Have you tried the Just One Pack from Eberlestock? Great pack and it will haul anything you can haul. I totally agree with getting good shoes for carring weight.

Chadderbox... I have looked into the Eberlestocks earlier this year but have not done so since this trip's inception... I will look now that you jogged my memory...

Matt B, I hope there is a difference b/c I sure as heck ain't got running legs!

On a conditioning note. I use my pack __frame__ and hike with 60lbs of weight or more on it to get into shape. Great way to break in some new boots and test out your pack. There is a huge difference in running legs and packing legs.
Please note, although no boardcode and smiley buttons are shown, they are still useable

Exactly the type of tip I've been looking for.

Bowcat is great, dv

Do yourself a favor and look into the Eberlestock JP9 Blue Widow. I had the BL's 4500. It creaked like a sonabitch, zippers constantly broke, outter side pockets didn't fit nothing, 100oz bladder had to hang off the backpocket vs keeping it closer to my center of gravity along my back and never fit my torso right. I take it I got a lemon but enough was enough with that pack. I was a big fan until the 45 ruined it for me. I can tell you the BL's 2200 is a badass pack and I've packed out huge amounts of meat in it. The 4500 just didn't do it for me. The Eberle does the job of both of those packs, fits me better and I love the fact I can zip off the spike camp duffel and drop 10-15lbs of camp. It also hauled out elk and deer meat flawlessly for me this year. The Eberle can be very fined tuned in how you can make it fit you. I really like that I can keep my spotter and tripod hooked up and tucked away on the outside of the pack. I'd try a few to see what works best for you.

Attached is what I usually pack. Yes I'm that anal to weigh everything...



Items Weight in Ounces Items in this Load Load Weight
Eberlestock JP9 110.00 x 110.00
Eberlestock Spike Camp Duffel 11.00 x 11.00
Eberlestock JP9 Zip In Panel 6.00 Not Packed
Sure Fire E2 Exec 3.30 x 3.30
Petzl Tikka XP 3.20 x 3.20
Manfrotto Tripod 35.00 Not Packed
Vortex Nomad 60 20-60 Spotter 36.00 Not Packed
Vortex Razor 10X42 Bino 35.00 x 35.00
Vortex Bino Trip Adapt 1.80 Not Packed
Nikon 550 Rifle Hunter Range Finder 6.00 x 6.00
Big Agnes Air Core Insul Pad 22.00 x 22.00
Thermarest Z lite Pad 15.00 Not Packed
WM Megalite 30degree Bag 25.00 x 25.00
ODR Advanced Bivy 39.00 x 39.00
Archers Allen Wrench 3.50 Not Packed
GPS 6.10 x 6.10
Katadyn Pro Filter 14.30 Not Packed
Water Pur Tabs 2.00 x 2.00
Brunton Raptor Stove/Cup/Fuel/Spork 19.00 x 19.00
Camel Pack Bladder w/ filter adapt 8.00 Not Packed
Nalgene Bottle Full (empty 6.6oz) 39.40 Not Packed
Outdoor Edge Deboning Knife 3.30 x 3.30
Buck PBS Knife w/ Sharpener 6.00 x 6.00
4 Alaskan Game Bags / 550 cord / tape 12.00 x 12.00
First Aid Kit 6.40 x 6.40
Maps/Notepad/Pencil 5.40 x 5.40
Elk Calls(reeds,Hootchie,Tube) 7.00 x 7.00
Deer Calls(Rattle bag, Grunt, Bleat) 12.50 Not Packed
Integral Designs Sil Tarp 7.00 Not Packed
Fire Starter, Compass, Whistle, Lighter 6.10 x 6.10
Sitka Rain Gear (Jacket 17, Pants 16 oz) 33.00 x 33.00
Food Weight (apx 27oz each day) 3 days 81.00 x 54.00
Water Weight 100oz Tops 120.00 x 120.00
Mathews Legacy all setup! Not Packed
TOTAL 534.80 Ounces
33.43 Pounds

The excel sheet couldn't be attached so I pasted it. When it shows x number by x number. That just means I checked as part of my package. You'll notice not all items are selected.

I like your gear list! It looks almost identical to mine... Hey, what's the diff between the Blue Widow and the J104. It looks to me the same except for the fanny pack and the flex chassis is wider and an optional scabbard. I haven't been sold on the 4500 either. I do love my 2200 great day pack. Is the JP9 as tough as the J104?

The JP9 Bluewidow is basically the Dragonfly minus the scabboard _layer_. I've heard complaints in the past of the pack hangin too far back because of that play in the older scabboard _layer_s of packs like the J104/105. I think this new design alleviates any of those past issues. You can still put a scabboard in the pack. I don't do much gun huntin but it fits the 30/30 awesomely. You can see the buttstock about head level coming out of the pack. Here's a pic:


As far as toughness goes its all there. The zippers are allot tougher then those of the BL's from what I've seen. They don't get caught up anywhere near what I experienced with the old 4500 (07 model) also. 100+lb loads of meat is what she can easily do. The only limiting factor is my _frame_ thus far. Polycorbonate is cool and all, but I honestly like being able to tweak the aluminum stays of the Eberle's and the 2200. The fanny with the JP9 is sweet too. It holds a 100oz Camelback bladder well. I killed my Lope with that on this year.

Take care!