Post by: moocher97 on March 22, 2015, 03:46:43 PM
Post by: Evoac05 on March 22, 2015, 03:56:28 PM
Post by: Shawn Ryan on March 22, 2015, 07:12:09 PM
As for bags, Aron suggests that your intended use should drive the decision and I agree. I hunt by dropping camp and day hunting for 9 days as well as 3-5 day bivy hunts, where camp stays on my back all day. So versatility and capacity mattered to me. The EMRII is configured a lot like my Blue Widow, so I'm comfortable with the design. Aron likes the DT1 better because it allows him faster access to his tripod and spotter. I wanted the cubic inch capacity of the EMRII and like the center zip concept for loading as opposed to the top load only design of the Timberline. I also like the EMRII's method for reducing to a day pack; again, very similar to what I was already using with my Blue Widow. Though, it appears all of their packs have enough load tensioner to reduce the bags down for day hunting.
If you like a minimalist bag, then the high camp bags may satisfy you. If you like the top load, then the Timberline series is good. By adding pockets to the outside, you can make just about any configuration you want. Lots of versatility in the design without having molles/pals all over the packs.
Figure out how many cubic inches you need, which is usually based on how many days you intend to stay in. I would suggest going with the separate bag and frame option so that you can change bags later if you want to, instead of a backpack where the frame and bag are built together/don't separate. Kifaru says and has the reputation of fitting the pack to you, so your size/shape won't be an issue.
Aron used to own Rokslide and now works for Kifaru. Both sites have forums with lots of pack information. Hopefully, you hear from members here who have their packs. I've not heard of any members here who were dissatisfied with their packs, though I've seen some change their bag as a new design was released. On the Rokslide classifieds, I've read some sellers who just didn't need the backpack anymore, but very few, if any, that were really dissatisfied (and I've read a lot of those classifieds).
Post by: hogslayer on March 22, 2015, 08:20:45 PM
Post by: ridgefire on March 22, 2015, 08:33:44 PM
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on March 22, 2015, 08:51:56 PM
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Post by: 7mag. on March 22, 2015, 09:22:10 PM
Literally. Call Aron Snyder. His phone is on the kifaru website. He will spend as much time as you want answering questions and will help you walk through getting the best combination for your style.
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I agree 100%. Aron is the best possible person to talk to. He designs the packs for intended uses and tests them as well. He can answer all your questions and fit you, including stay bend, over the phone.
Post by: JPhelps on March 22, 2015, 09:33:09 PM
For the extra 13 oz I like the duplex better. I just got my custom built 28" duplex and like it better than my bikini for comfort with heavier loads.
Post by: kentrek on March 22, 2015, 09:35:45 PM
Post by: JPhelps on March 22, 2015, 09:41:49 PM
what kinda of people/hunters fell into the other 1 % ??
An REI pack for guys that never carry more than 30 lbs and a budget that doesn't really allow for a kifaru.
Post by: kentrek on March 22, 2015, 09:49:06 PM
what kinda of people/hunters fell into the other 1 % ??
An REI pack for guys that never carry more than 30 lbs and a budget that doesn't really allow for a kifaru.
So its duplex or die :chuckle:
Post by: Camo on March 22, 2015, 10:40:28 PM
If this is Eric, and you haven't talked with Rusty? He's got the Bikini on order with the new (can't remember the name) bag, wait until he gets it and go see it. You won't be disappointed. I've had mine for 2 years now, but I'm carrying the T2 on a Bikini.
BTW congrats on the buck last year.
Post by: moocher97 on March 22, 2015, 11:08:08 PM
Post by: moocher97 on March 22, 2015, 11:13:07 PM
Moocher,No I haven't talked to rusty in a while! I definitely will! And I'm actually Eric's son Hayden. Assuming you know my dad you've probably heard a lot of stories about me :chuckle: If I may ask how do you know Eric?
If this is Eric, and you haven't talked with Rusty? He's got the Bikini on order with the new (can't remember the name) bag, wait until he gets it and go see it. You won't be disappointed. I've had mine for 2 years now, but I'm carrying the T2 on a Bikini.
BTW congrats on the buck last year.
Post by: ridgefire on March 23, 2015, 07:10:39 AM
Post by: Camo on March 23, 2015, 03:34:10 PM
Getting back to the pack, these are great with one caveat. In my opinion, even though these packs compress down really well for day hunts, you are not going to sneak through the blacktail jungle still hunting with it. If your hiking down closed roads or sitting over clearcuts it would be fine. The pack is just big and loud enough to not be conducive for this(even when its blowing 40mph and raining). This is in no way a strike against Kifaru, it was not designed for this application.
