Brute 4500

Best Hunting Pack I’ve Ever Had

This pack is everything I could ever want in a pack. It’s big enough to carry everything I need, including spotting scope and tripod, water bladder, etc. But not so big that it’s hard to deal with. It fits me perfectly and is very secure even when carrying heavy loads over tough terrain. I packed out a full deer (deboned) with head and cape with no issues. The meat shelf is very well designed and easy to use and stows away completely when not in use. It’s also very tough and durable, can take a beating and cleans up well. Tons of pockets so it’s easy to keep things organized. Love it!

Glad I finally made the purchase

My first pack purchase from Eberlestock was a switchblade pack about a year ago and that was after a long period of research and reading and having awkward/not awkward conversations with random people in the airport sporting an ES pack and asking them what they thought. Reviews mean something...first hand experience means something. Most of those conversations ended with me thinking...that I needed to make the investment. I've already had a handful of great packs in the past. Alps Mountaineering, Osprey, Bad Lands and Stone Glacier and while all of those were good I needed something that was better. I never really had a good day pack and so I bought the switchblad and its been great. Has all the pockets and pouches I need to keep stuff organized and its the perfect travel bag for a one or two day trip instead of packing a suitecase. It's comforable and durable...quality...quality...quality. So...when it came down to upgrading or purchasing a new hunting pack specifically for hunting out west. (I live and hunt white tail in Maryland...grew up in Wisconsin.) So, I was never really using a larger pack to "Pack out" an animal. I got into the western hunting a few years ago...but to date have not killed an animal I needed to pack out. I do Hike a lot on my Osprey pack is seeing the wear and tear of a lot of miles on the trail and it never seems to have enough space for extra water and items for the longer hikes we take. So, the brute seemed like the perfect pack to give me an upgrade to my hiking backpack..perhaps a bit more than I need...but it is also an upgrade for my western hunting. The Load shelf is really good and after a 30 minute call with support and some advice on proper use...I've been able to load the bag with 60, 80 and this past weekend 100 pounds of sound bags to train for the pack out I hope to have in Utah this October. The pack is so comfortable and even after 40 a mile and a half with 100 pounds and the body gets used to the weight...it felt great...well good...well you know. I hundred pounds never feels good, ,but with that wide hip belt and the bulk of the weight being up higher on the load shelf it was the best its ever felt. I'm looking forward to many years of use. The durability is there as well. I'm a fan and on board the Eberle stock train. My only wish is there were retail stores on the east coast where you could go try the packs on before buying them. Getting a feel for the pack and how it sits on your body is important to me, and can help avoid having to return and exchange products. The model at REI is great. You have a year to wear, use and try out everything and if it doesn't work you can return it. I also get it that a smaller company can't do somehting like that. Either way...I'm happy and if you're reading this I can't say enough about my experience with Eberlsestock so far...like I said earlier. I was actually able to talk to a human being when I call with questions. That is like GOLD

Great pack, fits everything i need!

I bought the Brute 4500 after a weekend pack trip scouting for mountain goats, with a sub par pack that I have had for years. This pack is comfortable, spacious, and will do a lot more for what I need it for.