Kifaru packs, especially the Zulu opinions please.

ERdept

ERdept

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May 17, 2005
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I've had my eye on the Kifaru packs for a long time, especially their military line. I'm interested in the Zulu as an all around.

What's your take on their product, quality, build usefullness,etc. in general and the Zulu pack in particular.

I'm getting my Bug out gear ready and need a pack. I've put every thing for extended drive bug out in a Huge Stanley plastic tool case. All I have to do us stuff it into the SUV and I'm set for a week with food and indefinitely w/o food on improvisation. All that's left are weapons and ammo which is not in the case at home. I currently use a Camel back Motherlode as my portable bug out pack, for everyday driving around back and forth to work.

http://www.kifaru.net/MGhome.htm
then click under the left table "Pack systems"

Thanks in advance.

cliff
 
I have two Kifarus from the hunting side, a Rendezvous and a Late Season. The build quality is excellent and they have great load bearing capabilities but be sure to follow their instructions on fitting their packs or call them to help walk you through it. Most of the (few) complaints I've seen on the internet have been due to poor fitting. Oh and they are pretty heavy especially the military stuff but also "bombproof".

Are you going to be using it regularly or is it going to waiting in the wings? If the latter, a Kifaru might be overkill in the build and expense department.
 
It's going to be stuffed with portable daily drive to work bug out gear. I intend to use it to get me home to get my big real bug out gear, or to survive a week in the boonies.

So, it will essentially sit around. But, I will use it every now and then for hikes.

cliff
 
Pretty pricey for sit around bag. But, the owner Mr. Smith does make great gear. I have some old Mountainsmith pieces from before he sold the company and I love 'em. He knows how to build a pack.
 
As much as I love Kifaru qualilty and customer service, I probably wouldn't spend that kind of money for your purposes. One would last forever and then some though. If you do go that route, I'm pretty sure you'll love it. If you haven't already done so, you might check out their message board. Obviously it's biased in favor of Kifaru stuff, but you can find quite a few unsolicited testimonials there and details on the pack you're interested in, probably more on the Military board than elsewhere. You might also find one used on their Garage Sale board although they don't seem to depreciate a whole lot. Good luck in choosing!
 
I have a Zulu for the very same purposes you are intending. I also have an EMR (the really BIG Kifaru) for my main BOB.
They are worth every penny! If you can afford it, and you like to spend extra money for quality items you may need to rely on, then go for it.
I also have an E&E I use for an everyday kind of daypack, and I love it!

:D
 
The Kifaru packs certainly look top-of-the-line. If price is no object for you, by all means, go for it. However, if you want to pinch a few pennies on a pack that will be used infrequently, I'm sure there are other packs out there that will work fine.

It also boils down to what features you want in a pack, too. The Zulu looks like a pretty straight-up design with a lot of webbing attachment points. If that's what you're looking for, that's great. me, I prefer packs that have a shovel flap capable of accommodating odd gear and/or what not. I don't like to have too much stuff hanging off my packs. Clean, neat, and snag/rattle free.

If you want to pinch pennies and get something simialr sized, check out these packs:

Kelty Red Wing. Not so tactical looking, but it might work:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=252305

Tactical and Practical:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MOLLE126-41519-1964.html
I've had a Mil-Spec pack before, and the build quality was actually pretty decent.

Let us know what you get!
 
One cool feature on the Kifarus is the cargo chair. It's a pretty nifty way to carry bulky loads. My Late Season is a long day/weekend sized pack but will carry weight all out of proportion to its size. I can put a bunch of stuff in for a day hike and then load my somewhat petite 4 year old in the cargo chair when he gets tuckered. The suspension deals with that sort of loading just beautifully. Also if you like adding stuff on, there are a bunch of options. The E&E mentioned is one of the niftier ones. However it all adds up pretty quickly and I hate to think of how much I have in my packs. On the bright side, it's unlikely I'll need to replace them. However you could go through quite a few Redwings before you got to buying a Zulu.
 
