Kifaru Regulator weights and size comparions

[spoolup]

Decided to do a few photos and weight measurements between my old Wiggys bags, and the new Kifaru bags I bought while overseas this last time. There is not much of this type of comparison data on line anywhere, so feel free and ask me if you want something different done.

First up standard weights of the stuff sacks/ bags.

Kifaru Stuff Sack- SMALL 3.1oz
Kifaru Stuff Sack- MEDIUM 2.6oz
Kifaru Stuff Sack- LARGE 2.4oz
Granite Gear tubular Stuff Sack- X-LARGE 6.8oz
Wiggys Stuff Sack- XX-LARGE 7.8oz

Kifaru, 0* slick 3lbs 1.1oz
Kifaru, 0* MOB 3lbs 15.9oz
Kifaru, 20 slick 2lbs 6 oz
Wiggys, 0* 5lbs 2.4oz
Wiggys, 20* 4lbs 9,4oz

All Kifaru bags tested are Std width, Long Length
All Wiggys bags tested are Wide width, Long Length

First I need to apologize in great length, I know I took the photo, but cannot find it, but there is no 20 slick and 20 Wiggy comparisons, but for sake of arguments, its just as close as the 0 slick and 0 Wiggys. Infact minus thickness, one would not know which was which unless I labeled the photo. Sorry again, anyways….

I have used the Wiggys bags the past few years with great success. I have also pushed the limit on each bags temp rating and found them to be accurate. For the elk hunt in 09, I had to combine them when sleeping in my Eureka Alpenlite, I was nice and warm (still 15 degress above temp limit), but the 0 would not have worked since I stopped looking at the thermometer at -10, but it got much colder. The Kifarus have yet to be really tested, the only thing I have done is sleep on the patio on a night where Mr weather man said. Low of 20 0 chance of precep. I was out there on a downmat 9 dx and slept like a baby in a set of smartwool lightweights, and socks. Actual field testing coming this spring, and man, can I not wait… just look at weights and one can tell why. But wait till you see the photos…

First up is the Kifaru 0 slick bag and the Wiggys 0. Again like noted above, the Wiggys is wide/long, the Kifaru is std/long. But the Kifaru give you great width in the chest, that I have a hard time telling them apart from the inside. Kifaru on Left, Wiggys on Right. Everything seems even so far.

Next are the compression sacks, Kifaru 5 string on to[p, the granite gear tubular sack I used with the wiggys since it makes for a nice package that just fits the ZXR bottom flap. Kifaru out did themselves on these stuff sacks. Everyone who has seen them are thoroughly impressed including the sales rep at REI when I was looking for a drybag for the spring months. The 0 slick or MOB both fit a Medium stuff sack just fine.

Next up, I stuff them in the sacks, but did not compress them… yes, these are both 0* bags. Yes, that is a hell of a difference already.

Compressed with the std Nalgeen for size comparison, now the extra money is starting to show thru

And the stuff sacks rotated 90*, now you really see a difference

Next up is the Kifaru 0 MOB, this is like the outer bag on the MSS or FTRSS setups. It weighs a bit more since its larger to fit outside easily, has extra snaps/ Velcro/ zippers/ etc. The extra zippers are for emergency garment use, field observation, etc. I have yest to buy the sleeves since they are not available right now so I need to wait until they become available, but I will buy them and a few other things in the packlock lineup.

0MOB on left, 0 slick on right, both Kifaru bags (sorry didn’t feel like re stuffing the 0 WIggys since it sucks to do so.

And compressed, again the Kifaru MOB is in a Medium stuff sack, the Wiggys 0 is still in the Granite Gear tubular sack.

Next up is the 20 slick and 20 Wiggys. I used this 20 Wiggys A LOT since it always seems to drop below 40 except for a few months in the summer, so I always pack this, as you can tell it compresses a lot nicer than the 0, so be it in the same XL Granite gear tubular stuff sack. This combo fits great in the bottom of the ZXR. The 20 slick bag from Kifaru is in a Small stuff sack, and is the Bees Knee. I so cant wait to start using this. I am dropping A LOT of weight on this mod alone, from 5lbs to 2.5 lbs, just in sleeping bags (well including stuff sacks too). HOLY CRAP batman. I really don’t know why I waited so long to do this.

Seriously look at that difference. But when I was double checking some of my figures, I thought I would drop this photo on you for an idea on size.

I was to lazy to swap out the 20 to the 0 on the Wiggys bags, but still EVEN with the Wiggys 20 in stuff sack, I was able to take both the 0MOB AND 20 slick in a Kifaru Large stuffsack and make a equally sized package. This -35f combo takes up as much room as my old 20*bag. Next time someone sees me on the trail, feel free to give me a Gibbs from NCIS smack on the back of the old grape –k-. Now this -35f combo weighs a bit more (6.5lbs, stuff sack and all), but when you think the 0 Wiggys weighs in at 5lbs 9 oz with sack… It’s really only one lb more for 35 degree extra difference.

I will porbally be a preacher of kifaru bags after my first few uses, since I am certain they are worth their little weight in gold… stuffing… well whatever so be it. Thumbs up to the Kifaru team! Now I have just 2 more days until the anticipated ship date for the KU3700 and a few pockets and such, cant wait to see how light I can get the rest my gear for more time on the trails!

 

[JV3]

good write-up! i'd like to see more kifaru-related write-ups from you. i ordered my zxr a few weeks ago (ship date is end of this month) and your pics of the packs definitely helped tide me over :thumbup:

 

[crossada]

That is such a great review and your right about nothing like it anywhere on the web.

