Kifaru

[mfllood3800]

I sure wish Kifaru would bring back the fusion pattern as an option for pack color.
The perfect pack for me at this point would be the Fulcrum, in Fusion, with a guide lid in Fusion and 3 belt pouches in fusion on a ranger green frame.

Maybe there is a glimmer of hope, with Aron out from the Sitka responsibilities.

I hope their run wasn't just a temp one like Exo was.

 

[twall13]

As I understand it, the reason they did away with fusion was because it didn't sell well. I don't think it had anything to do with the Gritty Bowman being sponsored by Sitka. Kifaru and Gritty Bowman are 2 different brands/companies and the deals one makes does not tie the other down to the same agreement.

Fusion is probably my favorite pattern for clothing but I never thought it looked right on the packs. The Cipher looks better on packs to me.

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[mfllood3800]

Yea I know Kifaru ended the fusion line before the sitka relationship began.
Even though Kifaru and GB are 2 different entities, Aron being a man of integrity, wouldn't shake the boat.

I think Fusion looks awesome on the packs I have seen EXO do.
But like you say, the Cipher would be better.

I have a good mixture of cipher and fusion, I prefer fusion, but they get mixed and matched all the time. When it's 4:30 and I am waking up in my tent, I am just grabbing layers based on weather w/o coordinating patterns.

I just like green in my patterns for my area. Doubt if the elk care. But I do.

 

[Dobermann]

I love the Fusion on the Kifaru packs also.

There was a lot of speculation flying around at the time when it was dropped. Short of knowing anything more from the 'inside', we have:

- The official stated reason was that it wasn't a big seller.
- Aron did say in one video at the time that they offered too many color options. It also looks like Mandrake might have been dropped.
- There were some concerns about whether the Fusion printing was too shiny on the Cordura - I don't see it as being different from others like Multicam, though.
- There were also some concerns about whether it would show UV too much - tests documented here on Rokslide I think pretty much suggested this wasn't a big deal. The small UV signature might also be able to be minimized with some UV wash - I haven't seen anyone test this though.
- There were also some concerns that what appears to be a muted dark red / brown combination on the FL clothing came out as a kind of purple on the packs. This is true ... to an extent. The main concern, though, seems to be from how this purple rendered in photos, rather than in the flesh - some photos make it stand out more. To my eyes, it is that it's nowhere near as bad in reality. This might be different in snow environments, where the light is a bit bluer, reflecting the sky, and bringing out the purple more ... COLineman might be able to chime in on this.
- Ryan (and others) have reported good results while carrying a Fusion pack.
- And finally, while I picked up a couple of small Cipher accessories from Exo to test with my Kifaru packs, the pattern is kinda bland and stands our more in the greener environment I'm in.

Personally, I'm all for Kifaru reintroducing Fusion. However, in a worst case scenario, the Ranger Green packs as a base, with a Fusion lid and some pouches, look great, and the outline can get broken up pretty well, depending on what you're running.

And a couple of FHF Gear pouches on the shoulder straps and/or belt help tie it all together too.

I'm also super-glad that AGC is keeping the color ... and FL have some Rapid Rifle covers back in stock in Fusion, which helps ...

 

[JP100]

if your pack choice is based on camo pattern you've got an issue haha.
I heard Aron say it was like 1% or less of the sales. pretty hard for a company to keep a pattern that just doesn't sell.

 

[mfllood3800]

if your pack choice is based on camo pattern you've got an issue haha.
I heard Aron say it was like 1% or less of the sales. pretty hard for a company to keep a pattern that just doesn't sell.

I really wanted the Fulcrum, and the Fusion would've pushed me over the top to get it.
Yes I do have an issue.
lol

 

[mfllood3800]

I love the Fusion on the Kifaru packs also.

There was a lot of speculation flying around at the time when it was dropped. Short of knowing anything more from the 'inside', we have:

- The official stated reason was that it wasn't a big seller.
- Aron did say in one video at the time that they offered too many color options. It also looks like Mandrake might have been dropped.
- There were some concerns about whether the Fusion printing was too shiny on the Cordura - I don't see it as being different from others like Multicam, though.
- There were also some concerns about whether it would show UV too much - tests documented here on Rokslide I think pretty much suggested this wasn't a big deal. The small UV signature might also be able to be minimized with some UV wash - I haven't seen anyone test this though.
- There were also some concerns that what appears to be a muted dark red / brown combination on the FL clothing came out as a kind of purple on the packs. This is true ... to an extent. The main concern, though, seems to be from how this purple rendered in photos, rather than in the flesh - some photos make it stand out more. To my eyes, it is that it's nowhere near as bad in reality. This might be different in snow environments, where the light is a bit bluer, reflecting the sky, and bringing out the purple more ... COLineman might be able to chime in on this.
- Ryan (and others) have reported good results while carrying a Fusion pack.
- And finally, while I picked up a couple of small Cipher accessories from Exo to test with my Kifaru packs, the pattern is kinda bland and stands our more in the greener environment I'm in.

