picking out a kifaru pack

[Derek0525]

I'm looking at buying a kifaru pack now and need some suggestions I don't want something too big but want to be able to pack out elk with it. I was thinking the spike camp pack but wasn't sure how it would do hauling out an elk the pack will be for day use and maybe an overnighter now and then. Also how is the fabric on the packs are they pretty tear resistant, waterproof or water resistant, quiet coin through brush?

 

[Shrek]

Bikini frame and 4800 high camp . Weighs little , carries 100+ pounds , compresses to next to nothing but expands to hold 5 days plus. If you want more organization built in then the T1 bag trimmed of the snow collar and divider. The spike camp will not have the hauling abilities like the bikini and there are no options to change bags to suit what you are doing at the time.

 

[cmeier117]

The fabric is awesome you will love it. The camo ones are not as "quiet" as the solid color packs but no issue at all. I live in Salem and have a few packs I could show you if you come up this way. Not sure if the spike camp could fit an elk quarter bone in but it would definitely carry deboned elk meat.

 

[spearcaster]

The fabric is awesome you will love it. The camo ones are not as "quiet" as the solid color packs but no issue at all. I live in Salem and have a few packs I could show you if you come up this way. Not sure if the spike camp could fit an elk quarter bone in but it would definitely carry deboned elk meat.

I'm in portland, I'd be interested in checking out a kifaru pack if possible. Have been wanting to get one for a while, but would like to see one in person.

 

[cmeier117]

I'm in portland, I'd be interested in checking out a kifaru pack if possible. Have been wanting to get one for a while, but would like to see one in person.

PM me and maybe we could meet in the middle somewhere.

 

[major]

Bikini frame and 4800 high camp . Weighs little , carries 100+ pounds , compresses to next to nothing but expands to hold 5 days plus. If you want more organization built in then the T1 bag trimmed of the snow collar and divider. The spike camp will not have the hauling abilities like the bikini and there are no options to change bags to suit what you are doing at the time.

+1 for the Bikini and Highcamp

 

[Derek0525]

How do I know what length stays to get 22 or 24 I'm 6 ft?

 

[Shrek]

26" stays. You want the lift. Have you measured your torso ? If not you should. Take a measuring tape and measure from the knot at the base of your neck down to the spot on your spine that is even with the top of your hip. Unless you have a really short torso for your size you need 26" stays. Becca is 5'3" and uses the 26" stays if that helps you understand. I was looking at the specs on the spike camp and it only comes with 22"stays and rated to only 50 lbs. That is NOT the pack to haul meat out of the backcountry with. Bikini frame all the way.

 

[Derek0525]

Ya I started looking again and was gonna go with the timberline 3 but I didn't see an option for 26" stays just 22 and 24

 

[Shrek]

The problem with the Timderline series is that they offer a lot less flexibility and save no weight. The also don't control heavy loads as well as the same bag on a bikini frame. You are shooting yourself in the foot going with a Timderline over a bikini frame and timberline bag. I can tell you are having a hard time seeing it but the bigger bag adds very little weight and and gets so small that it just makes no sense to go with a small bag. Slim9300 posted some pictures of his t1 cinched down small that ended my reluctance to go big. Get the bikini frame and a smaller bag but I bet you will be wish you had a bigger bag the first time you bivy out and then haul a load. The good thing then is you have the frame and all you need is a big bag. Lots of ways to rig the bikini but you are stuck if you go with a straight timberline pack.

I'm betting the straight timberline packs will fade from the line as people understand just how light , comfortable and strong the bikini really is.

 

[Justin Crossley]

If I where you Id take a look at the Timberline series. They make a 3700 CI 5200 CI and 7000 CI. The Timberline 1 3700 CI is rated for 100+ lbs load carries.

The T1 is the big bag. The T2 and T3 are smaller.

Bikini and a T1 bag is a great option.

I have the Timberline 1 and I really like it. I had a chance to upgrade to the Bikini this year for about $100.00 and I really didn't think it was worth it so I just kept the standard T1. The only real difference between the two is the ability to change bags.

