Kifaru or Mystery Ranch? And why?

[colonel00]

Good recent comments and I hope this thread stays positive as there is a lot of information already and I am sure a lot more that could help future buyers like myself.

Now, one thing that is going to be difficult that Jager alludes to is the fact that any opinion is subjective and there is no defined baseline to which packs are objectively judged. Much like the lightweight raingear thread where gear is being worn out in the field as a test, this is still subjective as the conditions and tests are not identical. I would love if someone had the time and equipment to setup up a testing system where packs could be attached to a dummy (or even dummies of different sizes) and sensors could evaluate really how different packs perform under identical conditions. Maybe we should call the Mythbusters or something.

In regards to quality, I could only imagine the disappointment I would feel in this situation. I am on the fence right now but I plan to purchase a BHC7 before next fall. This is a significant investment especially for someone who currently lives on the plains and would only use the pack maybe a couple times a year. But, it is also an investment in a pack that I would hope (knock on wood) would last me a very, very long time

 

[Aron Snyder]

I'm on my 8th animal/pack out this year, all with the same bag/frame (BIKINI FRAME AND DT1 BAG).

My DT1 has many more than that, and still going strong.

As stated before, you won't have any issues with MR either.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[Backpack Hunter]

They failed miserably & despite comments suggesting my experience was 'unique' I know it wasn't, & have LOST utmost respect for them for continuing to take a LOT of money from a LOT of people & ship out a LOT of substandard equipment to blokes that rely on their kit out in the boonies miles from nowhere.

Hyperbole much?

 

[AZCoues]

I'm on my 8th animal/pack out this year, all with the same bag/frame (BIKINI FRAME AND DT1 BAG).

My DT1 has many more than that, and still going strong.

As stated before, you won't have any issues with MR either.



Good luck on your decision!

Thanks for the guidance. Do you find the DT1 too big. I would find myself filling it.

If I went with the DT2, and the Long Hunter lid, does it expand up to accommodate the occasional larger load?

 

[Justin Crossley]

Jager,
I don't know of a company that hasn't had issues with products from time to time. Do they back up their products? That is the important part to me.

I totally disagree about mountaineering packs not holding up to hunting conditions. They have held up extremely well in my experience. I used an Arc'teryx Bora for seven years without a single problem.

The reason I now use a Kifaru T1 is because of the weight that I save. My Bora was almost three lbs. heavier and only about 4500 c.i.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Thanks for the guidance. Do you find the DT1 too big. I would find myself filling it.

If I went with the DT2, and the Long Hunter lid, does it expand up to accommodate the occasional larger load?

I day hunt with a DT1, so the size isn't an issue for me.

We can chat about the size of the bags ....easier on the phone.

 

[Benny M]

Here's a forum thread that might help you, in case you missed it.
http://www.kifaruforums.net/showthread.php?t=34327

Thanks Ryan. That's it guys & gals, it's as factual as I could put it. Note I only posted it on the Kifaru forum rather than start a net wide smear campaign as this is not my motive.

The duplex to me is the most comfertable frame I've tried, and will be gettin one as soon as funds allow it. With that said, when I spend upwards of 700 for a pack to me there is no excuse for it not to be flawless.

I agree 100% on both counts. A Duplex is the best frame I've personally tried. The price being charged should mean that while it's guaranteed you shouldn't have to send it back as soon as you receive it, or soon after....
Pretty much all companies will back their products with a great guarantee, they have to or they'll sink. Yes, they are very good but Kif is not the only company out there that offers this kind of service.

BennyM , your experience is not shared by thousands of very happy Kifaru customers. You throw around the around the term " a lot " and insinuate that Kifaru is wholesale ripping poeple off. That is not born out by the market or mine or my friends experience. Did Kifaru refuse to try and make it right to you ? It is unfortunate that you had so much trouble ( I saw your post on the Kifaru forum ) but unlike your experience mine and most other people's experience has been great.

I'm glad that most have a good experience, Kifaru got where it has for good reason. Sure there hasn't been many unfortunate souls to have as many problems as myself but the fact remains there are a LOT of people with issues that should never have existed, some more serious than others. Any reasonable person knows things will slip through the cracks occasionally but there seems to be a LOT (yes I said it again) of things being sent back for repair. I personally know of several but it's not my place to air others issues openly, that's up to them. I never said or insinuated Kif was ripping people off. I am alluding to the fact that despite issues with quality control being evident nothing seemed to be done about it as things didn't seem to change. For this I was deeply disappointed.

I said it in the initial post at Kif forums, I highly rate the gear when you get what you pay for. I actually came from MR & went to Kif due to comfort & modularity. From my experience though I can't say the hype about being built in the USA or being rhino tough has made a squat of difference compared to something made overseas. I've got kit made in the Philippians & Vietnam that is top notch. As with all things it doesn't mean everything that comes from a country is good or bad.

I'm not trying to pick a fight with anyone, slander Kif or persuade the OP in way or another. Just laying out the facts in my experience. Just in case there's any confusion I'm NOT a guru hunter or anything otherwise. I just know my way around a heavy pack. I'm only a jube when it comes to hunting, hopefully this is changing.

On the weekend I'll be catching up with Jager & we'll have a wide selection of kit to test out, Alice, MR 6500 & CC, Kif Bikini & Duplex. Even if we don't get an animal I'll be taking sandbags to put it all to the test. We're both short arses though so obviously our findings & tastes will be subjective as we all know & has been stated by many. I suspect I'll still be of the opinion that the Duplex is the most comfortable as long it holds together.

 

[Jager]

Someone commented on an ALICE Frame being terrible, I love them, been carrying one for years.

Just to quantify the above statement, our ALICE packs made here in Aust. are a far cry from what most members probably know as an ALICE pack, the only real similarity is the frame.

For many years, soldiers here had their ALICE's modified either by small sewing workshops, or did the mods themselves, which included building in a side access sleeping bag compartment and doing away with the small pouches and usually replacing with SAW pouches. In the late 90's people starting going one step further and building the packs from scratch using all the modifications that soldiers preferred in the pack, to the point where, many generations later, a great pack, engineered from years of long range warfighting experience, was the norm, many companies made a lot of money out of the aftermarket ALICE pack.

 

[Bambistew]

Bambistew , I apologize . I may have read more into your post than was there. It would be interesting to hear if a properly functioning belt makes any difference. Between the belt and the picture I assumed more than was actually stated. Hope you get the belt and shoulder strap warrantied and find it works better . Good hunting.

No worries.

The belt fix won't change how the pack works... the minor tear in the shoulder strap does not hurt function either. The pack works just fine... mater of fact I'm hoping to pack out a brown bear hide in it tomorrow...