Eberlestock Dragonfly vs MR pop up 28

[Newtosavage]

Looking for some opinions here -

I'm thinking of moving from my Dragonfly to a MR pop up 28 this year. I snagged the Dragonfly at a good price late last summer and had some reservations about it when it arrived because it was bigger and heavier than I had expected. Those reservations largely disappeared in use however, as it carries lighter than I imagined, and I found the rifle scabbard to be remarkably useful.

The downsides to the Dragonfly are no load lifters, over all weight (but like I said, it carries pretty light IMO) and it's a little bulky for getting through brush. The upside to me is the gun scabbard and the fact that I already have it.

I really like the design of the pop-up series and think it would suit my needs better as a day pack with the option to pack in camp in the load shelf if I wanted. It seems the size I'm looking for and should get me through the brush a bit easier when in the day pack configuration. The down side is no rifle scabbard. I may be bowhunting this fall anyway, but I would hate to lose that feature for future ML or rifle hunts.

Would a MR 28 pop-up with a gun bearer system be an upgrade from my dragonfly pack, or should I just keep what I have?

Thanks.

 

[KurtR]

I dont have any experience with the mr but plenty with the eberlestock and if hauling any weight it cant get any worse. I would say it would be way better just because of functional load lifters.

 

[Newtosavage]

I never expect my hunting pack to also be my primary meat hauling pack. Just want something that can handle the first load back to the truck. After that, I have a pack frame that I like very much and would take up for any remaining loads. Main reason I'm looking at the pop up is the lower profile since I felt the dragonfly was a bit much as a day pack. I guess what I'm balancing here is whether the loss of the rifle scabbard will be made up for by the lighter weight and lower profile. From what I read about the Kifaru gun bearer, I might not miss the scabbard if I added it to the MR pack.

 

[Newtosavage]

Has anyone packed in for an overnight trip with either of the MR pop-up's or are people only using them as day packs?

 

[KurtR]

I prefer my gun bearer on the kifaru way more than the scabbard in the eberlestock both for function and access.

 

[Clearedhot1]

I run the 28 and the Exo Weapon Carrier attaches flawlessly. If you’re worried about the elements, you could throw a gun sock over it (I just tape the tip).


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[bmf0713]

Is the eberlstock dragonfly really that bad? That is the pack i have right now that i am planning on using for my first elk hunt. Feels comfortable enough for me but the most weight Ive had in it is about 60 lbs for only a couple miles. Don't really have anything else to compare it to. I bought it because i too also loved the gun scabbard. But it sure is a heavy SOB especially with the spike duffel and other pouches on it. Think mine weighs in at 12Lbs. Keep thinking on upgrading to lighter next year but I would this year if the dragonfly is not good enough. It will also be my meat hauler.

 

[Newtosavage]

Is the eberlstock dragonfly really that bad? That is the pack i have right now that i am planning on using for my first elk hunt. Feels comfortable enough for me but the most weight Ive had in it is about 60 lbs for only a couple miles. Don't really have anything else to compare it to. I bought it because i too also loved the gun scabbard. But it sure is a heavy SOB especially with the spike duffel and other pouches on it. Think mine weighs in at 12Lbs. Keep thinking on upgrading to lighter next year but I would this year if the dragonfly is not good enough. It will also be my meat hauler.

I don't think it's that bad, but I haven't hauled meat in mine yet. It was a huge upgrade from my old day pack. After 10 days in the mountains, including a 6 mile loop with almost 3K vertical change on the final day, I was pretty happy with my Dragonfly. I was never sore and like I said, it carried lighter than it weighs IMO. Only issue I really had was the bulky size for a day pack. If I take it again this fall, I won't hate the idea.

 

[Newtosavage]

I run the 28 and the Exo Weapon Carrier attaches flawlessly. If you’re worried about the elements, you could throw a gun sock over it (I just tape the tip).


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Are you running that just as a day pack, or have you overnighted with it yet?

 

[Clearedhot1]

Mainly day pack but I am fairly confident it’ll work for 2 to 3 nights by packing the shelf and running some additional straps


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[FLAK]

I have the J107. It's a great pack.
Not perfect but DURABLE.
How is the material on that MR???? the only
one I've put my hands on seemed really loud.

