GEAR REVIEW
Eberlestock®
F2 Transformer Pack w/F1 Mainframe
$199 F2 Transformer , $199 F1 Mainframe
Mystery Ranch®
Metcalf $525
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Cabela’s®
Bow and Rifle Pack $149.99
CAPACITY: 4,333c.i. WEIGHT: 6lb. 2oz.
Construction VVVVV
Configuration VVVV
Fit/Comfort VVVV+
Performance
Up to 40 lbs VVVVV
60 lbs VVVVV
80 lbs VVVV+
Overall VVVV+ CAPACITY: 2,500c.i. WEIGHT: 4lb. 10oz.
Construction VVV+
Configuration VVVV
Fit/Comfort VVVV
Performance
Up to 40 lbs VVVVV
60 lbs VVVV
80 lbs VVV
Overall VVVV
Tough, streamlined and straightforward, the
Metcalf from Mystery Ranch is a meat and
potatoes sort of pack that will get you into
the backcountry, and your trophy back out;
season after season, year after year.
Constructed of heavy duty 500D Cordura ®
(610HP Cordura ® for Optifade™ Subalpine
pattern), the exterior of the pack is free of
exposed stitching to protect seam and strap
attachment points from wear. An expanding
collar and sizeable two pocket lid allow the
Metcalf to haul over 4,000 c.i. of gear when
needed, but can be quickly slimmed down
to a sleek day pack thanks to eight one-inch
compression straps with autolock buckles
and a removable lid. The main compartment
is top loading, with one side access zipper.
There is a hydration bladder pouch, but no
other internal pockets to help organize gear.
Aside from the lid and small pockets on the
bottom of each side of the bag, there are also
no exterior pockets.
Meat can be loaded directly into the main
bag, but for best performance and also for
keeping bag contents clean, the bag can be
separated from the pack to expose a load
shelf; allowing heavy loads to be placed close
to the frame for optimal balance and com-
fort. The bag reattaches and acts as the com-
pression system to secure the load. Comfort
and performance with all tested loads was
good, and the Guide Light Frame™ with car-
bon fiber stays felt secure and allowed for a
bit of comfortable flex on uneven terrain.
The Metcalf is available in five men’s sizes
as well as four women’s sizes, and the Futura
Yoke allows for precision adjustment to fine
tune fit.
mysteryranch.com The all new Bow and Rifle Pack from Cabe-
la’s ® is light and well designed to allow the
organization needed to keep all your gear se-
cure and easily accessible.
Polyester face fabric helps to reduce
weight and sturdy 600D poly oxford is uti-
lized in high strain and wear areas. An inner
liner adds a bit of insurance if the outer ma-
terial becomes compromised, as well as add-
ing a bit more protection against moisture.
Speaking of moisture, there is also a rain fly
that stows away in its own pocket. The main
compartment is top loading and has a hy-
dration pouch and one small mesh pocket.
Capacity will allow for a couple days’ worth
of gear. Numerous external pouches and zip-
pered pockets benefit organization, and the
pockets on each side of the bag are large
enough to hold tripods and 65mm angled
straight spotting scopes during testing. A
bow/rifle sling is also included.
Well-padded waist and back panel areas
were comfortable, and the channel design
of the back panel provides great airflow.
Comfort was good as a day pack with mod-
erate loads, but diminished a bit with larger
loads. There are no load lifter straps to ad-
just weight between shoulders and waist, and
awkward shaped loads were difficult to com-
press for stability on uneven terrain. If the
draw style straps on one side were changed
to buckles so they could be clipped to the
straps on the opposing side, it would greatly
benefit compression.
All in all, the Bow and Rifle Pack is a great
all-around day pack that is also capable of
getting an animal out of the woods when the
situation arises.
cabelas.com
WESTERN HUNTING JOURNAL
CAPACITY: 2,300+c.i.
WEIGHT: 7lb. 11oz. (pack and frame)
Construction VVVVV
Configuration VVVVV
Fit/Comfort VVVV+
Performance
Up to 40 lbs VVVVV
60 lbs VVVVV
80 lbs VVVVV
Overall VVVVV
Want a comfortable, compact pack for an af-
ternoon hunt close to home? Need a super
duty work horse that can tackle the heaviest
loads you can throw at it? The dynamic duo
of F2 Transformer and F1 Mainframe from
Eberlestock® is tough to beat.
Able to easily morph from frameless back-
pack to a framed pack with waist belt, the F2
Transformer is aptly named. Top loading with
additional front access, the main compart-
ment has no internal pockets or organizers.
Lid pocket is well-sized, and buckles down to
a load shelf on the bottom of the pack to act
as compression to the bag contents. Both
have molle webbing for attaching additional
items. A large, front pouch can hold a tripod,
but the open top design does collect debris.
Two side pockets are large enough to hold an
82mm straight spotting scope during testing.
Minimal lumbar and back padding allows the
F2 Transformer to sit close to the back and
heat and sweat impacted comfort a bit.
The F1 Mainframe features three-quarters
inch Intex II aluminum tube construction with
a fixed position load shelf that easily tackled
all loads during testing. Depending on the
color pattern, construction material is either
NT7 or 1000D nylon. Full length molle web-
bing, three compression strap/buckle points
and full-length side zippers allow customiza-
tion and pairing with a range of accessories
and compatibility with seven models of Eber-
lestock packs. At only ten inches wide, the F1
Mainframe is compact and snag free when
pushing through thick brush. Thick vertical
padding on the back panel creates a large
opening for airflow to the core of the back,
greatly reducing sweat. Adjustability for fit is
excellent thanks to simple ladder style web-
bing with hook and loop fastener.
eberlestock.com