Pros and Cons of the Kifaru Spike Camp for a day/travel pack?

[Browtinemt]

I'm looking for an internal frame pack for travel, range bag, family outings and maybe a hunting day-pack one of my kids can get years of use out of. I've waffled back and forth with the MR Dragonslayer and 3 DAP as well as the Kifaru Antero. I'm worried the Dragonslayer and Antero might be a little small and the 3 DAP might be too bulky. I know, picky picky, but they're all about the same price which is way at the top of my budget. Spike Camp seems like the right size and shape for carry-on and organized enough to haul whatever a family of 5 needs for an adventure.
So I would appreciate any first hand experience/thoughts you have if the Spike Camp fits the bill or not as I've only seen pictures on the line. Not really worried if it will haul an elk quarter or not, just the functionality and design. Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts.

 

[ahlgringo]

Love mine, use it as a carryon as well as daypack hunting. Super comfortable. Also did carry an elk quarter with it on multiple occasions.

 

[Brock A]

Spike camp works great for what you described. Been using it for a weekend clothes bag/carry on/EDC bag for awhile now.

 

[Karlkortemeier]

Love mine. I use it for all of the above. I also use it as a hunting pack. I've carried out a number of quartered up pigs and deer parts with it.

 

[mfolch]

I use a g1 express, which is basically a heavier version of the spike camp, for many of the same things. Pros: size (perfect for just about anything but serious camping), expandability (adding pockets takes it from an over-night to three-day pack), comfort (great up to 25lbs but I think the spike camp has better than my g1 express and should carry more better), durability (it's almost a decade old, I think--I bought used--and it looks almost brand new), adaptability (great for almost anything from hunting down to edc), lift (just enough for a smaller pack).

Cons:
Small top opening, which makes things hard to reach and manipulate. I often carry a laptop, and it makes the opening even narrower, so it's hard to get things in and out.
Ballooning bottom, which is great for sleeping bags and just about nothing else. I almost never use the bottom zipper/compartment.
Shape. This may just be me, but most of what I carry is rectangular (laptop, books, note pads, paper, etc.), and the bag is tubular, so there is a lot of unused space along the edges. Think of a square inside a circle, and that's what it looks like when you are looking down into the bag.
Accessibility. This is a big one. One is always having to work around the small opening.
Organization. The top and hanging chamber pockets are helpful, but I hate having keys and wallets and flashlights and pens and flash drives and knives and cables and cords and etc. loose and dangling around in the same compartments. So, you might also want to pick up an organizer (Mel has some posts about how to attach an organizer).

In sum, if I had it to do again, I would probably buy a Xing, which solves the accessibility problem...and costs so damned much more.

Separately, Mystery Ranch is about to release some new packs. Their gunfighter (available in Japan) is as serious rival and costs less.

 

[Browtinemt]

Thanks for the replies. The smaller top opening/access has been the only hitch in my giddy up to order a spike camp as it seems users either hate it or don't mind it. I've never heard of the MR gunfighter...thank you, I'll put that on the radar. The Xing looks like a great pack...but out of the price range I can justify. I wish Kifaru made an internal frame version of the 22 mag, that would be about perfect. I'm sure Kifaru will have something new for SHOT too, but we have a family trip planned for Feb so was hoping to get a bag before then. Anyone else have any likes or dislikes of the Spike Camp?

 

[mrbillbrown]

I was in your situation a year or so ago. Same reasons....travel, day hunt, pack for my 11yo son. After all the research, reviews, and experience from others I chose the Late Season. Yes, a little bigger (top opening much better than the spike camp) and more money but way more functional for my needs. Really enjoyed that LS pack.

After about a year with the Late Season I sold it and bought the UL 22" frame and 22Mag. It's working out way better than I'd expected for travel, day hunts, and for my now 13yo son. Quickly changes from his size to mine. We can swap belts out or run w/o a belt. It also offers the ability to swap between numerous bags and act as a stand alone frame hauler. I know you didn't mention the UL 22 frame as an option but wanted to give you my history and current direction.

 

[Browtinemt]

I was in your situation a year or so ago. Same reasons....travel, day hunt, pack for my 11yo son. After all the research, reviews, and experience from others I chose the Late Season. Yes, a little bigger (top opening much better than the spike camp) and more money but way more functional for my needs. Really enjoyed that LS pack.

After about a year with the Late Season I sold it and bought the UL 22" frame and 22Mag. It's working out way better than I'd expected for travel, day hunts, and for my now 13yo son. Quickly changes from his size to mine. We can swap belts out or run w/o a belt. It also offers the ability to swap between numerous bags and act as a stand alone frame hauler. I know you didn't mention the UL 22 frame as an option but wanted to give you my history and current direction.

Thanks, but the Late Season is out of my league too, good looking pack though. I think I was editing in my desire for an internal frame 22 mag to my post as you wrote yours, that bag looks dyn-o-mite. Your set-up is ideal, just not for my budget. What features other than the top opening swayed you towards the Late Season over the Spike Camp?

 

[mrbillbrown]

The LS has a more robust suspension system over the SC. The belt on the LS is a duplex belt and the LS has the option to run 22" or 24" stays. Overall, I felt the LS would suit me more because of its extra size (ci's & larger top opening), extra carrying ability (heavier suspension and duplex belt), and I'd rather have a little more than a little less in long term ownership regards. I also planned to use the LS for training and a 40# bag of corn fit inside the LS and never would've made it into the top opening of the SC. Also figured if I was gonna train with it I'd want the LS suspension over the SC suspension.

It took me quite a bit of research and wavering before deciding on the LS over the SC. From all the guys I talked to (or read about) most said if they could do it over again they would've gone with the LS. Always had the sneaky suspicion the SC might have worked for me but always glad I had the LS when I loaded it up.

 

[ezmorningrebel]

I've used both the spike camp and dragon slayer as a hunting daypack and prefer the spike camp by far. I find it far more comfortable to wear around all day. You can fit a surprising amount of stuff in the spike camp. If you have any specific questions about those two let me know.

 

[ezmorningrebel]

Thanks, but the Late Season is out of my league too, good looking pack though. I think I was editing in my desire for an internal frame 22 mag to my post as you wrote yours, that bag looks dyn-o-mite. Your set-up is ideal, just not for my budget. What features other than the top opening swayed you towards the Late Season over the Spike Camp?

internal frame 22 mag = zing

 

[hammer0419]

The top opening on a spike camp is VERY small due to the tapered design. To the point it is hard to get larger items in it. Best day pack I have ever owned was a Mystery Ranch Longbow ON A KIFARU FRAME.

 

[mfolch]

Another couple notes: Worth considering is a used g2 Marauder. It's a panel loader, has 22inch stays, and is about the same size as a SC. Aesthetically, it's not the slickest pack, but I bet you could find one used for a reasonable price.

A friend of mine has a LS and it's great in both sense: huge and excellent. Just too much bag for carrying around town, but I wish I had one every time we go camping.

Final note: I use my express every single day and it's almost but not quite perfect for every occasion--a jack of all trades and a master of none, so to speak. Good for edc, but a little too large. Good for hauling many big books, but too much for a laptop, notepad, a book or two, and minimal gear. Good for scouting and overnight trips, but heavy for its capacity, etc. To replace it, one needs three separate packs: a larger one for 3-4 day trips, a smaller one for edc, a lighter one for stalking and day hunting. Which is why I've kept it for years. I just put in an order for an x-ray for a dedicated and office-worthy edc, and I imagine that it will replace the express for most regular uses, but I do not expect to sell or get rid of the express ever--it's my favorite pack.

 

[rhunter424]

Another couple notes: Worth considering is a used g2 Marauder. It's a panel loader, has 22inch stays, and is about the same size as a SC. Aesthetically, it's not the slickest pack, but I bet you could find one used for a reasonable price.

The marauder's all have 19" stays.

 

[Browtinemt]

I appreciate everyone's responses, thank you. A lot of folks seem to like the Late Season over the Spike Camp, but the more I look the more I like the SC. I have a MR Metcalf (that I really dig) for loads and hunting so I'm looking for more of a miscellaneous grab and go bag for short excursions, travel and family. The SC just seems the right size and very versatile. I'll give it the weekend and see what happens. Maybe a used LS will turn up. One more question I have is for those of you that use the LS or SC for non-hunting/hiking activities...with light loads and carry-on does the waist belt become a burden when you don't need it for support?

 

[ezmorningrebel]

I appreciate everyone's responses, thank you. A lot of folks seem to like the Late Season over the Spike Camp, but the more I look the more I like the SC. I have a MR Metcalf (that I really dig) for loads and hunting so I'm looking for more of a miscellaneous grab and go bag for short excursions, travel and family. The SC just seems the right size and very versatile. I'll give it the weekend and see what happens. Maybe a used LS will turn up. One more question I have is for those of you that use the LS or SC for non-hunting/hiking activities...with light loads and carry-on does the waist belt become a burden when you don't need it for support?

I'll have to go take a look at mine but I'm pretty sure you can just remove the belt if you dont require it. If you leave it on though, it's much easier to tuck out of the way than most other belts because it isn't heavily padded and rigid

 

[dmyran]

I love my Spike Camp. For a day pack that is. I have put half a large mule deer in it with my day gear during archery season. It worked great. About 50-60 lbs is all I've stuck in it but it worked fine. I use it coyote hunting all winter and it's awesome. It's easy to strap a coyote to the bottom two straps and just go. Routinely strap a 20 - 25 lb coyote to it with my 18.6 lb rifle and pack weight around 15 pounds of "stuff" . Total 50 -60 lbs. I've never regretted it. Let me know if you have any questions. I use the heck out of mine. If I do otherwise I grab my AMR.

 

[NorthT]

I really like my spike camp bag a lot, I use for mostly day hunts for whitetail. I also do not care for the opening but not a deal breaker for me. I did add 2 med belt pouches to each side and grab. The grab it and a lash kit will haul my clothes in the bag plus a lone wolf assualt stand perfectly. I have a lot packed out a few deer with it. I would like the late season better I think but the sc is just right for wt.

 

[Kawabunga]

I also have a lateseason and like the size and capability but that 22Mag setup looks perfect for an all around pack, i like cross straps and panel loaders, only concern would be how stiff it was for stalking as i shoot a lot with my daypack on. Also $600 for a small pack is kinda steep, that said i'm really interested in it, now if i can sell a couple things...

I think the Spike camp would be great for what youre describing, sometimes i feel like the beefy belt and large bag on the LS is a bit much for EDC use but like was mentioned cant hurt to have a little more room as it compacts nicely.

I was in your situation a year or so ago. Same reasons....travel, day hunt, pack for my 11yo son. After all the research, reviews, and experience from others I chose the Late Season. Yes, a little bigger (top opening much better than the spike camp) and more money but way more functional for my needs. Really enjoyed that LS pack.

After about a year with the Late Season I sold it and bought the UL 22" frame and 22Mag. It's working out way better than I'd expected for travel, day hunts, and for my now 13yo son. Quickly changes from his size to mine. We can swap belts out or run w/o a belt. It also offers the ability to swap between numerous bags and act as a stand alone frame hauler. I know you didn't mention the UL 22 frame as an option but wanted to give you my history and current direction.

 

[Browtinemt]

Thanks for all the input, I'm still sitting on the fence though. The new Scapegoat from MR looks nice, but it doesn't look like it has a detachable belt. I was hoping Kifaru would come out with whatever is replacing/redesigning the SC and LS before I commit. Anyone heard/seen anything?