Pack Advice: Barneys vs Kifaru vs Crossfire

[Seakadventurer]

Yeah for sure, I had t looked at the website for awhile but holy smokes that new light weight bag isn’t cheap. I wish I could find a Yukon or pinnacle bag used.

I have a lightly used older pinnacle that I would part with.

 

[tony]

Crossfire DG3 - don’t believe this model is available anymore. Been revamped into a new model

 

[Chirogrow]

I've used a Barney's, kifaru, SG and Exo. I couldn't keep the kifaru to stay on my hips but loved the bag layouts so much and the made in USA factor so I struggled with it for two years trying to make it work. Then I went to a Barneys and it is a great pack with beefy padding, seems indestructible and lots of space but even with the padding in the lumbar pad the metal would dig into my low back with heavy loads to the point where my legs went numb. I tried lots of different adjustments but once I went over 80 pounds it was just a matter of time before i could feel the metal digging in. For my body the exo has been perfect and carries heavy loads perfect. All 3 brands you mentioned are great and sadly you just need to try them out and see how they go.

 

[Seakadventurer]

I've used a Barney's, kifaru, SG and Exo. I couldn't keep the kifaru to stay on my hips but loved the bag layouts so much and the made in USA factor so I struggled with it for two years trying to make it work. Then I went to a Barneys and it is a great pack with beefy padding, seems indestructible and lots of space but even with the padding in the lumbar pad the metal would dig into my low back with heavy loads to the point where my legs went numb. I tried lots of different adjustments but once I went over 80 pounds it was just a matter of time before i could feel the metal digging in. For my body the exo has been perfect and carries heavy loads perfect. All 3 brands you mentioned are great and sadly you just need to try them out and see how they go.

Was that issue with that frame digging in with the older style belt or the new wider belt on the Barney?

 

[Chirogrow]

Not sure to be honest, I bought the frame about 5 years ago

 

[ganngus]

I love my K4 but I do find myself being super intrigued by Barney's...

 

[RyanS612]

I have had my Kifaru pack for almost 10 years and have put it through a lot. I have the duplex tac frame with the fulcrum pack. It’s basically the hoodlum with two extra pockets on the side. I have packed out two moose, a dozen elk, a mountain goat, half a dozen deer, three bear, and a half dozen antelope. I have been able to pack out all of my bear meat and hides in one trip. The pack has held up great. The only thing I have replaced is the lumbar pad. I can only speak about Kifaru but you won’t be disappointed with the hoodlum

 

[TradLife406]

Not sure about the other brands. But I've used a Kifaru for about nine years.
They're very comfortable under load. I've carried some loads out that were pretty stupid. No real major issues and the few I did have got fixed asap.

The only con against Kifaru is the strap salad they've tit going on with all the compression straps. Which yes they're great for hauling meat. But the rest of the time they're just a pain.

Going to try a SG this season. They just seem sleeker. Won't sell the Kifaru though. She's been a good frame and my kid needs a good pack. Crazy you have a pack for a long time and get some sentimental value there. Been through a lot together.