- Joined
- Feb 9, 2007
- Messages
- 1,655
This week I took advantage of my stay in Colorado to arrange a visit to Kifaru. I had been wavering on getting a MOLLE Express or an XRay, so I wanted to try them on. I ended up liking them both, and some of the others as well. My most pressing need was for a smaller pack, and being an organization freak I was leaning toward the Xray. The most surprising thing was that I liked the old version of the XRay (G1) better than the new generation (G2). Because it is a smaller, shorter pack the added lumbar padding actually made the pack less comfortable, since it didnt actually hit my back in the lumbar region. The fact that the G1 packs are on clearance made it even more attractive. So I decided on a G1 XRay and they had one on display in foliage, which was the color I wanted. Unfortunately, it didnt have the shoulder straps as they had been canabilized for another order. So I thought Id have to wait. (The normal wait for a Kifaru pack is 6-8 weeks).
Here is where I have to talk about how amazing the customer service was. Not only were the employees friendly and helpful, they went far above and beyond the norm to make my visit amazing. They did a series of things that each were very helpful, but as a package truly astonished me. First, the one thing I really did like better about the G2 pack was that it had a tab loop for hanging a hydration bladder, so they offered to take it into the shop and sew one in on the spot. Second, because they wanted to let me take the pack with me that day, they got the seamstress to drop her current task and sew up a pair of shoulder straps right then. Third, they put together a matching foliage chamber pocket on the spot. Finally, they put all the gear together (I also got an organizer pouch and internal lock and load pocket), so I could take it all with me. All in all I was incredibly impressed with the customer service.
As far as the pack itself: it is clearly a superior product. I have other good small packs, but this XRay is leaps and bounds better. The only thing I can compare it to is when I bought a Dana Design Terraplane 20 years ago that was so much better than anything else I had seen. The fabric, zippers, and stitching are significantly over-engineered, making it bombproof. I see no reason why it wont be going strong years from now. Best of all for an organization freak like me, the pack has a number of well thought out features: a top external pocket, an internal pocket under the lid, a hanging chamber pocket, a chamber for a water bladder, and two pockets on the inside of the panel opening. The MOLLE webbing on the outside makes it possible to mount a number of options on the outside. Right now I only have an organizer, which is a handy pocket for all sorts of things. (Right now I have a SAK and a KM matchcase w/compass among other things in the organizer). On the inside I have one lock and load pocket mounted to the inside of the panel increasing the organizational possibilities. I intend to mount two liter plus pockets on the sides to house a GSI stainless cup and two nalgenes (or Guyot bottles). The pack also has bottom straps for cinching gear to the bottom of the pack itself, and it has removable stays so that the pack can be individually fit (or simply lightened for smaller loads). So far Ive only walked around with light loads, but the pack feels great and I look forward to taking on many longer excursions.
Ive attached some pictures to illustrate the features of this pack. Based on my initial experience with the packs and people of Kifaru I cant recommend them highly enough.
Here is where I have to talk about how amazing the customer service was. Not only were the employees friendly and helpful, they went far above and beyond the norm to make my visit amazing. They did a series of things that each were very helpful, but as a package truly astonished me. First, the one thing I really did like better about the G2 pack was that it had a tab loop for hanging a hydration bladder, so they offered to take it into the shop and sew one in on the spot. Second, because they wanted to let me take the pack with me that day, they got the seamstress to drop her current task and sew up a pair of shoulder straps right then. Third, they put together a matching foliage chamber pocket on the spot. Finally, they put all the gear together (I also got an organizer pouch and internal lock and load pocket), so I could take it all with me. All in all I was incredibly impressed with the customer service.
As far as the pack itself: it is clearly a superior product. I have other good small packs, but this XRay is leaps and bounds better. The only thing I can compare it to is when I bought a Dana Design Terraplane 20 years ago that was so much better than anything else I had seen. The fabric, zippers, and stitching are significantly over-engineered, making it bombproof. I see no reason why it wont be going strong years from now. Best of all for an organization freak like me, the pack has a number of well thought out features: a top external pocket, an internal pocket under the lid, a hanging chamber pocket, a chamber for a water bladder, and two pockets on the inside of the panel opening. The MOLLE webbing on the outside makes it possible to mount a number of options on the outside. Right now I only have an organizer, which is a handy pocket for all sorts of things. (Right now I have a SAK and a KM matchcase w/compass among other things in the organizer). On the inside I have one lock and load pocket mounted to the inside of the panel increasing the organizational possibilities. I intend to mount two liter plus pockets on the sides to house a GSI stainless cup and two nalgenes (or Guyot bottles). The pack also has bottom straps for cinching gear to the bottom of the pack itself, and it has removable stays so that the pack can be individually fit (or simply lightened for smaller loads). So far Ive only walked around with light loads, but the pack feels great and I look forward to taking on many longer excursions.
Ive attached some pictures to illustrate the features of this pack. Based on my initial experience with the packs and people of Kifaru I cant recommend them highly enough.
