Elknut's Kifaru Pack

by **cmeier117** » 07 10, 2013 • [Post 1]

Paul,

I heard that you got a Kifaru Bikini t3 combo? How is that pack going to work for you for the season? I would like to hear your take as I have a Bikini frame and have been eying getting the T3 bag. How do you like the Bikini frame?

by **ElkNut1** » 07 11, 2013 • [Post 2]

Well, let's just say that the X2 will be taking a back seat this year! (grin) The Kifaru with the Bikini frame is without a doubt the finest carrying pack I've had on my back to date. This pack is simply put, amazing! I've been using it on my workouts & pack training for a few trips now & have wondered several times how I've gotten along without it. This pack flat out carries wt like no other pack I've used for both hunting & hauling elk quarters. The 4000" bag is more than enough for us & will definitely do 5 days of bivy style hunting with no problem at all, actually it's a real pleasure to use with 60# in it. I will have to say I was a bit reluctant at first as it doesn't look like it would be a wt hauler by just looking at its skimpy design but don't let that fool you it is solid as a rock! After several trips with it I am very impressed! Can't wait to load it up with elk vittles! (grin)

ElkNut1

by **Slim jim** » 07 11, 2013 • [Post 3]

I knew you would like the pack Paul. Like yourself, I went from an eberlestock to a Kifaru bt1 and don't know how the heck I ever used the eberlestock. My shoulders use to KILL me with my old pack when packing out an animal and now carrying weight is a breeze. That bikini frame is a savior. Kudos to Kifaru

by **cmeier117** » 07 11, 2013 • [Post 4]

That is great to hear Paul. I take it you got the 26 inch bikini frame? Or did you get the 24 inch frame? I have been eying the t3 bag for shorter hunts and curious if you think you miss having a lower sleeping bag zipper access for getting at your gear?

by **pointysticks** » 07 11, 2013 • [Post 5]

if i ever do something crazy like go back to (law) school, i am turning my badlands 2800 into a bookbag.

i cant wait to get my T2/bikini. i plan on poding it to up the capacity eventually.

by **cmeier117** » 07 11, 2013 • [Post 6]

pointysticks wrote:if i ever do something crazy like go back to (law) school, i am turning my badlands 2800 into a bookbag.

i cant wait to get my T2/bikini. i plan on poding it to up the capacity eventually.

One thing to consider, as I have considered pods for my t2, but maybe adding 2 large hipbelts to the side of the pack and longhunter lid might be a better choice? It would add about 1600 cu inches and almost get you to 7000 cu inches. I have always wanted to try a pod just not sure if it would carry non bulky heavy items well? But who knows.

by **pointysticks** » 07 11, 2013 • [Post 7]

yea^^

if i had one complaint about kifaru..it would be that their website needs some major tweaking.

i got some advice to order the basics first..use it and then fine tune it to my needs. sound advice! i'll work it all out this year and order up accessories next year.

by **Wapitibob** » 07 11, 2013 • [Post 8]

One by one they submit to the call of the Big K.

(the large pockets are too big to put on the belt in my opinion. I have a S and M on mine and haven't even used the L on the pack yet, they're big)

by **cmeier117** » 07 11, 2013 • [Post 9]

Wapitibob wrote:One by one they submit to the call of the Big K.

(the large pockets are too big to put on the belt in my opinion. I have a S and M on mine and haven't even used the L on the pack yet, they're big)

You are correct, I was referring to the pack body down on the sleeping bag compartment for the large pockets.

by **ElkNut1** » 07 11, 2013 • [Post 10]

Cameron, I have the 24" stays, I also just am adding a large pouch that will fit on the back at the bottom where the sleeping bag loops & buckles are, this is in addition to the single small pouch I added to the left side of waist belt for my GPS, compass & camera. I should have plenty of room with outside compartments now. The T3 is plenty big enough for me, I can easily pack out a 1/2 elk on it. Tons of room!

ElkNut1

by **ElkNut1** » 07 12, 2013 • [Post 11]

I wanted to also mention that when ordering the bikini frame Aron mentioned to me that the 24" stays would be fine for up to 5'9" tall individual. If a person is over that I'm sure the 26" stays would then be suitable.

ElkNut1

by **cmeier117** » 07 12, 2013 • [Post 12]

Ya if you are 5' 9" and under and don't have an abnormally long torso you can get away with the 24 inch frame, although the 26 would work too. Your lifter angle will be about the same as a 6' tall person. Heck I am 5' 11" and have the 26" frame and I really only need that when I have 80+ pounds in the pack but the 24 would have worked well for me too just not quite as good.

by **Herb** » 07 12, 2013 • [Post 13]

Here's my suggestions, get the GPS pouch and put it on the shoulder strap, it does not mess with the bow shot.

Second, I use the pods as organizing bags inside my pack, when I need capacity for hauling, I move the pods outside and put the heavy meat close to the frame, works great!!

by **cmeier117** » 07 18, 2013 • [Post 14]

For those of you looking at running the same setup as Paul here is a video showing you how to carry meat between frame and bag. Just make sure if you do this you keep as much weight of your gear in your bag close to your back and high up as possible.

http://vimeo.com/69912774#at=0

by **pointysticks** » 07 18, 2013 • [Post 15]

i seriously laugh when i look at kifaru's website.

that meat shelf they sell for $19? i "assume" it goes between the main bag and frame? so you can do that exact move as that Vimeo video? there are zero directions..

some accessories just show a picture!! haha..

thanks Cmeier!! that is an awesome video..i was thinking it would work that way. in my head, i thought i would get the cargo panel, and just keep it rolled up. but that puts the heavier meat way out there cantilevered off my back. then add a small 1000+ ci bag to the outside of the panel for daypack use.

again, i am imagining things, since the website is pretty much silent.

by **cmeier117** » 07 18, 2013 • [Post 16]

Their website has come a long way from what it was a year ago. The big problem I think for someone who has never seen one their packs in person is understanding that there are a lot of different options on how to use each of the accessories and packs. Like in the video it is not as good as the meat shelf but it will work like Aron showed in the video.

