Kifaru Dominating the Hunting Market

[KurtR]

I have never seen one in the Colorado mountains during elk seasons, but they do have nice stuff. Do not know who Snyder is.

He is president of the company and you can call him at any time with questions and he will answer or call you back. His cell number is all over the forum.

First time I talked to him he saved me a couple hundred telling me I didn’t need to buy all the stuff I planned to and helped me narrow down what I exactly needed.

 

[brsnow]

He is president of the company and you can call him at any time with questions and he will answer or call you back. His cell number is all over the forum.

First time I talked to him he saved me a couple hundred telling me I didn’t need to buy all the stuff I planned to and helped me narrow down what I exactly needed.

Nice, I have a gun bearer. Works great.

 

[OldGrayJB]

I think it's the fact that they're time tested. Kifaru might not be the top selling pack on the market but they definitely have the Alpha Dog reputation.
They're not the only great pack but they were doing it first.
I run a SG. I love the market competition because they all push each other to raise the bar every year.

 

[trophyhill]

I think it's the fact that they're time tested. Kifaru might not be the top selling pack on the market but they definitely have the Alpha Dog reputation.
They're not the only great pack but they were doing it first.
I run a SG. I love the market competition because they all push each other to raise the bar every year.

Competition is healthy for all great companies for sure. Especially if you are the company all others are trying to catch up too. It just seems that there is so much versatility and availability to fit all needs with the Rhino packs whereas I only ever here about maybe 1 or 2 packs from the other companies.

So there's not a whole lot of versatility or choices to choose from with the other companies. Whereas with Kifaru, you can choose from a wide variety. And customize darn near all packs to suit your needs.

Not saying the other companies don't make 1 good pack. But having 1 or 2 good packs that are being tweaked every year, and being touted as the "new and improved" version of last year's pack, tells me they aren't quite there yet, and have some catching up to do. Whether they will admit that or not is another topic and another thread

 

[brsnow]

Competition is healthy for all great companies for sure. Especially if you are the company all others are trying to catch up too. It just seems that there is so much versatility and availability to fit all needs with the Rhino packs whereas I only ever here about maybe 1 or 2 packs from the other companies.

So there's not a whole lot of versatility or choices to choose from with the other companies. Whereas with Kifaru, you can choose from a wide variety. And customize darn near all packs to suit your needs.

Not saying the other companies don't make 1 good pack. But having 1 or 2 good packs that are being tweaked every year, and being touted as the "new and improved" version of last year's pack, tells me they aren't quite there yet, and have some catching up to do. Whether they will admit that or not is another topic and another thread

Depends on what you want, if your pack is 2lb heavier than a comparable competitors then you should have more accessories and customization. If you just need a quality and capable backcountry meat hauling pack without an extra couple of lbs built in, there are others way ahead in that game.

 

[wind gypsy]

Competition is healthy for all great companies for sure. Especially if you are the company all others are trying to catch up too. It just seems that there is so much versatility and availability to fit all needs with the Rhino packs whereas I only ever here about maybe 1 or 2 packs from the other companies.

So there's not a whole lot of versatility or choices to choose from with the other companies. Whereas with Kifaru, you can choose from a wide variety. And customize darn near all packs to suit your needs.

Not saying the other companies don't make 1 good pack. But having 1 or 2 good packs that are being tweaked every year, and being touted as the "new and improved" version of last year's pack, tells me they aren't quite there yet, and have some catching up to do. Whether they will admit that or not is another topic and another thread

I don't get the feeling you've looked all that close at the other companies. Kifaru has had what, 3 different generations of the duplex frame in the past 6 years? They introduce numerous "new and improved" bags and packs every year. I see more similarities than differences among the top crop (Kifaru, SG, EXO, Seek, maybe MR and IA?) in the "tweaking" products every year.

Frankly, your posts here are an exhibit of Kifaru's branding effectiveness at work.

 

[Catahoula]

I used packs years ago that I would say were just “ok” and that they carried things needed for the hunt. They eventually fell apart in a catastrophic way. Zippers, buckles, threading. Over two seasons ago I decided to drive down to Kifaru’s office with the intent of ordering. Although, I never have met A.S., the two staff members graciously helped me with a pack fitting, talked with me about my needs/style of hunting. That was huge to me and well worth spending $800+ on my pack. What makes them “dominating” the scene I’m not sure. There are other pack makers out there, are they as good as Kifaru? Maybe? I just feel that Kifaru is making, excuse the language, a no bullshit product(s) that is tough as steel and a staff (each and every one of them) that is top notch. I like the idea of interchangeable bags, as well as the ability to add or subtract ones pack, a la carte, for certain criteria. On a side note, I know of two others who I have bumped into that have Kifaru set-ups. One of them before I had my pack and one after. On a large scale geographically it may seem like there are not a lot out there (Kifaru products) but in reality there is.

 

[Rock-o]

I'm new to mountain hunting - within the last year started prepping in the gear department. 99% sure Kifaru will be getting money from me very soon for a new pack. To me it's the Made in the USA, staff, seemingly solid products and comfort... well, all of these things I've read and more.

 

[brsnow]

I'm new to mountain hunting - within the last year started prepping in the gear department. 99% sure Kifaru will be getting money from me very soon for a new pack.

You will certainly have a quality robust pack.

