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review: kifaru g2 zxr backpack.
- Thread starter JV3
- Start date
If you want to check out what high-capacity backpacks which are not ghastly heavy, check out McHale packs. Even some of Gregory's expedition packs weigh less, have greater volume and they are equal/better quality than the Kifaru. Cold Cold World packs are smaller, but also amazing haulers. A pack doesn't have to weigh that much to comfortably handle expedition weights - MOLLE tape/sewing gets heavy....
2. aluminum stays: i'm guessing that grade of aluminum meets their design spec/users' requirements. one thing i've learned is they overbuild stuff where it's needed, not just for the sake of doing it. okay, i admit i've dreamed of making a pack with the interior covered in molle toomy 50+ lbs load out is puny in comparison to most kifaru users. they've abused these packs more than i care to ever do so i'm sure any bending/weaknesses would've been exposed by now (especially by competitors). arc'teryx uses 6061 stays too. not sure about osprey but they're not even that customizable. stays are just one part of the frame design like you mentioned - osprey doesn't even have a traditional looking frame.
You don't see Osprey or Arc'Teryx packs recommended for expediton mountaineering trip lists - check out various Guide's suggested gear. They may allow an Arc 'Teryx pack, but they're not the 1st-choice recommendations. They just won't handle the big weights as well as stronger-built packs. When Dana Gleason founded "Dana Designs", his packs were top-shelf, non-custom packs - and used 7075 stays. It's industry standard for high-level packs. I don't know if Dana is using 7075 in his Mystery Ranch designs, but i'd bet he is.
It's too bad to see off-shore manufacturing, but if it meets Quality Control standards, i understand why a manufacturer goes there.
4. thanks for the info on carbon fiber! i was wondering about that but it makes sense about the shattering/repairing part.
5. yes, patrick smith founded mountainsmith before starting kifaru. no affiliation with either company (i wish i did though - employee discount!), just regurgitating what i read online like most folks
6. i'm happy they used 550 cord since it makes gutting it for field repairs easy. i don't want to fiddle with climbing spec rope if i just want a few strands for sewing. on the other hand they could've easily cut the corner and used a lesser cord and most folks wouldn't even notice but they didn't.
7. i'm surprised you didn't mention bucklesanother guy on another forum asked me so i figured i'd mention it here too. mine (i read that the g1 version is different) are made by national molding except the main waist buckle which is made by itw.
I think i did make mention of buckles "(not to mention all the quick-release/adjustment buckles and material for them, whether or not there are exposed, raw fabric edges, etc)", but yea they're important too (Delrin is a high-quality material used my many brands to make buckles),
8. sewing quality - i'm up bright and early today to maximize day light for my last hike of this year. my pack weight for today is just under 25 lbs, i think i'll toss in a few more knives to bump it up to 30 lbs and will report back if the sewing gives out
Enjoy the day!!!! I got out too and had a great time with my kids on the mountain.
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i received another free pouch from lmt66 yesterday thanks, bro! this time it's a g1 2-quart utility pouch.
for rough dimensions, a nalgene canteen and cup fits vertically but doesn't horizontally.
the 2-qt fits perfectly above the organizer.
perfect spot for my first aid kit.
another view with the long pockets attached and the xtl lid that lmt66 gave me last year.
thanks, bro! this time it's a g1 2-quart utility pouch.
for rough dimensions, a nalgene canteen and cup fits vertically but doesn't horizontally.
the 2-qt fits perfectly above the organizer.
perfect spot for my first aid kit.
another view with the long pockets attached and the xtl lid that lmt66 gave me last year.
According to Gregory's specs, their largest pack (that I could find, the Baltoro 75) weighs 6 lbs 10 oz. and has a max capacity of 50 lbs. Kifaru looks better and better all the time, I'm going to have to pay them a visit - luckily, I live pretty close by.
Sodak - Gregory's largest pack is their Denali Pro in size L at 7,000 cu.in. and 8lbs. If you want a pack i'd be glad to help search for you - PM or start a thread...
This is getting too far from JV3's OP so i won't comment further outside of the topic, but there's sooooo much to say about packs - *especially* RE: these military-type packs. Been there, done that and got the patches/DD214 to prove it.
This is getting too far from JV3's OP so i won't comment further outside of the topic, but there's sooooo much to say about packs - *especially* RE: these military-type packs. Been there, done that and got the patches/DD214 to prove it.
