There is also a significant weight penalty to all of those pockets and pods compared to a simple packbag
This was something I was concerned with as well. I put pen to paper, and compared the weight/cost of the following packs:
Mystery Ranch Longbow:Weight: 6lbs 8oz
Capacity: 2400cu-in
Cost: $464 (cost includes NICE frame)
Kifaru 'Dock n Lock' Pods System:Pods used: E&E abd Medium Pod
Weight: 6lbs 4oz
Capacity: 2340cu-in
Cost: $403 (MMR Frame($269), E&E($100), Med Pod($34)
Cost per cubic inch:
Mystery Ranch Longbow: $4.46
Kifaru Pod System(in this config): $4.03
There are multiple ways you can configure the Kifaru pod and frame dock system. I chose to use the E&E and Medium Pod for 2 reasons. First - it was a very close match to the Longbow in terms of cubic inches. Longbow: 2400, Kifaru: 2350. Worked nicely for this comparison. Second, there is an exact picture of this Kifaru combo on both links from my original post. Pictures are worth a thousand words.
On paper, the Kifaru frame/dock/pod system edges out the Longbow in terms of cubic-inches per pound and per dollar. Four ounces lighter, few dollars cheaper. In the real world, depending on your backpacking style and preference - its a push. I can't imagine going wrong with either choice. I can see how the pods wouldn't be lightning fast should you need to open them and produce an item quickly. But if you are carrying camp materials in these pods - bag, pad, tent - those don't usually need to be in hand on the fly. To compensate for needing quick access - I used the Kifaru E&E in this combo. 1000cu-in with fast zipper access right on your back.
What if we wanted to go bigger? Longer trip. More space needed.
Myster Ranch NICE 6500:
Weight: 9lbs 8oz
Capacity: 6500cu-in
Cost: $650 (includes NICE frame)
Kifaru 'Dock n Lock' Pods System:Pods Used: 2 large pods, 1 medium pod
Weight: 6lbs 4oz
Capacity: 6534 cubic inches
Cost: $383 (MMR Frame $269, Large Pod(2) $80, Med Pod ($34)
Even though the weight is significantly less, I feel like this is where the single packbag shines. In order to meet the carrying capacity of the NICE 6500, I had to pair 2 large pods and 1 medium pod - no easy zipper access pods used like the E&E that I chose when comparing with the Longbow. Weight is less, cost is less - but being forced to pack everything inside pods - not ideal. Could it be done? WIthout a doubt. Pack in, dop the large pods at camp, make camp, keep the medium on the frame for hunting during the day.
Cliff notes for the inpatient ones:
Kifaru Dock-n-Lock and Pod System shines when capacity needed equals that of 3-4 day hunts. Beyond that - expedition level packing seems better left to organization inside a single pack. Just my opinion, feed back is welcome.
