Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Kifaru Backpacks

Wow. Looks like a real tough-guy contest here.

As for Kiraru packs, I don't know a bunch about them other than seeing a few friends' packs. To be honest, I haven't been that impressed with the packs, although nicer than some others. I do have quite a few of the Kifaru accessories that I attach onto my packs, which is an assortment of older Dana Design, and Mystery Ranch packs and a few el'Cheapo daypacks. From my one experience with Kifaru customer service, it was very good. But Mystery Ranch is borderline unbelievably good.

Few years back I went on a pretty long weekend snowshoe expedition with a friend of mine that had a Kifaru pack (Bryan Martin) at the time. I wouldn't have traded him for my pack, (No way) which was an older Dana Arcflex model that I still use a lot.

From all the packs I've seen these days, I'd say it would be damn hard to not give the Mystery Rance G-series or the NICE models as the world's best. I know that my friend Bryan is a gear head and that's what he's using now on his BC hunts. Bryan writes the "extreme gear" column in the Garth Carter Hunting Fool magazine.

Green, Bryan's Kifaru packs are/were the only ones I've ever handled, back, I guess around 1999 or 2000. As I said, I wasn't much impressed. Bryan, of course, was pictured on the Kifaru website for a while with one of his notorious monster loads and, I believe, he won some sort of masochistic award for his 125+ lb load (as I remember).

I know he's driving MR's now and is in love. If they fit me better that's where I'd be. Perfectly crafted and really good guys... too bad there's not more US Co's like MR.

There is NO contest here, I have made my point and am not interested in a "longdicking" contest with Jamie. I think that the consenus of opinion concerning the original topic is quite obvious. I find the rest of the rhetoric amusing.

As to Kifaru packs, my impression was the same as Brad's in the same timeframe and so I went with other options. But, I currently am quite happy with the Kifaru packs, especially the Siwash and intend to keep using it until it's "wore'out".

As to Mystery Ranch, nothing exceeds Dana's packs, in my experience, absolutely nothing. I wish I had my Bozo Terraplane Overkill back, I just LOVED that pack. WTF, this is, hopefully, all in fun, anyway.

Kute, the great thing about Dana's was their simplicity and the fact they flat worked... too many current pack designs are overloaded with gimmicky nonsense.

Mtnblackdog, in the proper spirit, apology accepted and let's start from scratch.

However, please understand that I seldom argue with Ed T about equipment. That fellow knows his stuff. And people that know their stuff know he knows his stuff.

To add to Kevin's post, I think it's important to reiterate that the Kifaru packs of 5 or 6 years ago were from offshore production and, I believe, was what I handled. I trust Kute and Ed's opinion of the current production, ie that it's VERY improved (and US made). There aren't many guys I'll listen to regarding packs as my own experience is generally more extensive than most ranting on internet sites... this just isn't the case with these two guys however!

A friend of mine bought a Longhunter, in part on my recommendation. His wife was a manager for one of the Boulder companies making outdoor gear for many years. Her comments were that the workmanship on the pack was superb.

And to be fair, I'd add Brad to the list of folks that know their stuff, IMO.

KCM270-Yeah it was pretty much my mouth running in self defense about EdT. Sorry EdT, I hate being picked on though. RudeDog wondered when your sorry butt would show up here. If you guys think you are all mountain tough believe me not many of us hold candles to the Greenhorn, dont let it go to your head though I dont love you that much. Brad I was in Mystery today, Im thinking of having them build a custom camo framer for me for hauling horns, tanks, and such, horns are a pain in the butt on a internal pack. [bleep] your still a jerk and if you dont believe my malarky Im sure the greenone can attest. Even though I admit he is way meaner than I am even for a computer nerd.
Jamie

You sure as sh*t seem to know exactly what�s going on here for a new user with 20 posts. You think you know the background of the users you're arguing with? You really hit the ground running. Running as in you're a lurker or you are a return visitor under a different cover. To say I'm unimpressed with you is an understatement. I don�t own Kifaru and have no stakes in this argument. However for you being a top notch hunter of six countries with a master�s degree and 3 languages under your belt along with three dozen record worthy kills to your name I can't help but not give a [bleep] about your blather.
You started offensively even though you call it an �opinion� it was a simply a knock on a well reputed company and the people that choose to purchase their wares. You followed that initial pointed assault by calling into question other posters levels of experience and knowledge then backed all that up with your resume? I�m not buying any of your refuse. Why don�t you do some �research� on me�.you�ll learn there are some people on this site that dislike me just as I dislike you.
Enjoy your day...

Ok 300wby you can calm down now. I am admitted lurker, I have been on the boards for Im guessing maybe 5 or 6 years cant quite remember how many. Left for a long time cuz I got sick of the computer, and it was nice outside and I actually went hunting, guiding, backpacking ect..... Now that it is the middle of winter I Came back and tired of my old handle I changed no more reason than that. In fact I notice there alot of people that used to visit this site are gone or have changed their handles, probably because they couldnt voice their opinions on inferior products, politics and so on. So excuse me now Im going to say three hail marys, two our fathers and do a hundred push ups for the sins on the campfire. And by the way I wish you a great day as well.
Jamie

" However for you being a top notch hunter of six countries with a master�s degree and 3 languages under your belt along with three dozen record worthy kills to your name"

I can bench 400 lbs now. Does this make me a man and increase my credibility on this MB. Just don't ask me to run very far. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

WW,

Beats me whether that makes you a man or not, but if you're squat is anywhere near par with you bench I'll be happy to take you moose hunting! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

And with all those horror stories about the airlines and lost and damaged guns, heck you don't even need to bring your rifle! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I think AK needs to start their own rodeo circuit. The main event could be Moose Wrestling! Ticket sales would set records. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

WW-Come on man you missed the sarcasm completely. It is only 2 continents and 5 countries I lied. It happens on the internet when you cant look one another in the eye though. So now you are forgiven as well, besides I have been able to bench 400 since I was 12. Now it is your turn two say three hail marys, two our fathers and 100 pushups.
Jamie

Wow... is it late Winter or what. Thank goodness the days are starting to get longer... Anyone thinking about a backpack turkey hunt this Spring? I think even I might be able to haul one of those back out...