Kifaru Dominating the Hunting Market

bcpody

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What is it about Kifaru that makes them numeral uno? For me, prior to buying my first Kifaru, I was buying Chinese junk that broke down during the most crucial part of my hunts. Zippers breaking sucked. But the worst part was a shoulder strap breaking while hauling meat.

I bought my first Kifaru in 2013. That pack has hauled meat every year. Both mine, and or my buddies. It's hauled camp every year.

I recently retired the Bikini frame and am paying it forward to a great American. But I am keeping the bag and put it on a new frame. I really think this bag will last longer than my hunting career will.

There are several things or reasons that make Kifaru packs great IMO. But I won't get into that. I'm interested to hear what/why you think makes Kifaru packs great and why they are dominating the hunting scene.

Is it the PR? CS? The quality? The reviews? The versatility? Packability? The test of time? Fit n finish? No frills? Durability? What you see is what you get? Technology?

What makes Kifaru the leader in a very competitive market?
I think it has to do with the build and their platform usage in podcasts. They seem like solid dudes. When I save the money, I’ll know who it’s going to. Not just some company. I take pride in that.
 

RazzleDazzle

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What makes them dominant is very simple. Your personal opinion, nothing more. Without factual numbers the OPs is literally just speculating. Facts are different than feelings
 

LostArra

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This thread reminds me of the best/worst beer thread.
Are a million happy Bud Light (Badlands) drinkers all wrong because a few hundred sophisticated hop heads (Kifaru/Exo/SG) say they don't know any better? Drink whatever pack makes you happy.
 

bcpody

FNG
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Mar 30, 2020
Messages
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I have a few packs from high end companies, I use my Kifaru less than any of the others. In fact, I dont think I havent pulled out the kifaru for spring pack cardio at all. Seems like if it worked the best for me, i'd use it all the time...
Which pack do you have?
1) Very robust
2) Carries weight exceptionally well for me
3) Variety of designs to meet needs
4) Made in USA

I have no idea what their share if the market is so can’t comment on that aspect. There are also other very good packs out there and since I haven’t tried them all there might even be a better pack, who knows. But I have gear to serve a purpose and with my Kifaru pack I know it will allow me to haul as much meat out as I am capable, and I have no concern for durability. The thing is bombproof. Now, with the Stryker they have a pack that matches what I want in a pack. It will haul a large volume when hiking to camp, slim down for hunting, haul all the meat I want, then haul all camp out.
Made in the US is a huge plus. Awesome to see these guys still doing that.
 

OldGrayJB

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Feb 29, 2020
Messages
416
I think I interpreted the question different than some others. I think Kifaru has been the dominant high end pack company. That doesn't mean they're the "best." I bought a Stone Glacier because I think it's the best pack money can buy for me. If someone asks me what's my favorite MLB team I'd say it's the Braves. If asked who is the most dominant right now I'd say the Dodgers. That doesn't mean I believe they can't be beat, or that I like them. I see no need to attack the OP. He asked a fair question.
 

RazzleDazzle

Lil-Rokslider
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I think... I think... I think.... enough said
Nobody is attacking the OP.

The letter "I" and the word "think"
 
Joined
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I have lived in Colorado for the past 24 years and I am the only person I personally know that has one. Mine is a first generation Late Season, bullet proof. Nothing has broken zippers, straps, buckles what is not to like. Mine must be 20 years old, it was/is the first hunting backpack I ever purchased. It has seen hard use and shows little if any wear. I would buy another one in a minute if mine ever wears out.
 
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Exo, SG and Seek are also make in the USA/ Berry compliant. Along with Kifaru, they have great products and are working to make them even better. I know Exo is already testing a prototype K4 frame.
Seek is not Berry compliant. Exo is not berry compliant. Both have been verified as not on this forum. I'm not sure of SG.

Kifaru rules the top tier packs because they offer primo products. Just like the other top tier companies do. And, they are great at relating their product to the consumer. Let's face it, who wouldn't want to hunt all the time with Frank and Aron? The same could be said for Kevin and Steve too. But, Kifaru promotion is way ahead of the other guys because they are constantly putting out content.

There are plenty of guys getting into mountain hunting that chooses Kifaru because of this. And, a new guy has never put the time under a pack to know if its the greatest thing going. Because all the top companies make packs that are good even if you don't know what might be best for you. if you get them fitted, they will all work. So people buy and use them. Which, outside of the minority who wants what fits best, is all most users will do. In other words, Pack something heavy in a sucky pack and it is easy to tell once you've used a good pack.

