There are a lot of packs on the market today, some good, some bad and some great. The pack that I’d like to review today is in the “great” category. My review of the Eberlestock Skycrane II is based on actual use while in Afghanistan, where I currently still use this as my only pack and will for the next year plus that I am deployed. Perhaps a little background on me to qualify my use case and ability to review of the Eberlestock Skycrane II: I am a Private Military Contractor attached to the U.S. Marine Corps where I have spent nearly the past year on the front lines in both the mountains and deserts of Afghanistan. Wherever the Marines are in Afghanistan, so am I at some point. I spend 20+ days a month in the field with the Marines, live with them, eat with them and rest my weary head whenever the mission allows. With me as always for the past 4 months is my trusty Skycrane II. I consistently carry 90+ lbs in my pack plus my body armor which weighs in at 35+ lbs.

No easy task, but a necessity in this environment. You may wonder how someone comes across a brand like Eberlestock and why spend around $500 on a pack without the same notoriety as Mystery Ranch, TAD Gear, etc.? Well, simply put, word of mouth while in Afghanistan. I met an Army Civil Affairs Army Soldier while in the field and he told me how much he loved his Eberlestock pack, so I inquired more about it and decided to do some research. isafe laptop backpackI found out that Eberlestock had its humble beginnings in 1985 based on the owner Glen Eberle’s experience as an Olympic level biatholon competitor and avid outdoorsman.cost of puma packaway backpack Glen used his experiences and rather than design packs as just something to carry things in, he designed them around the use and carry of a rifle. samsonite wanderpacks laptop backpack 44 cm

All of the Eberlestock packs have the ability to carry any of your rifle weapon systems large and small in basically what amounts to a scabbard on your back (think He-Man and that’s the idea). As anyone who has been deployed knows, your pack is your best friend in the field. Constant movements from one place to another with lots of gear require a pack which is versatile, durable and has a large carrying capacity. Where the Eberlestock Skycrane II excels is in ALL of the above requirement categories. To qualify my statements let’s look at each individually: Some of the things that I noticed while on missions with the Skycrane II, that I would like to see addressed, are the need for more MOLLE webbing on the front top portion of the G1 “Little Brother.” Also some way to eliminate the plastic on plastic creaking of the various buckles. My impression after 4 months of rough use in Afghanistan is that this thing is outstanding! The Eberlestock Skycrane II has proven its weight in gold in the field.

The lumbar support pad and shoulder support straps distribute the weight in a highly effective manner. Now obviously my body armor limits some of the key load bearing features like the waist band, but even without that, the Skycrane II does its job well. When in the rear, back from missions, I do use the waist band when practicing my ruck marches and it makes the movements that much more enjoyable and comfortable. Editor-in-Chief’s Note: Please join us in welcoming Brent M. Piatti as a contributor on ITS Tactical. Brent is the President of Operation Outpost and former Army 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper currently working as a Private Military Contractor attached to the USMC in Afghanistan and supporting OEF & the War on Terrorism. Operation Outpost is a site dedicated to improving the quality of life for those on the front lines by providing the means to buy, sell, trade and donate items to those serving in Military operations around the world. Our customers have spoken – this is one of the best rated products in the Backpacks category!

See more best rated products Buy Together & Save Even More! Select a specific model above to see the deal! StatGear T3 Tactical Rescue Tool STAT01 Eberlestock J79 Skycrane II Backpack System is a multi-faceted, heavy duty backpack system that's unlike anything else you've seen on the tactical backpack market. At first glance, the Skycrane II looks similar to the Eberlestock G4 Operator and the Eberlestock F4 Terminator, but a closer inspection will reveal that it's actually three backpacks in one (four if you count the fanny pack). The basis of this Eberlestock backpack is the J79 itself, a 6.5 pound internal frame pack with a capacity of about 2300 cubic inches. The basic Skycrane II has two main vertical compartments which seamlessly zip together for a single, divided main storage compartment. However, this is where the Eberlestock Skycrane II gets really useful. Eberlestock has designed this backpack to be stripped down all the way to its pull off fanny pack, or you can expand it to a maximum capacity of 8375 cubic inches.

