What will I gain with a Kifaru?

[idig4au]

For most of my hardcore backpacking for sheep and etc, I use my Barney's 7800 Yukon bag and frame. It can carry huge loads, is built like a tank and fits me well other than the waist belt can be a little problematic for me after a long hunt as I'm a size 32 at most in my waist before any weight loss. I'm pretty happy with it. The downside is that its fairly heavy at around 9 lbs and takes up a massive amount of room in my gear duffle bag when I have to fly to my hunts, which means a second gear bag and additional hassle at airports.

The GIF keeps telling that maybe that I should look at a Kifaru DT1 with the standard hunting frame or maybe the highcamp bag with the Bikini frame.

But in all reality, will I gain anything by switching over to Kifaru for my longer duration backpack hunts. I'm already a fan of their sleeping bags, pullouts and some of their other gear. Its good stuff. But will it carry typical loads as well as the Barney's system? My current setup isn't broken and doesn't need to be fixed. But if I can optimize it with a Kifaru, then I'll take a closer look.

 

[Shrek]

You would loose a few pounds and get the best belt made. If you buy a Kifaru and you decide it's not for you after a season then you could sell it on here for most of what you paid for it. Not a lot of downside to trying one and if it is the chit for you then the upside is huge. How heavy are you hauling usually ?

 

[RosinBag]

I am a die hard Kifaru fan and supporter, but you have a top notch system that works for you. You would gain about 3 pounds lighter pack and probably some comfort when not hauling heavy loads. The Barneys is the top hauler ever made in my opinion. So if you haul heavy, over 80 pounds frequently, then I would stay with it.

 

[SHTF]

Cant speak for Barney cause Ive never owned one. But folks rave about it. Correct me if Im wrong but you really cant day hunt with a Barney on. Just to big from what I am hearing. With the Kifaru you can strap the pack down to nothing and hunt all day with it. Youll also loose some weight like Shrek and RB said but youll also gain some comfort when your not packing heavy loads. And probably be about the same comfort level with heavy Loads. Its hard to say. Like RB Shrek said you can buy one try it out and get full retail back out of it. Kifaru resale value is best in the business.

 

[idig4au]

On a typical 10 day backpack trip I'm about 55 lbs all inclusive in terms of pack weight. I'm not a frequent heavy hauler unless I have something down on the ground. Most of my hunting as of recent is to backpack in and set up a base camp and then carry a somewhat empty pack on hunting days with 1 or 2 days of supplies in case I spend the night on the mountain. I see the upside of the Kifaru being to drop 3 or so pounds on my typical pack weight for day to day use, less bulk, and potentially a more comfortable suspension.

How do you guys travel with the Kifaru packs....do you put them in duffels or pack them full up and check them in as luggage? Do they hold up with the airlines? I gotta find a better way...my goal is to travel with one large duffle and my gun case for my next hunts that I have booked.

 

[Shrek]

I have no experience with a barneys frame but it's reputation is superb. Have you looked into a custom belt ? I don't know if the HPG belt fits it but it would be worth a call to find out. If the belt is slipping down due to being too big then I would bet either of the Kifaru frames would be more comfortable just by holding better. I just ordered a new medium belt for my duplex because the large was bottoming out and it would slowly work down under a load. It's enough to drive you mad. Get everthing set and just a couple yards down the trail it's digging your shoulders again. I'm losing weight I need to lose and a new medium will be here soon but if the belt didn't fit and there wasn't a belt available that fit the pack would need a new home in a flash.

 

[Shrek]

For that weight I would be rocking a Bikini and never look back. The belt is solid and comfortable. If you have been fighting a belt the the Kifaru will most likely be a dream come true.

 

[dotman]

From what you describe, the Kifaru Bikini would be a perfect pack for you. I don't think you would miss the Barnies at all.

Can't comment on air travel but call or send Aron Snyder an email and he can tell you since he frequently does. He probably is out hunt right now since CO elk and deer are open.

 

[Shrek]

I know a bunch of guys here carry their packs as a carryon and I think some check them . I haven't flown since before 911 and if I can help it I won't in the future so I'm not a big help there .

 

[Ray]

My only advise is to make sure your lower back "likes" lumbar style pack belts. My back does not, and that makes for some tough hikes until things settle out after a day. One mistake in adjusting a strap in the field and its all about the pain until I get it figured out.

Traveling with a pack as a carry on will still require that you check a gear duffle. But you can get a DT down small enough to fit overhead.

