EMR2 VS Mountain Warrior

[DenRuyter]

Since I cant figure out which one to order, I'm going to you experts. I don't live anywhere near checking them out, and very few people around me have even hear of these back so I'm at a loss for seeing and feeling one. I've checked them both out and like both- it will go on the Duplex frame for me. Talking with one of the Kifaru guys, only made it worse since he raved about both. Anyways, my use will be used for 7-10 day hunting trips out west and some local camping/fishing adventures. Looking to hear why you chose your bag and how you like it- would you change your decision doing it over again?

Will be ordering this with a Sawtooth in a few weeks, so I have some time to make a decision.

Thanks everyone!

 

[flyingbrass]

I took the EMR2 on my backpack sheep hunt. Bigger is better. Mine was full. I can't imagine going with the almost half that size mountain warrior. Get the EMR2.

 

[Kotaman]

I have both and prefer the MW. The MW with a lid is pushing 7000 ci. Though smaller than the EMR2, it is FAR from half. Plenty big for me. The straps on my EMR2 about drive me crazy. I just don't like undoing 5 straps everytime I want to get in to the EMR2. The EMR2 is a beast of a pack no doubt, but the accessability options on the MW win out for me. Both packs go into daypack mode with ease and carry empty or full perfectly. You really can't go wrong with either, but for my uses the MW is the winner.

 

[shaun]

For what you are looking at using it for I would use the EMR2. With that bag you can range from 8400ci to 2400ci (bag only). The mountain warrior is a great bag don't get me wrong but I feel the modularity of the EMR2 is the better of the two especially with they MW only being 5200ci. I have pictures on my phone of my wife wearing an EMR2 in day hunt mode to really put into perspective how small that bag can get. You can shoot me a call if you want to discuss further (559)790-8569

 

[Stid2677]

IMHO my EMR II is the best pack I have ever used for hunting. Being able to unzip the center bag to load meat or hides, making loading it so quick and simple. The only thing I don't like is the G hooks that hold on the compression straps. I have no trouble getting into it by only unsnapping one strap. I also like packing my gear into the bottom on the main bag to form a meat shelf and then packing meat onto the zipped up bag and closing the wings around it. The wing pouches hold even my 95mm spotter with ease and keeps it both safe and accessible when running and gunning.

Just my nickle, but the EMR II was designed to be a hunting pack and is freaking awesome,, The MW is a military design that can also be used for hunting.

 

[ohhiitznik]

Get the EMR2 bud, and this is coming from a guy who owns a nomad. The MW is tailored to guys who live out west and know their kit etc. You seem lik a flatlander looking to get your feet wet. Bigger is better. EMR2 and don't look back

 

[luke moffat]

This flat lander still learning his kit has both and for hunting the emr 2 will get used more. For summer backpacking and scouting the mountain warrior will get the nod.

 

[Chem-E]

EMR-2 = $383.00 vs. Mountain Warrior = $245.00 vs. DT-2 = $291.00.

Geez! what a price difference.
Kifaru gear is exceptionally priced as it is, but doesn't this seem a little overboard?

 

[Kotaman]

EMR-2 = $383.00 vs. Mountain Warrior = $245.00 vs. DT-2 = $291.00.

Geez! what a price difference.
Kifaru gear is exceptionally priced as it is, but doesn't this seem a little overboard?

Not really. The EMR2 is a much more complex build I'm sure. Plus, it has more CI of fabric. A product with more material and that is more complex to build is going to be more expensive. Relatively speaking, I think Kifaru's bags are a bargain.

Luke...Most of us aren't packing a raft and oars on most of our outings. I can't imagine a more perfect pack for AK than the EMR2. For my uses, which consist of a couple DIY hunts and a few guided hunts every year, the MW is going to be perfect. In fact, I'm so confident of that fact, that I sold my EMR2 bag AND my beloved T1.

Kifaru allows us some fantastic choices for our needs.

