AllOutdoor Review – Eberlestock Apprentice
A few years back when I was living in Alabama, I was scrolling through Expert Voice and stumbled across the Eberlestock Apprentice. The retail price on this bag was normaly $100, but it was on sale for under $50 so I pulled the trigger and figured that if I didn’t like the bag, it was only $50 spent and nothing to really worry about. Once the Apprentice showed up, I was not really sold on it to be honest. The bag seemed like it was very cheaply made and was super thin. I loaded the pack up with my usual carry goods for the day and soon I discovered that what the Apprentice lacked in some areas, it made up for them in others.
Eberlestock’s Apprentice is a really simple backpack for carrying things each day or when you’re travelling. It’s for when you need to carry a lot but don’t want all the size and heaviness of a massive, normal backpack. Eberlestock makes very durable, cleverly designed hunting and tactical bags, but has managed to make the Apprentice both light and easy to move with, yet actually useful for what you’ll encounter in your life.
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Since the bag was purchased by me, obviously, there is no relation to Eberlestock, and they have not been allowed to preview this article prior to its publication.
Specs – Eberlestock Apprentice
- Dimensions – 20″ H × 11.5″ W × 7″ D
- Volume – 1,525 cubic inches (approximately 25 liters)
- Weight – 1 lb 15 oz (just under 2 pounds)
- Laptop Compartment – Fits up to 17″ laptop
- Materials – 420D nylon construction
- Key Features – D-shaped main opening, dedicated laptop sleeve, two interior zippered pockets, external top zip pocket, hidden side water bottle pockets, MOLLE webbing
- MSRP – $100 (Or $50 on sale)
- A place to buy
Review – Eberlestock Apprentice
As mentioned in the beginning, when I first picked up the Apprentice, I was not very impressed, but soon realized that the materials are durable. The stitching and zips all feel robust despite its lightweight construction. Regarding how much it will carry and using it in reality, the lightweight isn’t deceptive and manages a lot more equipment than I would have anticipated. I’ve put in a whole day’s photographic kit, spare clothes, water, food, a 15-inch laptop, and items for shooting at a range, and it carried it all with no problem. Though it is 25 liters, the interior is cleverly and simply organised and the D-shape of the main opening makes getting things in and out very easy, so it feels bigger than it is. Will this be the most comfortable loadout in this bag, given its lack of padding? no not really but that not really the point of the Apprentice in my opinion. I really like how easily it’s stored. When you aren’t using it, it folds down neatly and doesn’t take up much room in a car, in your main luggage or in a closet. Being able to fold it down and the fact it’s light makes it brilliant for travelling or as a bag ready to go in an emergency.
A few things that I really liked include that it’s incredibly light but can carry a surprising amount of weight, the inside is very well organised with a special laptop section and lots of pockets, it’s comfortable to carry even when completely full (But not with heavy gear) , it packs away to almost nothing and is easy to store, and it has a neat, professional appearance suitable for everyday use or for something more demanding. It’s a really good price, especially when discounted.
There are a few small downsides, although I am generally very pleased with the Apprentice. There is not much ventilation on the back panel of the bag, so sweat can build up quickly if you use this bag for hiking. Some people might also want a specific pouch for a water reservoir (though one of the pockets can be used for this, in my experience, they can only fit very small bottles, so no Nalgene. And the straps on the outside are useful, but not as plentiful as on Eberlestock’s larger, more tactical backpacks.
Wrap up – Eberlestock Apprentice
To sum up, the Eberlestock Apprentice is a great backpack that gives me precisely what I want, a design that’s light and packs away easily, but can still carry a lot of gear when required. I got a brilliant deal on it from Expert Voice. At Shot Show this year i think this was the bag I spotted the most people wearing, and I can certainly see why. Unfortunately, Eberlestock has discontinued the Apprentice for now, but there are a few bags in their new FADE line that mimic it.
If you’re looking for a versatile bag for everyday or travelling that won’t make you tired, but can hold everything for a proper trip, I definitely recommend the Apprentice. It’s comfortable, well-made, cleverly planned and very good value for money. I really recommend it, and even more so if you can get it on sale.
The post AllOutdoor Review – Eberlestock Apprentice appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.