Ordered Kifaru EMR

H

HarperT

Joined
Jul 20, 2013
Messages
61
I recently ordered a Kifaru EMR which is due for delivery toward the end of next month. I originally ordered a MR Kodiak but was forced to return it because of bad stitching. The pack I exchanged it for also had some of the same problems. I was dissatisfied with this because I felt that paying $700 for a pack would ensure astute attention to every detail. I was also unsatisfied when upon speaking with personnel at MR an attempt was made to explain to me why this particular defect didn't matter. It wasn't a big deal on the second pack but just a bunch of sloppy stitching and small pin holes where the webbing was sewn on the bottom of the pack. But due to the fact that this pack was a replacement for one that had even more problems, I expected it to be flawless! I have pics that I will show.

I have higher hopes for the EMR. Of all the reviews posted that I've seen, there is yet to be one where an operator has experience with Kifaru and any other high end manufacturer and doesn't prefer the Kifaru product (at least for load bearing equipment). Also, I have found no other product claiming to be able to effectively carry and support any load you can throw at it. I've spent even more money for the Kifaru product, but if their reputation for customer service and serious attention to the manufacturing process of their packs rings true (which I have no doubt it will) then I will be happy with my new bag.

I am posting this thread in part to discuss and display my reason for dissatisfaction with MR. My time was wasted with them and I'm out $20 that I paid for shipping which wasn't refunded. So, here's the pics I took of the pack. Or, actually I guess I gotta post a few more times before I can show them.
 
I also made some straps for my Camelbak hawg to attach it to my main bag. It is similar to the dock and lock Kifaru uses but the straps are completely removable. The male buckle fits into the female that is normally for the Hawg compression straps. There is a loop with a slot which allows the other end to be attached to the molle on the main pack. I also made some removable straps which are able to secure items on the molle loops located on the bottom of the Hawg. A perfect spot for attaching a sleeping pad or whatever. And because I also customized the belt making it 1 and 1/2" rather than the 1" that comes standard and custom cut an ATS frame sheet to fit in the hydration pocket, the Hawg is much more capable of carrying heavier loads (the hydration pocket is still able to fit a full 3L reservoir). The Kifaru long pockets will also attach to the compression strap buckles by replacing one side of the pocket with female buckles and using the male quick attach for when they are carried on the main bag. The only differentiation is that the straps on the pocket are set to 5 molle lengths, where as the space between the compression straps on the Hawg is equal to 6.
 
With the long pockets attached to the Hawg , the capacity is doubled (approx. 2,700 ci) not including the attachment on the bottom. And with the webbing on the back of the Hawg (Gen 2) there is even more room for attachments or other pockets. With the 1 and 1/2" belt I customized it is quite secure and the ATS frame sheet (custom cut to size) offers excellent support with a short aluminum stay. In my opinion, much better, more modular and more functional than an E&E pouch (albeit, somewhat heavier.)
 
I have several kifaru packs. Take your time setting the up to yourself. They are by far the toughest most well made packs I've ever owned. Just got my mollex two days ago. Awesome.
 
Yeah. Everybody has good things to say. How many posts do I have to make before I can attach pictures?
 
Yeah, it does, but you only need a gold membership if you want to post pictures directly from your hard drive. Here's how to posts pics without a paid membership.

All credit to Spark and Esav Benyamin:

While paid members can upload pictures directly from their computers, anyone can open a photo hosting account.
I use www.photobucket.com . Download your pictures to the account and they give you a URL for each picture.
Use the fourth URL choice, with the tags already in place. Copy & Paste that in your post here.

Or as Spark says:
How can I post an image to the site? Simple: Go to [url]http://www.imgur.com[/url] and upload your image.
After uploading, select the BBCode option - it starts with [IMG]. Copy. Paste. Enjoy.

You should also [URL="http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/353471-READ-THIS-FIRST!-How-to-ask-questions-that-get-answered"]READ THIS FIRST! How to ask questions that get answered[/URL] which includes photo posting instructions.

