New Eberlestock Mainframe w/load lifters

[kata2012]

I saw this new version on their website today with what looks like function load lifers. It also looks like they beefed up the waist belt.

MODFRAME

With the Modframe™, we’ve taken everything that made the Mainframe great and rebuilt it from the ground up. This is more than an upgrade; it’s a next-generation hunting platform. The Modframe™ is a purpose-built foundation for serious alpine hunters who demand performance, durability, and...

eberlestock.com

Im probably one of the few people that liked the original mainframe, and Im interested to see how the new version functions.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

 

[Tahr]

Looks like a good update. I hope that they are given an objective assessment on here and not just discarded or derided because of top tier brand loyalty.
Ive got and use a top tier forum favourite but this Modframe does look like a solid option with plenty of versatility.

 

[dgfavor]

 

[wh0cansay]

What a ridiculous amount of padding everywhere. Same old same old.

 

[Tahr]

What a ridiculous amount of padding everywhere. Same old same old.

Say what? Doesn't look much different to others like K4 and IR to me.

 

[wh0cansay]

Say what? Doesn't look much different to others like K4 and IR to me.

Yup, K4 has an absurd amount of padding as well. That's what most pack manufacturers these days have to resort to in order to offset the negative effects of having a frame that can't be fitted to your spine due to rigid stays (or a fully rigid frame in the case of the Kifaru Ark or this new Modframe). This, in turn, places the load further away from your center of gravity.

 

[mad_angler]

What a ridiculous amount of padding everywhere. Same old same old.

I'm not sure what you mean.
It certainly looks different than the old Ebelestock mainframe. I didn't like the lack of padding, poor hip belt, poor lumbar support, no straps inside the zippers, and NO load lifters. It looks like the new frame fixes all those issues...

Personally, I'm excited and looking forward to the new frame. It will allow me to use all my current Eberlestock accessories and address all my complaints.

 

[wh0cansay]

I'm not sure what you mean.

Excessive padding on the harness and lumbar pad, both of which are unnecessary and counterproductive on a well-fitting frame. It's the default counter-measure implemented by pack manufacturers these days in order to offset a poor fit, or a frame that doesn't allow for a proper custom fit due to its rigid tubular frame, like the Mainframe.

Lumbar support comes from correctly fitted stays, not padding.

 

[Tahr]

Excessive padding on the harness and lumbar pad, both of which are unnecessary and counterproductive on a well-fitting frame. It's the default counter-measure implemented by pack manufacturers these days in order to offset a poor fit, or a frame that doesn't allow for a proper custom fit due to its rigid tubular frame, like the Mainframe.

Lumbar support comes from correctly fitted stays, not padding.

It seems like you are damning this Modframe simply on appearance. So whats an example of a pack that fits your less padded criteria? And what specifics makes it superior?

 

[wh0cansay]

It seems like you are damning this Modframe simply on appearance. So whats an example of a pack that fits your less padded criteria? And what specifics makes it superior?

Not damning anything, just describing what I see. I've owned a few Eberlestock packs and not a single one of them ticked the boxes on load carriage fundamentals. They were miserable to use.

A pack that fits my criteria would be the Hill People Gear Qui-Ya / Qui-Ya Light. Customizable aluminum stays, fantastic belt, unique yoke harness and pulley-style compression system. That's an internal frame though - their Decker Tall has the same suspension but functions as an external and is in that sense somewhat similar to the Mainframe / Modframe, conceptually speaking.

 

[oldskool67]

The new Eberlestock Modframe just went up for sale today on their website

 

[dgfavor]

Not damning anything, just describing what I see. I've owned a few Eberlestock packs and not a single one of them ticked the boxes on load carriage fundamentals. They were miserable to use.

A pack that fits my criteria would be the Hill People Gear Qui-Ya / Qui-Ya Light. Customizable aluminum stays, fantastic belt, unique yoke harness and pulley-style compression system. That's an internal frame though - their Decker Tall has the same suspension but functions as an external and is in that sense somewhat similar to the Mainframe / Modframe, conceptually speaking.

The HPG Decker frame system looks like it's worth a try but I can't get past the spaghetti bowl of straps it appears to require. The new Mod frame may have more straps than I wanna deal with. Love the simplicity and tidiness of the Mainframe...the load shelf hoop kickstand thingy not so much. The new Mod frame may have more straps than I like. I wonder if that load shelf beaver tail deal comes off? I've had no problems with meat or heavy sandbags staying put with 3 straps across it..and my bags stay put on top of that often using the same 3 straps or breaking out gate keeper straps I carry.

 

[wh0cansay]

The HPG Decker frame system looks like it's worth a try but I can't get past the spaghetti bowl of straps it appears to require. The new Mod frame may have more straps than I wanna deal with. Love the simplicity and tidiness of the Mainframe...the load shelf hoop kickstand thingy not so much. The new Mod frame may have more straps than I like. I wonder if that load shelf beaver tail deal comes off? I've had no problems with meat or heavy sandbags staying put with 3 straps across it..and my bags stay put on top of that often using the same 3 straps or breaking out gate keeper straps I carry.

I agree, Qui-Ya would be my first choice from the HPG lineup. The Hill brothers said it themselves - they only made the Decker because that's what hunters think a hunting pack should look like, whether it makes practical sense or not. They prefer internals as well.

 

[Machingeaneer]

I agree, Qui-Ya would be my first choice from the HPG lineup. The Hill brothers said it themselves - they only made the Decker because that's what hunters think a hunting pack should look like, whether it makes practical sense or not. They prefer internals as well.

