Introduction

As one who frequently talks about technology and the improvements it brings to our hunting activities, I am always looking for more. And today I am excited to present you with another fantastic addition to my hunting gear lineup. Eberlestock has long provided high quality backpacks, particularly high quality backpacks specifically designed for precision marksmen and hunters. Today I share with you my experience with the Eberlestock Just One Pack, a modular expandable design that promises to get you, all your gear, and your game comfortably back to civilization.

I am no stranger to Eberlesrtock packs, both myself and others in my hunting party have been using their products for years. I have always appreciated the robust manufacturing and high quality components they use in their products. I also have a smaller Eberlestock pack that I use as an EDC SBR transport, you can read more about that one here: the Eberlestock Cherry Bomb.

What Sets Eberlestock Apart

There are plenty of great backpack companies out there, and many of them make some great products. But if you’ve handled many of them, it doesn’t take long to figure out what makes Eberlestock packs better.

Materials used in constructing a backpack are very important. We’ve all had packs that are made from thin material that is easily ripped or snagged on thick brush. Eberlestock packs use a thicker material called Microsuede, a plush soft exterior with an almost fleecy feel. This makes them quieter when slipping through thickets, and the tougher underlayer gives them strength against abrasion. Another feather in the cap, is the popular patterns, colors, and camos that you can can get Eberlestock packs in.

High quality fasteners like buckles and zippers also make the Eberlestock packs stand out. Large and even oversized zippers that last much longer that those used by most manufacturers. Even when dirt, snow, blood, and other contaminants are added, these big zippers still close smoothly and quietly. Strong polymer buckles allow quick and easy connections on Eberlestock packs, they also make it fast to reconfigure your pack, and add or remove things to it.

The Eberlestock Just One

Features

• Compatible with Hunt EMOD Packs and Duffels
• Made of 500D Cordura (Solid) and Microsuede Finish (Camo)
• Hydration System Compatible
• Vertical and Horizontal Compression Straps
• Floating Top Lid
• Integrated Rifle Scabbard
• Internal Aluminum Intex No Shelf Frame
• Turnover Construction Shoulder Harness
• Tri-Glide Pull Forward Hipbelt
• Stretch Side Pockets

Specifications

• Dimensions: 24”High x 13”Wide x 7.5”Deep
• Total Volume Collapsed: 3580c.i. / 58.7L
• Total Volume Expanded: 6500c.i. / 106.5L
• Center Mesh Compartment Closed: 1080c.i. / 17.7L
• Center Mesh Compartment Expanded: 4000c.i. / 65.5L
• Weight: 6lb 6oz (Solid Colorways)
• Weight: 7lbs (Camo Colorways)

The Eberlestock Just One pack has an incredible host of storage options, you can tell this pack was designed for the backcountry hunter type. Lets go over some of the main features of the pack.

First and most obvious to the untrained eye, you’ll notice the curious scabbard that extends at the bottom of the pack. The scabbard lies at the very base of the pack, riding right against the users back. This keeps the weight of the rifle as close to your center of gravity as possible, and at the same time it keeps your rifle protected from the elements, and perhaps more importantly it keeps your hands free while hiking. Configured to keep the muzzle down, the end of the scabbard is heavily reinforced with tough material to protect your muzzle.

The pack is anchored to a lightweight aluminum frame, to which the front harness of the pack is attached. Thickly padded shoulder straps with full length adjustment buckles located within easy reach at the bottom. The shoulder strap anchor point is also adjustable, allowing you to raise or lower it to adjust your ride height. There is also a thick pad at the waistbelt area to comfortably transfer weight to your hips, the waistbelt itself is also comfortably padded.

The waist buckle system uses a snatch-block-like design which I quite like, tightening the belt is done by pulling the tail from your hips forward, instead of pulling from your belt buckle out. The large padded wings of the waist belt have molle strips to allow you attach accessories like pouches or a holster. There is also an adjustable chest strap to keep the shoulder straps in place.

Moving to the storage compartments of the Just One Pack, there are two main compartments that open and close vertically using a zipper for closure. The large compartments will fit quite a few things, even a full size spotting scope or a large thermos. And if you are a thermos guy here is your reminder to get your colonoscopy scheduled.

The two large storage compartments sandwich an even larger meat storage compartment. But in its compact configuration, the mesh material meat compartment is collapsed between the outer vertical storage compartments. And it is held so using another high quality zipper with two wide-band buckle-straps to either secure or compress the load.

There is another strong molle cover that comes from the bottom, this can either be used as a meat shelf while carrying the pack opened fully or used to compress gear in the closed configuration.

At the top of the pack is a floating lid, that can be extended or compressed depending on how you load the pack. The lid features a couple zipped storage compartments itself, big enough to store a whole days worth of snacks or whatever else you might want. The Just One Pack is compatible with hydration bladder systems, and also has some convenient stretch pockets on either side for things like water bottles.

The spacious lid of the pack has various soft pouches for carrying other items, they are lined with fleece as well to avoid making noise. There’s even a tether inside you can snap your keys to to avoid loosing them.

Setting Up the Just One Pack

There was a few things I wanted to add to the Just One pack, accessories based on my typical backcountry usage. Just so we understand each other I’ll explain most of what I do. I’m a big game hunter, varmint hunter, and anything else I can get my hands on. My favorite way to carry out these practices is in the remote mountain forests and deserts plains of the west. That might include hiking a few miles into alpine canyons in the spring to chase after Marmots, or chasing after elk in their winter grounds in late December. I never go anywhere without a rifle, and I like to have everything I need for a day or so worth of survival with me for these adventures.

