Kifaru

[dougo83]

I just got their catalog in the mail a few days ago. I have one very important question of people WHO HAVE USED THIS STUFF:

Is it worth the arm, leg and apparently testicle that they charge for it?

PeACE
Dougo

 

[zman308]

Only if you are in the military or in an occupation where you use it hard everday. If my life depended on it maybe. It is expensive and there are many other brands that are almost as good but very much cheaper.

 

[ROCK6]

Hey Doug, I can let you borrow one of my Scout's if we make a link up at a future gun show. I have a "few" (EMR, Pointman, Zulu, Scoutx2 and E&E) and used my Zulu last year in Iraq. I love Kifaru, but as zman308 stated, they are built for over-kill use. I can say that my Zulu probably saw more abuse than most typcial trail packs will ever see (and it's still in excellent shape)...stepped on, smashed, cinched under several duffle bags, tossed out of trucks and helos; not your typical trail pack.

If you want a bomp proof pack, it's worth it. Compare Kifaru to Arc'Tyrx and other high-end packs and there's not much difference in price.

Downside is that they weigh more than most packs. Full cordura coverage and PALS webbing adds up in weight, but the upside is that Kifaru's suspension is first class and the packs can haul a lot of weight very comfortably...that's compared to older my Mountainsmith, Arc'Teryx, Osprey and one of REI's packs.

Which pack were you looking at?

ROCK6

 

[lmalterna]

If your butt is on the line- YES. Toughest nylon gear I have ever seen. That being said, I sold mine off for TT, Max Ped & Spec Ops gear-- their gear if tougher than I can destroy and cheaper. My butt is NOT on the line with my gear so a cheaper price point and not quite as tough works for me.

Same buying credentials go for McMillan, AICS, USO & S&B.

2Door

 

[Fallbrook Forge]

I agree with the others here, I have used alot of Kifaru packs, and they have all served me well. I've used mine in 29 palms and Iraq over the past 4 years, I had a humvee run over my Marauder, and only broke 1 buckle, not a big deal, that particular pack also ate the brunt of an IED blast, a couple little holes and scortch marks but still ok. They are strong, quality packs.
They are also fully made in America if that is important to you.
Will you be using this pack alot for the rest of your days?
Will your life depend on the gear this pack will hold?
Do you need to haul heavy loads long distances with a minimum of fatigue?
Do you need a good amount of modularity in your pack i.e. adding pockets for certain things, then having to remove them?

If you answered "yes" to any of those you should seriously consider these packs.

another thing, thier suspension system is unlike any other I've used, it's incredible
S/F

 

[norcalblacktail]

I personally dont own one but know many that do and I have heard nothing but good about them. There was a thread going on in the Busse section about them.

Heres the thread------------> http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=562995&highlight=packs

 

[ilbruche]

The maker Patrick Smith was the original founder of Mountainsmith. Back in the day they made the best big packs out there so it is no surprise the suspension is good.

I actually just checked their website and found out that I drive by the headquarters everyday on the way to work. Gonna have to stop by one of these days.

 

[j williams]

Im gonna butt in and ask if anyone has used the x-ray???? It is on my wish list, and I havent heard much about it...

 

[dougo83]

I actually looked at the Navigator, Express, X-Ray and Scout models, but a few bills or more seems like a lot to me for a pack.

I also looked at the ParaTarp and Stove and had the same impression as above.

I really think I prefer Maxpedition, though I have never actually used the gear, just held it and the price is much better. I don't know. Right now, I tend to use my Wal-Mart pack and cheap Jansport backpack as I only do short day hikes here and there. I am looking to get into it more seriously. See my thread I started a few months back: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=561740, and am looking for more serious, need-specific gear.

PeACE
Dougo

 

[mymindisamob]

I love the X-Ray and the Scout was alright. They are bulletproof, but for the money I went to less expensive and easily replaceable.

 

[AV8R]

Their products are more unique than the more mass marketed products. If you have a special need, then it might be the way to go. I have a Siwash that I use for backpacking. I carry about 30 lbs. + a Freedom Arms 83 and whatever knife. I wanted a pack that would be a bit underloaded at 30 lbs and have a sturdy belt for the gun in a pancake holster. I also don't really like top loading, duffel bag style packs, so the Siwash seemed like a good way to go. I'm real happy with it. It's a pretty heavy pack, but I think it still carries easier with a load than a pack weighing a couple pounds less. To give you an objective review, I don' t really think it's "head and shoulders" above other top quality packs, like Arcteryx, for example. It's just different and if you need what it offers, then it's worth the price. Actually, I don't the price should be the issue at all. Any top quality pack will get kind of pricey. This pack will do it all for me and that makes it a bargain.

Pete

 

[hayseedw45]

I have had a Tailgunner for about a year now and love it. I use it as my woodsbumming bag.

I purchased a 4 man Tipi last year. The first time I used it was very unpleasant. It rained the first night and there was more water inside the tipi than on the outside. The condensation was unbearble. Maybe with the stove it would be fine.

I have to agree that they are pricey, but at least I know my money is staying in the US.

Jerry

 

[schlotskey]

There's plenty of other quality makers out there... others have already listed just a few of them.

