Badlands 4500

[SDHNTR]

I'm right on the fence. Badlands says 5'11" is the dividing line between a medium and a large. I'm 5'11" and about 185 of medium build. What size do I go with?

[Backcountry]

It's my opinion that it is easier to adjust a taller packer for a shorter torso than a shorter pack for a taller torso.

With a short pack, it can be very difficult to get the hip belt to ride where it's supposed to... you want the majority of weight in the pack to ride on your hips, not on your back or shoulders, so this is a key point.

With a longer pack, you set the hip belt to ride on your hips and then adjust the shoulder straps accordingly. Most high-end packs, including the Badlands I believe, have an adjustable attachment point for the upper end of the shoulder straps.

Of course, the best thing would be try both of them on when fully loaded and see which fits best,but that's not always possible with high end gear that is mostly mail ordered.

Good luck! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/archer.gif Backcountry

[Family Tradition]

Dang if 5&#39;11" and 185 is close to medium I&#39;ll need a TINY cut for mine.

I&#39;ve been looking at the 4500 pretty close and I&#39;m on the fence as well. 5&#39;11" and 155........hmmmm medium? thinking so.

ms

[FresnoHunter]

FT I met up with pschulteis this weekend and got a chance to see his Eberlestock pack and it is really nice.
The Badlands packs are good and of course lifetime warranty is great but the Eberlestock pack also has the lifetime warranty and is capable of holding around 7000 ci if configured as such or as little as 2000 ci.
You might want to look at the Eberlestock pack.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/two-cents.gif

[Family Tradition]

I looked at them but I&#39;m not so sure about the rifle thingy.

You know I carry that thing in hand 100% of the time so a scaby isn&#39;t going to be of much use to me. But they are VERY nice packs.

I&#39;d get a Kifaru but Mama would KILL ME when she saw the receipt.

Then again my modified Cabelas pack has never let me down, maybe it can go a few more years.

MS

[FresnoHunter]

The scabbard can be tucked in if not in use. Seems like I read someone on this BB using the scabbard to hold his spotting scope/tripod, kinda cool idea. I recently ordered some good Binocs and plan on getting a range finder before season starts, I too would have to make sure not to get mama upset.

[hunting1]

I use the scabbard to carry rain gear and stuff, so don&#39;t let that scare off your descision. They are great packs! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley_10sign.gif

[Swampa]

Does the 4500 have a scabbard?

[in2blacktail]

No. The Badlands 4500 does not have the scabbard.
That is a feature Eberlestock has built within on their J104&#39;s & J105&#39;s. Matter of fact they have that feature on most of their serious packs. I am completely happy with my Wilderness moly custom Big Horn frame pack (4,000 CUI). I like the customization of an external frame.
At the same time after hearing and reading about the Elberstock J104 I had to pick one up to try out. Pretty impressive. Right now I have it packed with 31lbs of gear (minus sleeping bag and food). Access to my gear is pretty nice. Several nice mounting options for the spotting scope. Well thought out. One of the positive things I noticed right ff the bat was the solid padding and the super supportive belt. No need to upgrade here. Everything from their pouches to their attachment systems seems firt rate. Looking forward to a nice long cardio walk up Mission Peak tomorrow with this J104.

[Swampa]

In Oct. I&#39;ll be hunting for seven days in Pagosa Springs. We&#39;ll be staying in a drop camp so I only need supplies for the day. I am trying to find the best backpack for the money without getting too big of a pack and I do want to have some sort of scabbard. Any opinions?

Coby

[in2blacktail]

Well if a built in scabbard is a must. You might look at their website to see of their other smaller packs that have the options you require. Heck look ito the JHO store. I know JHO is starting to carry Eberlestock packs now. The gunslinger pack might have both the size (cu. in.) your looking for and the rifle packing options.

[spectr17]

To all, one way you can give back to this forum is to take your posts and comments about your packs and enter them in our gear review section. This will will help others new to backpacking decide on what to get for their style of hunting.

Mucho gracias

http://www.jesseshunting.com/reviewpost/showcat.php/cat/238

[easymoney]

Will do...
"Mucho grass" And what does that mean?

[JEDB]

Hey, I&#39;m new here. I&#39;m thinking about geting the 4500. I have a question if anyone can answer it. How do you pack or hold your rifle on the 4500 if you don&#39;t want to carry it? I know the Eberlestock has the scabbord thing and I was just wondering how the 4500 compares in this respect. Thanks JEDB

[BDB]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Family Tradition @ Jun 20 2006, 08:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=717645)</div>
Then again my modified Cabelas pack has never let me down, maybe it can go a few more years.

MS[/b]

Two things? Do you have the Cabelas Alaskan external frame? If so, what mods did you do? I have one and I love the freighter frame for hauling htings but am not happy with it as a pack. Id does the job but it&#39;s no high end pack that&#39;s for sure.

[spectr17]

JEDB, there is no way really to safely pack a rifle with the Badlands 4500 unless you got a scabbard from somewhere and lashed it to the pack. The Eberlestock is the way to go if you want to pack a rifle on the pack.

[Orso]

It may be expensive, but the Kifaru packs have a really good system of holding your rifle. The but slips in to a holder attached to the pack belt and the barrel is attached to the shoulder strap with a quick release tab. Out of the way but yet ready to use in a second.

[tdbob]

You can get a Gun Bearer from Kifaru that will fit any pack for about $30. Properly adjusted it works well, otherwise the barrel of the gun can swing annoyingly into your face. I&#39;ve got one on my J104 and use the scabbard for the spotting scope and tripod.

[tdbob]

Here&#39;s the link. http://www.kifaru.net/GUNBEAR.HTM
This is the link for their Combat Gunbearer. http://www.kifaru.net/MGgunber.htm

[JEDB]

Thanks for the info all.