Does Anyone Have the Kifaru XRay or Mystery Ranch 3-day Assault?

E

Expatriated

Joined
Jan 19, 2004
Messages
551
What do you think of either one?

I like the fact they're so rugged but at 4 and 5lbs empty, they seem awful heavy:confused:

I'm a very light packer so I don't need more than 2,000 cu. in. to live out of.

The Mystery Ranch looks a little more discreet and doesn't scream "If there is any doubt I'm high-speed, just take a look at how much velcro and pals webbing I'm pimping".

I've never owned either brand but you guys all speak super highly of them.
 
The Kifaru X-ray is a sweet pack, excellent made.

Never got a chance to check out mystery ranch packs but have heard they are excellent also.

You should also check out TAD Gear packs, I been wanting to try there litespeed or EDC pack.

I been using a Maxpedition Falcon II and it works damn good for what I use it for, the price is alot cheaper then the others I have named.

I have a pic of my falcon II if you want to see just let me know....
 
Flexxx said:
The Kifaru X-ray is a sweet pack, excellent made.

Never got a chance to check out mystery ranch packs but have heard they are excellent also.

You should also check out TAD Gear packs, I been wanting to try there litespeed or EDC pack.

I been using a Maxpedition Falcon II and it works damn good for what I use it for, the price is alot cheaper then the others I have named.

I have a pic of my falcon II if you want to see just let me know....
Click to expand...

Curious about these two packs as well.
If you have the picture and don't mind sharing, please do!
 
Here is my Falcon II
I edited one of my patchs so its user friendly....;)

SAM_1789-1.jpg
 
If you're curious about the X-Ray I suggest strolling over to the Kifaru forums and employing yee olde search function. I personally have a Zulu, TG1, Claymore, and Admin pouch which I've carried. Great packs, but they are heavy. If you don't need all the crazy organization Kifaru has an ultra-light line that they just brought out. Mystery ranch is well spoken of on the Kifaru forums, they seem to be the place to go if you want an external frame pack.

God bless,
Adam
 
If you like the Mystery Ranch 3-day Assault you may want to have a look at the Camelbak Trizip. I have one on the way as we speak. It is based off of the 3-day Assault and has the Mystery Ranch Harness system for a much lower price. It is also made of 500d instead of 1000d so it should be a little more flexible and lighter while still being plenty tough. It also comes with a military grade camelbak bladder. I got mine from LApolicegear while they were on sale for $150 shipped!

It should make it here next week. If you'd like I'll try to give a few impressions once I have it in my hands.
 
Thanks for the responses, guys. I've read a bit on those Kifaru forums. Most people prefer the larger packs, it seems. I don't understand. I camped in Tibet for a week with less than 3,000 cu in. I don't know what I'd do with 4,000 cu in. Some of those creations those guys make must weigh 30 lbs empty. I like the huge ones completely covered with pockets. And on top of the pockets are pockets. And on top of those are more packs. With a pack hanging off the bottom and a small E&E pouch on the back :) Awesome stuff. If I fell down with that stuff on, I'd never be able to get up. Not to mention, I'd spend the entire hike, going, "Now which pocket were the batteries in?" :)

I have to say I've never heard anything bad about Kifaru or Mystery Ranch and that's saying something these days, as critical as everyone is about stuff.
 
I have the Camelbak Linchpin based on the Mystery Ranch harness system. It's basically a Camelback Hawg tweeked out with side pockets.

I think it's a great pack and it seems to be just the right size. It LA police gear has the trizip for 150 shipped, I would take a look at that one!
 
TLR said:
If you like the Mystery Ranch 3-day Assault you may want to have a look at the Camelbak Trizip. I have one on the way as we speak. It is based off of the 3-day Assault and has the Mystery Ranch Harness system for a much lower price. It is also made of 500d instead of 1000d so it should be a little more flexible and lighter while still being plenty tough. It also comes with a military grade camelbak bladder. I got mine from LApolicegear while they were on sale for $150 shipped!

It should make it here next week. If you'd like I'll try to give a few impressions once I have it in my hands.
Click to expand...

As soon as I get my tent and sleepingbag I'm going to measure out all my gear to see if I can fit into the Tri-Zip. Really hoping this will work. Nice thing is it is Molle and some things can be moved outside of the pack if it is a tight fit.
 
You can find the hey f&*k face patch on ebay.

I love that pack. I have a chinese knock-off that is okay but there is definitely a huge quality difference. the shoulder straps keep coming off because they didn't fold over and sew the ends shut and they fly through the straps. I am going to have to go through and re-sew a bunch of stuff and customize it a bit.

After seeing a post of yours sometime last week, I saw that you have the SUPER SWEET version of my POS chinese knock-off and know what to put on my wish list. I love the style of the pack and the different modules to separate everything.
 