Intuitively, what you're saying about the stays and after watching the HPG fitting video makes sense regarding load transfer. However, why aren't the rest of the pack companies doing something similar if it's such a large difference?

I'd be curious to try one of their packs but it looks like you're stuck putting meat in the bag with the Qui-Ya or dealing with the decker strap salad.

 

[wh0cansay]

Intuitively, what you're saying about the stays and after watching the HPG fitting video makes sense regarding load transfer. However, why aren't the rest of the pack companies doing something similar if it's such a large difference?

Well, in the old days you would go to a physical store and the employees would help you fit the stays to your body. That's no longer the case, so people have to be trusted to do it themselves, which is a long shot. Add to that the fact that everyone is obsessed with weight nowadays - it's easier for manufacturers to run with a lighter material like carbon / some composite, and simply put an averaged-out curve in there that should fit 'most people' OK.

Additionally, many pack companies don't seem to understand the basic principles of efficient load transfer. Whoever runs the Eberlestock YouTube channel once commented that load lifters, paraphrasing, "aren't that important". Well alright, that's how you get your reputation for discomfort.

As for your second point, you are correct, but what's wrong with putting meat in the bag?

 

[Eastman528]

Happened to see one at a local store that caries them today. I will say the frame felt comfortable to me and I liked the padding although I question the durability of the material over time. It definitely had a lot going on and the design isn't nearly as clean or refined as my Exo. I am not in love with the idea of the zipper between the bag and the frame, seems like a failure point to me. Overall I liked the layout of the Brooks 7000 bag though. It seems like enough of an improvement to peak my interest where eberlestock hasnt even been on my radar in the last 10 years.

 

[Chunkymunks2]

I've tested the MOD frame for about 6 miles, its a game changer. The Mainframe hipbelt always loosened and the weight rode too low. This new frame is the most comfortable pack i've used. Rode on my hips without any adjustment first time I used it. I was set on getting a K4 this year but now am rethinking it. K4 is still a lb lighter. I think this will carry closer to the initial assent where it's more comfortable with really heavy loads but slightly less nimble as a day pack. Either way eberlestock will finally be competitive this year.

 

[dgfavor]

Like I've mentioned elsewhere, I had no significant issues with the mainframe as it came and have used it a ton 3 or 4 years rucking, day hunting, backcountry hunting, hauled elk, mule deer, sheep...but I hate the load shelf deal - never ever used it to hold any weight and it prevented being able to sit with the pack on, bumped into stuff, just wasn't useful. That said, over the course of a few years I did swap out to a K4 belt (size large) because I would have to do some "hitching" with the Eberlestock belt and it really didn't wrap far enough around my pelvis. That really gave it a "set it and forget it" function able to go for long distances without any hitching, adjusting, etc. I set my shoulder straps at almost the lowest setting and for some reason for me, at 6' 5", gave me the best feel and some decent load lifter function which I know was a big beef alot of folks had with the mainframe.

When the Mod frame came out I was for sure gonna get it...then decided I had my Mainframe so dialed and comfortable I really didn't need it...then decided I really, really hated the metal loop load shelf deal...so I just did it and got a Mod frame to try out. For me, it's definitely not a game changer in terms of comfort or hauling loads - it really feels and functions the same as my main frame. The belt that came with it was way too small for me without any real "wrap" around my pelvis (I wear 36 waist FWIW) and under load the front of the belt felt almost like it was taking the weight and getting pulled back into my belly while the big lumbar pad felt like it was pressing too much into my back. I swapped to my K4 belt from my mainframe - its now a perfect feel both in front and with the lumbar pad! I really think Eberlestock should offer different hip belt sizes out of the gate - a one size fits all system is going to have alot of unhappy people IMO. Along similar lines, I think they need to offer up/down/side-side adjustment to the anchor loops on the shoulder straps - sure you can move the shoulder straps themselves up and down but the anchor point at the top never changes. In my case, especially when I tension the load lifters,it kind of creates a funny gap in the back and kind of feels just loose - I don't think it changes the load hauling in any way but feels like it opens the door for some load instability on the occasion you might need it at the shoulder level. I've done a couple 5+ mile rucks with the 30# sandbag and it really does feel and function great - I do think it offers a little more ventilation than the mainframe setup. I'm surprised with all the time and re-do's they report putting into the new design they didn't come up with ways for more individual adjustability...that seems like a real miss to me, especially at a price point near other frames that do offer more individual adjustability.

Soooo, I swapped out the belt to the K4 which I already had, ultimately I have the shoulder straps about as low on the velcro and angled slightly inward to get as narrow at the top as I could which seems to feel the best for me even at 6'5", I took the load sling off because I really don't like a bunch of straps and material flopping around. I molle'd the Eberlestock sustainment pouch up high just like on my Mainframe for a hydration bladder and I keep the load sling setup and 4 gatekeeper straps inside it for when I am going to need them. (oh, the plastic gatekeeper buckles with the new Mod pack suck - they're just a PIA to open/close/move around, the old ones with the metal clips are way better, easier, faster, etc so I thru those in and put the new plastic ones in my Mainframe pouch). I molled a large Eberlestock pouch to the bottom and it has my kill kit/licensce/tags/etc in it. A single large batwing with 1000cc capacity fits perfectly over all that for my day stuff.

So, kind of a disappointment in a few aspects and mixed review from me personally but I anticipate it's really going to work great...just like my mainframe has...and I am able to sit down comfortably wearing the Mod frame with a load on it which was one of my main gripes with the Mainframe - will be nice for taking breaks hauling heavy load or quick glassing session and not have to either just stand or take the pack off.
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