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Jesse's Hunting > Hunting Articles > Hunting Gear > Testing the Eberlestock J104
Testing the Eberlestock J104
Kirk Edgerton - JHO ProStaff
- Sacramento, CA
March 29, 2007
Eberlestock J104
The author was impressed with the capacity and features of this pack, but the performance under a full load didn't quite stack up to expectations. |
The essence of back country hunting is quite simple. Pack all of your gear on your back and head deep into the woods or mountains in search of game. Once you down your quarry, cut it up and pack it, along with all of your gear, back to your vehicle. Sound easy? Now imagine all that, but the animal you’ve just downed is a 300 pound bear or a 700 pound elk. Things just got interesting and your pack better be built for such a task.
This is where the Eberlestock J104 truly shines. The J104 is, quite simply, a meat hauling machine. Eberlestock has designed an innovative pack with an integrated zippered main compartment that opens up with a mesh screen to add over 2000 additional cubic inches. Zip in the “Spike Camp Duffel” and the J104 reaches an incredible 7900 cubic inches!
Thinking that the J104 might just be the ultimate backcountry pack; I took it on a three-day backcountry bear and deer hunt this past fall, and put it to work.
One of the many features I really enjoyed on the pack was its ability to carry pretty much anything by utilizing the multiple compression straps, “Padlock” system, and built-in rifle scabbard. The scabbard which also works very well as a tripod/spotting scope sleeve sits next to the hydration compartment and rides between your back and the main body of the pack. This inch or two of space causes the pack to sag quite a bit while carrying a heavy load. I would really like to see the side compression straps start farther back on the pack, allowing the user to really tighten up the pack when carrying heavy loads or just a few items.
The waste belt had zero squeak, eliminating a problem I’ve experienced quite regularly on competitive brands. The belt also has Eberlestock’s “Padlock” system which allows the attachment of gear such as a small pouch to hold a rangefinder/GPS unit or bow hook with ease.
The hydration sleeve is accessible on the outside, and allows for quick filling without removing the pack’s contents- a huge benefit after being on the trail for hours. I used a 100oz bladder which, although a tight fit, worked very well in the pack. Another added benefit is the multiple pockets on the pack, including two on the lid. These pockets allowed easy access to food, additional clothing, camp stove, or smaller items such as a map or camp spork in the top lid.
Although I was very pleased with the pack’s features, most aspects of its design, and its cubic inch capacity, the fact that the compression straps did not encompass the entire pack left me uncomfortable with a heavy load and leaning way too far forward to compensate for the sagging pack. That may seem like a small issue, but after four hours of packing out a back country bear, it became a major problem and one that made me sell the pack shortly after my return home.
My ideal pack rides extremely well under a heavy load and has the form, fit, and function to serve me well for multiple days in the back country; unfortunately, the Eberlestock J104 didn’t quite live up to that ideal.
Available Patterns
Realtree Hardwoods Green, Hardwoods Gray, or Advantage Max1
Material
Flocked Polyester with Waterproof Polyurethane Laminate
Cubic Inches
2900 to 7900 with detachable Spike Camp Duffle
Suggested List Price
$229.00
Weight
6lb 14oz
Now available in the JHO Store
Eberlestock USA
www.eberlestock.com
877-866-3047
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