Anybody have a Kifaru X-Ray or E&E?

[Bumppo]

The X-ray is well featured but about one third smaller than expected. It is destined (for me) to be a cross between a weekend "skills" bag, and a bugout bag. Although very heavy compared to other same size bags, it is designed to carry heavy loads comfortably. Any other X-Ray owners who might have opinions or have packed heavy loads would be good to hear from.The 100 oz. water bladder fits nicely, but takes almost a third of the room when filled. At this point, I am trying to avoid adding pouches to the outside, just trying to fill it with smaller lighter versions of the "ten essentials" and keep enough room for minimal clothes and rain gear.

The E&E is my grab and go, plus it fits under the smallest overseas recomendation for aircraft underseat carry on. it is essentially a cloth shoe box with back pack straps. Pricey, but unobtrusive and often overlooked. That size bag is hard to find.

I would like to hear from you about your experiences with fitting the X-Ray bag to yourself.

Any opinions or observations would be helpful.

 

[jw2n]

I have the E&E G2 w/upgraded shoulder straps, skinny mini, and liter pouch. I am running a TAD OP-1 on the back but will be replacing it with an Organizer. The shoulder strap upgrade makes it far more comfortable for lenghty carry, or heavier loads. Keep in mind that you have to cut off the existing straps in order to install the new ones. The E&E is not too pricey by itself, but it will easily go over $300 with upgrades and pouches.

Source, which is Israeli, makes a great sub-1,000 ci pack, but finding one can be hard since the U.S. rep has disappeared.

You may wish to look at a TAD Litespeed which is only 200 ci larger than an E&E. It is a full featured pack as opposed to the knapsack design of the E&E.

Also look at the Mini-me by Eberlestock.

 

[crossada]

I use my Xray G2 for edc and some day hikes. Never loaded it down completely but fwiw I wish I would of got the Mollex instead. I was also happier with my G1 Scout which I sold to get the Xray.

 

[jbob24]

I have a G2 Xray that I bought thinking would be nice bag for long day hikes, ruck workouts, and such, but quickly realized it is not intended for that. Even with a belt hooked up and all the straps appropriately fitted to me it still feels kind of awkward. The attachment points on the back side of the bag and places along the strap rub the skin (even tho I'm not a fluffy guy) if you're just wearing a tshirt.

I believe it's intended purpose is more of a do-all bag that isn't particularly "great" at anything. It fills up into a nice little almost-cube that throws in with luggage well and can be thrown on your back quickly to move from vehicle to vehicle or quick, short traverses. That it can carry heavy loads is only in the nature of all Kifaru bags. This one isn't particularly comfortable, it's pure utility, with a soldiers day-to-day work in mind. It's NOT an extended mission bag of any sort.

That said, I don't regret buying the bag and in fact, I use it daily. I use it to carry gear and water and extra clothes to work everyday. It comes with me packed to the gills and at the end of the day comes home almost empty, compressed down. I added the Kif organizer to the back panel which adds a ton of functionality and does not get in the way or hang down like pouches on other bags. I also added a Leatherman tool in a pouch to the rightside so you could just reach back and grab it without taking the pack off.

If I thought I was gonna be going a long distance on foot (bugout?) , I don't think I could recommend this pack. Of course it could work in an emergency, any bag would work. Theres too many other good choices, especially if you're already throwing that kind of money around

 

[crossada]

Great review Jbob24 and I agree 100%. For all the reasons stated is why I wish I would of got the mollex instead. With the longer stays it offers true shoulder lift.

I had a G1 E&E. It worked good as a edc bag but couldn't hold a ton obviously. If you do get the E&E I would want to keep the normal straps on it instead of the xray upgrade. That way if you ever get a bigger pack like the zulu you can dock-n-lock it to the big pack still and have a your edc gear close to hand.

A video of the G2 E&E
[youtube]zZWSqimqzPs[/youtube]

 

[jbob24]

That video ALMOST makes me want to get an E&E... almost...

 

[roar-k]

That video ALMOST makes me want to get an E&E... almost...

You know you want one. I love my E&E and am able to use it anywhere from short day hikes to shopping with the wife. My wife actually liked my E&E quite a bit and had me buy her one. I have used my E&E as one of my carry on bags along with my Mollex.

 

[jbob24]

I have a question for you then... When you use it alone, do you have it set up exclusive of anything else, or do you find yourself with many pouches on it?

 

[jw2n]

I have not used the doc-n-loc system, but how does changing the shoulder straps intefere with it? The compression straps are what connect the two packs.

 

[HDBeav]

The E&E is my EDC bag. Back and forth to work mostly with things I like to have around. A few knives, PSK, multitool, shemagh, paracord, ibuprofen, bic lighter, flashlight or two. Works for dayhikes and occasionally I dump it out and fill it with urban necessities depending what we're doing. My GF wanted one as well, got her the coyote brown one. We added some Blackhawk pouches.

 

[Brian Andrews]

Any other X-Ray owners who might have opinions or have packed heavy loads would be good to hear from.

I don't have an x-ray, but I might have some input that could be helpful.

I looked at Kifaru packs for a LONG time before I finally pulled the trigger on one. For the reason you mentioned (the size), I decided against the X-ray and got the Xpress for just a bit more volume.

Since I am going to say something not completely positive, I first want to state that the Kifaru is by far the best pack I have ever owned, whether it is a simple day pack, or huge multi-day monster. I regret not just getting one sooner, rather than going through numerous less expensive packs.

With that being said, I think most Kifaru owners are going to tell you that you can stick a tank in your pack and never have ANY trouble. While the Kifaru's are built extremely well, you just can not defy physics. With that in mind, one of the things that really makes a difference with a large and HEAVY pack are the load lifter straps at the top of your shoulder straps. Unless those straps are going upward at an angle from their attachment point on the shoulder straps, they simply can not do their job of transferring load. Meaning in shorter packs like the x-ray and my Express, they are of limited use.

So, IMO, while that pack is probably constructed well enough for me to fill it is with sand, it is not going to feel as comfortable as a larger pack (longer) with the load straps doing their job.

Still, I bought mine for a "daypack" and I don't strenuously load the heck out of it. It is by far my favorite pack and does exactly what I want.

I hope that makes sense

B

 

[roar-k]

I have a question for you then... When you use it alone, do you have it set up exclusive of anything else, or do you find yourself with many pouches on it?

I have a 2QT pouch attached to the front and that's it. This config allows me to do almost anything I need to do, witch the exception of carrying a 1L bottle outside of the main compartment. If I plan on carrying a drink that I know I am going to need I just throw the 1L pouch on there.

Adding pouches increases the weight quite a bit compared to a pack that already has what's needed built in, but you can modify the E&E to fit your needs.

 

[crossada]

I have not used the doc-n-loc system, but how does changing the shoulder straps intefere with it? The compression straps are what connect the two packs.

The normal seat belt straps are meant to be stowed in the sleeve pocket so it can be dock n locked. The xray straps would be too bulky for this and would have to be removed completely I would think.

I'm sure the kifaru forums could tell you a definite answer.

 

[jumpmonkey]

I'm sure the kifaru forums could tell you a definite answer.

+1

Kifaru is great to deal with. If you really got a question, call during hours. Also, don't neglect their forums if you're too shy to call. It's not at all unusual to get a response from Patric or Mel.


God bless,
Adam