Best multi use hiking and hunting Kifaru pack?

[Ranger 692]

Any suggestions on which Kifaru pack would be best for 2 - 3 day bow and rifle hunts that could do double duty as a general hiking/backpacking rig? Definitely hunting #1 priority with ability to comfortably haul elk quarters. Any advice is appreciated for this new guy. Thanks

 

[Marble]

My thoughts are biggest is better. Some try to get the smallest they can get away with.

The good thing about these packs is they compress down tio day use rather easily. With that in mind my pack is 6500 ci and I have a guide lid that goes with it.

I had a goal of being able to carry my camp for up to 6 nights and at least a significant portion of whatever I killed. I had enough room for most of my camp and about 1/3 of a cow.

I also used it on a 2 week mule deer and elk trip. I used it add my daily bag.

I have the crater and use several little bags for organization.

But the other most popular ones seem to be the reckoning, muskeg, hoodlum, 44 mag.

Just look through the site and each bag. Search YouTube and also see Snyders videos he does for each bag.

 

[mavinwa2]

would use my Reckoning for that situation of multi-days/nights.

My 22Mag-2gen & Guide Lid is my go to day/1-night spike camp pack.
usually hunt solo, if elk put down late in the day, takes me most of evening to process and bag quarters, debone the rest and move all bagged meat away from carcass/gut pile area. So often I'll spend that night there but a bit of distance from kill site. The 22mag holds my day gear, spike camp gear: shelter, down quilt, exped air, overnight food/dinner , cook stove, Primus lantern & other lights.
Total pack weight, frame, bag and gear= 28 lbs

 

[Wilderlife]

There's no reason why any of the bags won't suit hiking. If they're designed for hunting and hauling out a lot of meat, they'll cope with hiking gear no worries. The only difference I see between a hiking pack, and a dedicated hunting pack (besides potential camo colours) is that the hunting pack is designed to handle much more weight, as well as possible.

I have some experience with Kifaru packs, but I use an EXO 5500 personally. My comments are based on using this pack for dozens of hunts hauling heavy loads and meat, as well as regularly using it for hikings trips, some of which have been overseas. The only reason people recognise it's a pack for hunting is that it's in First Lite Fusion colour.

 

[gil_wy]

Just did 6 days in the Wind Rivers fly fishing with the 22 mag gen 2 and didn’t even utilize the the load shelf. I think it would easily do what you’re asking.

 

[trophyhill]

The way today's packs compress down to day hunt mode, there's no reason not to get something capable of 6000+.

 

[Jimss]

Marble hit the nail on the head with his post. Bigger is better! The materials made for todays packs are so light and durable that it's worth having a larger volume pack and cinching it down when used for scouting or day hunts. You will find that it's a lifesaver having a frame that is capable of 100 lb loads. You will be a lot more comfortable carrying a 25 to 50 lb load with a solid frame even though it may weigh a lb or 2 more. I will never go back to trying to pack an elk out with a bag less than 6,500 cu in. Having a higher volume bag saves me a load or 2 over a smaller bag. As Marble mentioned a guide lid is really nice and there are a lot of different kifaru bags and accessories available to customize.

 

[Ranger 692]

Thanks for the advice guys, this helps a ton. I was thinking a smaller pack, I’ll have to start taking a look at the larger. Any thoughts on the 44 mag? Still on the small side? Or look more at a Hoodlum or Reckoning? I like the way the 44 mag is organized and set up.

 

[fatlander]

There’s nothing a small bag like the 22 mag can do that a larger bag like the reckoning can’t. However, there’s a lot that the reckoning can that the 22 mag cannot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NoWiser]

I think a 44 Mag would be more than adequate for a 2-3 day hunt as well as backpacking, assuming you have decent gear. I don't subscribe to the "bigger is better" philosophy.

 

[PNW bow hunter]

I have tried a lot of packs over the years, and I am super happy with the Kifaru Mountaim Warrior.

It works great for 6-7 day trips during spring - early fall with the guide lid. I have also done several 10 day trips with the guide lid and spotting scope pockets added. Once I get hiked out to camp, I compress down. It is then a great pack when out hunting. The zipper on the main compartment makes it very easy to throw an elk hind 1/4 in. I like the zipper pouch on the outside to keep my daily food and jet boil in when using for day pack.
The two interior zipper pockets have my gloves, toilet paper, headlamp, spoon , lighter, extra batteries, havalon knife, and other essentials.

3 of my friends have also gotten the Kifaru mountain warrior packs after doing different trips with me, and seeing the versatility and capability of that pack.

 

[TheGDog]

Go big! At first I had a Badlands 2200 I bought used. It was "ok", until I had to packout the meat. Hip belt buckle kept sliding loose from the weight and sweat. Kept having to tighten the crap out of it. Gave me huge blister all over my abdomen.

That packout prompted me to get a Kifaru EMR II. I wanted BIG. I wanted to know that I should be able to do it all in one trip. Tent, Bag, AirPad, Stove, layers...all of it! I would just say make sure you get a model that has long vertical side pockets like mine does. They're great for stuffing Trekking poles, shooting sticks, and tripod, and tripod stool down into, and be sure to get the big guide lid! (-aka- the lunch box).

 

[trophyhill]

Thanks for the advice guys, this helps a ton. I was thinking a smaller pack, I’ll have to start taking a look at the larger. Any thoughts on the 44 mag? Still on the small side? Or look more at a Hoodlum or Reckoning? I like the way the 44 mag is organized and set up.

In all honesty? As was said earlier, with the compressability of a bag like the Hoodlum or Reckoning, I don't know why you would want to put limitations on yourself with a smaller bag like a 44. theres probably not much difference in price either.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Pretty much any of them. As 10 guys and get 10 different answers. I’m partial to the fulcrum though.

 

[ridgefire]

I really like my T2 bag with a guide lid and grab it. Works as a day pack or as a week or more pack.

 

[Marble]

Thanks for the advice guys, this helps a ton. I was thinking a smaller pack, I’ll have to start taking a look at the larger. Any thoughts on the 44 mag? Still on the small side? Or look more at a Hoodlum or Reckoning? I like the way the 44 mag is organized and set up.

I have a 44 mag. Well my wife does. We haven't used it yet. If I was only going to back pack, I would use it everytime. If I am going after animals, the crater would be my choice.

 

[SerottaCSI]

Reconning, muskeg, 44 mag and hoodlum are top picks. Look at them in terms of built in storage. Do you like organization or pass it up for lighter weight?

 

[tdot]

44 Mag is a very versatile sized bag. I like the organization layout. I dont like huge bags compressed down, I don't find them as efficient. Too many pockets or access points become unusable

 

[gil_wy]

I have a 44 mag. Well my wife does. We haven't used it yet. If I was only going to back pack, I would use it everytime. If I am going after animals, the crater would be my choice.

44 Mag is a very versatile sized bag. I like the organization layout. I dont like huge bags compressed down, I don't find them as efficient. Too many pockets or access points become unusable

I’m with you on this one. I have the 22 mag and I love it in daypack mode and it’s functional for up to 6 days. Probably would have gone with the 44 mag looking back on it but I’m happy with the 22. I don’t see why anyone would need anything bigger than the 44 for the 2-3 days the OP asked about. But this is coming from a guy that used to do 4-5 days out of an 1800 cu/in MR Hitchhiker on a Krux frame... now, that’s how you learn how to pack a pack!

 

[Wrench]

it really depends on how much chingadara you bring. Some guys can elk hint out of a quart jar.....others need a goat to haul the kill kit.

The mountain warrior is narrow yet spacious and packs down to nothing and can be accessed easily.