New, updated Eberlestock Mainframe

[mad_angler]

Eberlestock is updating the mainframe..

I have a current mainframe. I used it last fall and worked great. I loved all the Eberlestock accessories (scabbard, bat wings, vapor bag, etc)

But... I had to upgrade the belt. The standard belt is just too thin for me.
And I really wished that it had functional load lifters
And I really wanted compression straps inside the zippers for the bag attachement.

It looks like the new bag will have all those problems addressed...

I reached out to Eberlestock for more information and this is what they told me...
"Thank you for your email and for running our gear! Unfortunately, we do not have a ton of information for the new Mod Frame that we can share at this moment. What we can say is that they are currently in production and you can expect to have one on your back this hunting season. As far as price, that is yet to be determined, but it should be around the same price point as our Mainframe."

Anyone want to buy a slightly used mainframe with both belts??

 

[westsloper]

It definitely looks improved.

 

[dgfavor]

I really like my F1 and always have. I like it more with the K4 belt on it. I have never had trouble with the load lifters/adjusters either - I do run my shoulder harness on the 2nd to lowest/shortest setting on my tall frame, and I am 6'5". I think that allows more adjustment/rock in the load adjusters to even out the feel of the pack top-bottom across my back. I did 100 box step ups with 45# sandbag on the pack yesterday and when I was done occurred to me I never noticed the pack in any way, neither weight or discomfort.
All that said, I am probably getting the new frame when it comes out. . The one thing I don't like or use on the F1 is the so-called load shelf. I never use it for anything and keep my loads as high as possible on the frame. It gets in the way if I want to sit down and glass/rest/etc. So I think I'll get the new frame and leave it dedicated to hunting/scouting/field use and the old one will stay in ruck/training duty.

 

[syjpip-2bUvtu-dicjeh]

Any info on what new bags they are coming out with?

 

[MikeLakey11]

any more information you hear about the new frame would be awesome to know. I was gonna change but it be Nice not to have to but. they would also use a bit bigger bag

 

[mlbcujo27]

lol I’m in same boat, got all my gear next year, upgraded the shoulder harness, did upgrading the belt make a big difference?

 

[oldskool67]

First thing I did on mine was upgrade to the larger padded belt and shoulder harness. Made a huge difference. But yeah it doesn’t fix the fact the load shelf is too low

 

[MikeLakey11]

First thing I did on mine was upgrade to the larger padded belt and shoulder harness. Made a huge difference. But yeah it doesn’t fix the fact the load shelf is too low

What padded bent did you go with cause I have the padded belt and the belt is continuously coming loose for me

 

[dgfavor]

What padded bent did you go with cause I have the padded belt and the belt is continuously coming loose for me

I put the Eberlestock padded longer belt on mine and it was better than the standard belt but still would work loose and slip over time - a little hitch up now and then and it was pretty satisfactory
A couple months ago I put the Exo K4 belt on my F1 and definitely much better - it slides right in. I might snug it up once in an hour ruck with 60ish pounds. Just get the K4 belt.

 

[MikeLakey11]

I put the Eberlestock padded longer belt on mine and it was better than the standard belt but still would work loose and slip over time - a little hitch up now and then and it was pretty satisfactory
A couple months ago I put the Exo K4 belt on my F1 and definitely much better - it slides right in. I might snug it up once in an hour ruck with 60ish pounds. Just get the K4 belt.

Oh awesome I’ll take a look at that

 

[dgfavor]

Oh awesome I’ll take a look at that

 

[MikeLakey11]

View attachment 870738

View attachment 870739

oh nice that looks good. are the waterbottle pouch webbings still usable or are they too far in?

 

[dgfavor]

oh nice that looks good. are the waterbottle pouch webbings still usable or are they too far in?

I don't know how they would work with the Exo bottle holder but I put that Eberlestock "double threat" pouch on one side for quick place to stash gloves/headlamp/garbage/etc - right now it's got a Salomon windbreaker stuffed in it. On the other side I mounted one of their zippered pouches. My belt attachments are a continual work in progress - never quite sure I like what I've set up...but I'm real happy with that double threat pouch catch all deal

 

[MikeLakey11]

I don't know how they would work with the Exo bottle holder but I put that Eberlestock "double threat" pouch on one side for quick place to stash gloves/headlamp/garbage/etc - right now it's got a Salomon windbreaker stuffed in it. On the other side I mounted one of their zippered pouches. My belt attachments are a continual work in progress - never quite sure I like what I've set up...but I'm real happy with that double threat pouch catch all deal
View attachment 871009

Interesting thank you

 

[wh0cansay]

This won't solve the core issue that a lot of people, myself included, have with the Mainframe. Since it's a rigid , tubular aluminum frame, it can't be adjusted to fit the profile of your spine like a pack with a plastic framesheet and aluminum stays can. As such, if the fit isn't perfect right out of the box (which is likely), there won't be efficient load transfer to your pelvis, resulting in slippage.

It took me a long time to realize the mechanics behind this. I upgraded both the harness and the belt to the padded versions, and sure, they felt better, but I was still experiencing severe slippage with 30lb+ loads. There is no way around this, unfortunately, unless you get extremely lucky and the profile of the frame just magically fits you.

As a Mainframe owner, I would strongly advise against buying one unless you can test it for a few hours first, with a heavy load.

 

[dgfavor]

As a Mainframe owner, I would strongly advise against buying one unless you can test it for a few hours first, with a heavy load.

Sound advice for whatever brand frame/pack you buy IMO.

 

[wh0cansay]

Sound advice for whatever brand frame/pack you buy IMO.

For sure, but I'd argue even more so for a rigid frame pack. If you buy a pack with stays and the fit is off, at least you can tweak it. No such option here.

 

[mad_angler]

I asked Eberlestock for an update and got this:

"
Thank you for following up! Unfortunately, the release date for the new Mainframe and Mod Frame got bumped out a bit and we are currently looking at launching them around August. A final price point has not been released to us at this point.

Thank you!


Team Eberlestock
Eberlestock | Customer Service"

 

[mad_angler]

It is getting closer...

The new frame is on the website but shown as "coming soon"
MODFRAME

 

[oldskool67]

It’s up for sale as of today