Kifaru Fulcrum vs Nomad 2

[Leo45]

Hey everyone,
I'm having a really tough time deciding between the Kifaru Fulcrum and the Nomad 2.
I know they have the same wings and the same compression system and I have researched both heavily
I really like the idea of running the Nomad with a dry bag and being able to drop the bag at camp and day hunt out of the wings.
The dilemma I'm running into is that Fulcrum is only 1lb and $100 more than the Nomad 2. Obviously you can't ditch the HUGE main 6000ci bag on the Fulcrum. But it looks like it folds down nicely when not in use and like i said only weighs 1lb more on paper.
Seems like if I decided to run the Nomad, and added a camp bag or dry bag, plus a grab-it or a guide lid I'd end up spending more on it than if I had just bought the Fulcrum to begin with. I'm sure whichever one I order I'll be happy with. I'm just curious why some of you picked one over the other.
Thoughts?

 

[Elkwhisperer]

If you have the money I'd go for the Nomad, guide lid,grab it and dry bag. I like the being able to drop the bag at camp and then keep going with a more minimalist setup. FYI I have a

Reckoning which would be similar to the Fulcrum but without the wings. I love it. But would've prefer the Nomad setup


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[hflier]

If you have the money I'd go for the Nomad, guide lid,grab it and dry bag. I like the being able to drop the bag at camp and then keep going with a more minimalist setup. FYI I have a

Reckoning which would be similar to the Fulcrum but without the wings. I love it. But would've prefer the Nomad setup


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I just ordered the Nomad 2 set up. I like the idea of flexibility.


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[oldgoat]

I went Nomad because my buddy ran one. I like it over the others because I can run some oddball stuff I carry that I don't want in a bag, under the camp bag against the frame and put the camp bag over the top of that. Both are great, I think the Nomad runs a little smaller without camp bag. Both are great bags, the Nomad just fits my needs better

 

[1signguy]

Nomad, guide lid, camp bag, grab it is an awesome system. I can't imagine a different system for me. The thing I really like is having a day pack (nomad) for quick trips from the house and then grabbing/adding the camp bag and taking off for a week. I am familiar with the layout and where everything is in the pack because it's always in the same place...

 

[Jordan Budd]

Yeah that's a tough one! One thing that I've personally found is that I can't fit all of my day gear just in the wings (most trips). Extra layers, kill kit, etc have to go inside either the main bag or the native that's in between the wings. I carry a spotter, tripod, digital camera, glassing seat, gloves, beanie, essentials kit and food in the wings and that just about maxes them out. I could still put a layer or maybe 2 in the stretchy pocket but that's like it. So I kind of prefer the bag attached for the extra space if needed, and it folds flat to where you can run a native inside the wings or run about whatever you want in the wings. With all that said, I do believe the nomad is more versatile in that you can completely detach the camp bag or "main" bag your using. Just a little different perspective than what others have given so far. Both great set ups I just prefer the extra space always available.


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[Leo45]

Valid arguments on both sides for sure...
The Nomad + camp bag is basically a Fulcrum. Same weight, same price, similar sizes.
I'm aware of the gun bearer, but is Anyone running a scabbard like an eberlestock between the Nomad and camp bag? Any reason that wouldn't work?
And if you were running a guide lid with it I'm guessing you could extend the straps to not interfere with the rifle?

 

[Whitetaildown215]

I went with the nomad 2, camp bag, and grab it. Went that way because I'll only get about 7-10 days a year out west and the rest of the time will be chasing whitetail sand coyotes in the Midwest so I can just leave the camp bag at home and carry a stand or blind if needed. I do plan to pick up a native and maybe cargo panel for between the wings though here before long.

 

[Leo45]

How do you guys run a water bladder on a Nomad 2?

 

[fatrascal]

