I have a great daypack (badlands) and also have a great alaskan guide external packframe. However, I'm looking at a top notch internal frame backpack and these are the ones I would like to try and save up $$ for. A few of my buddies have the eberlestock and swear by them but don't now much about kifaru or mystic ranch. Anyone have any input????
I have an Eberlestock X2 and love it. Have not had the others you mentioned, but the Eberlestock is top notch. Well built, good design, and comfortable, for not a huge pricetag.
I had an early model Eberlestock, didn't quite match what I had in mind as it was difficult to draw a long barreled rifle out of the scabbard. Glenn is a top notch guy and it's a great company to do business with. I prefer Kifaru and have 3 of their packs- Spike Camp/Late Season/Guide. Their harnesses fit me well and the components are interchangeable.
I bought a MR Crew Cab which I like OK, but pick up the Kifarus more frequently. I'll likely sell the Crew Cab in the near future, not b/c it's not a great pack, but more of a matter of fit and use.
Try some on if you get a chance. Kifaru is based in CO and MR in MT, if you get near them, they both have great customer service. Not certain where Eberlestock is based.
David
I bought a Eberlestock Blue Widow for my Alaska trip. I have been walking with 50lbs strapped to the back. Feels great. Took a little tinkering to get the fit just right, but so far I really like the pack.
Talk with "Whip" (www.prairietraditions.com) he has experience with a number of different packs. He is a good source for info, and all around good guy
chris <><
Kifaru is expensive but worth it. I love mine.
I just went through all of these choices myself, and went with the Kifaru Long Hunter guide. It should be here anyday.
thanks for the info guys!!! There all great choices like stated and it comes down to personal preference and fit. However, its tough to try each of them on and with the price tag put on them I would hate to make the wrong choice.
Thanks again
A friend has an E-stock and thinks its a POS. I have a Kifaru and it is tops.
Mystery Ranch for me! Here is my Wolfpack. I think any of the options would be fine. MR is PRICEY just like Kifaru, but they are well worth it..in my eyes
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/DSC00804.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/DSC00913.jpg)
Mystery Ranch for me as well. Great pack!! I've got the NICE 6500. The NICE frame is easy to fit to you and rides well once set up. The other nice thing is that once you have the NICE frame, you can just get the bag (CrewCab, Load Sling, Alpha Wolf, 7500, LongBow, etc.) to expand the system if you want a bigger/smaller/load hauling pack. This gives some options for down the road if you need another pack and don't want to buy a complete new pack. Hope this helps. I'm wearing mine in my avatar with about 80 pounds in it.
Edited to add photos:
Here's me loaded up and getting ready to hike in and start the hunt...
(http://www.macksplace.com/D13_Hunt_1.jpg)
Here's me on the hike in at the start of the wilderness (My Avatar)...
(http://www.macksplace.com/TG_Avatar_1.jpg)
Here's me on the hike out at the end of the hunt...
(http://www.macksplace.com/D13_Hunt_2.jpg)
-Mack
I've had the Kifaru Longhunter and now have the Eberle 105.
For serious backpacking and then hauling out meat, the Kifaru is better, maybe quite a bit.
For doing the conversion thing where you pack in, make camp, then convert the pack to a day pack, I like the E pack better because of the quiet cloth and low profile below the shoulders when stalking brush. The Longhunter sticks up high.
Now I don't use the Epack as a daypack so I wish I had my Kifaru back, but the Epack will do it.
My Eberlestock experiences mimic those of Steve H's friend. I have gone the mystery Ranch route over the Kifaru though. Either is a good bulletproof choice.
Another Mystery Ranch user here!
Went through a lot of packs to get to my preferred 3 day pack, and so far I really like my MR Longbow.
I honestly was deciding between a Kifaru Late Season and the MR Longbow, and it came down to price, availability, and expandability.
For my needs, the MR won.
When my pack gets too small, I'll do like Mack's done and order a 6500 bag for my NICE frame.
The MR and Kifaru are top of the line packs for sure. For a mid- range pack though, the Eberlestock are great packs. I use a Blue Widow myself and really like it.
I have the Blue Widows in stock, and the new X2's are finally on their way - should have them within the next week.
Love my Blue Widow, it does it all. Wish it had some better small external pockets though. What a great pack for 3 to 10 day bivy's.