For a detailed TUTORIAL: Displaying your photographs on BladeForums
[url]http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...on-BladeForums[/url]
 
I am a Kifaru junkie. My most used pack is an X-ray. It has been to Ukraine 3 or 4 times, Hawaii twice, Amazon jungle, and Galapagos (wow, lots of travel time) as my carry on/ EDC bag while away. Still in as good as new shape. It has gotten soaked, dropped, dragged, stepped on.....everything you can imagine. Constantly clipping stuff onto and off of it, but not one problem. On the last trip I noticed for the first time it was extremely uncomfortable on my waist belt on one hike. Ignored it for about a mile, then finally took it off and looked at it. I had twisted the padding 180 degrees before hooking the belt.....duh. They are HEAVY. That is the price you pay for durability. They are a hot in jungle type environments (but what isn't). The only interaction I have had with Kifaru CS was when I lost a Coyote brown male quick connector. I called Mary (I think, forgive me if that is wrong) and asked how much it is to order several replacement buckles so I would have some on hand. She refused to take a CC number and a week later 4 buckle sets showed up in the mail. Have no fear. The Kifaru team will take care of you. Patrick is top notch.

Doc

Oh yeah, edit to add, the only other con I can think of is that they are expensive!! But completely US made.
 
Yeah, I figured the weight on the EMR to be right at about 9 lbs. This is including the XTL lid because I'm getting the composite stays (saving 9 oz.). Minus the weight of the standard lid and composite stays, it should be about the same weight as standard lid and aluminum stays. Which is comparable to the ILBE I had which was only 6000 ci (including the day pack). The main bag of the EMR is 7500 ci! Add 650 ci for each 500 lite long pocket (plus another pound for the two combined). This puts me at about 10 lbs. and 8800 ci capacity. I also have a Camelback Hawg which is 2 1/2 lbs with empty 3L bladder. It is 1400 ci. I rigged a kit so it will strap onto the EMR. In addition, I have custom cut an ATS frame sheet to size for support when the Hawg is carrying heavier loads. This may add another pound but probably less. All told, including stuff sacks, my admin and utility pouches, and other pouches (first aid, fire kit, etc.) I'm looking at at least 15 lbs. dry weight. But I abuse my gear and tend to spend a lot of time living out of my packs. And I think the weight and price penalties will be worth the performance and comfort I get out of it. And even though it's big, it compresses really small. I hate it when I don't have enough room for the stuff I'm packing and I don't think that will ever be a problem with the EMR.
 
DocGP said:
I am a Kifaru junkie. My most used pack is an X-ray. It has been to Ukraine 3 or 4 times, Hawaii twice, Amazon jungle, and Galapagos (wow, lots of travel time) as my carry on/ EDC bag while away. Still in as good as new shape. It has gotten soaked, dropped, dragged, stepped on.....everything you can imagine. Constantly clipping stuff onto and off of it, but not one problem. On the last trip I noticed for the first time it was extremely uncomfortable on my waist belt on one hike. Ignored it for about a mile, then finally took it off and looked at it. I had twisted the padding 180 degrees before hooking the belt.....duh. They are HEAVY. That is the price you pay for durability. They are a hot in jungle type environments (but what isn't). The only interaction I have had with Kifaru CS was when I lost a Coyote brown male quick connector. I called Mary (I think, forgive me if that is wrong) and asked how much it is to order several replacement buckles so I would have some on hand. She refused to take a CC number and a week later 4 buckle sets showed up in the mail. Have no fear. The Kifaru team will take care of you. Patrick is top notch.

Doc

Oh yeah, edit to add, the only other con I can think of is that they are expensive!! But completely US made.
Click to expand...
I think you mean Angie and she is the best customer service person ever imo. She goes above and beyond to take care of people.

I use photobucket to upload pictures eventhough i'm a paying member HarperT. Welcome to the forums!
 