The cargo panel idea is a good one, I think from my uses and experiences is better on paper than in real life, as you could just get a T2 bag for the same weight basically, or close to it and carry meat out. I think the cargo panel idea is a good one for guys that want to use a 65L dry sack for all their gear and to carry camp and maybe have a back pouch (1000 cu inches) for day hunt gear. But then you still have no real bag for when you haul meat out with camp. It all depends on if you want to do what Paul is doing and maybe have to haul some meat between the bag and frame or just get a T2 or High camp 4800 and pockets or just get a T1 or High camp 7000 and keep camp and meat in one bag. The options are really endless and that is why it is hard for them to show all the ways to use each accessory and pack on the web page.

by **pointysticks** » 07 18, 2013 • [Post 17]

cmeier117 wrote:Their website has come a long way from what it was a year ago. The big problem I think for someone who has never seen one their packs in person is understanding that there are a lot of different options on how to use each of the accessories and packs. Like in the video it is not as good as the meat shelf but it will work like Aron showed in the video.

The cargo panel idea is a good one, I think from my uses and experiences is better on paper than in real life, as you could just get a T2 bag for the same weight basically, or close to it and carry meat out. I think the cargo panel idea is a good one for guys that want to use a 65L dry sack for all their gear and to carry camp and maybe have a back pouch (1000 cu inches) for day hunt gear. But then you still have no real bag for when you haul meat out with camp. It all depends on if you want to do what Paul is doing and maybe have to haul some meat between the bag and frame or just get a T2 or High camp 4800 and pockets or just get a T1 or High camp 7000 and keep camp and meat in one bag. The options are really endless and that is why it is hard for them to show all the ways to use each accessory and pack on the web page.

well put. thx

i want to put the meat between the bag and frame. i have a T2 and bikini on order. cant really picture it working, besides that video you just posted. wont the bag-o-meat, press thru the opening of the bikini and rest against your back?

i really need to get my stuff in my hands to work out the mental bugs. it really is an enigma right now..

by **Harmy** » 07 19, 2013 • [Post 18]

Well, last weekend I went out on a 10 mile overnighter scouting trip with my kit. My Osprey pack failed half way through. Or should I say I steped on my waist belt buckle and wrecked it. My shoulders still hurt... Now I have a T2 on order myself, thanks to all of you. Or maybe instead of thanking you I should be cussing you for helping me to keep my wallet empty

Of course, that pack was never really meant to carry 100 lb loads anyway.

by **cmeier117** » 07 19, 2013 • [Post 19]

pointysticks wrote:
cmeier117 wrote:Their website has come a long way from what it was a year ago. The big problem I think for someone who has never seen one their packs in person is understanding that there are a lot of different options on how to use each of the accessories and packs. Like in the video it is not as good as the meat shelf but it will work like Aron showed in the video.

The cargo panel idea is a good one, I think from my uses and experiences is better on paper than in real life, as you could just get a T2 bag for the same weight basically, or close to it and carry meat out. I think the cargo panel idea is a good one for guys that want to use a 65L dry sack for all their gear and to carry camp and maybe have a back pouch (1000 cu inches) for day hunt gear. But then you still have no real bag for when you haul meat out with camp. It all depends on if you want to do what Paul is doing and maybe have to haul some meat between the bag and frame or just get a T2 or High camp 4800 and pockets or just get a T1 or High camp 7000 and keep camp and meat in one bag. The options are really endless and that is why it is hard for them to show all the ways to use each accessory and pack on the web page.

well put. thx

i want to put the meat between the bag and frame. i have a T2 and bikini on order. cant really picture it working, besides that video you just posted. wont the bag-o-meat, press thru the opening of the bikini and rest against your back?

i really need to get my stuff in my hands to work out the mental bugs. it really is an enigma right now..

I haven't hauled meat in mine yet that way and probably won't I will put the meat in the main bag, but I have hauled rice this way and it just levels out with the back pads on the shoulder straps. Hasn't affected comfort for me any.

by **pointysticks** » 07 19, 2013 • [Post 20]

Harmy wrote:Well, last weekend I went out on a 10 mile overnighter scouting trip with my kit. My Osprey pack failed half way through. Or should I say I steped on my waist belt buckle and wrecked it. My shoulders still hurt... Now I have a T2 on order myself, thanks to all of you. Or maybe instead of thanking you I should be cussing you for helping me to keep my wallet empty Of course, that pack was never really meant to carry 100 lb loads anyway.

The "kool aide" is really better on ice.

. You get a ship date yet?

by **Harmy** » 07 20, 2013 • [Post 21]

Pointy, no ship date yet. I just placed the order a couple days ago. If their lead times are correct on the website I should get it well in advance of my hunts as I don't get out till the last week of Sept this season. Customer Service indicated that all materials are in stock so there should be no delays in putting the order into production. This year I have Muzzy Mulie last week of Sept then Rifle Elk Oct 5.

by **ElkNut1** » 07 23, 2013 • [Post 22]

I actually try to use all functions of a pack. I will load meat into the main pouch as well as outside on a cargo panel, other times inside only & other times inside only. All depends on distance & how strong I feel that day. (grin)

Here's a photo of a front shoulder (boned) backstrap, tenderloin & burger meat all inside main bag & a hindquarter on the bone of a 5 point on cargo panel. This was a bit over 100#.

ElkNut1