Patrick Orcutt 07.21.26
A few years ago when I was living in Alabama, I was scrolling through expert voice And suddenly Eberlestock reached out to the apprentice. The retail price of this bag was normally $100, but it was on sale for less than $50 so I pulled the trigger and figured if I didn’t like the bag, it only cost $50 and there was really nothing to worry about. Once the intern arrived, I wasn’t really prepared for it, to be honest. The bag looked like it was very cheaply made and very thin. I packed up with my usual stuff for the day and soon discovered that what the apprentice lacked in some areas, it made up for in others.
Eberlestock’s Apprentice is a very simple backpack for every day carry or when you’re traveling. This is when you need to carry a lot of stuff but you don’t want the size and bulkiness of a huge, normal backpack. Eberlestock makes very durable, cleverly designed hunting and tactical bags, but has managed to make the Apprentice light and easy to carry around, yet still really useful for whatever you come across in your life.
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Since the bag was purchased by me, it obviously has no affiliation with Eberlestock, and they have not been allowed to preview this article prior to its publication.
Specialties- Eberlestock Apprentice
- Dimensions – 20″ H × 11.5″ W × 7″ D
- Volume – 1,525 cubic inches (about 25 liters)
- weight – 1 pound 15 ounces (just under 2 pounds)
- Laptop compartment – Fits up to 17″ laptop
- Material – 420D nylon construction
- key features – D-shaped main opening, dedicated laptop sleeve, two internal zipper pockets, external top zip pocket, hidden water bottle pocket, molle webbing
- MSRP – $100 (or $50 on sale)
- point of purchase
Review – Eberlestock Apprentice
As mentioned in the beginning, when I first picked up the Handyman, I wasn’t too impressed, but soon realized that the materials are durable. The stitching and zips all feel sturdy despite its lightweight construction. In terms of how much weight it will carry and how it will be used in reality, the light weight is not deceiving and handles more equipment than I had anticipated. I carried a full day’s worth of photographic kit, extra clothes, water, food, a 15-inch laptop, and gear for shooting at a range, and it all carried without any problems. Although it holds 25 litres, the interior is cleverly and simply arranged and the D-shape of the main opening makes it very easy to take things in and out, so it seems bigger than it is. Given the lack of padding, would this be the most comfortable loadout in this bag? No, not really, but in my opinion that’s not really the point of the trainee. I really like how easily it is stored. When you’re not using it, it folds up neatly and doesn’t take up much space in the car, your main luggage or the cupboard. The fact that it’s able to fold and is lightweight makes it great as a ready-to-carry bag for travel or in case of an emergency.
Some things I really liked include that it’s incredibly light but can hold a surprising amount of weight, is very well organized with a special laptop section inside and lots of pockets, it’s comfortable to carry even when fully loaded (but not with heavy gear), it packs up to almost nothing and is easy to store, and it has a clean, professional appearance that’s perfect for everyday use or for something more demanding. It’s a really good price, especially when discounted.
There are a few minor shortcomings, although I’m generally very happy with The Apprentice. There isn’t much ventilation on the back panel of the bag, so sweat can accumulate quickly if you use this bag for hiking. Some people may also want a specific pouch for a reservoir (although a pocket can be used for this, in my experience, they can only fit very small bottles, so no Nalgene. And the outside straps are useful, but not as plentiful as Eberlestock’s larger, more tactical backpacks.
Closing – Eberlestock Apprentice
In short, the Eberlestock Apprentice is a great backpack that gives me exactly what I want, a design that is lightweight and packs easily, but can still carry a lot of stuff when needed. I got a great deal on this from Expert Voice. At the SHOT Show this year I think this was the bag I saw the most people wearing, and I can definitely understand why. Unfortunately, Eberlestock has discontinued the Apprentice for the time being, 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 travel that won’t tire you out, but can hold everything you need for a proper trip, I definitely recommend the Apprentice. It’s comfortable, well built, cleverly planned and great value for money. I really recommend it, and even more so if you can get it on sale.
