Kifaru packs

S

saltgrassbear

Joined
Sep 25, 2005
Messages
28
Thinking of buying a new pack. Have used the old military alice, for many miles by the way, but would like to increase the carry options. Add ons, sleeping bag compartment and so on. I am trying a True North right now and it's a great pack. Very technical, but not quite what I'm looking for. I've had my eye on a Kifaru Zulu, and Pointman. Seems like I've read they are very uncomfortable though. The carry capacity is endless with all the add ons. Does anybody have any experience with them?

SGB
 
I like the looks of the True North packs, and the prices seem pretty good. The Kifaru packs are WAAY too pricey for me. I'd suggest heading to an outdoors store that sells good name brand packs and trying a bunch of them on. Most stores have weights on hand so you can see how the pack feels fully loaded.
 
Yep, they are pricey. I use moslty packs for day trip elk hunting.

I have maybe 4-5 of these "day packs" in the basement that have proven unsatisfactory for one reason or another.

The kifaru day stalker is simply great for me. Very comfortable and the gun boot thing works very well. I love it and use it for light hikes and the all day elk hunts.

Slim
 
The true north is a good pack. Something about zippers attaching the bags that bothers me though. I'd give anything for a company to make customer designed packs like knife makers do.

SGB
 
saltgrassbear said:
The true north is a good pack. Something about zippers attaching the bags that bothers me though. I'd give anything for a company to make customer designed packs like knife makers do.

SGB
Click to expand...

A whole page of :thumbup: on that! It wouldn't be too bad if they started with a basic frame/harness and customzied from there out. They would cost like a custom knife too. Check out http://www.mysteryranch.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index for the most bomb-proof packs on the planet. Too heavy for my liking, but you will wear out before the pack does. This is the originator of Dana Design and that pack line until it was sold to K2.
 
Those Mystery Ranch packs look great. I'm a little confused about the packs though. Do they make CamelBak packs also?

SGB
 
I use a Kifaru Scout for a short daypack/bugout bag. It supports an extended kit, and a rifle. One of my favorite packs.
 
Another overbuilt pack (which doesn't hurt), whose construction results in an overweighted pack (which does hurt).

Plus too expensive.
 
saltgrassbear, where are you located in TX? I'm currently deployed to Iraq, but I'm stationed at Fort Hood (Killeen). I won't be back until Christmas, but if you're in the area, you're more than welcome to try out my Kifaru packs.

Kifaru makes a great pack, but what is your intended purpose? The only downside to their military line is that they are heavy, even empty (compared to civilian internal frame packs with the same capacity). If you need a bomb-proof pack, you won't find too many that compare. The suspension on their larger rucks (Pointman on up) is excellent. It just plain sucks carrying anything over 60lbs in my 'ol large ALICE for more than a 10K ruck march, but I can do over 100lbs much more comfortably in my EMR (no that's not my regular backpacking weight:eek: ). Balance is excellent, pack compression works great, and construction is bar none.

I'm currently using a Zulu over here in Iraq. It's my "travel ruck", I mostly fly rotary wing out to most of our unit locations, so my ruck gets more time thrown into and out of birds, vehicles, etc. It's been stepped on, compressed, pulled, dropped, kicked, etc...your light weight trail pack would not stand up to that kind of abuse. Many complain about Kifaru being overbuilt and over-weight; for the most part they are correct, that's why I ask "what's your intended purpose and requirements?". For me, weight is also a concern, but having something fail is not an option. I can compromise on the weight issue as the "overbuilt" part gives me what I need. Again, the military line of Kifaru packs are not for everyone, especially the extreme light-weight backpackers who are much more focused in some areas where I won't compromise. Different strokes, but each is a valid concern and you have to find out your own needs and balance them with what you're willing to pay for.

Now, the PALS/MOLLE webbing is great if you plan to use it, however it's a two-edged sword. First, you can "over-external-pouch" your pack, which can added a lot of extra weight and disrupt the balance. It does, however, give you a great platform to modularize your immediate need essentials (IFAK, bino's, etc.). Now, without any pouches, you're just carrying a lot of extra weight and if you do any major "off-trail" hiking, it can really get snagged on thick vegetation.

I know they are pretty expensive, but if you do any comparisons to Mystery Ranch, Arc'Teryx, Lowe (military versions, hard to find CONUS), Osprey, etc., you'll find they are not the only expensive packs on the market. For me, they work for both my military duty, recreation and even my own "bug-out" set up.

I have the EMR with a piggy-back Scout option
Second Scout for hunting
Zulu for my current deployment ruck
Pointman (haven't been able to use it much since it's sitting at home:mad: )
E&E pack

I also have an Arc'Teryx Tango pack which is very similar to the MMR and even takes Kifaru pouches.

If you can part with the $$$, it's an investment you'll only regret if you don't get out an use them.

ROCK6
 
saltgrassbear said:
Those Mystery Ranch packs look great. I'm a little confused about the packs though. Do they make CamelBak packs also?

SGB
Click to expand...
.

Yes, Mystery Ranch has a big hand in making the big military packs for Camelbak.

If you're interested in the military MOLLE-type pack, also take a look at Eberlestock packs. I have no first-hand experience with Eberlestock, but they look to be a high quality piece.

http://www.eberlestock.com/
 
"Seems like I've read they are very uncomfortable though."

Whoa! Who said this? I have read lot of people talk about the weight and price of kifaru, but never anything about them being uncomfortable, and from personal experience they are the most comfortable pack I have ever tried.