My point was that you had commented that nearly 7 lbs for a 5200 ci pack was ghastly heavy. The Gregory is just under 5000 ci and is nearly 7 lbs, and it has a 50lb max, where the Kifaru can go higher (depending upon the comfort level and strength of bearer). But the pack can certainly handle it. So the Gregory seems just as heavy to me. If you like Gregory, more power to you, certainly, wear what works best for you. And if you don't like Molle, straps and all that, that's certainly your call. I got my first DD 214 in 1979, and still love the military look over anything else. I can't wait to try some Kifarus on my back!
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wow, i'd be broke if i lived that close to them. you're lucky you can try the packs in person! all i had to go by were some pics before deciding what to buy. please take pics of the factory floor if they let you
thanks! glad you like 'em.
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after a year and 4 months of use (20+ day hikes and 12+ overnighters) i'm replacing the zxr with the ku3700 as my main hiking pack (i've been transitioning to ultralight gear over the last few months and my current base weight is now 12.48 lbs with this pack). the zxr weighs 7.50 lbs empty and the ku3700 weighs 2.50 lbs empty so i'm saving 5 lbs with the switch...i'll start a new review thread for the ku3700 soon but here's a quick look at the major differences:
zxr on the left, ku3700 on the right:
they have the same exact suspension but the ku3700 (on the right) has thinner/smaller padding:
the zxr's lumbar pad (on the left) is about 30% thicker than the ku3700's:
the zxr's waist belt (on the left) is about twice as thick as the ku3700's:
same waist belt shape and straps though but only one strip of molle webbing on the ku3700 (on the right):
the shoulder padding are the same thickness but the ku3700 (on the left) doesn't have the quick-release buckles in the zxr:
according to kifaru the ku3700 is made with a "proprietary double layer mil-spec ultra high tenacity american nylon" and "it's not silnylon, it's much tougher and maybe even lighter" - it's the same material as their shelters basically. i still don't know the exact specs/strength of that material (lots of speculation from competing makers' users/lots of heated debates on the boards, and kifaru is keeping their formula secret)..anyway, the zxr is made with 1000 denier cordura.
ku3700's (top) carbon & wood composite stay compared to the zxr's aluminum (both are 24" long):
the 24" ultralight stays is 17 oz lighter than the 24" aluminum stays (pair).
first impression: with a 20 lbs load, i can't tell a difference between them...anyway, i'm going on an overnighter soon to break-in the ku3700 and will report back
zxr on the left, ku3700 on the right:
they have the same exact suspension but the ku3700 (on the right) has thinner/smaller padding:
the zxr's lumbar pad (on the left) is about 30% thicker than the ku3700's:
the zxr's waist belt (on the left) is about twice as thick as the ku3700's:
same waist belt shape and straps though but only one strip of molle webbing on the ku3700 (on the right):
the shoulder padding are the same thickness but the ku3700 (on the left) doesn't have the quick-release buckles in the zxr:
according to kifaru the ku3700 is made with a "proprietary double layer mil-spec ultra high tenacity american nylon" and "it's not silnylon, it's much tougher and maybe even lighter" - it's the same material as their shelters basically. i still don't know the exact specs/strength of that material (lots of speculation from competing makers' users/lots of heated debates on the boards, and kifaru is keeping their formula secret)..anyway, the zxr is made with 1000 denier cordura.
ku3700's (top) carbon & wood composite stay compared to the zxr's aluminum (both are 24" long):
the 24" ultralight stays is 17 oz lighter than the 24" aluminum stays (pair).
first impression: with a 20 lbs load, i can't tell a difference between them...anyway, i'm going on an overnighter soon to break-in the ku3700 and will report back
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Awesome review as always. Can't wait to get your thoughts on the ultralight packs.
I'm trying to get over there tomorrow or the day after, I'll bring a camera along just in case. Can't wait to see your review, thanks again!wow, i'd be broke if i lived that close to them. you're lucky you can try the packs in person! all i had to go by were some pics before deciding what to buy. please take pics of the factory floor if they let you
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thanks! i'm going to go on a couple of overnighters in the next few weeks starting this wednesday to break it in and report back.
anytime! yeah, definitely take pics of the shop please.
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the composite stays is slick indeed...even the corvette's floor uses it...googled this info:
"Sandwich Composite Floor with Lightweight Balsa Wood Core
Corvette’s floor is constructed using two layers of an aircraft type composite material wrapped around a balsa wood core. The balsa wood helps filter out noise and vibration, and makes the floor 10 times stiffer than the use of composites alone. Numerous “high tech” synthetic fillers were tried, but none matched the stiffness, light weight and damping performance of natural balsa wood."
You must be into ultralight for you to buy a pack that isn't black!
I will be watching for the review.
i've been eye'ng a black krylon for awhile
just too sissy to do it though.i already did an overnighter last week and will go on another one next week to shake it out and i'll do the write-up by early next week.
