Kifaru or Mystery Ranch? And why?

[AZCoues]

Rokkers~

I currently have an itch for a new hunting pack and have narrowed the choices down to a Kifaru Long Hunter or Timberline 2 w/bikini frame or the Mystery Ranch 6500 w/NICE frame.

I would use it primarily for 50-mile Scout Trips, and probably one or two annual hunting trips (w/bow). I recognize that the Kifaru is a much lighter pack, but what are the other main differences?

I am pretty slight (6'0", 150 lbs soaking wet and have some weird back issues, very mild Scheuerrmann's disease in my upper back)

Any and all comments are welcome!

Thanks

 

[hflier]

Kifaru - Weight and comfort!

 

[HellsCanyon]

Both are great quality packs. Kifaru has a more functional frame to keep the weight off your shoulders and more on your hips and is lighter in weight. Another option for you to check out is the Stone Glacier packs... did you see the review of the SG and Kifaru packs on here?

Mike

 

[Outdoorsman3830]

Both are top notch packs. You're going to be happy either way you go. The NICE 6500 is going to be slightly more durable and that results in the additional weight. Mystery Ranch is geared toward the military as you will notice when looking through the bulk of their products and innovations. Kifaru is going to offer a pack that gives the user an absolute custom fit. There are infinite adjustments on Kifaru packs that can't be matched, especially if you need a little extra curve in your frame for your back.

I'd give both Mystery Ranch and Kifaru a call and discuss what you need as far as fit for your back. Even though Kifaru has more adjustments doesn't mean the NICE 6500 won't provide you a perfect fit. Also, give the NICE 7500 a look. It cost a bit more for a little more space, but should compress just as well. Try testing out both packs before committing to one financially, if you can.

Hope that helps,

 

[Lawnboi]

The MR nice frame has a completely flat frame. The kifaru has not only different contoured UL stays, but you can also get aluminum and bend them to your liking.
The kifaru is going to be much lighter weight. MR does feel a little stouter but the 2 packs are made of the same fabric, 500D. I cannot comment on long term durability seeing as I never owned a MR, but I can tell you the K packs are tough, and the K military packs are even tougher if you need something your going to drag behind your vehicle or drop out of helicopters.

I went through the same thing when I wanted a new, nice pack. Went with Kifaru sight unseen. After finally getting to play with a few MR packs im glad I went with kifaru.

Kifaru also has a good bit more modularity when it comes to accessories and what not.

 

[Mudd Foot]

AZ,

For what its worth, my Highcamp 4800 and Bikini are on order, due to an August 9th broken C-6 vertebrae, and resulting double fusion. The 20 pound weight loss, and commensurate loss of strength, had me questioning my system's comfort and functionality under loads. In this case we are slightly similar in our physical needs.

All of my research pointed to Kifaru, for 4 primary reasons: 1. user comments/reviews, 2. pack weight of roughly half, 3. simple physics; the height of the stays between the two manufacturers is pretty dramatic. When in doubt go with the higher stays. 4. Frame rigidity for load hauling.

Couple of other thoughts; the MR bags are bomb-proof but heavy and short. Having carried heavy and short prior to my injury with pain, I looked was concerned with the MR options. The Stone Glacier's are light, , very simple to adjust, well designed, and receiving alot of good reviews. In my case, the barreling at meat-hauling loads demonstrated in Matt's videos, caused me to question their comfort given my physical issues. I figured that despite the relative amount of time spent hauling meat being only 10-15% of total wearing time, that my opinion of a pack's performance is based almost entirely upon this exact usage.

This is my .02$, YRMV.

Mudd Foot

 

[Shrek]

With any upper , or for that matter , lower back issues you definitely want a Kifaru. The functional load lifters put almost all the weight on your hips and not on your back. I have had two lumbar disc surgeries and there is no way I could use a pack that puts the weight on my spine. The stiff frame helps keep me and the load together and if I move carefully there is very little stress to my back at all.
The Bikini is lighter and imo more comfortable but if you do not fit either the flat or contoured stays you will need the Hauler frame to get aluminum stays that can be custom bent to your needs.
The MR is heavy and designed to put weight on your shoulders. There are work arounds for the nasty frame but it's ridiculous that you need to add aftermarket parts and even more weight to make it work well.

 

[hammer0419]

MR makes some really nice super high quality bags. Their suspension however, is not even close to kifar as far a fit, carry, and comfort. There are several MR packs I much prefer over Kifaru but once you put a Kifaru on it is a no brained. I have owned over 50 packs. Some good some ok, none like Kifaru.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Rokkers~

I currently have an itch for a new hunting pack and have narrowed the choices down to a Kifaru Long Hunter or Timberline 2 w/bikini frame or the Mystery Ranch 6500 w/NICE frame.

I would use it primarily for 50-mile Scout Trips, and probably one or two annual hunting trips (w/bow). I recognize that the Kifaru is a much lighter pack, but what are the other main differences?

I am pretty slight (6'0", 150 lbs soaking wet and have some weird back issues, very mild Scheuerrmann's disease in my upper back)

Any and all comments are welcome!

Thanks

I'd try both on (if that's an option), and then make your decision.

 

[Birddog]

I have a Kifaru BT1 coming, and have spent a fair amount of time with a 60+ pound load in a MR Crew Cab and Longbow. The CC wore me out pretty bad, even after sending pics to MR and getting help fitting the pack. What folks say is true...that thing really loads your shoulders. Versatility of it is amazing, but the frame wasn't so hot for me. I'm 6"1". I know the 6500, Metcalf, etc, have the extender (and MR now manufactures an extender you can add to any of them), but take a look at the NICE frame versus the duplex, or bikini. Then look at the number of ways you can customize the fit. We'll see, but I think the Kifaru is gonna beat the pants off of the MR. All that said, I sold my CC and kept my Longbow as I love the longbow for a short overnighter or daypack with decent hauling capability.
By all means, try em both if you can. If I had it would've saved me some money.