Here are some pictures I took of the pack Mystery Ranch sent me before I returned it.


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HarperT

Those bartacks on the Molle aren't going to affect the strength in any way, and are rather difficult to do, as the stitch is done on a programmed tacker, and the stitch is started in the middle of the webbing.
The machine is started and it does the whole pattern, so the operator has to get it all lined up perfectly, or the stitching is missaligned.

But I agree, for $700 you shouldn't get something that looks like the apprentice built it.
 
My point exactly. And what I didn't like was that this piece of fabric obviously had the bar tacks sewn before assembly on the main bag. This bottom piece has seams on all sides and is no more than 2 square feet. So, these pieces should have been discarded and replaced with appropriate ones before assembly. Did you see the seam I pictured? This seam is at the top of the bag where it meets the storm collar behind the shoulder. At any rate, it left me thinking there could have been similar manufacturing errors on other more important parts of the pack not immediately identifiable or hid from the eye. And I didn't like the non-chalant doesn't-really-make-a-difference sort of way MR customer service dealt with me about it. If it doesn't matter than why the hell am I paying $700 for it?!!
 
HarperT said:
My point exactly. And what I didn't like was that this piece of fabric obviously had the bar tacks sewn before assembly on the main bag. This bottom piece has seams on all sides and is no more than 2 square feet. So, these pieces should have been discarded and replaced with appropriate ones before assembly. Did you see the seam I pictured? This seam is at the top of the bag where it meets the storm collar behind the shoulder. At any rate, it left me thinking there could have been similar manufacturing errors on other more important parts of the pack not immediately identifiable or hid from the eye. And I didn't like the non-chalant doesn't-really-make-a-difference sort of way MR customer service dealt with me about it. If it doesn't matter than why the hell am I paying $700 for it?!!
Click to expand...

I did see the seam pic, but it's a bit out of focus, and I cant see well enough to tell what the fault is.

I did find another issue with the bag though
If this is 1" webbing (which it should be) then there's a bit over 2" between bartacks here - Molle/Pals spec says 1" webbing/1" vertical spacing with 1.5" columns (distance between bartacks)

2" may be fine at the end of a run as the webbing goes into the seam (but a good manufacturer would adjust the pack size to fit X columns exactly, not leave one end with a 2" gap) but in the middle of a row, it shouldn't happen.


I don't have any Kifaru packs yet (Just a woobie) but Angie will look after you, Kifarus customer service is great
 
Echo63 said:
I did see the seam pic, but it's a bit out of focus, and I cant see well enough to tell what the fault is.

I did find another issue with the bag though
If this is 1" webbing (which it should be) then there's a bit over 2" between bartacks here - Molle/Pals spec says 1" webbing/1" vertical spacing with 1.5" columns (distance between bartacks)

2" may be fine at the end of a run as the webbing goes into the seam (but a good manufacturer would adjust the pack size to fit X columns exactly, not leave one end with a 2" gap) but in the middle of a row, it shouldn't happen.


I don't have any Kifaru packs yet (Just a woobie) but Angie will look after you, Kifarus customer service is great
Click to expand...

The two strips of webbing on the bottom of the Kodiak pack are with this wider 2" space between bar tacks. The stitches are loose at the top of the seam. And one other thing I didn't notice till I got the replacement pack (I sent both back and have now put an order in with Kifaru) is that underneath the webbing where the bar tacks start (not at the edge of the webbing but more toward the center) were small pinholes, like the fabric was slightly torn from the sewing maching. They were very small but I could see right through the hole in the fabric and they were right at the beginning of the stitch. In other words, if a lot of pressure were applied right at that point - like, for instance, if I put a belt or strap around the molle loop and pulled real hard, it would be fairly likely that pinhole, since it's right at the edge of where the stitches are attaching the molle to the pack, could become a tear. And not too far fetched! If I had my sleeping pad or sleeping bag attached there and it snagged on something, it could rip.
 
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