Kifaru, Osprey, others?

I've had a Gregory pack for many years, but its a large pack for trips of up to a week or so. Its a great pack and I still use it, but now want something smaller and lighter for the short trips I am now taking. Why I didn't mention Gregory, I'll never know. I'll look at them also.

Stickman. Yeah, I use to get up to Macungie for work as I'm originally from the western Philly burbs (Chester County). I think that was originally a Shlitz brewery???

Osprey seems to be a consensus favorite. I'll have to go over to REI and check out a few along with some others. Kifaru are made right here in Wheat Ridge, but I don't know if anyone carries them. They may get ruled out due to $$$ and weight.
 
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yep, if looking for light, skip card the kifaru mil packs...maybe the hunting packs, no exp w/ them though.

BUT...
if looking for tremendous value and workmanship, most likely unless you sell/trade the last pack you'll need ...certainly look into kifaru!

i love'em, personally i choose to cut weight elsewhere on almost all of my packs, have and have had a few...lol
 
My comments are not meant for the serious lighthikers...but most of the time I read about weight issues for packs, boots, cameras, whatever...we're talking about ounces, maybe even a pound. A good pair of boots or a well designed pack can distribute the weight so it's not even noticeable...plus the obvious approach if weight is an issue is to do what 91xlt suggests and cut weight somewhere else. How many folks will worry over weight and then stock up on a couple of extra large "chopper" blades or extra liquid cargo (your choice of beverage). My view is to look hard at the design and features you want and don't sweat too much on the ounces that can be controlled elsewhere.
 
Stickman said:
My view is to look hard at the design and features you want and don't sweat too much on the ounces that can be controlled elsewhere.
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That is my perspective as well. I'm not obsessed with the weight of my stuff, nor do I cut out labels, but if I can save a few ounces or pounds that is a side benefit.
 
I agree on Osprey.

Have been using a Aether 70 (with a Daylite Addon for when I need to take more research gear than fits in the main pack) for 4 years now for all of my back country work.
And I use an Atmos 50 for day hiking/front country work, and when I travel. I have only used the Atmos for 2 years.

VERY comfy packs and I think they are just well designed.

They are a little on the light side, which I like, but that means that fabric will not last quite as long.
I use a bomb-proof Lowe Contour 45 for when I have tear through brush in the front country.

(I have used/tested packs from REI, Lowe, Kelty, Mountainsmith, Gregory and Camp Trails in the past, to give you a feel for my experience)

Brome
 
I recently traded in( sold ) my older Osprey 70 liter and bought a Gregory Z55. I think I lost at least 4 lbs in the pack alone. I also have a Osprey Stratos 24 for ultralight short trips and day hikes. Both are excellent. I have looked at the Osprey Atmos line and they are very nice too. I went with the Gregory over the Atmos 50 because I found a better deal. Both had excellent reviews.
 
i would expect the kifaru to be leaps and bounds beyond a osprey even though they are supposed to be decent.

i've never had or used an osprey but do own 3 kifarus.....x-ray,zulu and E&E bag and love'em all.i never get over how cool they are.

bottom line your gonna get what you pay for.

$100 buys you a $100 pack and if you spend $300 you'll get an actual $300 pack
 
I have several Kifaru packs and I do believe they are worth it if you use them in rough terrain where you expect they'll take abuse. "Heavy" is a relative term as I can carry 70-80 pounds in my EMR yet it is more comfortable and no strain as compared to typical packs with the less weight...their suspension system is top-shelf. Sure they do weigh more and if you're long distance trail hiking for speed and trying to chop ounces...it's not the best pick. I will say that I have zero ounces of concern about failure when I have mine in the field though:D

With that said, I picked up an Osprey 35 pack for my wife and she loves it. I liked many of the features so much, I now have a Kestral 38 for myself. Osprey packs are well built and have excellent features. These are our day(rock climbing)/overnight packs that we always take out hiking. My Kestral is about the perfect size...not too big for a day hike, but still big enough to pack for an overnighter.

ROCK6
 
Pilot1 said:
I've had a Gregory pack for many years, but its a large pack for trips of up to a week or so. Its a great pack and I still use it, but now want something smaller and lighter for the short trips I am now taking. Why I didn't mention Gregory, I'll never know. I'll look at them also.

Stickman. Yeah, I use to get up to Macungie for work as I'm originally from the western Philly burbs (Chester County). I think that was originally a Shlitz brewery???

Osprey seems to be a consensus favorite. I'll have to go over to REI and check out a few along with some others. Kifaru are made right here in Wheat Ridge, but I don't know if anyone carries them. They may get ruled out due to $$$ and weight.
Click to expand...


Nobody carries Kifaru, except Kifaru because they are made to order based on your measurements you give them at time of order.

I really want a Kifaru pack, but im looking them over carefully to decide which one I want since they are so much $$. Ive owned osprey, and they are great packs. I really like em.

I ordered me a Maxpedition falcon II in foliage recently to use this year. I went with it beacause I can mount my bottle holder on the side, and I like the way the pack is set up. I tend to buy a new pack every year. Not out of need, but just to get experiance with differant setups. I take good care of my gear, so I can sell em at the end of the season to ofset the cost of a new pack. Ive used alot of packs from diferant manufacturers. From an Alice pack to Blackhawk and Maxpedition, and Osprey and Mountainsmith, to camelback and Kelty.

The best non-tactical pack Ive ever owned is an Osprey. Very comfy, and set up well.

Best tactical looking pack Ive owned is Maxpedition. However I havent used a Kifaru yet, but I will order one eventually.

Best "Jack Bauer" type bag Ive owned is a Timbuk2. I LOVE mine. They are bombproof, and IMO made better then even Maxpedition. I carry mine across the body, with my maxpedition bottle holder setup across the other way, forming an X with the straps. Its super comfy, and distributes weight well.

Anyways, I hope that helps ya. :thumbup:
 
another good pack is the hiker 38 2 by millet.
Millet isn't very popular in the US yet but they are one of the most popular brands in Europe.
The hiker 38 also comes with a detachable rain cover witch would cost 30 dollars for that osprey talon 33 you mentioned. I got the one I have for 60 bucks but that was at a 50% discount. When I got mine I was looking for a talon 33, they are both good packs good luck.
 
Thanks guys. Great info as usual. I will probably go Osprey, Deuter or even Kafiru if I'm feeling adventurous. Its like knives or firearms. The ones that you pay too much for are the ones you really like. :D
 
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