Which Big Kifaru Pack?

[SHTF]

Took my Camelbak Trizip and hooked the panel to it to kind of give you the idea. Same principle accept the panel will be attached to my MMR Frame instead of the Trizip.

I put some adapters on the Molle on bottom of the Trizip



attached the Tactical Cargo to these attachments



Front View



and side view. Nothing in the lock and loads but you can see they are there

 

[luke moffat]

A big bag with small silnylon bags to organize inside is the fastest and easiest I have found. SHTF's method looks interesting, but I'm not sure I'd have the patience for that....you're a better man than me SHTF

 

[SHTF]

Yeah Im tired of pulling all my crap out and having it everywhere.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Organization with the big bag type of packs is best done by making sure the most used gear is at the top. Water filter, camera, first aid kit and kill kit all go in top or on the top lid.

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

Other than being pretty heavy for a daypack, my DT1 worked pretty well. I feel like if I got a T2 or T3 bag instead to save weight, eventually I would get in a situation where I couldn't fit all of my gear. I like all of the room and the fact that I don't have to pack smart.

I put my calls and wind checker in a small belt pouch on my right hand side. In my opinion the small is the correct size to wear on the belt, because it doesn't hang down below the belt or sway when I walk.

My bugle, shooting sticks and extra water bottles went in the tall pockets on the sides.

My smaller items like extra calls, camera, GPS, Havalon knife, compass, etc. went in the small pockets on the back. The only thing I don't like about the location of these pockets was when I bungee my jacket over them, it made them inaccessible.

Larger things that I needed to get out of the bag often like my water filter and lunch / snacks went in the sleeping bag compartment.

I used the main bag for extra clothes, game bags, and anything else I didn't need to get at in a hurry.

I have the standard lid. After the first day in daypack mode I left it at camp.

Instead of a grab-it or the cargo panel I bought a load sling from a different company. It is taller than the grab-it, lighter than the cargo panel, and less expensive than both. It fit my Duplex frame great and worked very well for hauling bags of meat.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

A Load Sling?

Organization with the big bag type of packs is best done by making sure the most used gear is at the top. Water filter, camera, first aid kit and kill kit all go in top or on the top lid.

Who makes this load sling? I'd like to see it. I have always been a pocket kinda guy and i tend to carry more weight than many weight weenies. For example, my sleep system weighs 10lbs (Hammock, insulation, tarp, sleeping bag, pillow, suspension and staking) which takes up some space. i also tend to drag along lots of snivel gear...creature comforts like a flask, my ipod/MYVU (so I can watch movies if I get stuck in the weather) and of course, victory cigars! Sometimes I'll pull out a bag of cookies or even beer just to surprise my buddy(ies) after the hike in. I can fill up a bag. Mostly I need a comfortable bag that won't slosh around on my back, pull me in different directions and will stand up to harsh abuse...most everything in AZ will stick, bite or sting you. Need a bag that holds everything including my bow without complication. Am now leaning away from pockets and thinking big lid.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

Sounds like you need a T1 or a Highcamp 7K to me. I've had both and loved the HC 7k but longed for the side pockets on the T1. I'm running a Duplex frame and Longhunter lid. Two small belt pouches on the belt and mediums on the sides. I use pullouts inside the pack to keep organized like Luke describes.

 

[luke moffat]

123 P&Y,

If you are hoping to save weight with a smaller T2 or T3 packbag over a T1 bag I think you will be let down...the difference between a T1 and T3 is so minimal in y opinion it really isn't worth having two separate bags. All kifaru bags compress down so well when empty even if you have 5K cu in not in use it'll still carry fine.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Bigger is better

123 P&Y,

If you are hoping to save weight with a smaller T2 or T3 packbag over a T1 bag I think you will be let down...the difference between a T1 and T3 is so minimal in y opinion it really isn't worth having two separate bags. All kifaru bags compress down so well when empty even if you have 5K cu in not in use it'll still carry fine.

I was leaning towards the 7K+ packs but the models and options selection is somewhat difficult when you can't actually touch and review the merchandise. This is why so many people end up buying multiple packs from Kifaru and I wanna learn from the experiences of others so the 1st pack I order is the right one. The info here is INVALUABLE to me! Thanks guys.

With regard to pack load, I'm 6' tall, 211lbs with a normal back and the Bikini w/ composite 26" stays looks about right but are the bigger model bags cut wider or taller and which is better? The Highcamp seems narrower than the T1 or DT1. Which lid holds the most stuff the XLT?

 

[boom]

i think the XLT is the smaller of the two load lids.

i think the T1 is still your best bet. nice to have those outside pockets for stuff. like my inhaler. haha.