I don't necessarily think the Kifaru packs are way over priced. The Zulu pack is in the ballpark of what I paid in the mid 90s for my Dana Design pack. The Dana was pricey, but in the last 10 years, it has been perfect - no bad zippers, no busted stitches, no broken buckles, nothing (knocks on wood). And that pack has carried some pret-ty hea-vy loads for its size. So, with some gear, you do get what you pay for. But you know, maybe the Mil-Spec pack would work fine for ERdept.

I was merely suggesting other options for ERdept in case the idea of dishing out almost $300 for infrequently used pack seemed difficult. ERdept, if you're cool with the price, by all means, get the Zulu. I read up a little more on the Kifaru line, and they seem pretty bomb-proof. You probably wouldn't need to replace it - ever.

But make sure you're getting the right pack for you and you needs. As mentioned, fitment is a big deal, especially when you are spending that sort of cash. I was fortunate to have a good pack dealer in town when I bought my Dana. And I chose that pack after wearing and walking with others from The North Face, Dana, and Osprey. Take your time in making your choice, and get the right pack once. I know this sounds like a lot of riggamaroll, but for me $275-$300 is a lot of $$, and I personally would want no question in my mind that all my expectations would be met or exceeded by my purchase.
 
MIL-SPEC and Kifaru is a pretty apples and oranges comparison or perhaps raisins and grapefruit. For the described use, a MIL-SPEC might be perfectly fine. I haven't used one so I can't comment on their quality other than to say I am sure it's not built the way a Kifaru or Mystery Ranch or similar pack is. If you use a pack a lot, there is a lot more to it than how it looks, how many pockets it has and what its capacity is. If I could get a super rugged, U.S. made pack with a great suspension for $45, I'd be all over it but I don't think this is really feasible.

hikeeba is right on. The pack needs to fit you and your needs. Any pack, expensive or not, that doesn't fit you comfortably or suit your needs is a waste of money.
 
Wanted to try the Mil-Spec version of the Max.Falcon series; at $40, I figured I could check out the actual bag without shelling out $100+...
The original Falcon came with a detachable shoulder strap system - blew out both of the plastic attachment points at the top of the straps just picking the dang thing up. Paid to get that fixed with metal versions. Next, the compression straps are pulling out where they meet at the side seams...

Don't waste your money unless you can sew...

However, I'm not sure given all the bad rep Maxpedition seems to be getting that their stuff is worth it, either. I ended up getting the Falcon II... The bag itself is okay, but the suspension system sucks...

For about $140, get yourself the Kelty Map3400 (IIRC?) It carries much nicer than any of the Max. bags and holds a heck of a lot more. It also has the quality one would expect from Kelty.

If you don't need a "tactical" look, go for Mt. Smith packs. Ideally, you could find a great condition used one, and you'll find their old suspension systems to be above par, bar no other pack. I have several different styles, have modified most of 'em, and to tell you how stable they can be with large loads, I've carried, over the years, @12 different guitars, in their cases, and three amps ranging in size from small 25 watters up to a good sized Fender reverb all the way home, on my bicycle! :eek: I may have looked funny, but there was minimal sway due to their Delta strap configuration, which from what I understand, is what Kifaru now uses... And if I read an earlier post correctly, that's apparently 'cause the original force behind Mt. Smith now runs Kifaru!

Remember, you'll get exactly what you pay for! Mil-Spec might be worth it for a tight budget, but you'll probably have to work on it after the first few uses... :(
 
I have spent the majority of my career working in high risk dynamic environments mostly in the outdoors and can tell you investing in products that are made well and simple usually work best. Kifaru packs are made extremely well and seem to hold up against the elements fairly well. I have a 2-3 day pack express with the outside attachments that can be either taken on or off depending on what kind of gear you need. I have only had this pack for 6 months, and have not really put it to the test yet, but have used a wide variety of gear and packs which could not stand abuse. Another reason I chose the pack was because of the lower lumbar support and the waist belt, alot of packs fall short in this area this one seems to do a good job especially over lenghty hikes. Spend the money and buy something that is going to last.
 
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