All that to say this. I prefer Kifaru. 100% American made, 100% quality. 100% perfect fit. Its my choice based on al that once I realized they could be fitted to me like a glove
 

prm

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Food for thought when considering the cost of a pack and where a pack is manufactured. I’ll bet Kifaru makes less, maybe even much less, per pack than all the made in Vietnam (or other Asian country) pack companies.
9992B15F-E271-4E17-9D70-2295FF71C259.png
 

Jauwater

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I'm almost positive Hill People Gear packs are berry compliant. Just saying......

Sent from my SM-S205DL using Tapatalk
 

Marble

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This thread reminds me of the best/worst beer thread.
Are a million happy Bud Light (Badlands) drinkers all wrong because a few hundred sophisticated hop heads (Kifaru/Exo/SG) say they don't know any better? Drink whatever pack makes you happy.
I'm not a flavorist, so if the beer is cold I'm drinking it. I do not discriminate between beers...
 

RazzleDazzle

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 13, 2020
Messages
100
Kifaru rules the top tier packs because they offer primo products. Just like the other top tier companies do. And, they are great at relating their product to the consumer. Let's face it, who wouldn't want to hunt all the time with Frank and Aron? The same could be said for Kevin and Steve too. But, Kifaru promotion is way ahead of the other guys because they are constantly putting out content.

.......

All that to say this. I prefer Kifaru. 100% American made, 100% quality. 100% perfect fit. Its my choice based on al that once I realized they could be fitted to me like a glove

That first paragraph is the most contradictory post in this entire thread...
1-Kifaru rules because they do exactly what other companies are doing....
2-there are people who have plenty of hunting partners and probly dont care to hunt with who ever you mentioned
3-promotion and content doesnt prove you're dominant in your merchandise category it proves youre a leader in promotion and content. Advertising and podcasts and youtube.....

The second paragraph is your opinion....based on what you think and still doesn't justify the OPs claim.
 
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That first paragraph is the most contradictory post in this entire thread...
1-Kifaru rules because they do exactly other companies are doing....
2-there are people who have plenty of hunting partners and probly dont care to hunt with who ever you mentioned
3-promotion and content doesnt prove you're dominant in your merchandise category it proves youre a leader in promotion and content. Advertising and podcasts and youtube.....

The second paragraph is your opinion....based on what you think and still doesn't justify the OPs claim.
You come off as a butt hurt fanboy of one of the other companies. Because nothing I said was contradictory. I said all the companies make great stuff. Only Kifaru relates to the market better. That was all that rounded into these few sentences. Why you missed that is beyond me unless you were simply looking to argue about it.

I've hunted with lots of people. And, met a bunch more I'd like too. You likely aren't one of those because its a good chance you'd stay mad at me all the time. Once again, Those two appeal to all sorts of people. Especially guys getting started into it because they likely don't have seasoned veterans inviting them along.

As far as the last point; we said the same thing once again. Exactly.

You really confused yourself on this one didn't you?
 

RazzleDazzle

Lil-Rokslider
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You come off as a butt hurt fanboy of one of the other companies. Because nothing I said was contradictory. I said all the companies make great stuff. Only Kifaru relates to the market better. That was all that rounded into these few sentences. Why you missed that is beyond me unless you were simply looking to argue about it.

I've hunted with lots of people. And, met a bunch more I'd like too. You likely aren't one of those because its a good chance you'd stay mad at me all the time. Once again, Those two appeal to all sorts of people. Especially guys getting started into it because they likely don't have seasoned veterans inviting them along.

As far as the last point; we said the same thing once again. Exactly.

You really confused yourself on this one didn't you?
Again, all your opinions. Deffinately not representative of the OPs claim. Which is the topic at hand.
 

OldGrayJB

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Again, all your opinions. Deffinately not representative of the OPs claim. Which is the topic at hand.
You need to read the OP again. This time keep in mind that IMO means IN MY OPINION. And, "what do you think" means the OP: 1. wants us to think, and 2. wants us to share our thoughts/opinions with him.
 

TheCougar

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I don't see Kifaru dominating the backpack market, except in maybe the zeal and loyalty of their users. And before you start foaming at the mouth -my hunting backpack uses a Kifaru frame, but I don't have some kind of weird soulmate connection with Kifaru or their employees. Backpacks are a lot like boots - opinions are subjective and based on personal preference over fitment, comfort, etc. Kifaru makes excellent gear, as does Exo, SG, Seek Outside, etc. I've only met a handful guys on the mountain with Kifaru frames too. I'd say based on my limited experience, I've seen more Kuiu and Mystery Ranch packs than anything else.
 
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