review: kifaru timberline 3 backpack.

[JV3]

kifaru's pics and description of the timberline 3: store.kifaru.net/timberline-3-3700ci-p6.aspx

from left to right: timberline 1, 2 and 3.

The T3 is the smallest of our Timberlines, and is desingned for faster, lighter hunts, but with full overnight capabilities. Like its bigger brothers, it retains the same great features - built-in pockets, stay options and many lash points. The T3 is a narrow, stick-to-you pack that is extremely versatile when it comes to load hauling. A top loader with the rugged simplicity of a drawcord, it can be massively overloaded if needed. The over-the-top strap compesses contents vertically, and extra long lid straps let the T3's lid mushroom upwards. Bottom lash straps let you throw on even more.

- Suspension: WrapTech Suspension System
- Volume: 3,700 (2,100 body, 1,600 ext. pockets)
- Weight: 4 lbs., 9.5 oz.
- Load rating: 100 lbs plus
- Access: Top
- Construction: 500d Cordura body, double layered bottom
- Stays: 24" or 22" composite stays. Subtract $40.00 for aluminum
- Includes: Dedicated T3 top Lid

Built-in Pockets: Are strategically arranged and securely accomodate all your optics and any other equipment you may need "at hand" from the outside of the pack.

Side Pockets: Two large pockets on the sides are specifically built to hold even the largest spotting scopes and tripods. Stabilized by twin compression straps.

Center Pockets: Sandwiched between the side pockets are twin horizontal pockets stacked atop each other. Gear is "ready-to-hand", and the lids open like flaps for extemely easy access. A bungie cord provides compression and extra storage.

- Internal chamber pocket for small items such as keys or a wallet
- Interior pocket sized specifically for a water bladder with an exit port for the hose

Modularity: Hunting PALS webbing matrix: PALS allows secure attachment of our many optional pocket add-ons should you need additional capacity.

- All our packs accept the addition of a CargoChair, used in camp to relax and recline, or in the field hauling gear.
- Multiple compression straps to stabilize any load

Lash points: On the body and lid let you add extra capacity with the many Kifaru modular pockets and accessories. Easily add function and volume from our Hunting, Tactical or even Ultralight (Using our Kifaru Ultralight adapter kit) lines.

Frame & Suspension: Built into this pack, the frame and suspension do not remove. Default stays are lightweight composite, but you can choose aluminum for cost savings. Either way, you get exceptional comfort and a wide latitude for adjustment.

 

[JV3]

day hike (48 oz water, ultralight tarp with cordage, first aid kit, 900 ml pot with food inside, emberlit, and hill people gear recon kit bag inside the main compartment. 12" machete and folding saw in the side pockets...the kit bag contains map & compass, fire kit, bandanna, etc.):

only the main compartment is full (the 4 outside pockets are empty):

everything is full:

everything is full...zxr on the left, timberline 3 in the middle, and ku3700 on the right and they all have 24" stays:

 

[JV3]

with the main compartment empty, you can fit a nalgene oasis canteen (32 oz capacity) nested inside a usgi stainless steel cup and about 4 clif bars on each of the two front pockets...since it takes space from the main compartment, if that's full then you can fit a little bit less in the front pocket. the nalgene canteen has to be slightly tilted sideways inside though since it's too tall.

for another real-world capacity, each front pocket can also fit two mountain house pro-pak dehydrated meals and about 5 clif bars.

 

[JV3]

the top lid is removable and there are other lids you can buy but i opted for the simplest one - it has 4 attachment loops on top and that's it.

unlike the military line's 1000d and double layer everything, the timberline 3 is from the hunting line so the top lid is 500d and single layer only.

the main compartment is roughly 27" x 14.5". there's no bottom zipper unlike the timberline 1 & 2.

and there's no snow collar...i think the timberline 1 & 2 have it for even more capacity.

a gransfors bruks scandinavian forest axe (total length is 25.25") or esee lite machete (total length with kydex sheath is 24.25") fits inside with nothing poking out.

a small chamber pocket is included.

hydration bladder compartment right behind it.

you can replace the chamber pocket with a different size.

small chamber pocket.

you can also mount another one in front.

there's a compression strap over the main compartment too.

