Kifaru Zulu

Cpl Punishment

Cpl Punishment

Joined
Jan 28, 2006
Messages
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I noticed in the Pack Setups thread that K_Estela uses a Kifaru Zulu.

Does anyone else have one?

I've been thinking of giving it a try and wondered how much can be carried inside. Can a good winter sleeping bag be carried inside with enough room left over for other stuff, or do external pouches have to be added? I like the looks of the Zulu because I'm not a big fan of having a zipper at the bottom of a pack (or really anywhere on a pack, for that matter), although I'm told this isn't a problem with Kifaru.
 
I've been looking at the same thing. I like the top loading aspect of the Zulu. The zipper on the bottom of Kifaru's other pack of the same size (pointman?) seems pretty useless without a divider between the compartments (maybe it has one?). Having said that, the Kifaru zippers are pretty bomb-proof (I have a Scout, it has a zipper). I wouldn't not buy the pack just because of the zippers.

But anyway, I can't answer your question about the winter bag specifically. But the listed capacity of the Zulu on the Kifaru site is a little misleading (about 3000ci). The top of it can be expanded to get closer to the 4000 ci range I think. Whether it is comfortable carrying that much, don't know. I hope Kevin will chime in, because I would like to know the answer as well!

I wish I could find the pics someone posted on the Kifaru forums of the Zulu side by side with other Kifaru packs.... Compressed down it looked like about the size of the X-Ray (1800ci) and expanded out looked more like the ZXR (3800ci)
 
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The Zulu is a very strong pack. I put the sleeping bag on the outside and utilize the inside for my heavier stuff. That's usually what puts off most packers about a top loading bag, the need to prioritize the contents or take things out to get to what your looking for. I pack by weight, so I don't mind. And I use the outer pockets for most likely needed items during the hump. If I were to buy this pack again, I would get the new lid to give more options for packing. My 2 cents.
 
Photos galore here, courtesy of Mel from Kifaru.

http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i240/melt_photos/

I've used the Zulu for a few years for backpacking. It carries more volume than the Kifaru specs indicate. Side compression straps allow outward expansion, while the storm collar and floating lid allow vertical expansion. It cinches down as a daypack substitute. And don't forget PALS webbing all over to add any MOLLE pouch you can imagine.

The pack works for me. As with any pack, it depends on the gear you have and how much you carry.

Here are a couple pictures of mine dong the 100 mile wilderness in ME and on the summit of Mt. Khatadin.

100MW087.jpg


100MW060.jpg
 
Those look like really sturdy packs:thumbup:

The only thing that sort of turns me off to them is the weight.

From what I am reading here:

http://www.kifaru.net/militarypacks.htm

a 4200 cu in pack weighs over 7 lbs:eek:

I have a Kelty 4300 external frame I think is heavy at 5 lbs!

I have a Mountainsmith Approach and it holds about 2500 cu in and weighs

3 lbs and 2 oz
http://www.todayscacher.com/2005/apr/outdoor.asp

The Kifaru that is 2500 weighs 4 lbs 7 oz
 
hollowdweller said:
Those look like really sturdy packs:thumbup:

The only thing that sort of turns me off to them is the weight.

From what I am reading here:

http://www.kifaru.net/militarypacks.htm

a 4200 cu in pack weighs over 7 lbs:eek:

I have a Kelty 4300 external frame I think is heavy at 5 lbs!

I have a Mountainsmith Approach and it holds about 2500 cu in and weighs

3 lbs and 2 oz
http://www.todayscacher.com/2005/apr/outdoor.asp

The Kifaru that is 2500 weighs 4 lbs 7 oz
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I think I posted this over in the pack setup thread, but I tried a GoLite Jam 2 at about 1.5 pounds and absolutely hated it. No frame means the weight is on your neck and upper back, and it made 20 lbs. fill like 40 to me. But I have to carry the weight on my hips because of upper back problems, and that is what has driven me back to a heavier pack with a good suspension. 5 pound pack, 20-25 pound load with a good internal frame sounds like heaven to me. :thumbup: I'm trying to lighten up, but the pack is not a place I can do it.
 
mapper66 said:
I think I posted this over in the pack setup thread, but I tried a GoLite Jam 2 at about 1.5 pounds and absolutely hated it. No frame means the weight is on your neck and upper back, and it made 20 lbs. fill like 40 to me. But I have to carry the weight on my hips because of upper back problems, and that is what has driven me back to a heavier pack with a good suspension. 5 pound pack, 20-25 pound load with a good internal frame sounds like heaven to me. :thumbup: I'm trying to lighten up, but the pack is not a place I can do it.
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I gave my Jam 2 to Mike. It put me in extreme pain in a short hike carrying not that heavy a load. My cervical spine was crying.