Personally, I'm all for Kifaru reintroducing Fusion. However, in a worst case scenario, the Ranger Green packs as a base, with a Fusion lid and some pouches, look great, and the outline can get broken up pretty well, depending on what you're running.

And a couple of FHF Gear pouches on the shoulder straps and/or belt help tie it all together too.

I'm also super-glad that AGC is keeping the color ... and FL have some Rapid Rifle covers back in stock in Fusion, which helps ...

I have the AGC bino harness and the Fusion definitely looks different on it than the clothes. I guess I do get the concerns on how it looked.
If it was only 1 % of their sales, that's a big problem for sure.

 

[matthewmt]

I thought I just saw fusion as an option on kifaru site the other day.

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[mfllood3800]

I thought I just saw fusion as an option on kifaru site the other day.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

On some "accessories" as they must have small amounts of material left over. But even some of those listed when you put it in your cart it says, Sold Out.

I opted to get the Fulcrum in Ranger Green. This pack appears to be what I want with only minor mods to its vertical attaching points down the frame.
I don't like carrying meat in the pack, and prefer it be between the bag and the frame. With some various buckles and straps I can get this mod done.

I will be watching for any fusion pattern accessories in the classifieds to pop up now

 

[fatrascal]

I also love the Fusion pattern and have noticed more people using it as clothing which might make it more popular for packs. Fatrascal.

 

[colersu22]

On some "accessories" as they must have small amounts of material left over. But even some of those listed when you put it in your cart it says, Sold Out.

I opted to get the Fulcrum in Ranger Green. This pack appears to be what I want with only minor mods to its vertical attaching points down the frame.
I don't like carrying meat in the pack, and prefer it be between the bag and the frame. With some various buckles and straps I can get this mod done.

I will be watching for any fusion pattern accessories in the classifieds to pop up now

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/rokslide-classifieds/82603-kifaru-lot-sale.html

here is a guide lid, couple medium belt pouches and a mountain warrior for you.

 

[mfllood3800]

Colersu22

I saw this, and went to Kifaru site and noticed the MW is still available in Fusion- I didn't realize that. They must have a lot of left over pre cut patterns from a previous run.

I just don't need the MW.

I actually think the Cipher would be a better color on the packs. Looks like the packs/accesoroes are too purple.

I have 2 AMR's, a Tahr and the Fulcrum on the way.
At this point all I need is the cargo net for some shed hunts.
Of course I said that after my first 2 packs.
lol

 

[COlineman78]

Based on conversations I've had with Aron and Frank and my personal experience there were several problems:
- The Cordura Fusion (from all companies including FHF and AGC) looks nothing like the Fusion on First Lite Clothing (see attached picture)
- It did not sell well and what little bit they did sell there was a high return rate due to the color matching
- Anyone that cares enough that their backpack pattern match their clothing is going to care that the colors don't match
- Reducing the number of colors offered keeps costs down. Multicam and Highlander were/are by far the most popular patterns.

I personally like the look of either Ranger Green or Highlander in combination with my FL Fusion clothing rather than the purple shifted Cordura Fusion.

 

[mfllood3800]

^^^ exactly

I have the AGC bino harness and it looks identical to what this pic does in relation to my FL fusion clothing

Come on Kifaru- Get the Cipher out
Exo already has


In the end it matters little.
But I would really like to just once while in the dim light of my tipi, to accidently grab my pack instead of my puffy early in the morning to put on by mistake.

 

[COlineman78]

Come on Kifaru- Get the Cipher out
Exo already has

The way I see it Cipher provides nothing that Highlander doesn't and they are so similar that there is no reason to have both.

 

[mfllood3800]

The way I see it Cipher provides nothing that Highlander doesn't and they are so similar that there is no reason to have both.

I disagree
The reason to do cipher is cause I want it...


I don't care for Kryptek or Highlander, I wonder what the numbers are of guys wearing FL vs Kryptek.
And
If Cipher and Kryptek are close, then dump Kryptek and get Cipher already Aron

 

[dotman]

I disagree
The reason to do cipher is cause I want it...


I don't care for Kryptek or Highlander, I wonder what the numbers are of guys wearing FL vs Kryptek.
And
If Cipher and Kryptek are close, then dump Kryptek and get Cipher already Aron

Ha, are we supposed to match? For clothes I wear FL, Kryptek and Kuiu and for a pack I go solid or highlander.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I've never liked the looks of Fusion camo. Now, the Cipher looks pretty cool. I would prefer it much more over the Highlander.

 

[kcm2]

I bought a multicam Mtn Warrior. Looks great, fits great with the tactical frame. I can't imagine anything better for my hunting and hauling needs. It is a damn fine pack.

 

[mfllood3800]

Ha, are we supposed to match? For clothes I wear FL, Kryptek and Kuiu and for a pack I go solid or highlander.

Come on Tim,
If you don't match, you aint in the cool crowd.

I am now trying to figure out what top that goes with my Prana Zions.
lol

I still sort of love my CB packs. My new one is Ranger Green, so that may grow on me.
But a Cipher pack would be killer.