Leo, you are correct about the rifle scabbard in between the wings. I've seen a few people on here that run a scabbard for rifle between the wings. I too run a rifle scabbard between the wings but I cut the scabbard in half and slide my tripod into the scabbard. My spotting scope is still attached to the tripod and sits across the top of my pack behind my head. You are also correct when you ask if you can extend the straps on the guide lid to allow the rifle to go behind and up above the pack as well as tripod and spotting scope.
For water you can use a water bladder bag between the wings or any type of pocket, or put bladder in one of the wing pockets. With the plastic in the long wing pocket it would be easy to create a slot for a three bar slider or drill a hole and put a harbinger or anything you desire to hold up your water bladder so it doesn't slide down in the bottom of the wing pocket.
Another thing to think about. Between the wings you can put the native, or dry bag or camp bag or find a bigger bag and change the size of pack on a whim. You could go without a bag and use a grab it and guide lit or cargo panel or cargo net. I've even seen a picture of a guy who had a 40 gallon drum between the wings.
Another point. In some of the packs you cannot adjust the height that the meat sits in your pack and it slides down low and is tough to carry. But the Nomad has multiple heights to attach your grab it and put that meat where it rides best. Versatility is the key. If Kifaru did not make the Nomad I would have the Fulcrum but the Nomad is just right for me. The way I carry the r spotting scope in the rifle scabbard is a huge factor for me. When I stop I can get my spotter out in seconds while everybody else is digging to get there's out for five minutes. I've already seen what I want to see. Half the time my friends don't even bother to dig for thier spotters. They just rely on me. And I put the camp bag right on top of the scabbard and it does not interfere with my access to my spotter. Both the Fulcrum and Nomad are great choices. Nomad more versatile and interchangeable. Fatrascal.

 

[kcm2]

One of the beautiful things about a Kifaru pack is that they hold their value. Buy one bag, and if you don't like it, sell it for 80% of new or near that. You're not hurt. Just make a decision and move on.

I've got a new Mtn Warrior. Love it. The pack and the bag are perfect for me. If they were not, I'd sell them, and get something different. But given that I'm 61, I suspect this pack will last at least the 19 years my Spike Camp has so I may not need another one.

 

[Leo45]

Thanks everyone for the great responses/opinions
2 great options here, still torn, tough choice

 

[Olson]

I was in the same position and decided on the Fulcrum. This pic was from an overnighter. Dropped camp and went checking water holes and tanks. Folding up the main bag easy enough. I had a 2 liter bladder on the inside of the main bag with just a few items in the wings. Worked great. I agree with Jordan that a full days worth of gear may not fit into the wings and having the main bag to suck up some gear is nice. I am extremely happy with my choice.

[/url]20170819_163629 by Tech Craft, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Kulshan]

The Nomad 2 is a sweet setup. I picked up Nomad 2, Grab It, Native and played with the setup for a month. I had a mystery ranch CC for almost 10 years and ran an AMR last year. I found I really miss the wings but also like having a main bag. I sent back the Nomad and grab it and am exchanging it for a Fulcrum. I don't shed hunt or carry tree stands but i would assumed the nomad would excel at carrying those loads. I'm excited to try out the Fulcrum and compare it to the AMR.

 

[Leo45]

I appreciate all the help and feed back.
I placed my order for a Fulcrum and frame this morning. And have been given an estimated ship date of 9/21
Thanks for the help everyone

 

[fatrascal]

Congrats on the new pack. Fatrascal.

 

[Leo45]

Thank you
I'm pretty excited
This is my first Kifaru purchase and a pretty big deal for me.
Christmas is coming early

 

[thinhorn_AK]

You wont be dissapointed with your fulcrum, I got one a few months ago and its been awesome. I also got a native and 3 pockets as well as the water bottle holder. It gets small for day trips but its massive when you need it.

 

[LionHead]

I've recently picked up a nomad one for my GF thinking could set it up like a mini EMR2, which I use.

Playing with it I find I like the one bag setup much more. It allows for some overflow from the lid/wings when I'm trying to segregate day gear.

The biggest thing i don't like about the nomad which may be a plus for some is that the adjustability comes at the price of fiddling with straps when packing/unpacking the bag.

I don't like fidgity gear and when getting to the camp bag sometimes the straps would come unhooked from the common loops.

Plus if I'm day hunting with the EMR/fulcrum and I get something on the ground I already have the bag to start hauling meat out attacked to the frame

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[stratofisher]

Yeah that's a tough one! One thing that I've personally found is that I can't fit all of my day gear just in the wings (most trips). Extra layers, kill kit, etc have to go inside either the main bag or the native that's in between the wings. I carry a spotter, tripod, digital camera, glassing seat, gloves, beanie, essentials kit and food in the wings and that just about maxes them out. I could still put a layer or maybe 2 in the stretchy pocket but that's like it. So I kind of prefer the bag attached for the extra space if needed, and it folds flat to where you can run a native inside the wings or run about whatever you want in the wings. With all that said, I do believe the nomad is more versatile in that you can completely detach the camp bag or "main" bag your using. Just a little different perspective than what others have given so far. Both great set ups I just prefer the extra space always available.


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I have added pockets inside the wings and it works awesome. Really like the organization you can build.