166th timberline 3 made.

 

[JV3]

the side pocket's dimensions: 15.5" x 6.5" x 6.5".

when empty and with the two compression straps tightened, the side pocket disappears.

my fiddleback forge 12" machete fits inside perfectly (total length with the kydex sheath is 18.25").

you can cover the machete's handle with the top lid and it disappears completely.

 

[JV3]

2-liter soda bottle inside one of the side pockets...plenty of space left still.

a compressed kifaru woobie fits perfectly inside the side pocket.

...but a compressed doobie is still too fat for it.

for more info, here's my kifaru woobie, doobie, and their compression stuff sacks review: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/853261-review-kifaru-g2-woobie.

an exped synmat ul 7 inflatable sleeping pad with the washable cover fits perfectly inside the side pocket too.

exped with cover: 15" x 4.5"

they all fit inside the side pocket except the doobie (right-most).

 

[JV3]

no quick-release buckle on the shoulder straps (typical of the hunting line) unlike the military line.

the timberline 3 has the same exact suspension design as the zxr & ku3700 (both are wraptech plus suspension) except the shoulder straps connect to the main body instead of the waist belt (wraptech suspension). the timberline 1 and 2 are wraptech plus though so their shoulder straps connect to the waist belt and have thicker waist belts too. the timberline 3's waist belt thickness is the same as the ku3700.

if you buy the waist belt for the timberline 1 or 2 then you can attach the shoulder straps to it, converting it to a full wraptech plus suspension (my zxr's belt fits the timberline 3 too, or any of the military line's duplex belt if you want a full molle waist belt).

if you already read my zxr or ku3700 reviews, then no need to read the suspension parts farther down below.
my kifaru zxr review: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/837192-review-kifaru-g2-zxr-backpack.
my kifaru ku3700 review: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1000767-review-kifaru-ku3700-backpack.

 

[JV3]

it's not covered in molle but there are 5 sets of these dock & lock tab loops (one set on each side, one set in the front, one set in the bottom, and one set in the top lid) so you can still use any of the dock & lock pockets.

this is from the military line's long pocket (double layer 1000d and molle webbing on the back for permanent mounting). the hunting version is single layer 500d, no molle webbing on the back, and about half the weight.

female buckles installed in the dock & lock side tab loops. if using the ultralight pockets, you'll need the k-connector conversion kit (http://store.kifaru.net/kits-p32.aspx).

long pocket is docked...you can fit five of these if you want (one on each side, one in the front, one in the bottom, and one in the top lid).

docked in the front.

the bottom you can see the set of dock & lock tab loops and the pair of loops for mounting the cargo panel.

i guess they want you to use an inflatable sleeping pad because the bottom compression straps are too short otherwise

the bottom is completely flat.

 

[JV3]

the hunting line waist belt only has a strip of molle for mounting a pocket.

waist belt thickness comparison (zxr on the left, timberline 3 in the middle, and ku3700 on the right). you can buy the timberline 1 or 2's thicker belt if you want more padding...or the wraptech or duplex belt from the military line for thicker padding and full molle attachment points.

you can pick between three different belt sizes too...to change it, just undo the 3-bar on each side of the lumbar pad.

undo the upper and lower delta straps...these two delta straps makes a huge difference in comfort by the way - something a lot of other packs don't have.

a closer look at the lumbar pads (ku3700 on the left, timberline 3 in the middle, and zxr on the right).

the zxr is about twice as thick as the timberline 3 and ku3700...everything about that pack is overbuilt!

torso pads (zxr on the left, timberline 3 in the middle, and ku3700 on the right)...so basically, the timberline 3's belt and lumbar pad is the same thickness as the ku3700 but the torso pads and shoulder straps are the same shape as the zxr.