 

[Jordan Budd]

I never see anyone with Kifaru pack in the woods... but I think that's cause we go deeper, steeper and longer.

That's comical

 

[tdhanses]

I don’t think Kifaru is dominating the market, I’ve owned many kifaru packs, probably 7 over the years, I like the new EXO K3 frame better and the 4800 bags design and layout appeals more to me then anything kifaru offers. I’m sure there are others with a similar experience with EXO and SG.

Im just glad we have some great options.

Actually my second pack is a Kifaru Duplex lite frame with an EXO 2k bag on it.

 

[OldGrayJB]

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.

 

[Mitten32]

1. I was previously running another high-end pack but could never get it quite right in terms of fit. The thing that sold me after trying a kifaru pack was the hip belt. For some reason their belt fits me like a glove and it was an immediate difference.

2. Modularity. Lots of options and accessories make buying one of their packs attractive as well.

3.Another small touch that I really enjoy is that their packs come with auto locking buckles. Not a huge deal but it's one less thing I have to modify/replace.

4. Aron and Frank are likeable and relatable. Once I began listening to their podcasts consistently I knew it was just a matter of time before I would try one.

5.
Probably the most underrated one. YOUTUBE. They have so much content in regards to breaking each of their packs down as well as other people reviewing kifaru packs on YouTube. This may not seem like a big deal, but if you don't live close to Colorado It's a serious bonus to be able to see those videos. Not only does kifaru make YouTube videos, but users reviews on YouTube is an incredible sales tool that makes you feel much more comfortable dropping that amount of money on a pack. I would venture to say they have a triple the YouTube content of any other pack maker out there in the hunting industry.

 

[307]

They've marketed very well to a small, and very profitable niche.
Snyder is a high level social media influencer, with the best podcast in hunting.
They make high quality gear.
Made in USA is very important to many within their niche.
It's exclusive due to high $$$.
It's a "badge" of being hard core due to several factors above.

Those are the most significant factors IMO.

But I can't imagine they're "dominating" other than with the Rokslide faithful.

I don't personally own Kifaru. I'm sure it's great, but the complexity and add ons (pockets and lids and all of the other pieces) and so many bags with all sorts of names is just not my thing. I'm a bit simple I guess.

 

[alexanderg23]

Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door.

That’s Kifaru.


I think SG is very good too and their clothing is neat, but after talking to them and feeling like they were too busy to answer questions, I don’t see me ever buying anything from them.

 

[Meridian90]

Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door.

That’s Kifaru.


I think SG is very good too and their clothing is neat, but after talking to them and feeling like they were too busy to answer questions, I don’t see me ever buying anything from them.

For whatever it's worth, I have received the best customer service ever from EXO and SO. I don't have experience with SG or Kifaru, but there really wasn't anything more I could have asked from EXO or SO. I'm sure Kifaru and SG are similar.

 

[RazzleDazzle]

I'm not a fan of kifaru. I think its overpriced and heavy, with a bunch of funny looking sacs and purses and man pouches hanging off all over the place. I know guys that are unhappy with their kifaru stuff and I know guys that wont admit it but have to defend it because they paid more for their system than they did for a set of tires on their truck. Good, rugged stuff but I feel theres plenty more out there equivalent for much less of a price point.

As for the mention above about being a "badge of hardcore" theres definitely a feeling amongst guys running their stuff. I find myself laughing at guys that even think about following beliefs like that. But that's just me.

 

[trophyhill]

Ok so maybe the title of the thread was a bit much for some of you to handle. I expected a little negativity because of that. I read somewhere that most people only read titles to form an opinion. I wanted to see if that was true with the Rokslide crowd. Obviously y'all are a tough crowd. That being said, as much as some of you want to believe otherwise, like it or not, Kifaru is the company setting the bar. It's not Exo, it's not SG, and it's not SO. It's not Kuiu. It's not Sitka. It's not MR. And it's damn sure not Badlands. But It is Kifaru. They are the company setting the standards the other companies have to live up to.

 

[bsnedeker]

Ok so maybe the title of the thread was a bit much for some of you to handle. I expected a little negativity because of that. I read somewhere that most people only read titles to form an opinion. I wanted to see if that was true with the Rokslide crowd. Obviously y'all are a tough crowd. That being said, as much as some of you want to believe otherwise, like it or not, Kifaru is the company setting the bar. It's not Exo, it's not SG, and it's not SO. It's not Kuiu. It's not Sitka. It's not MR. And it's damn sure not Badlands. But It is Kifaru. They are the company setting the standards the other companies have to live up to.

Well I think that statement is a bit of confirmation bias honestly. I love my Kifaru and I've gotten a couple of my buddies to take the plunge but I agree with the other comments out there that I see a LOT more Kuiu and Badlands packs out in the actual mountains...I've never run into another Kifaru in the field other than my immediate hunting buddies.

As far as Kifaru setting the bar, they set the bar in some areas: Durability and Patriotism! They absolutely do not set the bar in weight or simplicity or pricing It really depends on what you are looking for in a pack. As much as I love my Kifaru I have one guy I recommended a Kuiu too, and another guy I recommended an SG based on what they were looking for in a pack and their budget.

 

[jspradley]

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?

Yes

Although I'm not sure about dominating the market... I've seen maybe a handful of other ones in the wild as the comment above pointed out. Probably in equal number to all of the other high end pack makers in my experience.