I usually use Eberlestock bags at work, so instead of trying the competition, Kuiu, Stone Glacier, etc I gave eberlestock a shot. Not only does this frame come with options. It’s damn durable, I took a nasty spill while glassing off a cliff face. The frame didn’t snap or break after taking a large fall over multiple boulders - Yes, I was still wearing the frame (along with a 2500 series eberlestock bag (Vapor I think it’s called?) regardless, it didn’t bend or break. I still load it up with lots of weight and it performs like new everytime. At seriously a fraction of the cost of its competitors. I won’t say it saved my life, but I will say it saved my hunt. - that’s good enough for me.

I cannot be more satisfied with my new Mainframe or Eberlestock’s customer service. The first Mainframe pack that Eberlestock sent me had a defective attachment strap that I did not discover until I was in the field. I was able to jury rig the pack and still transport meat out of the field. I continued to use the pack for the rest of the hunting trip. It is by far the most comfortable pack I have ever used.
After analyzing the defect, Eberlestock replaced the defective pack for me promptly. Again, I am 100% satisfied!

I packed my first elk with this set up and it worked very well. Easy to set up, quarters stay put, and tough enough to hold all the weight I could handle. The batwings are a nice setup: once you’re packing I zipped them off and left them with the first load. Easy and fast, this pack made getting out of the bear woods with a pile of meat a breeze. I use a small dry bag loaded with my essentials as an additional part of the pack, if I’ve already tagged out and I’m going with another hunter who has his own knife, gamebags, etc I can just leave my dry bag in the truck to save weight. This pack will be perfect for antler hunting, I’m looking forward to simplicity and utility.

I finally got fed up with the cheap backpack straps my climbing stand came with and treated myself to this tank of a frame pack. First time loading up all my gear it was laughable that it took me that much suffering to finally pull the trigger on this pack. Wish I would’ve bought this thing YEARS ago. (Picture is first time strapping my climbing stand to the pack. I wedge my bandit pack in there and clip it on with a carabiner and I’m right as rain).

This pack out performed any pack I have purchased and used over the years from other name brands. I and 6’4” and weight a solid 300lbs. I added the padded shoulder straps and large padded belt for my set up. I was able to walk mile after mile without your typical pack fatigue on this years Elk hunt. The pack performed flawlessly and provided the customization everyone wants. I would highly recommend this to anyone!!

Big fan, I’ll be honest it doesn’t quite carry quite as comfortable as some of the others that I have, but when it comes to being able to take the ruck off the back and just utilize the rifle scabbard for glassing points, and the bat wings, I have found it to be the set up that I have. I had a piece of strong tree branch bust one of the waist belt retainer straps on the hip belt, which was a bit of a bummer seeing that it was brand new but……..OFW.

The Mainframe is a very well designed pack. Without the other EMOD components/options, this packet can and does stand on its own.

I found the shoulder straps and waistband to be more comfortable than other packs I have owned or used. All the adjustments (shoulder straps, distance between shoulder straps & waistband; waistband) allow you to adjust the pack to you and your preferences. I could wear this pack all day without feeling like I needed to stop and take it off. Even when I had it loaded down with an entire deer, I felt like I could have hike for hours longer without needing to stop because the pack was uncomfortable.

As a day-hunt setup, I paired the pack with two Batwings v2 and the Scabbard. The Batwings provided enough space and room for more. I used them to carry extras layers, hydration system, game bags, field dressing kit, emergency items, and food. They have plenty of small pocket to place those little items for easy retrieval. I was a little hesitant about the scabbard; namely the ability to retrieve and return the rifle without taking the pack off. These worries quickly disappeared after using it in the field. I found it easy to pull my rifle and return it with ease and not cause a ruckus when doing so. The Scabbard was also a life saver when both hands were need during steep ascent and descents. Not having to hand carry or sling carry my rifle was a feature/ability I didn’t realize is a must.

I will be adding other pack options to my EMOD for longer hunts or hikes.