Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 09:30:51 PM
First off is my Kifaru Timberline 1 with Duplex frame. What an amazing pack! It has 24" stays, standard top lid, and is 7200 cubic inches. I have destroyed many a pack over the years but this thing is in a league of its own! It is a very simple layout with two front pockets, two long side pockets for tripod and spotter and one small pouch on the interior of the bag. There is also a lower zipper on the bag for a sleeping bag compartment but I went ahead and cut out the divider to save some weight. I also cut out the snow collar from the top, and some extra strapping I felt I didn't need. The Duplex frame has an amazing amount of micro adjustability to get the absolute perfect fit. It is a bit of a process but once properly fitted, it is as comfortable as I have ever worn. Compression straps are in the perfect places for maximum effectiveness. No barreling or bulging of gear or meat ever occurs.
This pack compresses down very small for day use. The way I would set it up goes as follows. Only thing in the main compartment was my kill kit, misc items in a pull out(later review), trecking poles, and any extra clothes items I may be packing. These are things that I don't need to access on a regular basis. On the outside, bottom front pocket I kept, rhino, headlamp, electrical tape, phone, and keys. Top front pocket I kept all my snacks for the day. Basically all the stuff I needed to access often was kept on the outside which enabled me to keep my bag compressed down to nothing for max mobility but quick access to the things I need often. This setup worked extremely well for me from early bow hunting to late season rifle. Side long pockets fit my big 85mm Vortex spotter easily and on the other side, my Outdoorsmans medium tripod with Outdoorsmans panhead. These are quickly and easily accessed. This was one of the bigger selling points for me as I have never had a pack that carried tripod and spotter well.
The load capabilities of this pack are amazing. I don't just say things like that either. I pack a bit more meat than your average hunter. This year alone, I packed out 13 deer and 3 elk with this pack. The largest load being both hind quarters, tenderloins and backstraps from a mature 6pt bull. Pack was 118lbs. I'm 5'8" and 175lbs. A load like that would have killed me with my other packs. I'm not gonna say that this pack made 118 pounds feel like 60 pounds or anything like that. That load def felt like 118 pounds but it was as comfortable as that much weight has ever been. Last pack out of the year was Coach's buck. Whole buck boned out, cape and head.
Things I would change about this pack. Larger D rings on the shoulder straps. The smallest of hydration bladder mouth pieces will not fit through them without removing the mouth piece from the tube (I hate doing this).
I will be ordering a larger Long Hunter top lid that has pockets on it for future extended pack trips where more gear is needed.
I wanted a minimalist's pack design that was functional, durable, and effective and I got all that and more.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 09:33:04 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 09:37:01 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 09:40:58 PM
Post by: JPhelps on December 09, 2014, 09:43:30 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 09:53:05 PM
After I have boned out and game bagged my critter, I drop the game bag into a SEATOSUMMIT 65L dry sack. Coach bought me one as a birthday present this fall and it has been a great addition to my pack. Along with keeping your pack and your gear from getting bloody, it keeps the load compressed and centered well. If its hot, you can pull the dry bag out of your pack and throw it straight in the cooler when you get back to the truck without your meat water logging. Disclaimer: If your meat is still pretty warm, get it out of the dry sack and spread out to cool faster. Dry bags hold heat and will slow the cooling process even when placed on ice. Use good judgement on this matter
I don't mind a little blood on my pack but for me, if I didn't take these measures, I would have to wash my pack 20 times a season. Blood will also rot your bag if not at least wiped out.
DO NOT machine wash these dry bags!!!! The liner does not like to be machine washed :yike:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 09:54:26 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 09:55:20 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 09:57:34 PM
Look at the new "guide" lid. I just ordered one and I think it will be the ticket on longer trips. It is 800ci and can be used as a ruck.I'll check it out! Larger lid is def on my hit list for this spring. Got some brutal backpack hunts planned next year. Did you order a new bag?
Post by: kentrek on December 09, 2014, 09:58:14 PM
Just curious, how much water does the Kifaru packs soak up ??
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 10:02:55 PM
Always nice to find a good system :tup:I was lucky this year, no heavy rain on any of my hunts. Did get some pretty heavy snow fall a few times that left me soaked but all my gear was dry. Few light rain storms I got stuck in didn't amount to much. I'm a dry side guy though :chuckle:
Just curious, how much water does the Kifaru packs soak up ??
