Kifaru 22 mag on 26" frame review

[COlineman78]

After Aron's comments about the 22 Mag not fitting great on a 26" frame I thought that I had decided on a Mountain Rambler as my day hunting pack. While I was at 1ShotGear picking up a sanctuary jacket for my last minute 3rd season rifle hunt (glad I did) I saw the fusion 22 mag on the wall and asked Grant to throw it on the 26" hanging right next to it. After it was on, we both agreed that it certainly didn't look weird, at least not more so than the Rambler. Running it with any weight in load sling mode however may require at least a grab-it to secure the load as the bottom straps are a little weird (more on this later). At first I thought that I wouldn't like the little pocket on top and was afraid it would be too tall, but I really found it quite useful for things that you need quick access to: flashlights, calls, scent wafers. I also was not sure about the Velcro patch on top and still kinda am, but I did find it quite useful for attaching my OrangeAglow safety panel. The inside mesh pockets are great, but I do wish that the pocket inside of the front zipper panel was a little taller. To give you an idea of volume the pack was full with a sanctuary and a puffy with a little room for other stuff like kill kit, possibles and Howard Leight Impact Sports (wear on full power when stand hunting). The side pockets are generously sized with one side holding my Walkstool Comfort with ready access and plenty of room if I wanted to pack stuff around it. The other side held my 80mm spotter and tripod together, although there isn't much protection so if you're taking a swaro on rough terrain you might think about moving it to the main chamber with jackets as padding. The only tricky part to fitting the pack on a 26" frame is the bottom of the pack which if underfilled may flop around a bit since there is no connection points below the middle of the frame. Grant suggested running the bottom compression straps through the connection points at the bottom of the frame and I had the thought of adding some tri-glides to keep tension even when the straps are disconnected. So I stopped by Kifaru on my way out of town and Heath hooked me up. I forgot to take pictures of this, but will add some later along with some more detailed pictures. So it wouldn't be a review without a negative and I really only have one complaint. The zippers on both the main compartment and the top pocket are pretty loud. I'm going to try adding some silicon lubricant, but am worried this may add some unwanted smell to the pack. While I wish they made a 26 mag, all in all the 22 mag makes a very good day pack for those that already have a 26" frame for other uses.

Will embed some pictures when I get to a computer, but here's a link to them for now: https://goo.gl/photos/ifMPTgF9MKsfv9iW9

 

[mrbillbrown]

The 22Mag makes a great whitetail tree stand pack. Looks and functions fine on my 26 frame. Sitting in a tree right now (borrowed a buddy's spot due to wind) and here's a quick shot from the seat. Bag is hung on a step from the sticks. He doesn't run any hangers so I needed a place for my quiver.
Top pocket has binos and wind checker in it. Had I been in one of my stands the bag would be hung above or beside me and the belt pouches on the panel would be used a little more. Here's a couple of pics of the Mag on my 26 UL frame.

 

[mrbillbrown]

Really love the layout and functionality of the bag. Working on my 22 & 26 frame is just icing on the cake.

 

[mauidiver]

Thanks for postin your experience. It's great to have y'all help me out. It's between this and the new one..forget name. The one Aron been showing off his kills with!! Lol

 

[Aron Snyder]