 

[THBZN]

I have the J107. It's a great pack.
Not perfect but DURABLE.
How is the material on that MR???? the only
one I've put my hands on seemed really loud.

Fabric wise, no different than other high end packs out there -- 500D CORDURA for the Coyote and Foliage, and 610 HP CORDURA for the Desolve Bare camo pattern.

 

[Newtosavage]

I have the J107. It's a great pack.
Not perfect but DURABLE.
How is the material on that MR???? the only
one I've put my hands on seemed really loud.

Yea, that J107 sure seems durable as heck. I have no doubt it will last the rest of my elk hunting days.

I'm not unhappy with it. Don't get me wrong. Just that I really like the design of that MR 28 pop up and am trying to figure out if I can justify a switch. Not that I'm unhappy with what I have. In fact, I came back from the mountains last year pretty pleased with my purchase after a good test. Only issue I had was going through brush I got hung up a few times and on day trips from base camp, I felt the J107 was overkill. Sure did enjoy that scabbard before and after legal shooting hours though. During shooting hours when we were in elk country, I usually had the rifle in my hands.

 

[KurtR]

First year i went to Idaho I had the j34 just one and thought those guys spending big money on packs are crazy. After a few days my shoulders wanting to fall off I decided if I am going to elk hunt something has to change. Saved got the Kifaru and it is night and day difference any of the top packs will be better. If my house was on fire I would get that pack or die trying. I met a guy up on the mountain and he asked me if I knew why they called the eberlestock The just one? I said nope he said because you just want to wear it one time and he wast wrong.

 

[Newtosavage]

First year i went to Idaho I had the j34 just one and thought those guys spending big money on packs are crazy. After a few days my shoulders wanting to fall off I decided if I am going to elk hunt something has to change. Saved got the Kifaru and it is night and day difference any of the top packs will be better. If my house was on fire I would get that pack or die trying. I met a guy up on the mountain and he asked me if I knew why they called the eberlestock The just one? I said nope he said because you just want to wear it one time and he wast wrong.

I have to ask, how much weight were you carrying on an average day? My J107 loaded for a day hunt was about 25 lbs. and there were a lot of times I forgot I was wearing it. Is there a chance your pack just didn't fit right?

I admit I haven't packed meat in mine yet (used my frame pack for meat hauling last year) but mine sure seems pretty comfy to me.

 

[bmf0713]

Yeah. Day hunting with mine was about 30-35 lbs and we were doing 6-8 miles a day and packed out a couple antelope a couple miles heaviest at about 60-70 lbs probably and my shoulders and back felt fine. I could tell there was weight there with the 60-70lbs but it wasn’t horrible.

 

[KurtR]

I have to ask, how much weight were you carrying on an average day? My J107 loaded for a day hunt was about 25 lbs. and there were a lot of times I forgot I was wearing it. Is there a chance your pack just didn't fit right?

I admit I haven't packed meat in mine yet (used my frame pack for meat hauling last year) but mine sure seems pretty comfy to me.

40 ish or so I would guess. Once I hit 50 the suck really started. Problem was with no functional load lifters it put most the weight on my shoulders and not my hips. They aren’t bad but there are just much better options now a days.

 

[Horses Ghost]

I don't have any experience with either, but I can tell you I have had a MR Popup 28 size L in Desolve Bare on order since mid January and have been told not to expect it until mid July. Don't sell your current pack if you decide on the 28 until you get it. Just an FYI

 

[BradArnett]

Never used the eberlestock but i do have the popup 28. Ive done a few hikes with it loaded to 50# and i am very happy with how it carried the weight. Its a great pack for what it is.

It took me 2 months of looking to find a used one.

 

[Newtosavage]

I don't have any experience with either, but I can tell you I have had a MR Popup 28 size L in Desolve Bare on order since mid January and have been told not to expect it until mid July. Don't sell your current pack if you decide on the 28 until you get it. Just an FYI

Yea, that was my plan. I know how backordered the Desolve Bare ones are, and I would need a Large too. I'd go with the coyote but I'd rather not look like an elk if I can help it. LOL