Suggestions for a lumbar pack

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ohen cepel

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Sep 19, 2002
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Got confirmation today that my back is jacked up. So, looking for a lumbar pack to let me still get out on short trips with the kids.

I really like the Kifaru Tailgunner II. It looks to have a great belt and I like the suspender option on it. However, also looking for other suggestions before I drop that amount of cash.

Suggestions and if you have one for sale/trade please let me know.

Thanks in advance!
 
I thought about the Kifaru Tailgunner II as well, but I don't like that you can't wear a back pack above it. As far as I know. I doubt anyone is going to suggest a better pack. Though the price is steep. You may be able to get by piecing together bags on your person to better distribute the weight. Not to mention, going ultralight is now a must and not a choice. You could try wearing a vest with some stuff in it, a small waist pack in front, an ultra light day pack on your back. That's one to do it.
 
Sorry about your back!

If you don't need require intense organizational capabilities and/or military styling of the Kifaru, Mountainsmith might have something that would work for you.

I have a Mountainsmith Tour, 488 cubic inch capacity, with optional backpack straps (which don't transfer much weight to your shoulders and upper back-- a good thing-- but help to stabilize a more loaded lumbar pack), and like it a lot. Mountainsmith also makes larger and smaller models as well.

It's not in the same league as the pack you have listed, but it's also a lot less expensive, and might meet your needs for now.

~ P.
 
Thanks for the Mountainsmith option! Their USA made stuff looks good and so happens to be in line with what I am looking for now.

Open to other suggestions still though. Also, need to find a place where I can see some if at all possible, that never seems to be easy.
 
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I would recomend the Tailgunner I over the II. Just more options in my opinion with the I. Also makes a great accross the chest Indiana Jones Bag off the belt :)
I use one for my whitetail pack in front belt on backwards while in the tree stand :)
 
I have a Mountainsmith Tour. It's an awesome setup with the strapettes. More stable than a shoulder bag, and more comfortable than a backpack. I find it just the thing for a dayhike. Plenty of capacity for my ten essentials and snacks. It has side pockets for water bottles. I use the handle loops to stow my fleece when it gets a bit warm.

It's not as heavy duty and durable as a Kifaru, but it is still a well-made pack. It is lighter though, which is an important advantage judging from your original post. Best of all, the Tour costs a fraction of the price of a similarly equipped Tailgunner II. Mine cost ~ $60, with strapettes.
 
I have use a Mountainsmith Tour for more than four years now and like it a lot. I use the bottom loops for my tarp.
I can go minimalistic with it for two or three days, obviously our climate allows me to go out during the dry season without much.
No experience with the Kifaru products.
 
ohen cepel said:
Also, need to find a place where I can see some if at all possible, that never seems to be easy.
Click to expand...

Yes, that can make things much more difficult. There's nothing like being able to see and fit an item in person, especially if you can also compare it head-to-head with other things you're considering.

Along those lines, while "recycled" is probably a good thing in the big picture, I hope Mountainsmith has improved the feel of their recycled material. 5 years ago when I bought mine, their recycled bags felt much stiffer and scritchier than the non-recycled ones, and I found it unpleasant.

~ P.
 
I also saw a Mt. smith at Dicks Sporting goods recently.
 
I have the Kifaru TG1 and it's a great bag however if I could redo things I would of kept the larger Scout. Has aluminum stays in it for better weight load but it's still a lumbar pack.
 
Found a MountianSmith Tour in a local shop today, would like to find the USA made Classic version but will go back and get that one if my brother doesn't sell me a spare one that he has.

Brother is a big Kifaru fan and I really like their stuff, but for what I am doing now I can't justify that cost.

Thanks for all the input!
 
Whichever one you end up getting, pick up a set of strapettes. ~ $15 on Amazon.
 
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