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 10:09:42 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 10:12:32 PM
Post by: JPhelps on December 09, 2014, 10:16:32 PM
Look at the new "guide" lid. I just ordered one and I think it will be the ticket on longer trips. It is 800ci and can be used as a ruck.I'll check it out! Larger lid is def on my hit list for this spring. Got some brutal backpack hunts planned next year. Did you order a new bag?
Yeah I ordered the new AMR, a custom 28" duplex, guide lid and a few more belt pouches.
Post by: kentrek on December 09, 2014, 10:18:12 PM
Always nice to find a good system :tup:I was lucky this year, no heavy rain on any of my hunts. Did get some pretty heavy snow fall a few times that left me soaked but all my gear was dry. Few light rain storms I got stuck in didn't amount to much. I'm a dry side guy though :chuckle:
Just curious, how much water does the Kifaru packs soak up ??
You mean you haven't ran a before an after weight test under the sprinkler ??? :chuckle:
Always wondered how that fabric did after a few solid days of rain...nothing worse than carrying around water ya can't drink
Post by: Bango skank on December 09, 2014, 10:21:25 PM
Post by: kentrek on December 09, 2014, 10:26:23 PM
Post by: Bango skank on December 09, 2014, 10:27:59 PM
He said he's 5-8 @ 175 :tup:
thanks, apparently im too drunk to read the whole thread. any reviews from guys over 6 ft?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 10:52:59 PM
that's me in the pic and as stated, I'm 5'8" 175lbs. Kifaru builds their frames custom to your specs. 26" stays would give you plenty of lift. I think JPhelps is a non midget, he could probably my answer better than me. Lol. And I feel ya, its a big investment but like all high end gear I own, the buyers remorse goes away quickly once you start to use it.He said he's 5-8 @ 175 :tup:
thanks, apparently im too drunk to read the whole thread. any reviews from guys over 6 ft?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 10:54:16 PM
Rolling on 28's!!!! DANG! Big pimpin! :chuckle:Look at the new "guide" lid. I just ordered one and I think it will be the ticket on longer trips. It is 800ci and can be used as a ruck.I'll check it out! Larger lid is def on my hit list for this spring. Got some brutal backpack hunts planned next year. Did you order a new bag?
Yeah I ordered the new AMR, a custom 28" duplex, guide lid and a few more belt pouches.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2014, 10:57:56 PM
Haha! That I have not done. I'm made of sugar, I melt! :chuckle:Always nice to find a good system :tup:I was lucky this year, no heavy rain on any of my hunts. Did get some pretty heavy snow fall a few times that left me soaked but all my gear was dry. Few light rain storms I got stuck in didn't amount to much. I'm a dry side guy though :chuckle:
Just curious, how much water does the Kifaru packs soak up ??
You mean you haven't ran a before an after weight test under the sprinkler ??? :chuckle:
Always wondered how that fabric did after a few solid days of rain...nothing worse than carrying around water ya can't drink
I did actually wash the bag for the first time this evening and it did not feel overly heavy when I took it out to hang up. Now you've got me curious. Gonna have to anger my wife with another "test" in the house. :chuckle:
Post by: JPhelps on December 10, 2014, 05:34:25 AM
so BLRMAN, ive been on the fence about which pack to buy, i have narrowed i down to a couple of ideas, but the price to risk thing is daunting. its a big investment to make! im sure you know this, so help me out here in your review... obviously the guy packing the thing is in very good physical condition, but the height of a person alone can make a huge difference on how comfortable a pack is. can you give a height / weight of the guy rocking the pack? that would really mean a lot to a guy looking to make a purchase on a high end pack. even a really fit guy (i personally am marginally fit) might not find a pack to work well if hes a few inches taller or shorter than the tester. more info would be appreciated. the guy packing out the heavy load looks to be well under 6 feet, unless im a bad judge of this?
I'm 6'4" and ALL torso. The past two years I've ran the 26" bikini frame and it has been an amazing pack. BUT like Karl I always end up packing some monster loads, so I've decided to sacrifice a pound and go with the duplex for the load hauling comfort.
The kifaru suspension is one of the few made with "real" load lifters and not just load stabilizers. I was also able to call up Aron and order custom 28" stays (too my knowledge no other pack company tailors to big guys like Kifaru). The 26" should work great for a normal build guy up to about 6'6".
