I am a pack junkie! I currently use a Kifaru Siwash, Jim Horn Alaskan, Badlands 2800 and just recieved a J34 Just One from Ebelerstock.
That being said I love the Kifaru it is the lightest and fits well. I can pack the heck out of it and it is comfortable. It is a little loud and I consider it mostly a rifle pack. I've packed out bear and deer from some real holes with it.
I've used a couple of Jim Horns over the years and they pack well. They are heavy but they have some cool ways to pack out meat without leaving your gear behind. A friend and I packed out a full boned elk a couple of years ago in two Jim Horns and only one trip, Great packs.
I picked up a 2800 last year and used it on all of the hunts. This is an awesome pack. It fits very well and tight to your body. It is light and quite and has an amazing aray of places to put your gear. Badlands makes an awesome pack I cant say anything but good about them.
Now as to the Just One pack. Like you I was looking at the X1/X1 bit I wanted more ability to pack out more meat on the first trip. I talked to a few people and also the guys at Payson outfitters and after lots or research decided to go with the J34 pack.
It is a little heavier than my Badlands pack but this thing is also bullet proof. It has a great suspension and caries loads well. I think that other that my Kifaru this pack has the ability to best handle big loads. You can strap on a lot of things to this pack and I am all about having options.
The true selling point for this pack for me was the bow bucket and the gun scabbard.
Some of the places I hunt are a ways back in and very rough. I usually strap my bow to the pack and hike hard. I like to have my hands free (I also have shoulder issues and cant carry my bow in my hand all day). Last year about a 1/4 mile up the trail there were two big bucks standing in the trail. By the time I got my pack off and bow out they were gone. They had stood there watching me till I was almost ready and then took off. I also had a few elk do almost the same thing.
The Eberlestock pack has a bow bucket that you can strap your bow to. It carries your bow very well and you can have it out in seconds without taking off your pack. I thought this was very cool.
It also had a rifle scabbard that does almost the same thing. It keeps your gun safe and out of the way but is right there when you need it. I dont know if I think its any faster than carrying my gun on a sling but it is pretty slick.
Anyway these are just a few of the things I noticed.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Andy
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