Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Ultralight Kifaru

Reaper and Ed,

How do you guys think the weight has been reduced so dramatically, while still maintaining comfort and durability? This seems to be such a significant paradigm shift, it is hard to wrap my mind around it. (Granted that often doesn't take much)

For example: I'm currently using a Gregory Z55 pack that weighs in at 3.5 pounds and will carry around 45 before the suspension starts to fail. Many of the lightweight packs that weigh around a pound are useful up to roughly 20. So it's remarkable to me to hear of a 2.5 pound pack that can carry a 100.

In the end I hope you guys are right. I would love to shave a couple of pounds (or more) off my base weight! Heaven knows I've probably spent more to save less.

BTW, KUIU has some stuff on his website about his new packs. Very interesting stuff as well. Looks like 2011 is going to be the year of the hunting pack.

Hand down to my kids? Now that I'm interested in. A couple seasons? Might as well buy a disposable Eberlestock every season. Whats the UL weight?

Thanks

Click on the link to Bowsite that he posted earlier in the thread. Lots more info and pictures there.

Ed, and Reaper

Seems like I've read over the years where Kifaru packs aren't the best fit for big guys. And if I remember correctly the bigger folks lean towards the MR packs. I very well could be wrong about this? If so I'd love to be corrected.

In your opinuion if this is the case, has Kifaru addressed this or changed anything to make these a more all round user friendly pack?

Again Thanks

I can't really comment on the MR and Kifaru question about big guys, but I'm a fairly stout guy and I like MR and Kifaru both and they both fit me well.

Most of the questions you are asking are answered in the thread on Bowsite.

My UL 5200 came in at 2 lbs 9 oz.

I also think that when Aron is saying a pack will last several seasons, for most of us that means a heck of a lot longer, if not a lifetime.

As far as fit goes, I do know some big guys that love thier Kifaru's. At 5'11, 190 I don't qualify.

I am not going to get into a debate on whether UL gear is the best choice for someone. I only know that for myself, I will always go with the lightest gear that provides me with the leval of performance I want.

Looks like a great pack that fits the UL niche that people were looking for. I'm sure if there is any durability issues Kifaru would address them or not put there name on it.

Great review guys and I look forward to see it more in action.

From initial reports, it sounds like a very nice pack. I'll be keeping my eyes open for further reviews. I just don't know if I'm ready to let the MR Longbow out of my tight grasp just yet.

Thanks fellas..

I like where this is going now. I once called Kifaru and asked Patrick for a G2 without sleeping bag compartment (zipper and associated flap )and without a few of the external straps but with one more plastic triangle or D ring higher on the pack.

I like that the G1 frame sheet will haul bulk and awkward loads well on top of a full sack, I assume the G2 does as well but considering I bought my G1 a week before the G2's were released I dont know first hand.

I have a hard time believing the frame sheet or stays are an upgrade the way it is described. Im not knocking it but would like a little more info on this part of the pack. Is this how you perceive it, stronger than/as strong as G1/G2??

So what the hell is everyone going to do with their current Kifaru packs? I assume the resale vaule will be dropping. What is the point of Kifaru even selling the old style packs now, everyone will want the newest and lightest.

Anyways, this looks to be awesome stuff and i will be waiting with credit card in hand on the 15th.

I would not say stronger or as strong as the G1 or G2 Longhunter (for me anyway), but is an upgrade in strength to weight ratio (if that makes sense). Although I was never able to damage the stays in the KU pack, the KU and Duplex frames are a totally different dynamic.

In the end, I packed out as much weight as any person could in the KU and had no issue with durability, so at that point (as far as overall strength comparison), I would be picking fly chit out of chili, because I don't think most people will ever over load either one.

Hope that makes sense, but I see your point for sure.

I probably won't be making the switch at least for another season, and if I did, I'd keep my LH for bigger chores. I like the CC's of my Longhunter guide. I might get a new one if the fishing is really good this summer and I'm flush..

It makes a difference, sacrificing strentgh for weight savings is a step in the wrong direction for a hunting pack. I suspected the lack of a 6500 meant the load hauling will be compromised slightly. 87lbs is good but what about 100+ or 125 over 15-20 miles and awkward like 60% strapped externally to your camp. I dont think I can get 7-10days + game into 5200 anyway and am sure I wont be able to justify the premium for a pack I can only use for 3-6 day hunts based on how my hunts seem to go. I am a little skeptical but hopeful too, nice to see someone shaving away everything but the bag and a few straps. I just dont think this is the UL Hunt pack for me yet. Cant wait to see one though.....ahem.....Alaska_Lanche, im talking to you:) Looks like a sweet packrafting setup!

I will be watching for those used G2 LHG's to hit the classifieds.

Likely these werent meant to replace LHG's but fill a gap somewhere else and jump into the UL market, im sure they will be a hit and depending on where they are priced I might end up with one in my gear pile, time will tell.

The stays are much lighter than the G1-G2 stays and stiffer as well. Mel told me that they would be available for other Kifaru packs as replacements.

I've seen my EOD folks haul robots and other crap in the MMR and not break it, Soldiers and Marines do unspeakable things with theirs.

In my experience, Soldiers and Marines are the ultimate field testers, and stuff that doesn't work doesn't last very long. Of course, Soldiers and Marines are only about light after rugged-as-hell has been satisfied.

When the Soldiers sell their MMRs and make the switch, I will too.

While I am neither of these guys....
I would consider my self "big" at 6'2" and 220#, and I do have a Kifaru ZXR pack that I've used for several years now. It fit's quite nicely, with it putting most of the load on the hips. The ZXR has a different suspension than the MMR/Longhunter, but it carries up to 75# better than any other pack I've tried.

Like others have said, I won't be selling my ZXR anytime soon, as I want to see more than just beta testing. Also, G1 prices will drop sharply at the first release of the UL. In @ a year, they will hopefully rise a little due to "cult" status.

Fishkilla,

No doubt I agree. 5200 would be VERY tight for a sheep/packraft gear/ and camp for a week. But you know I am a sucker for this stuff and at the very least it will be a kick butt packraft pack that will handle weight like a dream. Likely pick up two of those packs both in 5200, you certainly check them out when they get here in March or so I guess .

I will for sure keep either my or my wife's NICE 6500 if these work out but both long bows, and a NICE 6500 will be going by the wayside.

Looking forward to putting these things to the test here in AKs nasty alder choked valleys and see how they hold up.

I'm not so sure that is the reason they didn't come out with a 6500. The Elk Reaper posted on Bowsite, and maybe here as well, that he loaded 150 lbs. in it several times and that he even took a spill and rolled down the hill before a log stopped him and that the pack held up fine. At 6' 170lbs., that is about 50lbs. more than I could manage regardless of the packs volume. I'm thinking that with this pack being geared toward the ultralight backpack hunter that they figured 5200 c.i.'s of space is sufficient for a week or more in the back country for most guys that are willing to give this pack a shot. Likely because they have already minimized the weight and bulk of all their other gear making a 6500 unnecessary thus allowing them to keep the pack at 5200 c.i.'s to save a few more ounces and keep a slighter slimmer profile. Of course I'm just speculating purely for conversation.

Yeah, I agree that is not the reason they didn't come out with a 6500. 5200 ci is a good base size for most people and with the PODS and pockets i am sure you will probbly have more than 6500 ci's of space to utilize.

Also, at first it looked like i would be selling my G2 LH. But now I see that these are not the same concept as the Longhunter and are a one peice deal. So i will be keeping the G2 LH for day hunt hauling duties. I might not even use these new packs for hunting, just for summer backpacking and scouting. I like the G2 LH versatility for hunting the way i do.