 

[mrbillbrown]

I'm a central OK flatlander and look at it this way... My EMR2 works great for year round day hunts and short family back packing trips but has the capability to haul everything I need for my 1-2 (7-10+ days) extended backcountry hunting trips all using the same bag. No need for multiple bags or added pockets and accessories. From day mode to hold the moon mode it's perfect for the guy wanting 1 bag for year round use. IMHO, of course :^)

 

[dotman]

Or just get a cargo panel and a few pockets of your choice, add 55l dry bag for camp gear and go hunt. Doesn't sound like your going to do a monster AK hunt and the cargo panel is as versatile as anything but way cheaper. It will still haul your big load of meat and can easily be setup to fulfill your trip length needs. Now I haven't used the cargo panel yet but after having used a ton of bags I'm going simplistic this year.

Set it up so you drop the camp gear and the cargo panel is ready for day hunting. Not many of us are packing out all of our 7-10 day gear and all the meat in one load anyway, you'll be making multiple trips either way.


I know it isn't helpful to your question but just thought I'd throw out another option, overall you'll still be over $200+ with pockets and dry bag but you probably would get a few pockets anyway. The rhino den has some great deals on pockets you can add to a cargo panel, if you add a lid you'll be adding one to probably any bag you get.

 

[DenRuyter]

Unfortunately I'm a flatlander, and haven't used much outside of the old military ruck and newer military molle pack. Seems like the majority are fans of the EMR2 and I was leaning towards that one anyways. Price isn't too much of a problem for me since I'm only doing it once and would rather spend the extra now. I know....I know.... packs can be addictive I see from some of you guys.

Dotman- I do like the thought of the cargo, and may order it with the pack just to try it and see if it's for me. I do keep an eye out on the Rhino Den- they have some good deals.

Luke- I know ur new bud from Green Bay talked with you and ended up ordering the EMR2. I've worked with him since 2006 and he's a good guy and friend Hope he can get you some good whitetail hunting if you do make it. You must have talked him into the EMR2 because he told me he just ordered it!! Now all his talk is making me want a Kifaru pack too.

 

[Beastmode]

I think since the mountain warrior is a fairly new pack it would be hard for anyone to say which one is better for anyone who didn't test this pack out. If judging on specs alone I would say the emr2 but that would be unfair to the warrior because I don't have one and even if I did the 3 or so weeks wouldn't really give it the time in the field to give it an adequate review. I know a guy a hunt with that can do 7 days no problem with a pack that is under 4k ci. He looks like a Beverly hillbilly coming out of the woods if he kills something but that's what works for him. He just does not like a big bag.

I will say that the emr 2 compresses down extremely well for a large bag. As stated before off specs alone I would go with the emr2 but without guys having a full season under there belt with the pack it's hard to say how the warrior is going to work out.

 

[Stid2677]

I think since the mountain rambler is a fairly new pack it would be hard for anyone to say which one is better for anyone who didn't test this pack out. If judging on specs alone I would say the emr2 but that would be unfair to the rambler because I don't have one and even if I did the 3 or so weeks wouldn't really give it the time in the field to give it an adequate review. I know a guy a hunt with that can do 7 days no problem with a pack that is under 4k ci. He looks like a Beverly hillbilly coming out of the woods if he kills something but that's what works for him. He just does not like a big bag.

I will say that the emr 2 compresses down extremely well for a large bag. As stated before off specs alone I would go with the emr2 but without guys having a full season under there belt with the pack it's hard to say how the rambler is going to work out.

Mountain WARRIOR, not mountain RAMBLER,,

 

[Beastmode]

Mountain WARRIOR, not mountain RAMBLER,,

Yeah just noticed that. Just got done working a 32 hour shift. Thinking is tough right now.

 

[Brandon Pattison]

EMR2 fanboy here.

 

[luke moffat]

Or just get a cargo panel and a few pockets of your choice, add 55l dry bag for camp gear and go hunt. Doesn't sound like your going to do a monster AK hunt and the cargo panel is as versatile as anything but way cheaper. It will still haul your big load of meat and can easily be setup to fulfill your trip length needs. Now I haven't used the cargo panel yet but after having used a ton of bags I'm going simplistic this year.