I love my Kifaru packs. I just got my xray last week and i'm dying to try it out.

 

[othello32]

Great review. I love my Kifaru gear, even though it took a lot of penny-saving to get it here. I use my E&E almost everyday, my Tailgunner for day hikes, and Express for weekend to four day hikes. The extra pouches are all fantastic. The Express also held enough stuff for a 22 day backpacking trip through Spain, France and Italy. Yes, that's right, over three weeks and I took nothing but the Express and E&E, never checked a bag for the entire trip.

Love the Kifaru gear:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[kgd]

Very nice review. I bought an ultima thule this year and am happy with it. It packs large, but I plan on mostly using it when hauling gear by sled. I don't think I'd use the Thule to backpack, or at least I'd be hard pressed to do so. But for the cost of $200 for a -20 degree bag I felt it was a great deal and $200 was about my budget so the kifaru wasn't in the cards for me. The slick bags really do look great!

 

[spoolup]

Great review. I love my Kifaru gear, even though it took a lot of penny-saving to get it here. I use my E&E almost everyday, my Tailgunner for day hikes, and Express for weekend to four day hikes. The extra pouches are all fantastic. The Express also held enough stuff for a 22 day backpacking trip through Spain, France and Italy. Yes, that's right, over three weeks and I took nothing but the Express and E&E, never checked a bag for the entire trip.

Love the Kifaru gear:thumbup::thumbup:

Must have stayed in Hostels, hotels. I cant see carrying sleeping bag, AND all the stuff needed for 22 days, but I can see it as a suitcase said time period. I fly with my MEx all the time, it fits all carry on bins, even those stupid odd sized regional jet overheads. I also use it as a day/ overnight bag in the summer (with a woobie and supertarp).

Ill post some more photos as long as the weather hold out on me since I am going to attempt to seam seal my 8man tipi today after breakfast, just need to wait for the GF to finish getting ready, takes an hour to even go to breakfast....

I went out last week to seamseal the sawtooth, which FYI is a great little shelter, unless your in it, then its a large shelter. Ill post photos in a bit, more so if I get the stove burning done.

Thanks for the nice words and the space here guys.

 

[spoolup]

Okay, first, I am no where as limber as I should be, my back is freaking killing me, but the end results... NICE! My 8 man is now seam sealed and large stove burned in good. Had a few incidents doing this today, first, when burning the stove I see this weird black smoke, which neither of my other stoves had... Im thinking WTF? Then I look up and find out why, Im a retard and when inserting the stove pipe I did not have good clearance for one of the jack rings and it was pressing against the stove pipe, result... melted a few inchs of paracord down the pipe, proof in point this things get ROCKET hot. Another incident is that since the weather was so nice, half the kids in the neighborhood, and their parents/ dogs were out at the park. So I got alot of questions asked. Now biggie, but I get nervous when a kid is takling to me near a tent... call me odd, but some may think other things. Last, upon packing up, I see a traffic stop conducted by a local LEO, next thing I know, 4 more cops are rolling in full speed to block off the road and end up cuffing up old boy in the van. 2 of the officers come over to check out the 8man and talk to me about it. One officer said he wanted to come over earlier, but did not want to tip off the guy they just got, must have been some sort of sting. Anyways, here is photo time.

My daughter playing peek a boo just as I take the shot

Now you have to bear with my ugly mug, anyways, here is a size comparison with a 6' 0" 210 male... these things are hugh, there is enough room for me to stand 2 plus feet from the center pole and still not touch the fabric.. even the girlfriend liked it, minus it not having a floor.

I installed one half of the liner and took a few photos for comparison. Then installed both halfs

Stove time, this is the large stove with the small off the side for comparison, I REALLY like the small stove in many of the shelters. I am thinking about ordering the sawtooth length pipe for the small stove since it really is my go to stove. The peg on top is a 6" durapeg that comes with the Tipi's. Also, you can see the parts laid out before assembly, which is quick minus the spinning of wingnuts for securing the legs. Also, You can see how the little stove pipe is rolled both directions, and just how nice it is.

Stove inside... In the last shot, you can see the orange paracord from the pipe ring just barely touching the pipe right before it exits the tipi, you will see the results of this mistake in a bit, but it takes a whole 5" of paracord to fix, so Im not sweating it.

Burning, and man did it get hot in the tipi, I would estimate I had it about 140* in the shelter being its 55* outside, it was plenty hot. The zipper actually got hot to the touch!

while waiting for the stove to cool I took a few random shots

After disassembly of the stove, here is the result of paracord touching the pipe, it melted to liquid and ran down the pipe, easily cleaned with scrapping once cooled and you can see just a few inches of paracord will fix it fine.

Last shot, you can see how the stove pipe is taking a set in the correctly rolled position, you can tell the far end is the side that was at the stove. After a few uses, it will almost automatically form for use. Making setup easier.

Cant wait to use this as base camp this year in the hunt. Im really looking forward to it.

Also decided to attach a few photos of the Sawtooth from seam sealing it last weekend.

Hope no one minds me sharing. Again, tomorrow my KU3700 pods/ pockets/ etc, should ship if the estimate is correct... cant wait! Ill report back as soon as I can on them. But with that pack, a 20* slick bag, supertarp, a ridgerest pad, I wil be well under 10lbs. that equals more hiking this summer. Cant wait!