Opinions on Kifaru packs

[Broadsword]

I'm just about sold on these packs. I'm just trying to refine my selection.
I'm either going to go with the Pointman with a Scout piggy backing on it or I might go all out with an EMR. Does anyone have a Kifaru? How do you like it. Do you regret the price you paid for it? Looking for any and all comments.
Broadsword

[cabofdoom]

Never heard of them before...


https://ssl15.mysecureserver.com/kifarunet/index.html


VERY COOL Gear:shades:

Thanks for the heads up. This round is on me:whiskey:

COD

[USMC03]

Best Pack on the Market for any amount of money!!!! I only wish I had one while I was still in the Corps....I have a Pointman and have been to the Kifaru Factory in Golden, CO. a couple of times.

The owner of Kifaru (Patrick Smith) started the company Mountain Smith back in 1979....He has been designing and building packs for a quarter of a century and really knows his stuff. Patrick also seeks out "end users" for constant feed back to make a better product.

[Broadsword]

That seems to be the concensus as far as Kifaru is concerned. Either folks think they're gear is the best on the planet or they've never heard of them.
I know I'm going with one of the Kifaru packs just don't know which one yet. I'm starting the process of selling off all my gear and will be rebuilding from scratch with all new equipment. As soon as I sell everything off I'll be moving on a Kifaru pack, possibly a para hooch w/ stove, new sleeping bag etc. I'm still up in the air as to the Tactical Tailor MAV or SOE vest to support my FAL and tactical rifle. I plan to do alot of thinking over the next couple of weeks about my realistic needs. Hopefully I'll be able to make some good decisions.
It's a long road ahead but one I don't mind traveling.
I live in Colorado so I'll be going to the Kifaru factory to talk with Patrick personally when I buy my gear.
Broadsword

[maz]

Broadsword
I'm starting the process of selling off all my gear and will be rebuilding from scratch with all new equipment.
what do you have for sale???? maz:)

[Broadsword]

Well I'm just getting into it all. Seems there's alot more down in the garage than I thought. I have alot of British gear ie smocks, webbing,sas stuff etc.
Heres a short list of just some of the larger items.
1.Tactical Tailor modified Large ALICE. (Has the full build up from TT)
2.Arktis International Commando chest rig w/ add on pouches for FFD and compass/knife. (DPM)
3.SAS belt kit ie roll pin belt, escape rat pouch P44 w/b cup and pouch,P58 compass pouch, double mag pouch and lightweight combat pack (COP vest)
4.WWII 10th Mountain ski troopers pack, sleeping bag and reversable mountain tent.
5. PLCE webbing ie belt, yoke mag pouches, w/b pouches, and a Canadian utility pouch centered at the rear. Set comes with Brit water bottles w/ cups, an extra metal cooking cup (hard to find) Brit issue respirator w/pouch. All in OG except for the respirator pouch.
More stuff will be comming up for sale as soon as I get off my butt and get it all sorted out. I'm starting back to the gym this morning after six months of being a slacker so I might be able to get some of it sorted out tonight if I'm not to sore.
Drop me a line if you see something you need. No trades on anything this time. I'm pretty well set on what I need. That is unless you have Kifaru, SOE stuff or an HSG tactical holster for a 1911.
Broadsword

[maz]

thank you for the fast response, what i need is something that could hold
ak mags and mini 14 mags,fal to but i just bought one ov those sa rigs off the board.can fit 14 mags in the day pack,which is nice,sometimes i have to walk a little before i can shoot. those germain rigs look ok,in the captions it said4 mag pouchs, and you can fit 5 ak mags in the side pouch, or something to that affect. and if i make a mistake it did not cost me a arm and a leg. thats my problem, i just dont know good from bad stuff,so if you find something along those lins please drop me a line.
thank you again maz:)

[mparrish]

Buy from Broadsword. I have over the last few years, all to the chagrin of my wife!

[eggroll]

Kifaru packs, while on the pricey side, are worth every penny spent.

I recommend the Zulu pack with unpadded, PALS belt.



EGG

[mparrish]

Egg!