But the packs I mentioned have plenty of support and are lighter than the Kifarus. The Kelty is 2 lbs lighter for the same volume and is an external frame (mega support)

Not knocking Kifaru's- they look great. Just saying if you are old and fat like me I wouldn't carry a pack with a big weight to volume ratio.:thumbup:

Also all those loops you can hang stuff with. That would be killer to me because I'd have stuff hanging all over my pack which makes it even worse.
 
hollowdweller said:
I gave my Jam 2 to Mike. It put me in extreme pain in a short hike carrying not that heavy a load. My cervical spine was crying.

But the packs I mentioned have plenty of support and are lighter than the Kifarus. The Kelty is 2 lbs lighter for the same volume and is an external frame (mega support)

Not knocking Kifaru's- they look great. Just saying if you are old and fat like me I wouldn't carry a pack with a big weight to volume ratio.:thumbup:

Also all those loops you can hang stuff with. That would be killer to me because I'd have stuff hanging all over my pack which makes it even worse.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. Yeah, the Jam absolutely killed my back. I've not resigned myself to going back to an external yet.

The Zulu can prob carry closer to 4000 ci extended, so not as bad a weight\volume ratio as it looks at first glance.

So, to get back on track for CPL, it looks like we are building a consensus that the Zulu is a little more of a load monster than the specs indicate, we just need Kevin to jump on here for a confirmation. I think Kevin did a review of the Zulu on woodsmonkey if you haven't seen that.
 
mapper66 said:
The Zulu can prob carry closer to 4000 ci extended, so not as bad a weight\volume ratio as it looks at first glance.

So, to get back on track for CPL, it looks like we are building a consensus that the Zulu is a little more of a load monster than the specs indicate, we just need Kevin to jump on here for a confirmation. I think Kevin did a review of the Zulu on woodsmonkey if you haven't seen that.
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I checked the review out. $403 for even a 4000 cu in pack seems steep!

Even throwing out the weight vs capacity the price vs capacity seems a bit out of proportion.:rolleyes:

However I guess I never quite understood the fascination with military styled packs. I do have a military style camelback that I take deer hunting but I bought it because it was camoflage:thumbup:

However it always seems like they are about 20% heavier and about twice as expensive as similar sized packs designed for backpacking:confused:
 
hollowdweller said:
However it always seems like they are about 20% heavier and about twice as expensive as similar sized packs designed for backpacking:confused:
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ehh, it's all good. Kind of like that Shing or Reeve's, right? ;)

They are pricey, no doubt. Won't argue whether they are worth it, just like I won't argue whether the Shing or Reeve's or whatever is worth it. A man spends his money how he see's fit.
 
I'll have some good pictures posted after next weekend. It'll be loaded with a winter 3 day supply of food and gear. Sure, the Kifaru is a bit pricey and a tad heavier but for me, it is perfect. What works for me might not work for you. I don't ultralight backpack and I'm not an ounce counter. I do drag my gear from time to time in and out of canoes, over rocks, in the back of pickups and in other somewhat rough conditions. I wouldn't dare try this with a sil-nylon pack or something lightweight.

As for the price, as others have said, you buy quality and only cry once. Kifaru gear holds its value and price if that ever would be the case where selling it was the only option.

To address CplPunishment's question, I bought the biggest POD they sell and it holds my two Wiggy's bags when used together. It is the easiest way to carry that bulky set up and it is quick on and off. It can compress really small and expand thanks to the draft collar to close to 4000 Cubic Inch capacity.

Like I said, you get what you pay for and you have to find what works for you. Again, I'll have more pictures of my load out gear in a couple weeks. Hope this helps for now.

Kev
 
hollowdweller said:
I checked the review out. $403 for even a 4000 cu in pack seems steep!

Even throwing out the weight vs capacity the price vs capacity seems a bit out of proportion.:rolleyes:

However I guess I never quite understood the fascination with military styled packs. I do have a military style camelback that I take deer hunting but I bought it because it was camoflage:thumbup:

However it always seems like they are about 20% heavier and about twice as expensive as similar sized packs designed for backpacking:confused:
Click to expand...

