Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Kifaru

I hadn't thought much about why, but my waist belt also noticably hasn't kept cinched tight lately. I am constantly having to retighten it even with light loads. I thought maybe the waist belt was just stretching out. It is borderline too big for me and cinched tight has always been completely out of adjustment. The waist straps don't look worn but I could not know what to look for. I'll have to look closer at that tonight.

I don't mess with the load lifters much so I am sure they're fine.

You fellas must be superfly tnt, because I've only heard tales of kifaru being indestructible

Own one of their tarpa, a 12 man tipi and two stoves, and two packs. Packs are nicely made but they don't carry weight any better than others I've used.

The big deal about Kifaru when I purchased it back when Patrick operated it was they stood behind their products. I'm not sure how it is today being that Patrick is not operating the company. I have an shelter that I need to send in and I suppose that I'll learn how CA is in the current time.

Having several packs rip at the same point due to heavy loads tells me there is a design flaw at that point. Aaron needs to put some backing behind those bar tacks or Kifaru will keep having the same issue if they already haven't. I'm no expert but have sewed up a a few homemade packs and gear and when you run a stitch back and forth over the same spot like a bar tack you can weaken the fabric at that point because of all the extra needle holes and tugging on fabric threads. Putting some backing inside the waste belt will help alleviate the issue.

I’m a ways out of the backpack game, but I had an issue with the customer service that sounds like a one-off but it had to do with their on-line inventory system and one of the gals telling me how theirs work “just like every other on-line system.” I cared to differ in that I expected the inventory to reflect accurately and keep up with items sold. To the point, I thought she was more than rude sounding like they just couldn’t possibly be wrong! Left a very bad taste in my mouth.

Then there is the ever changing design, just for the sake of crating a buzz leading to a “collector” mentality, often leaving good design features.

This year, they came out with a “new” frame that just happens to look like other’s offerings. Hmmm.

I have a couple younger friends that are always upgrading gear, and they swear by Initial Ascent’s packs. I have no idea of the owner or reps personality so no comment there. I did get a chance to look at their packs at a Sports Show in Boise (they’re relatively local). And they seemed very well made.

12 years later and i’m still using an internal frame Timberline prototype that Aron gifted me. This pack has done it all.

You want to haul a heavy load get a Barney’s pack, you want to swallow a heavy load get a kifaru

I just received a brand new waist belt yesterday. Kifaru couldn’t repair those stitches so they replaced the whole belt. It seems there may be fewer Molly loops on this newest version as my belt pockets don’t fit as they did on my old belt.

They only have Ranger Green now apparently, so my stuff isn’t goin to be so delightfully matching anymore.

I tried a bunch of packs bay in 2016. Kifaru was the best fit for me. I had a duplex hunter that the frame sheet buckled on me. Sent pix to Kifaru looking for a repair. They sent me the latest frame and told me to do whatever with the old one. I had a guy put carbon arrow horizontally to keep it from buckling and was going to use it as a loaner. Tried the new frame for 2 years but couldn't get it comfortable. Sold it and am using the old duplex. May get the ARK frame after it's been in used for a year or so. My biggest gripe with Kifaru is their shipping costs and now the purchase protection/tracking charges. I can ship to them for about half what they ship to me. Supposedly they've gotten better with it.

I think my dental floss will ride another year.