Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Kifaru Stryker

Anyone got one yet? Thoughts of it so far? It looks very versatile and user friendly.

I ordered one the day they became available. Looks like a more robust version of the Mystery Ranch Mule, which I really like. I’ve had the Reckoning and the Nomad 2. Very happy with the Nomad 2 but I think the Stryker will be an improvement when in day hunt mode. I’ll use the OR 55L dry bag for hauling in camp.

I almost puller the trigger. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it once you get it. I hear they are starting to ship.

In all my years of using Kifaru stuff, I've never bought a bag. Just a frame and a cargo panel. A light duffel behind the panel is all I've ever needed. Sometimes I just toss my daypack in there, and wear the frame. I can always hand carry the daypack if I need to use the frame for meat. The Stryker has me re-thinking this bag business.....

leave the Antero at home.....

I am pretty much in your shoes. Looks like it could be a game changer.

I'm close to trying one, but I've always preferred to have everything in the bag and never cab get things the way I want them on a shelf.

I always think I'll like them better, but come back to the Mtn Warrior. I'll still probably give one a try!

Looks a lot like a Mystery Ranch Crew Cab which I have used for years and like. The idea is a good system. I’d like to try a Kifaru as I’ve only heard great stuff.

What... love my Antero

I’m going to buy one

Love the idea of throwing it on my Lite frame for a true daypack/packout option without a giant bag.

I am with you on that! I'll have one in time for Spring Bear Season.

Yes sir

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Reckoning bag, but even taking just daypack essentials it’s still quite cumbersome through thick stuff.
Stryker will keep it leaner...

Basically the Nomad 2 works the same way. You can easily carry a large bag with camp, gear, etc., then once camp is set up you have a much smaller pack for the day hunting. Once you have an elk down you can carry as much meat as you choose. Really works well. I just like the idea of a single bag, vice two on the Nomad, and the way they allow you to connect the bag such that you compress it, or not. It will be quite a bit more compact and secure in day mode compared to the Nomad. The Stryker is exactly the setup I wanted (from what I can tell so far) after using the MR Mule one season. The MR is a great pack, but it does not feel as good as the Kifaru with a lot of weight on it. I was able to pack out an entire deboned Muley buck including the head but that was at the edge of comfort. The Kifaru distributes weight so well. My hip flexors, knees, etc. are the limiting factors, not the shoulder straps, waist belt or anything related to comfort and the pack.

Same way I roll for most hunts, but use a bag for more than a 2-3 days, a cargo panel is pretty versatile though!

Just checked out the Stryker, looks well thought out and another good option for day hunts, nice to have options......

Here we are 15 years later and we're back to the MR Crew Cab. Way more user friendly frame than the NICE, strikes me as kinda funny though.

Only it's not a Crew Cab!

Concept wise sure, design layout not so much.

Looks like a very nice and useful pack. Concept and size wise, it seems like direct competition for the Pop Up 28 with a few more goodies.

I'm replacing my DT1 with the Stryker. The DT was just too cumbersome in day mode. It compressed well but was a bit of a pain to get stuff out of the main bag. I only do short trips here in the east and for a 5-7 day trip I'll add a OR dry bag or get the camp bag (wish it had a zipper). Ordered Thursday and should get it sometime after the new year.

The Stryker looks, dare I say, ideal?

I like the cargo panel, nomad and mountain rambler. But the Stryker looks to have combined the best features of each of them.
Oh, boy.

The backpack hunting forum has slipped a bit over the years, but at least this beats JeffO telling us how many jumping jacks he did, haha.

I'd go with the HPG Decker. HPG carries weight better than Kifaru for me..
https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/3/ProductID/100
https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/3/ProductID/103

Haha!

I like the looks of the Stryker a lot. My 20+ year old duplex frame needs replacing. Probably get a new one with a Stryker to complement the mountain warrior I have.

I am thinking about ordering one too, specifically for trapping and day hunts.

I dearly love my Reckoning with a Sherman attached, but in day mode there's too damn many straps that blow and flap around in the wind, smacking me in the face sometimes. Finding which female goes to which male gets old, quick. Rolling each strap's tag end up and securing with the velcro is way too much work, especially with cold fingers and when I am constantly getting stuff in and out of the bag, and loosening some compression straps each time.

Having way less compression straps, the Stryker looks pretty ideal for what I am wanting.

After serious consideration I have decided to go with the Hill People Gear Decker Pack Frame and Prairie Belt.

Same thing I did in December! I already had a Prairie Belt so got the Decker bag and frame to go with it. Haven't done anything with it yet other than getting it set up.

+1x2

You're the enabler.

😁

Anyone used the Stryker much yet?

Thinking about grabbing one. Wanted just a Cargo Panel, mostly for training hikes/walks, but I waited too long.

Holston this might work for you and save you some coin.

I think the HPG Decker will do everything the Stryker will do and do it better.

HPG frame and hip belt $370 Decker bag $110= $480 Vs Kifaru Frame $350 bag $220= $570

HPG Frame and belt is 5lb and with Decker Bag 6.1lb vs Kifaru at 5.56lb all up

HPG Claims a 300lb load capacity, Kifaru I don't see any load capacity rating.

I am not going to run the Decker bag at least for now. I'll use a Sea to Summit 35L Ultra-Sil Nano Dry Sack.

I would really like to do a real side by side comparison of the two and down the road I might just do that. But for now I am all in on the HPG system.

I already have a Kifaru frame and accessories, so it’s be the cheaper option by far.

I wish the Decker system was on the Qui-ya frame instead of the Yute. The Qui frame might work well for my height, being that it’s pretty much 28”. I don’t think I could get comfortable in the smaller one they used with the Decker.

I will look into them again, and make sure. I liked the look of them when they came out, but I’m pretty sure I decided the size just wouldn’t work.

HPG is on the same level as Kifaru as far as I’m concerned. Just a little less flexible to people way outside the normal size range.

I already have a Kifaru frame and accessories,

Yes this would make sense for you.

HPG has always been interesting to me but I've never taken the plunge. Their new upland pack/bag looks great though.

I'd be interested in hearing an update on the decker when you sort it out.

I'll be able to tell you soon. Will be using it for Spring Bear.

I just picked up the Stryker for when I don’t need the Muskeg 7000. I’m hoping to try it out this weekend in Texas, fingers crossed.

Should make good use for a variety of loads.

I am not sure this Decker is going to work for me. Initial fit isn't very good. I will do a few practice hikes with weight in it, but so far not big long enough for my torso.

Do you have a guide lid? I’m curious if one will work on the Stryker, and how well. I think if I could run a lid, I’d be good to go for most of my deer hunting.

I was looking at the HPG Ute at one time, which I’m pretty sure the decker uses the same frame system. Seems I remember hearing how the have no lift at all for people 6’+. I stopped right there. I would think that with 24” stays that most, unless pretty tall, could make it work.

Hope you get it worked out.

A lid would need to be hooked to the frame, or the tab loops used for the top compression straps on the Stryker would need doubled up, but yes a lid is compatible with the system.

Ordered the Kifaru Frame and Cargo Net. I think this is the cheapest way to see if I like it. If it works for me then I will add the Stryker.

I will return the HPG Decker