 

[JV3]

i opted for the 24" carbon fiber composite stays (the pair is 17 oz lighter total over aluminum) - you have an option of 22" or 24" and carbon fiber composite or aluminum.

the torso length is adjustable independent of each other...i don't need this feature but i did read from the kifaru folks that some people in the military who are hucking a rifle they tend to have a more muscular arm/shoulder on their strong side compared to their support side and they do notice that independent adjustability.

i'm too lazy to re-shoot the timberline 3's stays so here's an old pic from the ku3700 vs. the zxr's aluminum stays...the carbon composite pair is 17 oz lighter total over aluminum.

 

[JV3]

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[JV3]

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[JV3]

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[Camber]

Always appreciate your reviews. Thank you for the start to this one!

 

[crossada]

Looks like a great pack and a great review. Now if you could get Kifaru to buy some 500d black lol

 

[JV3]

Always appreciate your reviews. Thank you for the start to this one!

you're welcome! i try to show parts that i wish i could see when i was researching which pack to buy but couldn't so let me know if you want to see something specific. i went through 8 weeks waiting and wondering what exactly did i buy so i want to save others the headache

Looks like a great pack and a great review. Now if you could get Kifaru to buy some 500d black lol

thanks! yeah i had to cross over from the dark side and i even had to redo some of my black kydex sheaths to coyote brown to match it, haha. hill people gear actually has a limited run in black of their recon kit bag though so our numbers are growing

 

[Camber]

Thanks JV3. Honestly, I have no idea what I want in a pack. I think a lot lately about trying my hand at over night short backpacking trips, and I get overwhelmed at all the possibilities. Plus, to get some of the stuff I need (I don't have anything necessary) I'd have to give up buying knives, lol.

One day I will for sure have more specific questions for you, so I appreciate the offer. But right now it's just illuminating as I look at backpacks in general.

 

[spoolup]

As always JV3, totally awesome review. I am waiting for a MC timberline 1, koala lite, and a gun bearer for the hunt, should be here way before, so Im psyched, will have to get out on a few prep hikes with it. I really must say, I like the KU3700, it is my current go to pack and is perfect for most 3 season weekenders. More so when you hammock or open air camp. Thank you for the great write up, I really like how you show the possibles that can fit in the slot pocket. Again, kick ass review and way to make me jones waiting for my new pack...

 

[d.weglarz13]

Wow JV3, another fantastic review. You really got me thinking towards the timberlines now. I love most how you really explain everything in detail, and usually things nobody would even think about until they read it. Thanks again. I am having a hard time deciding on a Kifaru pack, and this one is really growing on me now, thanks to you....

dave

 

[JV3]

As always JV3, totally awesome review. I am waiting for a MC timberline 1, koala lite, and a gun bearer for the hunt, should be here way before, so Im psyched, will have to get out on a few prep hikes with it. I really must say, I like the KU3700, it is my current go to pack and is perfect for most 3 season weekenders. More so when you hammock or open air camp. Thank you for the great write up, I really like how you show the possibles that can fit in the slot pocket. Again, kick ass review and way to make me jones waiting for my new pack...

thanks! yeah, i feel lucky i snagged a ku3700 before they discontinued it. a friend is also thankful he listened to me and bought one and soon after they stopped production so i'm pretty sure he had one of the last ones made.

i gotta say though i think i'm a 500d convert...it's still pretty tough but still pretty lightweight for how modular it is.

Wow JV3, another fantastic review. You really got me thinking towards the timberlines now. I love most how you really explain everything in detail, and usually things nobody would even think about until they read it. Thanks again. I am having a hard time deciding on a Kifaru pack, and this one is really growing on me now, thanks to you....

dave

thanks! the single layer 500d of the t3 makes a huge difference in weight compared to the zxr's 1000d double-layer everything. i highly recommend though that you go with the minimum 24" stays (or longer) whichever kifaru pack you decide to buy. the ones with shorter stays (like the molle express, zulu, etc.) aren't worth it for carrying overnight loads.