Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Kifaru Siwash Reviews

Very nice!!!!

That cargo chair is one thing on Kifaru packs that absolutly rocks!

LC

Another picture..
All the stuff pictured is in the pack. I since have used a large dry bag in the center and it simplifys things a bit.



LC

Thanks for the reply, Lefty. I think MR is what I am going after whenever I save up the money. I'll probably have to get just the NICE frame with the cargo hauler first and use a dry bag to carry everything. $250 for the crewcab! Are you kidding me?!

If those pic's won't sell a Siwash , I'd guess nothing will...

Congrat's and nice pic's!...

SpenceG, any experience with the MR crew cab?

Is that the Siwash? How did it feel all loaded up? What weight?
Thanks.

CL,
That is a Siwash. I have no experience with MR products, but have only heard good things. The load with the elk was right about 110 lbs, because there is meat inside also. I've done the same load with a Kifaru Spikecamp, and it did remarkably well also, that's what sold me on them. The Siwash just makes it that much more comfortaable. I really like the panel load design, since it packs down small for a daypack with easy access to gear. Just make sure everything is strapped down tight, and they carry like a dream.

Chawn I can't help w/ the thinner belt but I have rigged my MR belt to have a power pull on the belt and it works great. I just run the excess back through the 3-bar and walla--Allen--

Well here are the pack pictures complete with dead deer. Wore this pack about 4 hours still hunting for the last day of the Pa. deer season. Not mutch weight but the pack was compact and quiet and worked fine as a daypack. Photos could be better but I was serious frozen.



LC

Sorry don't mean to hijack your tread but does anyone have any pics
of the siwash all packed with gear sleeping pad,tent,scope,etc.

Bump

Mtn Hunter
I have a Long Hunter which compresses quite well. I believe without the top pocket the Long Hunter and Siwash are very close in size. I think the main difference would be the Long Hunter is top loading and the siwash a panel loader. If you want to check it out let me know. I think we might be in the same neck of the woods. Don't think you will go wrong with either.
Later
Greg

Found this pic of Ken999's Siwash:


Hoping folks would post some more pics, a pic is worth a thousand words, right?

MtnHtr

huh?

Which pic?

Here is my Longhunter Guide with 1/2 a deer and the rack on it. It is a bit bigger than the Siwash, but IMO it packs down pretty darn small. I've used this pack for exactly what you are intending it for, 3-5 day excursions, but I also use it for day hunting which hasn't been a problem yet.

As also stated above, I prefer a top loader to a panel loader.

oh...I see it now...

I'll get some more pic's together for you...I'll toss in a Nalgene for comparison's sake.

As you can see...the Siwash swallows a 0 deg MOB pretty well.

How late/cold is it going to be ? I don't have a Siwash, but I do have both the Late Season and the Spike Camp. I have used both the Cargo chair and the extra, add on pouches.
First off, I much prefer the heavy stuff, like meat etc. inside the pack and close to my body, not in the cargo chair. If you load one up with sand bags, boxes of shot shells, etc. and try it in steep country, I think you will agree. If you do that, then the camp gear can go pretty much in the extra pouches, which on the way up can be carried on the inside, etc.
If the weather is pretty cold, then I'd say use the Siwash because you'll need the extra room for clothing, heavier bag, etc. But for the milder weather hunting, I find the LS works well.
One of the things I'm really impressed with is how light and comfortable the Kifarus are while maintaining the ability to handle heavy loads. E

Good to hear from you E!

Down to the lower teens at the coldest but don't forget about the wind chill factor. The ZXR is winning the race so far..............

MtnHtr

I think I'd prefer a Longhunter if the Siwash wouldn't do. It would depend on if I could get everything into the pack. I've learned not to hang much, if anything, on the outside for hunting. Thick brush and doing off trail walking makes that a good idea. The bottom line would be which will carry the load and weigh the least.
I'm seriously tempted to get a Siwash myself. That's because I like the LS and my Sike Camp so well. If I need more pack, I suspect it will be first on my list.
Yeah, it's good to be back. Nice to see you in there posting too, MH. E

E,

I spent some time perusing the Kifaru message boards, I think the Siwash with an XTL lid will meet my needs for the length of hunt I have in mind. If I need a larger pack then I will order a LH too. In fact I'm thinking about ordering both a Siwash and then a Late Season to replace my current daypack!

Thanks,

MtnHtr

Does the XTL lid retro fit to a Siwash?

I thought the XTL was for the MMR, EMR and Zulu but I could easily be wrong.