Well, I guess I'll throw in my two cents on the MR 3 day assault pack. I have had mine for 3 months or so, and use it as a edc, to and from work etc. The quality as expected for the price, is top notch. I have an Eberlestock FAC trac and it is easily on par with it. The size of the 3dap is about right for what i use it for. I bought it also for short day hikes and I am getting a motorbike this spring and wanted something to wear while riding that would carry the essentials without being overly large and bulky.

I am 6'2" and 230 and the 3dap is a great size. Very comfortable to wear when loaded, although I find that I need to snap the chest strap to make it ride the way I like it. The shoulder straps seem to ride wider than i am used to.

I really like the top load or full frontal access option. I use the top access alot when stuffing clothes and such into. Also on the top lid there are 2 pockets. The smaller is great for smaller stuff like phones/ipods etc. the larger one has a mesh bottom and would be good for quick acces to essentials.

The outside is not overly cluttered with molle. While I love molle as much as the next guy, it is nice to have a pack without an excessive amount. It has water bottle pockets on each side as well as sleeves behind that are open top and bottom so you can carry longer items but keep them secure and not have them banging around while you walk.

Inside it comes with zippered mesh pockets on each side and sleeves. I called and had the radio holder removed, since I don't need it. This gives me a molle panel and a sleeve pocket on the back to use as I see fit, as well as more interior room.

As far as the Camelbak trizip is concerned, I looked at it. It is bigger at 2300 cu. and it is also pretty much the same cost, at least where i am. So for the extra money I went for the pack I really wanted. My Eberlestock is 2500 cu. so I didn't want or need a second pack the in a similar size. I don't hthink you would regret the MR 3dap.
 
Expatriated said:
What do you think of either one?

I like the fact they're so rugged but at 4 and 5lbs empty, they seem awful heavy:confused:

I'm a very light packer so I don't need more than 2,000 cu. in. to live out of.

The Mystery Ranch looks a little more discreet and doesn't scream "If there is any doubt I'm high-speed, just take a look at how much velcro and pals webbing I'm pimping".

I've never owned either brand but you guys all speak super highly of them.
Click to expand...
These are both fine packs. I don't have anything Kifaru, but a friend has three of their packs. Nothing negative to say about either brand, though I personally like my MR pack better than his Kifarus(he has a Pointman, but my Dragonslayer would be more comparable to the Marauder, size-wise).

I honestly don't understand the appeal of the 3DAP to civilians. It's heavier, yet smaller than the Dragonslayer, but has a radio cradle/harness(I like Grover6's idea of calling and having that left off), and the option of the BVS system for use with body armor. Unless you're deployed in a combat zone, that's just extra weight, useless features, and stuff to get in the way. The Dragonslayer is roomier, just a few inches taller, and weighs almost a pound less.

What do you mean by "light packer" and "to live out of"? Are you looking for a EDC daypack, or something compact for hiking?
For EDC, I'd definitely want something smaller than either of the MR packs, like the XRay. Actually been considering buying one, and would also like to see MR make a "1DAP" at ~1600-1700ci.

Like I said, the Dragonslayer is basically just a larger version of the 3DAP. I use it for hauling climbing gear, overnighters, and winter dayhikes where I want something larger than my lumbar pack. Wasn't part of the plan, but it's now my 3 day pack , too, since it worked great for 3 days of backpacking.
Check out my thread here for lots of pics:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=774843
I hate having extra crap on the outside of the pack, but the pouches I added to the waistbelt are convenient.
Need to update that thread again, since the Dragonslayer is back on their website after having its suspension beefed up.
 
I have a Kifaru X-Ray that I use as my Bug Out Bag. I have 2 large pouches added on the sides and an organizer on the back. The side pouches are 500 ci each, so with the pack and pouches I have around 2800 ci of space. Coming from the Marine Corps I'm the wrong person to ask about carrying around the weight of heavy packs since I'm so used to it. I'll tell you one thing if you get this pack you will not regret it. It's got plenty of room, lots of adaptability, and is beyond rugged.

mybugoutbag037.jpg


mybugoutbag038.jpg


mybugoutbag040.jpg


mybugoutbag039.jpg


mybugoutbag034.jpg


Here's a look inside an organizer:
mybugoutbag030.jpg
 
Owen, thanks for the info. By live out of, I mean a good travel pack and maybe a smaller camping trip. I will go to S. America for 3 weeks and just carry a 1,600 cu in pack with all my clothes and gear. This is staying in hotels. I haven't checked a bag in years, including trips with business suits.

I don't really have an EDC bag, unless you want to consider the messenger bag I sometimes carry.

For camping for a week, I need about a 2,500-3,000 cu in pack due to food, tent, bag, depending on how cold it is.

So, the xray, although extremely heavy by my standards, seems like it can pull double duty since I can add 1,000 cu in to the pack with just one extra pouch.

333rm--thanks for the pics, dude. They are great for getting the perspective. What is the name of the side bags you have?
 
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