Jimbob
WKR
I posted some pics on another thread of modifications I did to an eberlestock pack and a few guys liked them so i thought I would share what I'v done with my Kifaru. The mods to the eberlestock was more damage control to fix a poor design, the mods to my kifaru where done to tweak and improve an already great design.
pack - Kifaru G1 spikecamp - Original weight 2 lbs 10.7 oz. Modified weight is down near 2lb 6oz and that changes depending on what accessories I use
Modifications:
1. Remove extra webbing and anchor points that i wont use - weight savings of 1.5 oz
2. remove water bladder - if i use a bladder it doesn't need its own sleeve - weight savings of 1.68 oz
3. Install carbon fiber stays that are two inches longer than original aluminum ones - weight savings of 3.4 oz
4. make exteneded stay pockets and add load lifters to shoulder straps- all material and hardware ADDS 1.75 oz
5. Fix accessory straps on hip belt. The original straps were thin and just sewn in to the cordura of the hip belt. Worked ok for light pockets but was horrible when I had my rifle in the gun bearer. The thin straps pulled down hard under the weight of the rifle and applied pressure through the hip belt that actually wore the skin off my hip. My design is thicker, attached to the webbing of the hipbelt (applies pressure more evenly so it doesn't wear on my hip) and one side disconnects so i can add any accessories with a loop that i want (knives, camera cases, range finder water bottle etc.) The connect connects into the same place as the shoulder straps. Total this ADDS 0.7 oz
6. added a mesh pocket on the top flap, great for organizing. ADDS 0.8 oz
7. made my own chamber pocket from sil nylon, again some needed organization - 0.9 oz
8. Made my own pod from silnylon and 3/4 webbing and buckles. I have a Sitka 90% in there in the picture and it is about half full - pod and hardware weighs 3.4 oz
For the future I will be making a top lid/pocket that connect to the top of the stays then to the back of the pack. This will give me a few hundred CI and the ability to strap things to the top of the pack, total it should weigh 3-4 oz.
In the future I might see if I can swap the stays for 22" of 23" and buy a lumber pad from kifaru and add it to the pack. This would really beef up the pack and give more comfort with heavier loads.
Right now I have no problem doing 3 days out with this pack.
I use my wife's sewing machine to do everything and I get the materials from various places online. Its a fun process and allows you to get exactly what you want.
ask any questions if you want.
pack - Kifaru G1 spikecamp - Original weight 2 lbs 10.7 oz. Modified weight is down near 2lb 6oz and that changes depending on what accessories I use
Modifications:
1. Remove extra webbing and anchor points that i wont use - weight savings of 1.5 oz
2. remove water bladder - if i use a bladder it doesn't need its own sleeve - weight savings of 1.68 oz
3. Install carbon fiber stays that are two inches longer than original aluminum ones - weight savings of 3.4 oz
4. make exteneded stay pockets and add load lifters to shoulder straps- all material and hardware ADDS 1.75 oz
5. Fix accessory straps on hip belt. The original straps were thin and just sewn in to the cordura of the hip belt. Worked ok for light pockets but was horrible when I had my rifle in the gun bearer. The thin straps pulled down hard under the weight of the rifle and applied pressure through the hip belt that actually wore the skin off my hip. My design is thicker, attached to the webbing of the hipbelt (applies pressure more evenly so it doesn't wear on my hip) and one side disconnects so i can add any accessories with a loop that i want (knives, camera cases, range finder water bottle etc.) The connect connects into the same place as the shoulder straps. Total this ADDS 0.7 oz
6. added a mesh pocket on the top flap, great for organizing. ADDS 0.8 oz
7. made my own chamber pocket from sil nylon, again some needed organization - 0.9 oz
8. Made my own pod from silnylon and 3/4 webbing and buckles. I have a Sitka 90% in there in the picture and it is about half full - pod and hardware weighs 3.4 oz
For the future I will be making a top lid/pocket that connect to the top of the stays then to the back of the pack. This will give me a few hundred CI and the ability to strap things to the top of the pack, total it should weigh 3-4 oz.
In the future I might see if I can swap the stays for 22" of 23" and buy a lumber pad from kifaru and add it to the pack. This would really beef up the pack and give more comfort with heavier loads.
Right now I have no problem doing 3 days out with this pack.
I use my wife's sewing machine to do everything and I get the materials from various places online. Its a fun process and allows you to get exactly what you want.
ask any questions if you want.
