Kifaru AMR, EMR2?

[deerreaper]

Recently been looking into a new pack and have narrowed it down to 3 packs. I was wondering what everyone thought of these three packs. Intended uses are for overnight backpack trips all the way to 10-14 day hunting trips.

 

[rbljack]

I only see two listed in the title?

 

[aclawrence]

I only see two listed in the title?

Apparently you must not be familiar with the new "Kifaru" bag. It has unlimited cu in and changes patterns to match its surroundings.

Seriously though I haven't used either bag but look forward to use responses. I know the emr is pretty popular.

 

[Brendan]

You'll get a ton of opinions - some people like the AMR, some people like the EMRII. You probably can't go wrong with either, and which one works best for you will come down to features you prefer. If you can try both, or find someone local who has them to check out, that'd be ideal.

I haven't used the AMR, but the EMRII has been my go-to pack. I've used it jam packed full packing out meat and camp, all the way down to compressed against the frame for day hunting. I've even used it for whitetail tree-stand hunting when I had to haul a stand with me.

I love the wing pockets, and the side pockets inside the wings, and the center zip. Incredibly versatile bag. One of the complaints you'll hear though is that there are a lot of straps hanging around. Doesn't bother me though.

 

[mrbillbrown]

I started with the EMRII and currently run the AMR. Both designs are excellent and it came down to my needs and style. I prefer the ease of a large top opening bag and side cinch straps of the AMR, makes it super easy to load up, cinch or let out. Occasionally miss the long front zip of the EMRII but never really cared for the wings.


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[Clarktar]

Could always have a center zip installed on the AMR...or maybe you cant?

 

[Sverimerica]

Could always have a center zip installed on the AMR...or maybe you cant?

You have pockets in the way

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[Cory Arola]

I love my AMR, super slick design. Will carry more than a person would want to and makes an awesome day pack with the two pockets and a guide lid.

 

[welpro222]

Why not all three? Don't forget to check out the reckoning pack too. Its very hard to choose the perfect pack as I ended up with all of these packs over the year to check them out and compare them first hand. The only one that got used this year was my nomad setup, but this year I may try out my reckoning pack. The AMR does seam like a very simple and large pack, I can see why it gets alot of love. The Nomad and EMR2 have lots of straps (although that never bothered me) and the swing out wings make a great daypack when folded it. If you would like a center zip but with a more simple bag setup, the reckoning would be hard to beat.

 

[Tsnider]

i like the EMRii because im new to kifaru stuff and wanted 1 do all bag for now. i may end up with another small size in the future but the EMR is going to fit my needs really well. sure its a bit more weight in day pack mode but not enough for me to care. some guys dont like all the straps but they dont bother me for everything the bag does. its the ideal bag for me.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I started to buy an EMR, but didn't like the open pockets and the fact that the straps went across the pockets. I bought an AMR and love. I had no use for a guide lid. The standard lid gives it a cleaner look to me.

 

[Jordan Budd]

I ran the AMR bag this last year and loved it. I had the intentions of filming a backpack Dall sheep hunt in Alaska when I made my decision, and also was deciding between the AMR and EMR. After talking to Aron we decided on the AMR. The EMR was designed more towards the guys/girls that were going to be packing out moose quarters and large bulky things of the sort that would fit awkwardly in the bag. With the 3 compression straps running completely around the bag the the 2 vertical straps you can strap about anything on one and carry it out. My buddy strapped an entire bear onto his EMR this spring with no troubles at all.

I didn't need to be able to do things like that, I just needed to carry all of my personal gear, camera gear, and hopefully deboned meat out all in one trip. The AMR would do that well all inside the bag and still let me in the bag/pockets for camera gear quickly without having to unbuckle a bunch of straps and lose compression. All that being said, I've gone to the Reckoning for this upcoming year that more suits what I do here in the lower 48. I do highly recommend the AMR though.. great bag to compress into day mode and also expand for extended trips.

 

[deerreaper]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Any opinions on the Mountain Warrior? Too small for bone in moose quarters? My main uses will be for camping and hunting. I plan on using the bag for day hunts all the way up to 14 day trips.

 

[welpro222]

The mountain warrior is about 5,700 ci by itself and can be brought up to 8,100 ci with addition of side pockets and the guide lid. The AMR is about 7,800 ci by itself and can be brought up to 10,200 ci with the addition of side pockets and a guide lid.

Again the AMR has a beast size main bag and can haul just about anything, the EMR 2 is a beast with a slightly smaller main bag size but can be expanded by leaving it unzipped and just use the straps to secure load.

I feel the mountain warrior might be to small for a 14 day hunt, unless you have a resupplied camp to go back to.

 

[ljalberta]

I have a MW. And if you plan on jamming bone in moose quarters in the bag, you're gonna want to go with a bigger bag.

 

[Domestique]

I had an MMR (discontinued) then EMR II, and have since sold it for an AMR. I didn't like the wing design on the EMR II and how wide it made the pack. The EMR II almost has too many pockets/sleeves built in. Often times I would be looking for a piece of kit and forget which sleeve/pocket I put it in. I also wasn't a fan of the compression straps. My only complaint of the AMR is that I wish it was a panel loading design like the MW.

If I was only using the pack for packing large animal capes, then I think the EMR II's front zipper would help with loading. But for my needs, the AMR is a better design.

On a side note... anyone know when the redesigned Kifaru Mountain Rambler will be released again?

 

[Lockster]

I'm sure that if they redesigned the AMR with panel load functionality it would be a winner

 

[lkwoolsey]

I use an EMR II... and absolutely love it. I can only afford the one bag, and the EMR is a great all around bag. I use it almost every weekend, from hunting, to hiking with the family, to teaching Boy Scouts about backpacking, hiking, etc. It can compress down to a daypack that I can expand once I have an animal on the ground, and haul massive amounts of meat. I can use it on long, extended backpacking trips and strap all sorts of odd gear on it (bear cans, camp stuff, etc.)
I have never used the EMR II, but when choosing between the two, Aron did recommend that one. Many people don't like all the straps on the EMR (I do) so the AMR offers a lot of the same features, IE, can compress neatly, and expand with massive amounts of space, carries loads very well, etc. I think either way you're going to get a great pack. As others have said, check out the new Reckoning pack as well, as it has many of the best features from a number of their packs. Just my two cents.

 

[TradLife406]

I like the EMR 2 a lot. It's one of the biggest bags on the market but it can shrink to do day hunting or front country hunting. I put eight days on mine this September and was glad I had all the room, especially being a noob I had some extra food and maybe some other items I didn't need.

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[Huntnfmly]

I just watched a hunting show where the Hunter strapped a whole bear to his kifaru and I thought I have got to get me one of those