 

[Shrek]

Long hunter lid is largest. I'm running a DT1 with a long hunter lid. All trimmed. Belt and shoulder strap removed along with the belt pocket. Cut the snow collar and divider from the bag. A couple other small trimmings. Check out Arons video about what he trimmed . Cuts quite a bit of weight from the T1 bag and lid.

 

[Justin Crossley]

With regard to pack load, I'm 6' tall, 211lbs with a normal back and the Bikini w/ composite 26" stays looks about right but are the bigger model bags cut wider or taller and which is better? The Highcamp seems narrower than the T1 or DT1. Which lid holds the most stuff the XLT?

The T1 is taller and narrower than the 7K highcamp. The smaller highcamp is almost exactly the same size and shape as the main bag on the T1.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

My problem with the T1 is the integrated frame that doesn't enable me to sandwich the meet between the frame and the pack. I hunt larger animals (bear, elk, bison, boar) and want that weight as close to my body as possible...so the Duplex seems like a better choice. Not certain but...

Kifaru rep says the Hunting Platform is better for this than the Bikini frame. opinions?

I want the best possible bow holder cuz I have nearly $2K wrapped up in my Carbon Element...if possible i'd like to be able to remove the bow w/o taking the pack off for those times you quickly walk up on a shooter. My Aberlestocks have this but I don't see anything comparable on the Kifaru site.

The Foliage Green looks almost gray on the Kifaru site...is the color true as shown?

 

[Justin Crossley]

My problem with the T1 is the integrated frame that doesn't enable me to sandwich the meet between the frame and the pack. I hunt larger animals (bear, elk, bison, boar) and want that weight as close to my body as possible...so the Duplex seems like a better choice. Not certain but...

Kifaru rep says the Hunting Platform is better for this than the Bikini frame. opinions?

I want the best possible bow holder cuz I have nearly $2K wrapped up in my Carbon Element...if possible i'd like to be able to remove the bow w/o taking the pack off for those times you quickly walk up on a shooter. My Aberlestocks have this but I don't see anything comparable on the Kifaru site.

When I am saying T1 I am talking about the bag not the type of frame. For your use I would get the BT1 or DT1. Just my opinion.

As far as putting the meat in between the bag and frame, that is up to you. I wouldn't do that myself. Ask Aron about that too.

In the picture that I posted with the bow on the pack I have half a boned out bull inside and there is still a lot of room for gear.

I carry my bow in my hand when I think I may need it quickly so I can't help you with that one.

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

123 P&Y,

If you are hoping to save weight with a smaller T2 or T3 packbag over a T1 bag I think you will be let down...the difference between a T1 and T3 is so minimal in y opinion it really isn't worth having two separate bags. All kifaru bags compress down so well when empty even if you have 5K cu in not in use it'll still carry fine.

I concur and I will stick with my T1 bag. Plus a second Kifaru bag is not in my budget.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Agreed...bigger is better but what about the other issues in my previous post regarding frame and color and bow attachment?

 

[SHTF]

WB the Foliage for Kifaru is a true Foliage color. Its probably your color display on your monitor that is having problems distingguising the colors. Its a very light greenish grey type color. Youll do well with either the duplex or Bikini they both are very versitile the Duplex is much more stout but with that comes the extra weight of the duplex over the bikini. As far as bow attachment I can show you the way I cary my bow that allows me access to the bow without taking off the pack. I use a metal dloop on my bow. I connect the dloop to a key chain quick release type hook that is attached to the Shoulder strap. THen I have a strap on my hip belt that I put around the handle. This keeps the bow on my side under my arm and I can have the bow off in seconds and not have to take my pack off.

Here is a look at me with my bow carry system in the field. Thats me in the rear.



This is the contraption I made for this system



And here is a better view of how it works I didnt have the Metal Dloop in this photo but its the same. My dloop has never moved btw I know thats a concern for some.



Keep in mind that the bow weight doesnt actually hang from the string thats just to keep the bow in place. I use a strap on my belt that holds the bow at the handle that actually holds the weight of the bow. The keychain connection just keeps the bow from falling over and moving.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Very clever but can't see how the bow is attached to the belt. Does it move much like that? How would that work when climbing? Using trekking poles?

 

[SHTF]

I dont hold the bow like in the photo you see. It is attached to my belt via a regular 1 inch strap with a buckle. This is about a 4 inch piece of strap I run through the belt Molle. Im hands free and an roll with 2 trekking poles. Just picture that photo with my handle of my bow attached to the waist. My bow and pack are coming in tomorrow Ive been doing some gear trading out so have both new pack and bow being delivered tomorrow hehe.

 

[Shrek]

Bruce , resale value on Kifaru gear is outstanding. You could buy a pack and try it for a couple of weeks and turn around and sell it and not loose the cost of one tank of gas for your trip to Denver to try stuff at the shop. You would eat shipping and maybe 10%. Heck of a lot cheaper than the gas and time .