Set it up so you drop the camp gear and the cargo panel is ready for day hunting. Not many of us are packing out all of our 7-10 day gear and all the meat in one load anyway, you'll be making multiple trips either way.


I know it isn't helpful to your question but just thought I'd throw out another option, overall you'll still be over $200+ with pockets and dry bag but you probably would get a few pockets anyway. The rhino den has some great deals on pockets you can add to a cargo panel, if you add a lid you'll be adding one to probably any bag you get.

Maybe its just me, but running the cargo panel as your sole bag seems more of a PITA and heavier than just using a simple bag like a highcamp 7K. By the time you buy the cargo panel and all the pockets to organize and a dry bag you are looking at just as heavy or more so than a T1 and likely roughly the same weight. IMO the cargo panel is purpose built for hauling large awkward loads like moose quarters and big bear hides or a 350 chevy engine block I just don't see using a cargo panel as the main hunting bag being that handy to work with. But to each their own. Like Kotaman said its good to have so many options!

 

[luke moffat]

Luke- I know ur new bud from Green Bay talked with you and ended up ordering the EMR2. I've worked with him since 2006 and he's a good guy and friend Hope he can get you some good whitetail hunting if you do make it. You must have talked him into the EMR2 because he told me he just ordered it!! Now all his talk is making me want a Kifaru pack too.

HAHA...awesome, glad he was able to pull the trigger on a pack!!! Should be great for hauling tree stands and such as well as general backpack hunting out of. Not sure if/when I would be able to make it down that way for a whitetail hunt but it sure would be fun to try!!!

 

[dotman]

Maybe its just me, but running the cargo panel as your sole bag seems more of a PITA and heavier than just using a simple bag like a highcamp 7K. By the time you buy the cargo panel and all the pockets to organize and a dry bag you are looking at just as spendy or more so than a T1 and likely roughly the same weight. IMO the cargo panel is purpose built for hauling large awkward loads like moose quarters and big bear hides or a 350 chevy engine block I just don't see using a cargo panel as the main hunting bag being that handy to work with. But to each their own. Like Kotaman said its good to have so many options!

I'll know after this year, I do know the nomad and straps were a pia which the emr2 is somewhat similar to. The nice thing about having used kifaru for years are all the other accessories built up over time

If I was hunting AK no way would I even think of using this setup. Here is my current plan, run a back pouch against the frame with rain gear and puffy as they are not used often, my med pocket that contains my kill kit and bladder. On the outside will be a large side pocket and hopefully a med pocket, they will hold item it use the most plus I'll have my small belt pocket. This way I'll have zero straps to undo while hunting. for bear and deer I'll be hunting out of a basecamp and for elk I'll be setup to do a 4 day backpack hunt if needed. That said I could easily fit a big dry bag in for more days if needed but I have found very rarely do I hunt for 10 days in one area and move a ton depending on pressure or sign when hunting in CO.

Worth a try, might suck in the end but I've yet to find my perfect setup from a KU, t1, hc and nomad. Was going to use a longbow for day hunts but scraped that to give the cp a try. The Exo bag was very similar to the t1 but probably closer to a t2 in size. While the big bags do compress very well, I'm just not a fan of all the straps.

In the end it'll weigh more but maybe I'll like the function for my style more and take a weight penalty.

 

[luke moffat]

I hear ya for sure. I find that I can access the inside of the main bag from the bottom simply by unclipping the lowest horizontal compression straps and unzipping from the bottom up to access into the main bag. Between that, a big top lid, and a couple belt pouches I only have to unclip the rest of the clips when I want to bust out my spotter and if I am doing that then time really isn't an issue. I can more than make up the extra time it takes to pull out the spotter on a hunt by how much fast I can load, unload, camp, gear, and animals with center zip and the horizontal compression straps than a top load. Plus I don't have to deal with pockets flopping around.

Where do you plan to keep your spotter and tripod? How to you see attaching your rifle or bow? Are you planning on fitting all the boned out meat, dry bag of camp, and hide inside the cargo panel? I sure hope it works out for you, just seems overly gimmicky and trying to make something work IMO. But we all have different needs and style I guess so rock on man!