 

[RosinBag]

As far as traveling, Kifaru makes it as carry on, but you still have to check some of your gear. I carry on my pack and optics then check all my gear in a duffle. I don't think if you had your pack stuffed it would work as a carry on. There are also to many hunting items you can't carry on a plane.

I would also recommend the Duplex Frame over the Bikini. You have a very rigid frame and pack you use now. The Duplex has more structure and stiffness than the Bikini. If you are used to that structure / stiffness I would stay with that.

I have a Barney's I bought ten plus years ago when hunting Alaska. It is a machine with heavy loads. The Kifaru Duplex also swallows up heavy loads and is very comfortable with them. The barneys is probably easier to attach some loads to since it is external, but with a little thought you could lash it to a Duplex also.

Buy, try and decide. Re sale is simple with Kifaru.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

The Kifaru should give you less weight, better daypack abilities, versatility with different packs, and from your description a more comfortable suspension.

 

[Yellowknife]

idig4au -

My optimizations strategy was two fold. First I stripped down my Barney Pinnacle to the basics, and even swapped out the aluminum. Now it's 6.75 lbs. It's still my heavy load/high volume hauler, and I personally find in very comfortable heavy or light. They I picked up a Stone Glacier, which covers everything from light overnight and day trips in the summer and the hunting trips where I don't need the volume of the mega size Barneys. A Kifaru would probably split the difference and work quite well for you, but the combo I currently have comfortably covers a broader range. I no longer have a "backpacking" pack, as I find the Stove Glacier is more comfortable than any I have tried. Works for me anyway.

Yk

 

[Ironman]

You will definitely gain cool factor!

 

[Yellowknife]

You will definitely gain cool factor!

On this website, maybe....

In any Alaska guide camp, not so much.

Yk.

 

[les welch]

Not sure what you guys mean, but there is no way a DT1 or DT2 make it as a carry on. When I flew out to Aron's last year I carried on my DT3, with just a few items in it, and it barely made the carry on size........

 

[squeekieslayer]

Not sure what you guys mean, but there is no way a DT1 or DT2 make it as a carry on. When I flew out to Aron's last year I carried on my DT3, with just a few items in it, and it barely made the carry on size........

I can pack my DT1 down every bit as small as a DT3. You are right that fully loaded you cant take it as carry on, but with a few important items that you don't want thrown from 25 feet up by the baggage butt heads (like optics and electronics) you would be just fine.

This is a picture of my BT1 smashed down, it would make carry on for sure... it is certainly smaller than the big back packing packs the stinky hippies carry on. haha

Joe

 

[PABowhunter]

I recently flew with my BT1. I put binos, GPS, and a rangefinder in a daypack then stuffed that into the Kifaru. I also had my tent and sleeping bag in there. The daypack gave me a way to carry on my optics in the event that they made me check the BT1. With 26" stays the pack exceeded that parameter of carry-on luggage. but I kept it compact and only got a glance from one flight attendant at boarding. I won't bother with the daypack the next time. The pack will not fit into the aluminum frame for max carry-on dimensions at the airport, at least not with 26" stays, so don't try it, as you'll appear guilty.

 

[bowuntr]

I own and use both... They are both great packs and are bullet proof. Not sure what you are looking to gain... the belts are different.

I take my DT1 as a carry on... with optics, cameras and other small stuff. It is oversize and I once got caught by by an observant counter gal and had to check my pack. My Barneys goes in a checked duffle.

In my opinion the DT1 is more versitle and the Barneys more of a work horse. Yellowknife is right... Barneys rules most camps in Alaska. With all this being said... I'm taking both packs on my moose hunt next week... Why? Because I can. I'm doing a drop camp on a lake and will be hunting with the DT on my back and will use it as a first load pack and then put the Barneys into action as a heavy hauler. That's just me on this unique hunt. Apples and oranges idig4au... both are great packs and it's up to you to decide what you would gain. Good luck, Ed F

 

[tstowater]

Based on my flying experiences with packs, not every carry-on that is allowed is the same and may depend on the airline, size of the plane and how full the plane is. On my way to Alaska last year, I had no problem getting to Anchorage with the KUIU pack that I had with me (2012 frame and a 6000 pack). On the way back, I had a layover in Seattle and they made me check the bag (slightly too long, the stays) and the plane was packed and they were looking for every excuse to get people to check bags. Based on what I am seeing, the airlines are doing their best to get the planes filled and the ability for people to stuff larger bags in the overheads may be limited. My optics and other valuables did make it to Minneapolis, but I was damn nevous to put it mildly. Point is, what may work one time, may not work all the time. Almost didin't get a smaller pack through Salt Lake in December when the plane was full.