Post by: xXLojackXx on March 23, 2015, 03:43:34 PM
ting back to the pack, these are great with one caveat. In my opinion, even though these packs compress down really well for day hunts, you are not going to sneak through the blacktail jungle still hunting with it. If your hiking down closed roads or sitting over clearcuts it would be fine. The pack is just big and loud enough to not be conducive for this(even when its blowing 40mph and raining). This is in no way a strike against Kifaru, it was not designed for this application.
This is news to me.....Do you own a kifaru? I probably wouldnt take an EMRII and stuff nit to the gills and try to sneak through anything, but in day pack mode its as quiet as any pack available. I guarantee you'll make more noise than the pack "snagging" on stuff will
Post by: Camo on March 23, 2015, 06:07:00 PM
I prefaced my comment with "in my opinion", obviously yours is different. If you went back a couple posts you would see that I do and have owned a Kifaru for a couple years now. I have no experience with the EMR but believe it is the same Cordura type material which makes the T2 equally bullet proof. I have owned a number of packs in the past, none of which were built to the same high standards as the Kifaru, however, were quieter rubbing up against tree trunks, and branches scratching down the length of the bag. Additionally "I" found that with the high stays on this pack it became more difficult to clear low hanging objects without snagging on them. This is probably a personal issue in that prior to the Kifaru, I could find no manufacturer that built a pack to actually fit my height, short of full external frames. So previous packs sat much lower on my back. Again, this is my personal opinion, yours may vary.
Post by: xXLojackXx on March 23, 2015, 08:45:54 PM
Post by: moocher97 on March 24, 2015, 09:28:17 PM
Post by: buglebuster on March 24, 2015, 09:59:52 PM
Post by: _TONY_ on March 24, 2015, 10:46:10 PM
All the kifaru bags compress down small enough for daypack. I'd rather have extra Ci then not enough when the time comes. Think about it like this, sure you can fit your whole gear list for a 5 day hunt in a 4000ci pack but if you get an animal down, can you pack that gear AND the meat out? I'd rather have extra and not need it.
:yeah:
Post by: JPhelps on March 25, 2015, 05:45:24 AM
The Mountain Warrior and AMR are the newest extended trip bags and the new mountain rambler is smaller but has a built in gun carrier
Post by: Chesapeake on March 25, 2015, 04:06:21 PM
Ah you must have good taste Camo :chuckle: Yes ive heard of you before in my dads Packwood buck story. That's kinda why Im getting a pack to! is for elk hunting down there in my dads/rusty's honeyhole :rolleyes: I bet you know the spot (maybe). Anyway Sounds like I have most of the information I need. er well do you guys have a preference on bag size and how long x amount of cubic inches will get you x amount of time on the mountain in supplies. Im liking the highcamp with a guide lid which totals out at 5800 or do you think I can get away with maybe a mountain rambler at 4000 with a guide lid. I plan on doing 2-5 day elk hunts and backpacking trips maybe more if the opportunity comes up.
I know you asked about Kifaru, but have you given Stone Glacier a look? I run the Solo to do what you describe. Its certainly not quiet fabric, but it compresses very small as a daypack so is easy to keep quiet. I believe it runs a touch lighter than anything mentioned in this thread. With its expandable meat shelf its real easy to go in light and come out heavy. Or you can stuff sack stuff on the shelf an go in heavy and come out even heavier if you like.
Kifaru makes great stuff though, so no wrongs to be had with what your considering. Just offering another option.
Post by: dreamingbig on March 26, 2015, 08:03:25 PM
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Post by: moocher97 on March 26, 2015, 11:08:06 PM
I have a Kifaru duplex, nomad, guide lid and the new cargo panel. I also have a high camp 7k bag in foliage that I would part with.
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I don't know if I want a 7000 ci bag I think a smaller bag would suit me better. I get pretty extreme on my stalks (by that I mean getting hit in the face by fir branches and slipping on rocks and knocking my sight off- true story) Anyway Thanks for the offer though! I'm going to have to sell some wood first which is kinda hard with school and baseball because I get home at 6 usually every day. There are some really sweet packs and deals on rokslide though I think that's where im going to get a pack.
Post by: dreamingbig on March 27, 2015, 03:11:20 PM
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