 

[wyodan]

I have a Kifaru BT1 coming, and have spent a fair amount of time with a 60+ pound load in a MR Crew Cab and Longbow. The CC wore me out pretty bad, even after sending pics to MR and getting help fitting the pack. What folks say is true...that thing really loads your shoulders. Versatility of it is amazing, but the frame wasn't so hot for me. I'm 6"1". I know the 6500, Metcalf, etc, have the extender (and MR now manufactures an extender you can add to any of them), but take a look at the NICE frame versus the duplex, or bikini. Then look at the number of ways you can customize the fit. We'll see, but I think the Kifaru is gonna beat the pants off of the MR. All that said, I sold my CC and kept my Longbow as I love the longbow for a short overnighter or daypack with decent hauling capability.
By all means, try em both if you can. If I had it would've saved me some money.

Where are you finding MR's frame extender? I checked their website and could not find one.

Nevermind, I found it.

 

[Bloodworks]

The NICE frame I had was an overpriced ALICE pack and carried like one. Garbage IMO.

 

[AZCoues]

I'd try both on (if that's an option), and then make your decision.

I may stop by next time I'm in Denver and try them out, if that's OK

Thanks for all of the honesty and help!

 

[boom]

I may stop by next time I'm in Denver and try them out, if that's OK

Thanks for all of the honesty and help!

AZ..i have exactly one of your three choices. a timberline 2 with a bikini. i used it hard this weekend. despite some reviews, it wont make your gear defy gravity....but it was super comfy. the single thing i noticed with this pack after a hard day and half was the ventilation along my back. i've worn many packs. mostly non-hunting packs, but i have strapped on quite a few. all of them left my back sweaty, and the pack sweaty as well. we all know that chill feeling you get when you take the pack off for a break, and put it back on only to feel that wet pad press into your back..brr and gross feeling. i was hiking hard in 90 degree temps. dehydrating myself. i drank a gallon+ water and i dont remember peeing. i was sweating that hard. river running off the tip of my nose. my back was sweaty like normal, but i never got that wet sponge feel of the pack. that single thing makes me want to high-five someone fun at Kifaru R&D.

i've never worn a mystery ranch. (i had worn a old Dana Design)..so i cannot comment.

i need some more mileage to really work out the pack. there is alot going on. straps going over straps. straps covering zippers. all details my inexperience with the gear is showing me. i need to work out the kifaru roadmap on my own to find out what works for me. i think it will take some time. there are a lot of options, and configurations.

 

[Shrek]

I may stop by next time I'm in Denver and try them out, if that's OK

Thanks for all of the honesty and help!

Make sure you call ahead to make sure there will be someone there to show you around and have packs to try on. Everything is made to order so they don't have a warehouse full of packs just laying around. There was one guy from here that showed up and the was nobody there to show him around .

 

[Jager]

AZCoues it is all relative to the user mate. What one person finds great another will find terrible. Someone commented on an ALICE Frame being terrible, I love them, been carrying one for years. All packs are uncomfortable when heavy, pure physics. I am not one for putting all the weight on the hips, just doesn't 'rest' well with me, pardon the pun. If your carrying a heavy load over a great distance, alternating between hip and shoulders is a good idea, as sooner or later, the one carrying all the weight is going to become uncomfortable.

For me, MR is the go to pack, but I am a short buggar.

A few mates and myself will be putting a couple of Kifaru frames and bags, as well as a couple of MR packs through their paces on the hill, with an ALICE thrown in, we will all use and abuse each pack and see how we all compare, good chance we will all have a different opinion on what is the most comfortable.

There is a lot of interest in US hunting packs here in Aust. at the moment, so should be good to try a few makes out at the same time and give some honest feedback.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Like others have said it's all about fit.

I have worn just about all of the major brands and they all have a different fit. It really is about wearing them and finding what fits you best.

Kifaru is going to be all about whether the belt and Lumbar pad fit your body. MR has a belt that is harder, but it fits some guys well.

If you want any specific pictures, just ask.

 

[AZCoues]

AZCoues it is all relative to the user mate. What one person finds great another will find terrible. Someone commented on an ALICE Frame being terrible, I love them, been carrying one for years. All packs are uncomfortable when heavy, pure physics. I am not one for putting all the weight on the hips, just doesn't 'rest' well with me, pardon the pun. If your carrying a heavy load over a great distance, alternating between hip and shoulders is a good idea, as sooner or later, the one carrying all the weight is going to become uncomfortable.

For me, MR is the go to pack, but I am a short buggar.

A few mates and myself will be putting a couple of Kifaru frames and bags, as well as a couple of MR packs through their paces on the hill, with an ALICE thrown in, we will all use and abuse each pack and see how we all compare, good chance we will all have a different opinion on what is the most comfortable.

There is a lot of interest in US hunting packs here in Aust. at the moment, so should be good to try a few makes out at the same time and give some honest feedback.

Looking forward to hearing how everything shapes up! And I appreciate everyone's input. The last thing I want to do is spend $600+ on a pack and be unhappy with the purchase.

 

[justin davis]

Try both and see. I have been a Kifaru pack guy for a number of years simply because to me the Kifaru packs are more comfortable. But everyone is different

 

[MattB]

I find the Kifaru suspension to be the most comfortable of hunting packs on the market. Take a look at the Highcamp bag as well - similar but IMO better than the Longhunter bag (i.e. better sleeping bag compartment zipper configuration). I did not like the NICE frame due to the lack of functional load lifters, but they may have solved for that with the extender.