Around the Campfire with Eberlestock: Packs, Hunts, and the Spirit of Adventure

There’s something special about gathering around a campfire after a long day in the mountains. At the recent Built to Hunt Summit in Southeast Idaho, we had the chance to do just that with our friends from Eberlestock, one of the most innovative and respected names in the hunting and outdoor gear world. What unfolded was an evening of storytelling, gear talk, and reflection on what makes hunting such a meaningful pursuit.

The Faces Behind the Gear

Eberlestock isn’t just a brand — it’s a team of passionate outdoorsmen who live the lifestyle they build products for. We sat down with Casey Aldrichman, Director of Brand Strategy, and Jackson Douglas, Director of Customer Experience. Both started with the company when it was just a handful of employees and have seen it grow into a powerhouse that now serves hunters, military professionals, and everyday adventurers alike.

Casey shared how he wears many hats: from working on product development and sales training to ambassador relations and marketing. Jackson, who oversees customer experience, echoed that sentiment, explaining that in a small but growing company, you naturally touch all parts of the business. And for them, that overlap isn’t a burden — it’s a privilege.

“We all hunt together outside of work,” Jackson said. “Not just for content, but because we’re friends. That’s what makes this team special.”

Balancing Three Worlds

Eberlestock products are designed for three distinct audiences: hunters, military/tactical professionals, and everyday carry users. That balancing act is both the brand’s biggest challenge and its biggest strength.

On one hand, designing packs tough enough for special operations but comfortable enough for 10-day backcountry hunts requires constant innovation. On the other hand, that crossover creates gear that’s battle-tested in the truest sense of the word. As Casey explained, lessons learned from Tier 1 military snipers often find their way back into hunting packs — and vice versa.

The result? Packs that stand the test of time. Many hunters still proudly haul their 15- or 20-year-old Dragonfly packs into the backcountry. But Eberlestock isn’t resting on its legacy.

The Next Generation of Packs

For the past three years, Casey, Jackson, and the Eberlestock team have been testing and refining a new modular frame system designed to strike the perfect balance: lighter weight without sacrificing strength.

Casey tested prototypes by packing out over a dozen elk. Others pushed the frames to their breaking point, carrying extreme loads to see how far they could go. The verdict? The new line is “tried and true” and ready to make a big impact in the western hunting market.

Key innovations include redesigned lumbar pads, improved hip belts, and multi-density foams that keep weight off your shoulders and distribute it exactly where it belongs. The result is a pack that stays put mile after mile — no more constant re-adjusting as you slog down the trail.

Stories from the Field

Of course, no campfire conversation is complete without hunting stories. Casey had just returned from a black bear hunt on the Alaskan coast, where extreme tides turned a routine packout into a neck-deep race against rising water. Jackson chimed in with his preference for hot stoves over campfires in the backcountry, while the group traded laughs about sleepless nights, heavy loads, and the universal truth that suffering in the field somehow makes the best memories.

Both men also shared their dream hunts. For Jackson, it’s simple: elk hunting in Idaho during the rut with a once-in-a-lifetime tag. For Casey, the dream is a massive Alaska bull moose — an adventure that combines the physical challenge of brutal packouts with the awe of standing over one of North America’s most iconic animals.

More Than Gear

What became clear throughout the night is that Eberlestock isn’t just about making packs. It’s about building tools that fuel adventures, foster community, and stand up to the toughest conditions hunters face. Their team lives by the same code as the hunters they serve: resilience, ethics, and an unrelenting passion for the outdoors.

As the fire burned low and the Idaho night settled in, one thing was certain — whether you’re chasing elk bugles, grinding through a moose packout, or just carrying your gear to the office, Eberlestock is built for the journey.