Kifaru 14'r access modification

[mrbillbrown]

Been playing with this new 14'r and wishing it had a little better access. Need some advice from the pro's.....

I'd like to cut the vertical zipper, add zipper stops, then sacrifice a belt pouch to make a flap that would cover the 1" hole. Flap would measure about 4"x6" and have loops at the bottom for a female QR buckle. Sew the top edge of the flap to the lid and use a pair of K clip straps on the vertical daisy chain to keep the hole covered and things snug. Will post a few pics shortly.

What do you experienced guys think? Doable? Silly? Not a great idea? Genius? Lol

 

[mrbillbrown]

So...... feedback please......

molon labe, mrbill

 

[colonel00]

Hmm, since I've never seen a 14'er in person, I guess I'm not seeing how this will increase your ability to access stuff. Can you describe the "problem" that you are finding or give an example of why the current setup causes complications?

 

[mrbillbrown]

I want to basically turn it into a tri zip opening pack.

The bag access thru the front zipper is pretty limited when the interior side pockets/dividers are full. Having the tri zip opening would allow much easier (better) access to gear inside the pack. Even though the interior dividers are cut with a slope to them to allow reaching in thru the front zipper it's still not quite as user friendly as I'd hoped. Here's a pic with one side full of a Stratus jacket.

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[mrbillbrown]

Here's a shot of the slanted top from the front zipper.

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[dotman]

What you want is a panel loader.

 

[mrbillbrown]

I've had a Xing but didn't care for all the pals and adding a bunch of pockets drove me nuts. I'm afraid I'm gonna end up with a MR 3DAP. Just didn't want to look that "tactical" during EDC.


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[colonel00]

Oh, so you want to remove the little Hypalon tab and cut up vertically then cut the horizontal lid zipper so it stops at that center point? I can see where the "hole" would be now in that space above where the vertical zipper ends.

To me, if I were going to make a mod like this I'd want to do it "right" and replace that vertical zipper to run the full length of the front face.

If you cut the horizontal zipper, only cut the bottom side. I'd use a hot knife to melt the zipper teeth as this will also stop the zipper pulls from coming off.

If you are going to leave the vertical zipper and just deal with the "hole" then I'd maybe go with a more simple approach like just having a flap that is attached on one side and snaps with a button on the other.

 

[mrbillbrown]

That's correct sir. Just cut that short section to "open" the bag up.

I agree replacing the entire zipper would be the "best" but I don't have that skill set and the guy that modified my LS didn't want to tackle the full zipper replacement modification. So....plan B (and at my skill level) would be to make the cut, sew an edge on the material parts, and order correct size zipper stops. I was thinking a 4x6 flap with lower loops could be made and sewn to the lid leaving loops at the bottom for QR females to be attached. Using a couple of short K clip straps running from the vertical daisy chains to secure the flap down.


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[rhunter424]

Sell it I'm sure the center zip is lighter compared to the panel loader due to less zipper, but I just can't dig it.

 

[Gobbler]

Is it that the gear inside the interior pockets is hard to access through that zippered opening? I imagine it's hard to pull that jacket out through the front right? Instead of mods to the outside, how about adding vertical zippers to those interior pockets along the front seams? Then you are unzipping the outside, and unzipping the inside and the gear spills right out. I like your idea but this seems it would be a simpler solution (if I read the problem correctly). You may have to add something at the top to keep enough tension on the zippers to do it one handed, like a short piece of bungee cord running vertical to the top of the bag, or something like that.

 

[mrbillbrown]

Gobbler, yes it is a little difficult reaching thru the front opening and reaching things down inside the sleeves. Opening up the top/entire front would make it much easier to retrieve items inside and outside the sleeves. After playing with a buddies MR 3DAP it would be a definite improvement to get the entire bag opened up the way the sleeves are run and retrieving gear when stuffed. Guess I'm trying to make the 14'r a bag it wasn't meant to be.

 

[mfolch]

This is the sole reason I didn't buy a 14er. It seems to correct some of the problems of the express/spike scamp, esp with longer stays, but the front zipper doesn't seem to be very functional. I purchased and sold a tarryall because its panel-loading was not as useful as I thought it would be, and the bag was too large for what I had in mind. What about a MR scapegoate or Komodo dragon?

 

[mrbillbrown]

Had thought about the Tarryall but feared the panel load wouldn't be that useful for me. Had a Xing before and didn't care for it either. I think the Scapegoat and Komodo dragon are bigger than I want for my needs. I need to just grow a pair and cut that front. Lol


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[dotman]

Talk to David at nt textiles, let him know what you want and he'll do it and make it look factory done.

 

[Gobbler]

I follow. Think about the interior zipper idea on the pockets themselves. It will make them accessible and doesn't require cutting the outside.

 

[mrbillbrown]

Well.... Dave at Native Textiles and Eric at Mountain Ridge Gear won't touch the mods.

Can you guys think of anybody else willing and able to do custom pack work?


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[tipsntails7]

I've had a Xing but didn't care for all the pals and adding a bunch of pockets drove me nuts. I'm afraid I'm gonna end up with a MR 3DAP. Just didn't want to look that "tactical" during EDC.


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If you can find a 3dap in foliage or black it won't look tactical at all.

I would say just sell it and get something else. Your trying to make it something it's not, and if you go to far you won't get any money back out of it.


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[mrbillbrown]

That's true brother. Thanks for the advice


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[rhunter424]

What did you end up doing?