Kifaru Koala Lite

[AZ Vince]

On my recent hunt I was looking for a way to carry my handgun that didn't interfere with my pack.

I already knew I didn't want a holster attached to the pack belt because when I took the pack off I'd be without a defensive gun. Past experience has taught me that a holster on my waist was inaccessible under the pack belt and was uncomfortable.

This led me to the Kifaru Koala Lite. It's a chest mounted pack, using the accessory chest straps, that is designed to carry a handgun and give fast access with the pack on or off.

I also used a 2 inch accessory pocket in front of the Koala Lite. In the pocket I carried my rangefinder, gps, blood glucometer, snack, truck keys, and hunting license. The pocket is well thought out and the two slots are like they were made for a rangefinder and gps.

The harness is a wide nylon webbing strap that distributes wheight well. The buckles are high quality plastic and the straps were not uncomfortable for me with the pack on.

Now the main bag. It's big enough to hold a 5" 1911 or 6" N Frame. The back of the bag is covered in the plush velcro. Kifaru makes a gun carrier with the hook velcro but I opted to sew hook velcro on a cheap holster I have for such occasions.

There's two pull tabs, one for either hand, to access the gun. The zippers are smooth, metal, and function very well. You can also take the harness off and attach the Koala Lite to your pack but I opted not to.

So if you're looking to carry things and want them more accessible to you than your pack I suggest you give the Kifaru Koala Lite a look at www.kifaru.net

Vince

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[DmrbigEshotT]

Thanks for the write up. I've been looking into a Koala lite and may be asking Santa for one this Christmas.

Did you carry binoc's around your neck in some type of harness also? I'm trying to get a sense of it having bino's attached with a Rick Young type harness resting on a Koala lite would get in the way of drawing a bow.

 

[AZ Vince]

My binos were in my pack as they were 15 X 56 on a tripod.
There is room for a pair 10 X 42's in the front pocket.

 

[Muttly]

Excellent!! Been pondering that little pack for a while, wondering how a 5" N frame would fit, and thinking a pair of 10x42s should fit in the front pocket.. Glad you posted that!
Fairly comfortable to carry with an N frame??

 

[AZ Vince]

Mutt,

Very comfortable to carry an N Frame.

 

[dunner543]

Thanks for the writeup. You have any pics of this in action or with the items inside?

 

[AZ Vince]

Give me a couple days and I'll get a few pics.

 

[DmrbigEshotT]

Received my koala lite a couple days ago but have yet to put it to use.

I believe I have it adjusted well and it is comfortable to wear alone and with a pack.

First impressions

Price point----for the x harness, 2" pocket, koala lite, and Velcro pistol holder, $146 (shipping included) seems a little steep. Nothing seems to be extraordinary innovative, but of course seems to be a high quality product.

Capacity----I threw a cheap pair of 10x42s in the 2" pocket and they fit, but after that it was a bit tight. Pistol pocket has plenty of room after my LC9s was secured.

Functionality----Pistol stays secure with the Velcro strap and is easy and quick to access by pulling the intended tab ONLY if the zippers are in the necessary position. If they aren't lined up near the corner of the pistol pocket, the pocket will not open when you pull the tab, even if they are 2-3 inches off from where they need to be. 2" pocket will hold some important goods, but not sure what the elastic webbing will hold.

 

[AZ Vince]

 

[BERSERK]

Hi,

when you open the flap, does it hang down completely?

Or is the opening like the one from a lifejacket, so that you still have access to the content (without everything falling out).

I would prefer a flap like this:
http://www.fnsl.co.kr/product/astral/SeaWolf_BK_18.jpg

 

[DmrbigEshotT]

Everything would fall out in the pistol pocket, but only if you pulled down hard as if you were going to draw your weapon. There is a 2" pocket option that is in front of the pistol pocket that only opens when you unzip it and you have a decent amount of room and organization in there.

 

[austinphps]

I would check out the Hill People Gear Heavy Recon Kit...I have one and have been very happy with it...I usually bow shoot with it on no problems, and have been on multiple hikes with it on and a full pack with no problems of it getting in the way

 

[Muttly]

Just looking on Kifaru,s site, not seeing the Koala lite anymore... Did they do away with it?

 

[inupiat1]

Strange. My sister got me one for christmas. Now I only see the pockets for it. You will have to call them. I have the HPG runner's recon and the Kifaru Koala Lite and they both have their own benefits and detractions.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

 

[zeroforhire]

Check out the gunfighters Inc Kenai holster


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bbrown]

Sounds like it gone for a while until they get caught up.

Koala Light gone?

 

[2ski]

If someone is looking for one, I would look at the HPG Kit bag as mentioned. Cheaper than the Kifaru and I don't remember why, but when I asked here a few years ago, the consensus was that the HPG was the better option.

You guys carry your bags kind of low for my tastes. I like mine more on my chest. Interesting how comfort isn't a one size fits all.

 

[bbrown]

If someone is looking for one, I would look at the HPG Kit bag as mentioned.

Agreed - I recently picked up one of their "Snubby" kit bags with the same layout as the original kit bag. The dimensions of the original were just too large for my liking but the snubby still fits my G20 (just barely) and makes for a great fishing chest pack.

 

[inupiat1]

What I like about the HPG is that when the zipper is fully opened, it opens to 85-90 degrees and acts like a shelf, thus not everything dumps out. I like the steap system better. It is more comfortable than the cross straps that Koala has. It is also easier to wear higher on the chest, which I prefer. I use one or the other when I ride my bike and having it higher is more comfortable for riding. I like the MOLLE/PALS integrated on it so I can put my chew pouch (see pic from earlier post) or other items on it.

What I like about the Koala is that I can detach the outer pocket or keep it on. It also has a slightly larger dimension so that I can carry my Surface 3 in it with the keyboard if I don't want to carry a pistol. It seems ever so slightly easier to open the pistol compartment with the large pull-tab. I like the elastic bottom strap better than the bungee on the HPG.

I like running with either and I use whichever one suits best what I will carry or what best matches the color of my other gear (Koala is black, HPG is Coyote) at the time of use.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk