Umlindi vs spike camp

[three5x5s]

HPG Umlindi vs Kifaru Spike Camp. Liking these 2 packs. Would be adding the belt.. Anyone have any thoughts on the pro's & con's of the 2. I have a 31 waist & 17 inch torso if that makes any difference. 1 or 2 day pack. Could take off the belt and use for travel. I'm not big enought to carry alot of weight and these 2 packs seem to be as big as I will ever need.

Umlindi is cheaper.
Spike Camp has way better camo.
Thanks.

 

[Clinch]

I was hoping to hear some thoughts on this too.

 

[three5x5s]

I was hoping to hear some thoughts on this too.

Glad you posted, I thought I smelled or something. Must not be a big need for this size pack. Maybe too big for a day pack and to small for a week long trip.

 

[Aron Snyder]

The Spike Camp is definitely not too big for a day back....same with the HPG. I would say the the Urban Zippy with a frame sheet is closer to the Umlindi in some ways.

Both are great packs and will serve you well for what you described.

 

[Clinch]

Not ready to let this go. I plan on getting an Umlindi but not sure about the belt yet. I can't imagine ever carrying more than 30 pounds in it. Anybody have thoughts on this?

 

[doncarpenter]

I would like to hear some reviews of both as well. I am going back and forth between an xray and an umlindi. But the spike camp is really tempting too. Does a spike camp barrel? I know it has a couple of stays, but is that the only structure? I am really leaning toward and xray but i cant get the spike camp out of my head for some reason.

 

[Brock A]

I've been using the spike camp for an everyday pack now for a few weeks. I had a xray previously. So far I'm extremely happy with the change. Way more room and better load lifters IMO. I won't ever use it for a day pack hunting but that's just me. I like to have my AMR compressed for day hunts. I could see it working really well for it though.

 

[doncarpenter]

Brock, thats the kind of stuff i want to hear. I would use the spike camp similarily. Do you like the access to the bag? And does it barrel when packed full or do you not stuff it full most of the time? I have a long torso (21 inches) so i was worried that the xray might be too short. I know its meant to be a lumbar pack i would just never use it as such.

 

[Brock A]

Brock, thats the kind of stuff i want to hear. I would use the spike camp similarily. Do you like the access to the bag? And does it barrel when packed full or do you not stuff it full most of the time? I have a long torso (21 inches) so i was worried that the xray might be too short. I know its meant to be a lumbar pack i would just never use it as such.

Access to the bag is fine. No problems there. I don't usually fill it up for work but I don't see it having the "barrel" effect when full. I have an average size torso and the Xray was just about too short for me.

 

[LostArra]

don: I don't think the Spike Camp is considered a lumbar pack, maybe you are thinking Scout.

 

[doncarpenter]

LostArra, i was talking about the xray being a lumbar pack if you're running it with a waistbelt.

 

[LostArra]

got it
pardon the interruption

 

[doncarpenter]

LostArra, no worries. My wording might have been off, I was up most of the night.

Brock, thanks for the insight, Im thinking there is a Spike Camp in my future. I was already leaning that way.

Anyone else have thoughts on the Spike Camp? I would also like to hear some about the Umlindi.

 

[rhunter424]

I have a long torso (21 inches) so i was worried that the xray might be too short. I know its meant to be a lumbar pack i would just never use it as such.

No one is getting shoulder lift from an xray when using it as a lumbar pack. It has 17 inch stays. There's a reason why there's no load lifters on the xray's shoulder straps.

If you're not using the xray with a waistbelt, then tighten the shoulder straps like everyone else does (long torso or not) and have it ride higher on your back.

 

[doncarpenter]

No one is getting shoulder lift from an xray when using it as a lumbar pack. It has 17 inch stays. There's a reason why there's no load lifters on the xray's shoulder straps.

If you're not using the xray with a waistbelt, then tighten the shoulder straps like everyone else does (long torso or not) and have it ride higher on your back.

I wasn't trying to say that I needed or wanted shoulder lift from the xray. I would not use the waistbelt if I had one and I was just questioning if the pack would ride oddly on long torso folks, like brock said it did, because it's only 17 inches long. If you're saying that it would not be a problem, then I appreciate it. I prefer longer, thinner packs opposed to shorter fatter ones. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Clinch]

To be honest i wasn't too interested in the Umlindi when I first saw it. I'm not in to top access bags much, mostly because I'm lazy and don't like pulling everything out to get at something. But this last winter I found myself wanting just a little more room than my Tara gave me so I picked up an Umlindi and a pals pocket this week. I put all my stuff I want quick access to in the pocket, and can have it in the bag as a pullout or docked to the outside if I need a little more room. What I am liking about this setup is now if I decide to take another pack, the pocket can be switched over and be used the same way. It took my pea brain a minute to figure out the compression system on the Umlindi, but it is really functional for using a compression panel. I have only been out for a short walk with the dogs but it was comfortable. With water and a few things I only had 15lbs in it. My kit bag, with a pistol and my binos was close to ten. An overnighter would be very easy to do, but mostly this will be used for whatever I need a smaller bag for at the time. It may even get pressed into service as a diaper bag soon.

 

[NVCHUKAR]

All the packs without a duplex or bikini frame can barrel if packed incorectly. Pack the bag in a logical order and dont overtighten the compression straps and you will be fine.

 

[Take-a-knee]

Not ready to let this go. I plan on getting an Umlindi but not sure about the belt yet. I can't imagine ever carrying more than 30 pounds in it. Anybody have thoughts on this?

An Umlindi might carry better with a belt, I've not tried it with mine as I've only used it for travel and plan to set it up as a second-line EDC bag. The Hills mainly suggest a belt if you want a belt to be used to carry other gear, IE water bottles, ammo etc. The Umlindi is designed to hang from its shoulder harness, so no shoulder lift with or without a belt.

I've owned two Kifaru Spike Camps. I used one as a truck bag in Iraq and another as a travel pack. I sold both of them. They actually hold less than they would appear to.

If I could only have one pack, it would be a Hill People Gear Ute with one of their compression panels, or if you absolutely must have a bottom zipper, a Kifaru Legacy Late-Season (24in stays). These packs will compress down for day use and will both carry a load if need be. Smaller would only be an improvement for travel, in and out of vehicles/planes etc, IMO.

 

[Clinch]

I had the money for either the pals pocket or the belt. Went with the pocket and glad I did. I don't see me using a belt enough to warrant spending the $100 right now, though I might in the future. I am a big fan of HPG, but so far have been hesitant to get the Ute because of the top load. I'm rethinking that now that I have messed with the Umlindi and the pals pocket. Going to have to give it some time though. Pretty sure if I buy one more bag anytime soon I will be living out of it in the back yard.

 

[trapperjay]

Strange thing about the Ute, to me, is the lack of product reviews. How well does it haul a load?