I happen to have a couple of Kifarus, just like I have multiple Filsons and Saddleback Leathers... it's nice to have the best. And Kifaru is just that, the best at what they offer. They're American (and local for me), they understand their product and market, and you'll never find better customer service. They've made a conscious decision not to distribute to retail stores, and for good reasons that aren't profit driven. Those are all ethics worth supporting.

One Kifaru will last a lifetime for most anyone (possible exceptions made for heavy military use... something I'm familiar with), so the price really shouldn't be an issue. If necessary save up. Spend a lot of time looking at the models and options, and decide what spectrum of operations/use you're really looking at, then call them and discuss. Reread gruntinhusaybah's post, he's spot on.

My standards are the EMR and newer ZXR. I wouldn't recommend them for civilians, as their hunting packs are lighter, still full of options, just as tough, and don't have an un-needed/undesirable military appearance. Feel free to email me if you'd like. Best of luck in your decision!

 

[Cpl Punishment]

There's also the Express if one doesn't want all the PALS webbing.
IMO, my pack is one of the things I want to be bombproof and I'm willing to add a few pounds to get that.

I also happen to like PALS webbing, even as a civilian. It means I can get by with a smaller main pack to carry most of my essentials, but can quickly add gear for cold weather, extended stays, special activities (like lots of various fishing gear, if that's part of the plan). That kind of versatility makes the price much more palatable.

Also, I don't think forseeing abuse as the only reason to go for a Kifaru pack. If one wants to buy ONE pack, and have it last, they are a good choice. Once I get my current crop of medical problems and bills taken care of, I'm going to pull the trigger on a Zulu.

(One on left in pics.)

 

[JerkeeJoe]

I'm not in the military either, but love my Kifaru packs. I've got an X-Ray and a Marauder. Like the otehrs have said, they are overbuilt and practically indestructible. Do I need something that tough, probably not, but I had the cash, so I bought the best. Just a couple of weeks ago I had to use my X-Ray for a rescue bag rapelling and ended up tossing it, with a rope in it, down about a 70 foot drop. It was no worse for the wear when I got to the bottom. I've used both packs for multiple long haul backpacking trips and both have functioned perfectly. They are a bit heavier than the typical backpacks, but the suspension makes up for it. In the end, it just depends on whether you want the best pack, or a great pack that will probably work just as well for a few bucks less.

 

[nick-nack]

Im gonna butt in and ask if anyone has used the x-ray???? It is on my wish list, and I havent heard much about it...

I dont own the X-ray but received a lot of info on it when deciding between the TAD Gear Fast Pack EDC and the Kifaru X-ray. The main reason I went with the edc was because it also doubles as my EDC bag and the more traditional backpack look suits EDC better. The kifaru is a great bag and its a panel loader - which I absolutely love but never had that problem so I didnt feel the need for that function. Also note that most kifaru bags come pretty much nude. You have to purchase the accessories and belt separately. But the great thing that kifaru offers that TAD doesnt is that Kifaru is the factory. Whereas TAD has theirs made by someone else. So if you have a problem Kifaru can fix it but Tad has to contact the manufacturer.
Kifaru also can do custom orders, I heard that a guy got one of the bags made in pink cordura for his wife. BUt since all bags are custom made the wait time is approx. six weeks. Unless they already have the bag made.

 

[stanley_white]

I just got their catalog in the mail a few days ago. I have one very important question of people WHO HAVE USED THIS STUFF:

Is it worth the arm, leg and apparently testicle that they charge for it?

PeACE
Dougo

I used an EMR and Zulu on two deployments.

It's worth every penny if you are going to bad places.

If you don't need extreme performance I would look elsewhere.

Think of Kifaru as the Busse Combat of Backpacks.

 

[dougo83]

I used an EMR and Zulu on two deployments.

It's worth every penny if you are going to bad places.

If you don't need extreme performance I would look elsewhere.

Think of Kifaru as the Busse Combat of Backpacks.

Ok...soo...basically, I am hearing a 'no' from most of y'all?

 

[JerkeeJoe]

I say if you have the money, go for it. You won't regret it. (And if you do, you can sell it for what you paid for it.)

 

[northern1]

imo it is worth both testicles,maybe the whole package.

i have a few of their packs and more on the way and use them extensively.i have also either owned or handles all the other major names out their.

if you ask around enough about kifaru,for some reason mountainsmith packs always seem to come up.

patrick smith created the mountainsmith brand,ran with it for a few years,sold it and then created the kifaru brand of packs.

out of all the major companies their is only one that i can say makes a stronger,tougher pack.it is without a doubt the most over built line of packs their are.

BATTLE LAB.

they are only sold at DIAMONDBACKTACTICAL.COM and they are pretty tactically orientated for military types but nothing is built like it.

on their larger pack the drag handle wraps all tha way around the pack,360 degrees.

while they dont need it they dont have the same warranty as kifaru and they only offer 3 different packs.i one the 3-day and other than kifaru their is nothing like it.

while good,eagle,blackhawk,spec-ops,tactical tailor arent quite their.

BATTLE LAB 3-DAY.waist belt sold sepperatly

KIFARU ZULU with E&E PACK PIGGY BACK SYSTEM

i'd go with kifaru because they have better warranty and way more accessories although they do have a 6-8 week wait unlike the others