After Aron's comments about the 22 Mag not fitting great on a 26" frame I thought that I had decided on a Mountain Rambler as my day hunting pack. While I was at 1ShotGear picking up a sanctuary jacket for my last minute 3rd season rifle hunt (glad I did) I saw the fusion 22 mag on the wall and asked Grant to throw it on the 26" hanging right next to it. After it was on, we both agreed that it certainly didn't look weird, at least not more so than the Rambler. Running it with any weight in load skiing mode however may require at least a grab-it to secure the load as the bottom straps are a little weird (more on this later). At first I thought that I wouldn't like the little pocket on top and was afraid it would be too tall, but I really found it quite useful for things that you need quick access to: flashlights, calls, scent wafers. I also was not sure about the Velcro patch on top and still kinda am, but I did find it quite useful for attaching my OrangeAglow safety panel. The inside mesh pockets are great, but I do wish that the pocket inside of the front zipper panel was a little taller. To give you an idea of volume the pack was full with a sanctuary and a puffy with a little room for other stuff like kill kit, possibles and Howard Leight Impact Sports (wear on full power when stand hunting). The side pockets are generously sized with one side holding my Walkstool Comfort with ready access and plenty of room if I wanted to pack stuff around it. The other side held my 80mm spotter and tripod together, although there isn't much protection so if you're taking a swaro on rough terrain you might think about moving it to the main chamber with jackets as padding. The only tricky part to fitting the pack on a 26" frame is the bottom of the pack which if underfilled may flop around a bit since there is no connection points below the middle of the frame. Grant suggested running the bottom compression straps through the connection points at the bottom of the frame and I had the thought of adding some tri-glides to keep tension even when the straps are disconnected. So I stopped by Kifaru on my way out of town and Heath hooked me up. I forgot to take pictures of this, but will add some later along with some more detailed pictures. So it wouldn't be a review without a negative and I really only have one complaint. The zippers on both the main compartment and the top pocket are pretty loud. I'm going to try adding some silicon lubricant, but am worried this may add some unwanted smell to the pack. While I wish they made a 26 mag, all in all the 22 mag makes a very good day pack for those that already have a 26" frame for other uses.

Will embed some pictures when I get to a computer, but here's a link to them for now: https://goo.gl/photos/ifMPTgF9MKsfv9iW9

Thanks for posting this and I agree with what you've stated.

I use my 22 Mag on the 26" frame all the time and really like it.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Thanks for postin your experience. It's great to have y'all help me out. It's between this and the new one..forget name. The one Aron been showing off his kills with!! Lol

The Tahr is what I packed the last couple deer out with. I like the Tahr better for hunting (it's bigger), but as big man said above, the 22 Mag is an awesome pack.

 

[COlineman78]

The Tahr is what I packed the last couple deer out with. I like the Tahr better for hunting (it's bigger), but as big man said above, the 22 Mag is an awesome pack.

Yeah, we usually aren't far from the truck, where I kept my EMR2 in case we needed to actually do some real meat packing.

Another warning that I forgot to mention in my original post. While at Kifaru Heath threw the new spotting scope pocket on the 22 Mag as I was playing with the idea of adding some more volume if needed and the bottom of the pocket extends below the pack when mounted on the top row of PALS. The large side pocket will fit the entire zippered front panel, but the spotting scope pocket drops below. Doubt it was designed to fit, so not really a knock just a warning to any considering the same.

Here are the pics I linked to above:

 

[COlineman78]

Here are some more pictures including detail on my addition of the tri-glides to the bottom straps:

https://goo.gl/photos/a8KoSf4yFxC32hpN9

 

[Tuscor]

Actually looks like its meant to work like that! I quite like it, and the room at the bottom could easily fit a roll top pod with extra gear, or a sleeping mat/rolled tarp etc.

 

[MUDDYCRICK]

The 22Mag makes a great whitetail tree stand pack. Looks and functions fine on my 26 frame. Sitting in a tree right now (borrowed a buddy's spot due to wind) and here's a quick shot from the seat. Bag is hung on a step from the sticks. He doesn't run any hangers so I needed a place for my quiver. View attachment 30573
Top pocket has binos and wind checker in it. Had I been in one of my stands the bag would be hung above or beside me and the belt pouches on the panel would be used a little more. Here's a couple of pics of the Mag on my 26 UL frame. View attachment 30574
View attachment 30575

What size pouches are on the back? Larges?

 

[mrbillbrown]

Top is a medium and bottom a large.

 

[MUDDYCRICK]

Looks great. I'm sold on this pack, but how does hauling a load between the frame work? I liked that feature on my stone glacier, but this bag doesn't have an actual meat shelf.

 

[COlineman78]

Looks great. I'm sold on this pack, but how does hauling a load between the frame work? I liked that feature on my stone glacier, but this bag doesn't have an actual meat shelf.

No it does not have an integrated meat shelf, but there are 3 options. You can either disconnect the top of the pack while keeping the bottom attached and just sandwich the meat. You can do what I intend to do and carry a Grab-it with lash kit and then strap the pack on top. Lastly, Kifaru also made a detachable meat shelf that you might be able to find or call them and ask them if they still have one hanging around. If you absolutely must have a proper integrated shelf you should consider the Tahr or the Mountain Rambler.

https://vimeo.com/56174100