I have some experience w/ kifaru, owning the express (all the pals I need and none I don't) and one of their tipi/stove combos. Expensive, yup; heavy, well...kinda sorta; functional, beyond words.

seeing as i live approx 10 miles from the kifaru warehouse, I have spend hours trying on different packs loaded up with a bunch of weight. I bought the express as a hunting/backpack pack and so far it has served me well. It is BY FAR the most comfortable pack i have, and while it is 2x the cost and weight of my ultra-light packs, it carries my crap 3x more comfortably. While just checking scale weights CAN be a good indicator, it should not be the end all.

Also, one huge benefit of kifaru packs is their versatility. There are tons of add on pouches, pockets, and weight carrying options, none of which are flimsy or gimmicky. once one adds up the ability to functional have one base pack that can be configured to two or three realistic functions, the OMG price reflex really start to go away. Also, when coupled with something like their lightweight shelters, all the weight complaints are evened out. IE, my three man backpacking tent weighs approx 7lbs vs the comparable kifaru tipi that is all of 3.5 (less than that if I use trekking poles)...instantly the weight complaint is gone and I am left with a much more stable system all around. Long story short, when looked at from a rather short sided standpoint, Kifaru is heavy and expensive. But IMO when one stands back to see the whole picture their stuff is quite competitively priced and not overly bulky.

Just a heads-up on the price issues since that seems to be a bother to many. All of their packs are made 100% in America with 100% American made components, fabric, ect. You are paying more for these packs no question, but know that ALL of your money is being put back into the American economy.

Oh well, to each their own.
 
not Kifaru exactly, but the founder also founded Mountainsmith, now owned by another company i think. anyway, Mountainsmith packs still seem to maintain the founder's concepts for less weight & cost.
 
Kifaru are by far the MOST comfortable packs I've used. They are heavy, but they are bomb proof. I use the Express. It is an unbeatable platform for me. I run ultralight (except the pack) and can get about 10 days out of it. I absolutely love it. They are pricey as well, but they are made in the USA, and the company has the greatest customer service ever. I cannot recommend a company more than Kifaru. If you can swallow the price, the pack will last you a lifetime.

I plan on buying a Scout when I get back from my next deployment.

H
 
I have an EMR a ZULU and an E&E (plus a bunch of pockets and pouches).

I use my E&E as an everyday carry bag for stuff and for short day hikes. It is a great little bag!

My Zulu has been used for backpacking and as a carry-on bag on a few flights. I love the versatility of this bag. With the side pockets and the E&E attached I can use this for a week or two on the trail.

I have yet to give my EMR a good workout yet. It is a very BIG pack (7200 cubic inches)!! I plan to use it if I ever go on a trip with others who may not be able to handle all of their gear (like my wife, infant son, nephews, etc.) If I ever get out of Florida for an extended cold weather trip this is the bag for me! The bag can compress down to a much smaller size bag and be used like a three day pack but still have a lot of extra room if you ever need it.
I have tried carrying very heavy loads with the ZULU and the EMR and they handle heavy loads more comfortably than anything else I have ever tried!

The Kifaru bags are on the heavy and expensive side, but I wanted bags that will really take a beating and not fail. I have ripped a few bags on torns and other brush in the past and I can tell you it makes for a very unpleasant trip when your gear starts falling out of your bag with 30 miles to go:eek:

If I was trying to race through a backpacking trip I would go with a much lighter bag than a Kifaru, but I no longer care as much about covering a long distance in a short time. Now I am more concerned with comfort and durability. No packs out there can handle heavy weights as comfortably and outlast a Kifaru pack!

Just my 3 cents:)
 
If you're ok with your ALICE pack and the frame why not just get a large pack (if you aren't using one already)? You could also further upgrade off of that system with this:

http://www.blackhawk.com/product1.asp?P=60SOF1

I think tacticaltailor.com does modifications...

Kifaru gear seems to be really good but its also very expensive.
 
I like the 100% American made . Personally I'm tired of funding other countries economies with their goal of downing America. Is Mystery Ranch gear !00% American made? It would be a toss up between them and Kifaru.

SGB
 
Guess I can't add a whole lot here that hasn't already been said. Humped my ass off with large ALICE packs. Humped my ass off with CFM-90's, and MOLLE rucks. Kifaru EMR is by far the best pack I have ever owned for military personel. If you live on your feet and out of your ruck and you just can't afford to have one break, then Kifaru is for you. Wish I had it on my first two deployments. Made by great people in America. Just my .02.
 
I do believe I'm convinced. Kifaru it is. I have hundreds of miles with an alice also, but got out before the 90's came out. Now to narrow down, which one.

SGB
 
saltgrassbear said:
I do believe I'm convinced. Kifaru it is. I have hundreds of miles with an alice also, but got out before the 90's came out. Now to narrow down, which one.
SGB
Click to expand...

Before you select a pack, make sure you jot down your requirements. You can get some good feekback from the forums on Kifaru.net.

The EMR is a very large pack, and if you add a few pouches, you'll find enough room for the kitchen sink...not necessarily a good thing. Also, the Zulu and below have a decent frame, buy you get a much better frame/suspension (Wraptech) on the Pointman, Navigator, and ZXR; and the "Duplex" suspension for the larger MMR and EMR.

The new ZXR looks like a great pack or the MMR for most uses. You can get some larger external pouches if you plan for cold weather outings or you're carrying the majority of equipment for a famliy backpacking trip (for which my EMR came in very hand).

The good thing about the larger packs is that they do compress extremely well and can shrink but still be stable.

Let us know which one you spring for,

ROCK6
 
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