Figured you would make it over here eventually!

Best,

[TimW]

A second on the Zulu. I really like they way they handled it in its ability to expand/contract to the size of the load. The 'internal' pockets on the sides make for great hydration bladder carriers and all the PALS webbing means you're never at a loss to put that additional weight, I mean, MOLLE pouch on it.

The PALS belt is nice as you can easily put a small maxpedition M-series pouch os other small item on the belt.

[Nimbo]

I love my scout, worth every penny.

The unpadded PALS belt is tremendous, super comfy

[Savary]

Looks like nice stuff, however they are very heavy.
EMR, 8# Point Man, 5#

It's hard to lighten the load when the empty pack is overweight. For about five years I've been using light-weight packs from Mountain Smith and Granite Gear. Durable, with out the weight. Depends on what you want / need, what your packing, etc....
http://www.granitegear.com/
http://www.mountainsmith.com/

[SHARPSHOOTER]

AWESOME PACK I wish I owned one!!! :rolleyes:

[USMC03]

There is a Kifaru Pointman with (2) Long Pockets on the for sale board.

[Sgt_Gold]

What are you asking for the large ruck? I'm interested. Thanks.

Originally posted by Broadsword
1.Tactical Tailor modified Large ALICE. (Has the full build up from TT)

Drop me a line if you see something you need.
Broadsword [/B]

[Broadsword]

I just relisted it with all the specifics and a few pics here on the Marketplace.

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=125075

Broadsword

[ROCK6]

Kifaru isn't very everyone. As pointed out, they are a little heavier than most, but the construction is meant to be bomb-proof. If you're familar with how a service ruck is handled you would understand (i.e., thrown from the back of a LMTV/5-ton, tossed to the ground, stepped on, abused all the time).

They also have the PALS webbing for attachments and that also adds weight. BUT, if it has the features you're looking for, then it'll be worth the cost. I love my EMR / Scout combo, also have another OD scout and I'm looking to get an MMR in OD for my deployment ruck...keeping the EMR for backpacking and BoB use.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/ROCK-6/KifaruEMR.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/ROCK-6/Mob.jpg

ROCK6

[BroncoMafia]

Originally posted by ROCK6


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/ROCK-6/Mob.jpg

ROCK6

Outstanding PERSEC on the K9 Rock :biggrin:

[762 shooter]

I own a Zulu and it is the last backpack I should ever need. That being said, when I become super rich I will buy every pack Kifaru makes (just in case). I don't notice the weight of the pack itself but I'm 6'3"and 230 LBS. The pack is comfy with the padded belt. I've owned some nice packs in my time but once I got the Zulu I forgot about all of them.

[ROCK6]

:biggrin:

I've carried some overweight rucks in my time...a couple approaching 100 lbs, anyway you look at it, it sucks!!! All I can say, is that Kifaru has an incredible suspension that makes it suck a whole lot less:]

If you plan to really take it backpacking, rucking...really using it, than take a serious look at Kifaru...it's not meant to be a safe queen:biggrin:

ROCK6

[Treborer]

Whoever posted the pic, needs to get that dog loaded up some.
Talk about a freeloader!!:D :angel:

The man looks like Atlas , holding up the world, damn man share the load!!

Those kids might need you to be alive 5 years from now!

Work that hound!!


:wink:

[EMDII]

Go Rock6!


The dog is his RISTA asset, and travels light. Don't move too quickly around it: you might look up and see an LGB!

[ROCK6]

Yeah, good'ol Leo...he's got his own pack now!!! My EMR/Scout combo weigh'd in at 96 lbs. It was only about 3 miles in, but pretty rough terrain. It wasn' t too bad, but I don't want to do that again:eek: This was our first real backpacking trip. The kids went light and my wife did as well, in case they needed to crossload. The kids did fine, so did the wife (and Leo), they'll get a little more next time!!!:D

ROCK6

[CATM Larry]

'The identities have been changed to protect the innocent...'

Larry

[mosbysmen]

i thought i reconised that dog , but i couldnt tell with his eyes blacked out ..

;)