I figured since these 2 packs are generally in everyone's backpack decision tree, Id do a thread as I go through using and testing these out. Itll probably be information overload for most, but I am at my core a gear junky. Maybe it will help someone down the line considering these 2 packs. Youve been warned about the info overload.
As a background, Ive used damn near every type of pack in the Marines from Alice to ILBE. As a young devil, I was with Scouts when we did prototype testing on the original MOLLE system. Ive hunted whitetail, hogs, gator, turkey since I was a kid. Ive done thru hikes, section hikes, backpack hikes and this was my first year doing backpack hunts in CO. I do not do thru and section hikes using ultralight gear, I carry weight because I like the physical challenge and after leaving the USMC, I feel some bizarre need to put myself through hell for no good reason. I did 2 separate weeks backpack hunting in Colorado. I did the 1st (incredibly unsuccessful) and 3rd week (a normal level of unsuccess) in September. I used a MR Metcalf on both of those hunts. No real complaints, but Ive never been a fan of the fat ass shoulder straps and equally fat ass belt. I only bowhunt, so September will likely be the only hunting Ill do with these.
Initially, I started a thread asking for advice choosing from the Initial Ascent IA4K, Exo K3 and Kifaru Duplex/44 Mag. After a lot of suggestions, and selling off a lot of other gear to swing it, I decided to go with both the Kifaru and Exo. I fully intend to keep both as I do use these a lot outside of hunting.
I ordered the Exo, and had the pack in my hand from Idaho to Louisiana 4 days later. Exo's website states they ship in stock item in 1-2 days, which they followed through with. I ordered the Kifaru on 10/12 and received it today, 11/5. So you have roughly a 3-4 week wait on the Kifaru. To their full credit, they tell you the estimate before ordering, so theres no expectation that it will ship immediately. The estimate was 11/2-11/9, which they also delivered on. No complaints, and both brands delivererd on their word.
I purposefully didnt do much with the Exo, so I could start using these 2 around the same time. I wont be doing any type of Rokslide Cliff tests (I live in louisiana, we have no cliffs) or anything to beat the hell out of the packs. Ill be using them as I normally would. I do a lot of heavy rucks, simulating hills by walking up and down football stadiums and parking garages. Concrete mountains as well call them.
I dont think I need to go over the specs and features of the packs as both Exo and Kifaru do a bang up job of explaining the features, and how to use, adjust and ass/diss their packs. Id refer you to their websites for that as they are the authorities.
Ill update this thread as I go along, goal here is to just help out those considering these 2 packs. For now, some packporn.
As a background, Ive used damn near every type of pack in the Marines from Alice to ILBE. As a young devil, I was with Scouts when we did prototype testing on the original MOLLE system. Ive hunted whitetail, hogs, gator, turkey since I was a kid. Ive done thru hikes, section hikes, backpack hikes and this was my first year doing backpack hunts in CO. I do not do thru and section hikes using ultralight gear, I carry weight because I like the physical challenge and after leaving the USMC, I feel some bizarre need to put myself through hell for no good reason. I did 2 separate weeks backpack hunting in Colorado. I did the 1st (incredibly unsuccessful) and 3rd week (a normal level of unsuccess) in September. I used a MR Metcalf on both of those hunts. No real complaints, but Ive never been a fan of the fat ass shoulder straps and equally fat ass belt. I only bowhunt, so September will likely be the only hunting Ill do with these.
Initially, I started a thread asking for advice choosing from the Initial Ascent IA4K, Exo K3 and Kifaru Duplex/44 Mag. After a lot of suggestions, and selling off a lot of other gear to swing it, I decided to go with both the Kifaru and Exo. I fully intend to keep both as I do use these a lot outside of hunting.
I ordered the Exo, and had the pack in my hand from Idaho to Louisiana 4 days later. Exo's website states they ship in stock item in 1-2 days, which they followed through with. I ordered the Kifaru on 10/12 and received it today, 11/5. So you have roughly a 3-4 week wait on the Kifaru. To their full credit, they tell you the estimate before ordering, so theres no expectation that it will ship immediately. The estimate was 11/2-11/9, which they also delivered on. No complaints, and both brands delivererd on their word.
I purposefully didnt do much with the Exo, so I could start using these 2 around the same time. I wont be doing any type of Rokslide Cliff tests (I live in louisiana, we have no cliffs) or anything to beat the hell out of the packs. Ill be using them as I normally would. I do a lot of heavy rucks, simulating hills by walking up and down football stadiums and parking garages. Concrete mountains as well call them.
I dont think I need to go over the specs and features of the packs as both Exo and Kifaru do a bang up job of explaining the features, and how to use, adjust and ass/diss their packs. Id refer you to their websites for that as they are the authorities.
Ill update this thread as I go along, goal here is to just help out those considering these 2 packs. For now, some packporn.
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