Understand, these are not backpacking packs designed to carry 30-40lbs, they are industrial strength military packs designed to carry a ton of weight, be yanked, dragged, thrown log distances to ground, etc. Kifaru packs are not issue ALICE packs, but they are most likely built just as tough, if not much tougher. I can tell you first hand, a medium ALICE pack is fairly small, but will carry 100+lbs all day, every day.

Capacity and load carrying ability are two different animals.
 
Kevin, if I could piggyback a question or two onto CPL's thread:

How do you like the XTL lid? I'm thinking of going with just the standard lid, but wondered if the XTL makes a big difference. I do have a couple of mini long pockets I carry on the Scout that I could put on the Zulu if I get one.

Kifaru lists the stay length as 19". Have you found the pack long enough to get the hipbelt in a good position on your hips and still have the shoulder straps adjusted correctly? I know torso length is what we should go on, but I'm 5'9", think you are a bit taller?

Do the shoulder straps have the 'load-lifter' straps above them? I can't really tell from the pictures I have looked at. If not, are you able to effectively shift the weight to the hip belt and off your shoulders with the existing suspension?

Thanks!
 
mapper66 said:
ehh, it's all good. Kind of like that Shing or Reeve's, right? ;)

They are pricey, no doubt. Won't argue whether they are worth it, just like I won't argue whether the Shing or Reeve's or whatever is worth it. A man spends his money how he see's fit.
Click to expand...

Charlie May would be a better example;) Shing less than $100. Reeves double bit actually similarly priced to the GB mini?
 
I don't have pictures, but I do have the Zulu and used it for most of my in-theater traveling close to 15 months in Iraq. Hollowdweller pointed out the negatives being price and weight; both of which I could understand most would look at when considering Kifaru. If you plan to stay on the trail and the trails are relatively easy, a lighter pack will do you more justice. Off trail and extremely rough abuse is what Kifaru excels at. I would also say that of a most of the packs I've used (Arc'Teryx, Gregory, Osprey, Mountiansmith, etc.), Kifaru's suspension is probably the best I've ever used. I did a 6 mile hike/road march with 100 pounds in my Kifaru EMR and it was much more comfortable than my modified Large Alice with less than 50 pounds for the same distance. I know that suspension is always relative to the user, but Kifaru truly fits me better than the majority of other packs I've used (Osprey has worked quite well also though).

The Zulu is closer in size to the Large Alice pack, but has better features of course. Again, if you expect your pack to get used pretty roughly, Kifaru is a good option...I can't tell you how many times my Zulu was stepped on, ratcheted down, tossed out of helo's and fixed wing aircraft onto the tarmac/ground, sat on, kicked, etc. Not typical use for your trail backpacking, but if you're expecting rough use, I couldn't recommend Kifaru enough.

ROCK6
 
Mapper,

The XTL is a nice touch to have an extra pocket above the main body of the pack. I keep my rain gear in it. As for the stays, I'm 6' tall, wear a 48 jacket size and have no trouble with the pack's size. It is very adjustable and as for the grab loop, it is centered in the middle of the shoulder straps.

Hope this helps.
 
Hollowdweller: the weight is there for a reason. Like ROCK6 said, these are dsigned for military operations, and thus have to be kicked, poked, prodded, thrown about, all while overloaded. They're made of 1000D Cordura which can be called many things, but "light" isn't one of them.
As far as the military-style, i.e. with the PALS webbing. That adds weight, sure. I don't want the pack to go play mak believe army, I like the idea of being able to add extra kit when needed, but not be stuick with a huge pack when I don't. Plus certain things I like to have ready on the outside of a pack, like if I'm rockhounding, being able to plop down the pack and have my tools right there is a bonus. plus, I can keep them with the pack so i don't walk off without them as I might do if I have a blonde moment.

As far as my load goes, I'm not worried about weight, or even if the belt would be more of a waist belt than a hip belt. My winter setup weighs in at about 35 pounds, including food and water. It's the bulk I'm worried about. What are the dimensions of the Zulu (with and without the collar extended)? I can roll my winter bag up to 11"Dia x 16"L (without compressing it), my fall/spring bag being much smaller.

The rest of my kit (everything BUT my sleeping bags and water bottles) fits in the main compartment of a medium ALICE pack.
 
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