If I was going to order a new pack though, I would get the Bikini for sure.

 

[flyinsquirel]

You have to step up to a T2 to get 26's. I wish they offered 26's on the T3.

 

[Justin Crossley]

You have to step up to a T2 to get 26's. I wish they offered 26's on the T3.

Get the Bikini and a T3 bag and you've got exactly that.

 

[Shrek]

You see lot of pictures of hero shots with loaded packs and few of the pack strapped down in daypack mode. It's a problem because you don't get a sense of what it's like most of the time.

 

[Superdeuce]

I ma kind of in the same boat... Modularity is nice, but sure makes for tough decisions on what pack combo to get. I am pretty set on a BT1 for expedition, but was wondering the same question as op for dayhunt elk use what would be a good second bag (not that the DT1 would not suffice as well). Was thinking DT3 with a grab it, but was wondering if better served on a duplex frame. HC4800 suggestion has me thinking now as I am guessing could just dump a whole bone in quarter right in the bag.

As to snow collar removal on the DT1, doesn't that just give me an expensive DT2 bag or what are the differences in the remaining bag volume? Too many choices, so little money.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

The problem with the Timderline series is that they offer a lot less flexibility and save no weight......

I'm betting the straight timberline packs will fade from the line as people understand just how light , comfortable and strong the bikini really is.

The major advantage of the Timberline is you can still get them with aluminum stays so you can adjust for a correct fit. I'm hoping your bet is wrong and this important factor does not fall by the wayside.

....oh and I agree about going with the bigger bag.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I ma kind of in the same boat... Modularity is nice, but sure makes for tough decisions on what pack combo to get. I am pretty set on a BT1 for expedition, but was wondering the same question as op for dayhunt elk use what would be a good second bag (not that the DT1 would not suffice as well). Was thinking DT3 with a grab it, but was wondering if better served on a duplex frame. HC4800 suggestion has me thinking now as I am guessing could just dump a whole bone in quarter right in the bag.

As to snow collar removal on the DT1, doesn't that just give me an expensive DT2 bag or what are the differences in the remaining bag volume? Too many choices, so little money.

The DT1 bag is still bigger with the snow collar removed.

 

[Aron Snyder]

I ma kind of in the same boat... Modularity is nice, but sure makes for tough decisions on what pack combo to get. I am pretty set on a BT1 for expedition, but was wondering the same question as op for dayhunt elk use what would be a good second bag (not that the DT1 would not suffice as well). Was thinking DT3 with a grab it, but was wondering if better served on a duplex frame. HC4800 suggestion has me thinking now as I am guessing could just dump a whole bone in quarter right in the bag.

As to snow collar removal on the DT1, doesn't that just give me an expensive DT2 bag or what are the differences in the remaining bag volume? Too many choices, so little money.

The DT1 without snow collar is still 1,200 CI larger ish than the DT2.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Backpack Hunter,
The other thing I really don't like about the Bikini is the way the bag flops around when you're not wearing the pack. For actual use I like the one piece design of the standard Timberlines better.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

I hope the timberline stays, can anyone elaborate on why or how the bikini hauls load better? I have the timberline 2 and love it so far but not hauled serious weight with it, aside from modularity of the bikini system which some may find appealing for mission specifics but my opinion backpack hunting is mission specific already and the t1 or t2 answer the questions about as good as u can and for me the modularity of the bikini system answeres questions I don't have, I think the timberlines will be tougher and more durable then bikini where the bag hangs on the chassis rather than built into the chassis...am I the only one thinking the bikini is just the current rage and the timberlines are the sleeper hiding behind the hype? Kifaru sure is in a good spot that's for sure lol. I think the t2 is the pack for the original poster.

If my missions were longer I would have gone t1 but for me the t2 was the right size, I can day hunt it, I can haul more weight in it than I should, should fit full elk quarters no prob for example or a whole deboned sheep should I try it in one go, maybe go five days or a week but weekends easy. I stand by the t2 for original poster, it squashes down to eff all!