These packs are all they are cracked up to be. It is a big investment but at least it is an investment and not an expense. You will be able to use this pack for the next 20+ years.
Post by: Elkohol on December 10, 2014, 06:32:18 AM
Post by: MooseZ25 on December 10, 2014, 06:36:49 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2014, 07:02:08 AM
Just curious how are you guys packing your rifles on these packs? I am starting my research on a new pack and Kifaru is on the list.Funny you ask, since I was going to talk about that next. Slings and big packs don't play well together, its no secret. So in my quest to be hands free I purchased Kifaru's gun bearer system. There is a pocket that attaches to your waist belt and then a strap with a quick release buckle that attaches to your shoulder strap. Butt stock goes in the pocket, strap wraps around the fore grip and with the flip of your thumb or the yank of the strap, you can shoulder your rifle.
Only downfall to this is that it puts a little added pressure on the hip that has the gun on it. Small price to pay for not having to battle a rifle slipping off your shoulder. Also allows you to be completely hands free to use tracking poles, glass, mess with gps, whatever.
Post by: JPhelps on December 10, 2014, 07:06:17 AM
I personally don't like it under my arm so I usually attach the gun to the right side of the pack.
Post by: coachcw on December 10, 2014, 07:13:12 AM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on December 10, 2014, 07:31:20 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2014, 07:42:53 AM
Nice review . The cost seems high but twenty extra lbs every trip sounds good.. It def is a big expense but I could have bought two of these packs for the amount I have spent on packs in the last decade. Def not a pack for everyone but if you spend a large amount of time with a pack on and carry big loads often, its priceless.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2014, 07:43:50 AM
Karl is such a little gear *censored* ! :chuckle:. I can't even argue this fact :chuckle:
Post by: rtspring on December 10, 2014, 08:03:34 AM
Standing next to Coach and I you look maybe 4' ha ha.
One day you might grow up..
Getsum
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on December 10, 2014, 08:21:33 AM
Nice review . The cost seems high but twenty extra lbs every trip sounds good.. It def is a big expense but I could have bought two of these packs for the amount I have spent on packs in the last decade. Def not a pack for everyone but if you spend a large amount of time with a pack on and carry big loads often, its priceless.
Could you post the link to your pack? I'm the exact same size and weight. Just not as fit. Thanks blr
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2014, 08:46:16 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2014, 08:48:28 AM
Post by: MooseZ25 on December 10, 2014, 09:06:09 AM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on December 10, 2014, 09:14:26 AM
Post by: scottcrb on December 10, 2014, 09:19:16 AM
Post by: Whitpirate on December 10, 2014, 09:49:59 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2014, 10:05:30 AM
I want to hear Coach's review of his pack.... damn that thing is heavy before he kills something.. Its loaded down with all the tags he had! And RT's snickers! :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2014, 05:54:01 PM
No plastic parts to flex but still very light weight. Individual head locks for tilt and pan. Smooth as silk with no creep at all. Huge fan of the individual locks for grid glassing. Its not a fluid head so it doesn't freeze up in cold weather. I used it in Montana this year in -20 weather with no issues.
Really the only complaint I have about this product is the price! In the end, it is worth every penny but man oh man is it hard to pull the trigger on a $375 hunk of aluminum.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2014, 05:56:11 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 15, 2014, 05:44:37 PM
This product would work well if you weren't concerned about blood in your pack and just wanted something to keep a load centered and tight on a pack frame or in your pack. Just don't use the handle, keep the draw string open end upright.
EDIT: IM GIVING THIS PRODUCT A SECOND CHANCE, THIS TIME WITH SOME SEAM SEALER TO SEE IF IT WILL KEEP IT FROM LEAKING. STILL WONT HOLD A LOAD IN A HANGING POSITION OR HOLD 100LBS BUT THEY DO WEIGH NEXT TO NOTHING SO MAY SUB IT FOR THE SEATOSUMMIT BAGS FOR BACKPACK HUNTS IF IT DOESNT LEAK.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 15, 2014, 05:46:29 PM
Post by: ridgefire on December 15, 2014, 08:36:07 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 15, 2014, 09:32:46 PM
Post by: MooseZ25 on December 16, 2014, 08:07:58 AM
Post by: ridgefire on December 16, 2014, 10:37:54 AM