The Skycrane 2 uses the same Cam Expansion system that can be found in the Eberlestock Just One series, except instead of a nylon storage compartment between the two vertical pouches, the Skycrane II holds another full backpack. The Eberlestock G1 Little Brother Pack is a fairly large three day pack that zips snugly up into the center of the Skycrane 2 for a full pack's worth of additional storage. You can also wear the Little Brother on its own for an extremely lightweight three-day pack. When you load the Little Brother into the Eberlestock Sky Crane 2, the vertical compartments swing to the side to become extra deep top loading pouches, while the front door main compartment of the Little Brother becomes the center storage compartment for the Skycrane II. The upper compartment detaches and has its own waist belt, allowing you to carry a light fanny or courier pack with all your essentials. These multiple pack configurations allow you to experiment with the Eberlestock Skycrane II Pack System and adapt it to different combat situations.

Speaking of combat, the Eberlestock J79 also gives you multiple ways to carry a weapon. The J79 is highly compatible with all Eberlestock Side Scabbards, thanks to the expanding "tunnel" that runs down the back of every configuration. With a side scabbard, you can securely mount a weapon to the compact J79, the Little Brother, or the fully loaded Skycrane II system. What's more, that weapon will also be accessible without taking the backpack off. The Cam Expansion system of the Skycrane II allows for the secure mounting of all sorts of equipment, not just the Little Brother. Using the compression straps and the zipping vertical pouches, you can grapple everything from duffels to rocks to the center of the backpack. In fact, with the addition of an Eberlestock Super Spike Duffel, the Eberlestock Sky Crane II can reach its full 8375 cubic inch capacity. It seems that the Eberlestock J79 Skycrane 2 can carry virtually anything you set to it. Hydration systems are easily accommodated by the Skycrane 2, which features no less than seven hydration pockets in its fully expanded configuration.

The four way compression strap system makes lashing heavy equipment and optimizing loads simple, while the shoulder harness and heavily padded waist belt do a great job of distributing weight. This internal frame hunting accessory is vertically adjustable with just a few motions, allowing you to tailor the Eberlestock Sky Crane II Tactical Backpack System to your back. As if there wasn't enough versatility with the Skycrane 2, Eberlestock has placed PALS and MOLLE webbing across most surfaces of the pack, allowing you to attach additional Eberlestock pouches and accessories easily. For a variable sized pack that can transform from a hydration-equipped fanny pack to a massive freighter backpack and everything in between, purchase the Eberlestock J79 Skycrane II Cam Expansion Pack System. Specifications for Eberlestock J79 Sky Crane 2 Variable Pack: 1800 cubic inches to 8375 cubic inches 500d, 1000d, and 420d rip stop nylon Coyote Brown (J79MC), Dry Earth (J79ME), Military Green (J79MJ), MultiCam (J79MM), UniCam (J79MU)

Features of Eberlestock Skycrane II Sniper Backpack System: Cam Expansion system allows for four different pack configurations, ranging from 1800 cubic inches to 8375 cubic inches Can be used as solo fanny pack, standalone G1 Little Brother, standalone J79 pack, or combine the G1 and J79 for the total Skycrane II system Compatible with Spike Camp Duffel and Super Spike Duffel for additional storage Four way compression straps can lash almost anything to pack Seven total hydration sleeves Removable fanny pack can be used on waist or courier-style Compatible with Backscabbards and Side Scabbards in every combination PALS, MOLLE, and Padlock webbing on all key surfaces Adjustable internal frame support system Similar visual characteristics to Terminator and Operator ideal for squad situations where you don't want to give away each soldier's role Available in Coyote Brown, Dry Earth, Military Green, MultiCam, or UniCam finish Eberlestock J79 Skycrane II Backpack System