it. I love the expandability, the compression straps and rifle scabbard, the best parts in my opinion. I find the pack while compressed sits tight against the back and the load feels stable (although I haven't packed over 53 lbs yet). I strap my spotting scope on the tripod on the exterior of the pack with the straps while compressing the pack, super handy.

I like the scabbard although I might cut the bottom off, with the pack compressed there is no way the rifle would slip through, plus it looks heavy and with a little tape on the end of the barrel imo serves no purpose. The fanny pac compartment that clips on top is sloppy and I wouldn't take it on a trip. I use it to carry non hiking gear in the truck. To make it stable you would need additional compression straps to keep it in place. It also weighs a pound, an easy place to shed weight (pack weighs 7.5 lbs without the fanny pack). The straps seemed a little wide and I have had rubbing issues twice, I have adjusted them since and lessoned the problem.

So far I'm satisfied and like it, I gotta load another 8 lbs of salt in and go for some more serious hikes to really test it out for longer trips.

[Sitkaspruce]

Tried the J105, based on conversations with Dana, and was ready to buy it when I happened to wander into Blacks Creek's display. I tried on their packs and was very impressed. I really liked the Canadian and Alaskan. They fit me better than J105, are adjustable, were as well consructed and they have a no questions asked warranty. I tossed and turned and when I found a brand new Canadian w/ tags for sale on an archery site in the states for $100, I had to buy it.

No regrets, great pack for day trips up to 3-5 days, maybe more if you actually utilized all the storage properly. It expands from 2200 ci to 3800 ci and has all the special pockets for your gun, spotting scope etc.

Packed out my VI elk with it and it carried full elk quarters no problem.
Here is my "mule":grin: with it and a quarter.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/PA140041.jpg

Check them out for a great pack, even have a video on all the stuff the Canadian can do

http://www.blacks-creek.com/jimhorn-canadian.php

I would try all the different ones out there and see what fits you best for your needs and how it fits you. You cannot go wrong with either off the packs you listed, and both have a great rep and even better customer service.

Cheers

SS

[Kirby]

Go J107, I love mine, lots of miles, lots of use and it looks brand new.

Kirby

[Fisher-Dude]

I really like the adjustment and have been tweaking tit since I got it.

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

[PGK]

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Been a while for you has it?

:lol:

[Fisher-Dude]

Been a while for you has it?

:lol:

Yeah, four long days. Probably call her up tomorrow, 'cause it's hockey night tonight.

Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get over your little "problem" and find the right girl for you. 8-)

[kootenayelkslayer]

Yeah, four long days. Probably call her up tomorrow, 'cause it's hockey night tonight.


Call who?? Your escort? :roll:

[PGK]

Whooo that was good. Aha, I enjoyed that, you must be into the bottle with the pirate on it tonight :D