New Packs from Kifaru 2024

[ddd-shooter]

Exo released a podcast this morning addressing the "Made in America" Obviously they saw and heard the chatter. Go listen for yourself, but the cliff notes are Exo packs are berry compliant (sourced, made and assembled in America) with 2 exceptions. The YKK zipper coil portion is not. The slide and tape are. They are using zipper coil made for luggage that proved to be more durable. Also, more expensive than US options.

The 2nd component is the metal buckle that the lid strap runs through at top of frame. Everything else is sourced in US.

Oh well there ya go. Gotta be $200 more right there!
lol

Thanks for the clarification

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

But thats kind of what Im saying, 99.9% isnt 100%, but none-the less its a no brainer vs alot of others.

Hard to beat EXO or Kifaru, glad we have both.

Agree. I look at it this way, for me one is not better than the other for this reason: Both are very transparent about what they are. For that reason, I don't look down on Exo for being 99%. It's the other brands that claim USA but won't come forward and go piece by piece on what makes their product. Like many have stated, we have amazing choices. If you want 100% American, you got it. If want top pack with transparency, you got that.

 

[plebe]

Absolutely, I may go that route with the 26.5” frame load crib, belt pouch, Nalgene holder

If it wasn’t for me liking to test new gear, that’s a no brainer, I already know it hauls heavy loads as well as anything I’ve worn, and is very comfortable under a heavy load… cheaper too. That’s 100% the practical option, I’m just not always practical when it comes to trying gear

Nothing will threaten the k4’s spot as my hunting pack until exo releases a new system, then all bets are off

I think the small bit of extra width that the ARK frame affords over the K4 could be an advantage, as a hauler.

 

[Bearwhisky]

I have no idea on the exact details but can something be "berry compliant except for..."? I assumed something either was or wasn't berry compliant.

At work I hear a lot of people who are "done except for..." which isn't really done

Both Kifaru and Exo's levels of Made in America (and durability from my experiences to date) are good enough for me but I always have to question something that's absolute but also caveated with an exception...

They never claimed to be berry compliant except for. He just said that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Trial153]

From the sounds of the frame comparison on YouTube it seems clear the Tac and the Duplex lite are going away.
If nothing else the new frame is less laborious to produce and set up..IE higher margin.

 

[TheTone]

Is there anywhere else or any other products where people argue and grump so much about something being berry compliant? Made is the us is awesome and I love buying something that is but I also don’t let it completely dominate my buying decisions

 

[Trial153]

I give a rats ass where my packs zipper is made as long as it’s a functional, durable and tested.

 

[ozyclint]

From the sounds of the frame comparison on YouTube it seems clear the Tac and the Duplex lite are going away.
If nothing else the new frame is less laborious to produce and set up..IE higher margin.

So is it a product that exists to increase profit margin only or one of those rare instances where a product is made to be a better product plus increase profit margin?

 

[Trial153]

So is it a product that exists to increase profit margin only or one of those rare instances where a product is made to be a better product plus increase profit margin?

Is that rare? I wouldn’t know. I am just going by what was said the video.

 

[roosiebull]

So is it a product that exists to increase profit margin only or one of those rare instances where a product is made to be a better product plus increase profit margin?

It looks more user friendly overall, so if it handles a heavy load as well as the duplex lite, is more comfortable in hunting mode, it’s going to be an improvement.

The market will decide if it’s priced too high, but they have a huge loyal following. Depends how you look at it. With current prices, I’m happy that I like what I have.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Is that rare? I wouldn’t know. I am just going by what was said the video.

Not rare with american labor costs.

Smart design move and multiple fronts.

Im am curious about head movement with new frame

 

[Dos Perros]

I give a rats ass where my packs zipper is made as long as it’s a functional, durable and tested.

That’s a shame.

 

[Trial153]

That’s a shame.

Is it really?
Have you ever stopped and thought about what the United States would look like if we sourced all production and products in this county? Take a look a North Texas and then expand it exponentially.
It would be a shit hole.

 

[Scoot]

Is it really?

I'm with DP on this one- American Made is of value to me. ...all the way down to the zippers.

 

[Scoot]

No doubt I'm not perfect in this regard, BootBow. I've had that pack for about a decade and my beliefs on this topic have strengthened a good bit. I'm still not a purist, but I certainly do stand by what I said above. It would be pretty tough to exist in the US today without owning anything made outside of the US. If you don't buy into that line of thinking, that's totally your prerogative and perfectly fine by me.


- Interesting- apparently BootBow deleted his post (or someone deleted it).

 

[pirogue]

I give a rats ass where my packs zipper is made as long as it’s a functional, durable and tested.

And that’s been the downfall of one brand of pack, Badzippers, aka Badlands

 

[StopMakingSense]

I venture we’re gonna see some packs…

 

[Ryan Avery]

I’d like to see bigger kutthroat that you can mount on an external Frame

I hear May/June timeframe.

 

[Dos Perros]

Is it really?
Have you ever stopped and thought about what the United States would look like if we sourced all production and products in this county? Take a look a North Texas and then expand it exponentially.
It would be a shit hole.

Certainly wasn’t advocating for 100% domestic production. Just that it’s a shame you don’t care at all where something is produced, as you’d said. That would seem to imply you are comfortable benefiting from slave labor, as an example.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

Certainly wasn’t advocating for 100% domestic production. Just that it’s a shame you don’t care at all where something is produced, as you’d said. That would seem to imply you are comfortable benefiting from slave labor, as an example.

Not coming to his defense, but I think his point was its a zipper for gods sacks he's not concerned where it comes from. As long as its quality and works. In general, he's right, I mean do we know where every component of anything we use comes from? It could come from slave labor we just don't know. Packs seems to be the only piece of gear where we are actually told where the parts and pieces come from. It's weird, we do not get this "nutty" about anything else. I have no idea where the parts and pieces come from in my car, tents, clothing, boots, etc.