For this reason I would add a couple different accessories to the Just one. For example, I almost always carry a suppressed 22 pistol when I’m in the back country. Whether it be for fun or for quickly dispatching close encounters with small game. So I wanted to add a holster to the waist belt. I also wanted to add a hydration bladder, even though I am not a big bladder kind of guy. I usually keep a water bottle or two in my pack, but because it it so easy to do I would try it here today. I would also use the Just One pack in conjunction with my Eberlestock Recon bino harness. Not just because they match, but because it is my favorite bino harness, you can read more about the Recon bino harness here.

Into the Backcountry

My initial experiences with the Eberlestock Just One pack would take place in the cold of winter high in the Rocky Mountains. Carrying all my gear for the day was pretty easy, things like spotting scope and electronic predator call fit nicely in the broad pockets. I noticed that the pockets even have a bit of a stretch factor, to allow more room.

Loading Up

Putting my rifle into the Just One scabbard took a little more effort than I had anticipated. Adjusting the tension of certain straps and buckles certainly helped, and additionally the suppressor on the end of my barrel complicated it some as well. But once I had the rifle, and all my other gear loaded it was time to shoulder the pack.

The first thoughts as I started hiking through the snow, was how comfortable the pack felt. My current load was significantly less than the Just One pack would carry but it was incredibly comfortable. The added weight of a deer or heavy load of elk while welcome would certainly make it more cumbersome. But there is an impressive level of comfort in suffering through such a load.

Adjustments

With all my gear in tow, I found it expedient to adjust the ride of the pack. Setting the waist belt across the hips and cinching it down, and adjusting the shoulder straps for a comfortable ride.

The soft shoulder straps have a mesh covering, which will certainly help breathing when you are hot and sweaty. The same mesh seems to be incorporated to every surface that makes contact with your body. This was a nice feature not only for the breathing I mentioned, but also because it has a low friction feel so clothing doesn’t get captured and pulled as you move.

Shoulder straps are secured by a sternal strap incorporating the typical elastic tensioner. This keeps the shoulder straps from wandering off your shoulders and keeping comfort at a maximum. I also found it was a nice spot to capture my hydration tube and mouthpiece to avoid it swinging around and getting caught in brush.

I was quite happy with the placement of my Condor VT nylon holster, locating it on the belt of the Just One pack kept it out of the way but easily accessible. It was far enough back that it wasn’t getting snagged on brush or interfere with my swinging arms as I hiked, but it was also just a short reach to grab my pistol should I need it. The adjustable nature of the holster also made it nice to fit a variety of my pistols.

Pack Expansion

While I have yet to fill the Eberlestock Just One pack with any meat, I wanted to see how much room it offers. The main storage compartments zip together in the middle, and have two wide straps to secure whatever you load into them.

Once opened up, there is a surprising amount of additional space. Actually my back hurts thinking about how much elk I could fit into the expanded compartment, especially once taken off the bone. One the bonus side, I can think of many times I wish I would have had this pack for hauling meat out.

The cunning design of using the mesh material supported by robust nylon straps was a great touch. Its hard enough oftentimes to get game meat cooled down, and once you put it in your backpack it seems to capture whatever heat is left in your meat. Using mesh to line the compartment ensures that air can continue to cool and ventilate your trophy.

Pros and Cons

The pros of the Eberlestock Just One pack are bountiful. As I mentioned earlier, the high quality of Eberlestock products is quite obvious. Strong materials and fasteners make for great durability. The soft padding in all the right areas and the aforementioned mesh contact points provide maximum comfort particularly when loaded heavy. Plenty of storage for a hard day of hunting or a light overnight hunt considering you’ll be bringing most if not all of an animal out with you. All this while also giving you the comfortable option of carrying your rifle in the scabbard for hands free hiking.

There must be some cons to this pack though right? Despite my great satisfaction, there are a couple things that I think I would change having used the pack for a while now. The main one has to do with the Just One pack’s signature feature, though I think its understandable. Whether the scabbard was designed for suppressor or not, it can be challenging to get the rifle in and out of the scabbard with a suppressor installed. Same goes for a bipod.

The scabbard running right alongside the frame of the pack presents a little challenge of getting the a suppressor over the edges of the bottom of the frame. While it is much easier to get the rifle in and out without a suppressor, I still chose to leave it on vs. removing the suppressor every time I stowed it. The bipod could probably have been left on as well had I loosened up some of the lid straps on the pack. But I don’t like how snaggy Harris bipods can be, so it was easier to just remove it.

This concern isn’t a big deal when you come to terms that it’s simply not going to be a fast operation to stow or remove your rifle from the pack. It is for long-term carrying of your rifle, so don’t plan on pulling out your rifle if you spot a fleeing buck. Removing the pack was necessary for me to get the rifle in or out of the scabbard.

My Conclusion

As these mountains begin to thaw, I am filled with excitement for my spring chucking adventures. The Eberlestock Just One pack will for sure come along, carrying my rifle, extra ammo, enough snacks to keep the kids and I satisfied, and enough gear to spend the day camping in the backcountry comfortably.

And no doubt I will also bring the pack along next fall, to help pack out both deer and elk from the recesses of these same mountains. The Eberlestock Just One pack is optimized for guys like me who might just be carrying a day or two’s worth of varmint gear, or who might be boning out a whole elk to carry back to civilization. If you find yourself in that same kind of place, rest assured that the Just One pack will get you there comfortably.

-CBM

2025 Update:

After a year of hauling gear around in this pack I can say I like it even more. I packed out several quartered deer this past season, and carried camping gear, food, photography equipment and more. I still stand behind my comfort statement, this pack makes heavy hauling in rough country as pleasant as it can be.