Kifaru or Badlands Backpacks

chambero · Mar 12, 2004

I'm going to get a new pack this year and I've narrowed it down to one of the Kifaru packs or the Badlands 4500. On my hunts, I typically spend 1-2 nights away from basecamp. I would like some opinions on the advantages of one over the other from people who use them.

Ridge_Runner · Mar 12, 2004

Chambero... I am looking into the 2200 series Badlands pack and posted for some feedback also. If you search under Badlands there is quite a bit of info already posted. I also looked at the Kifarus but a bit pricey this time around. I like the badlands no questions asked lifetime warranty and they are not priced to bad for the quality you are getting with them. They sound pretty bullet proof to me. Can't wait to get mine and try it out. Good Luck.

Happy trails
Ridge Runner
"Now Pilgrim,you sure you can skin griz"

Bura Nut · Mar 12, 2004

I have the Kifaru longhunter and the badlands 2200. I think they are two different animals and have different uses. The Kifaru is a great pack-in type pack that holds alot of stuff and is comfortable and you can pack out your deer along with camping stuff. The badlands works great for me on regular hunts with the essentials like first aid, water etc. and carries both my 10's and 15x bino's/tripod. I still have room to bone out a deer and take it out but not enough room to carry extra camping stuff. If any of this made sense, what I am saying is the Kifaru is too big for me on regular day hunts but would be great for pack in type hunts. I use the badlands as an every day big day pack and it works well......... Allen Taylor......

Hornseeker · Mar 12, 2004

I LOVE my Badlands 2800, and for 1-3 nights its all you need. I go out for up to 5 nights with it. The 4500 is an awesome beast, if you need the extra room, it will be great. I really think Badlands is better than Kifaru, and thats after 3 years of using mine next to my partners Kifaru.

Good Luck

TRACKER5 · Mar 12, 2004

look at this back, doing wonders for us. USMC

www.arucsystems.com

TRACKER5 · Mar 12, 2004

typing to fast, this pack, not back.

jims · Mar 21, 2004

I agree 100% with Bura's post. If you are hunting w/ a pack on your back you'll find out it is nearly impossible to still hunt/glass with a large pack on your back. A 2200 would be about right for bivy style hunting w/only the essentials on your back (or day hunts). It will definitely be too small if you plan on packing a lot of bulky gear. If you intend on hunting out of a basecamp, the larger pack would allow you to bring in more comforts. The smaller framed packs also make it a lot easier and quieter to manuever through steep and brushy country. I use my 2200 Badlands for hunting and an oversized internal frame for packing out game. If I'm backing in a base camp I'll use my large internal for getting camp in and use a smaller pack to hunt.

Most guys have a preference to styles and makes of packs. I really believe Kifaru is overpriced. You can buy the highest priced internal frame packs on the market for a fraction of what Kifaru charges. I'm also not sure if Kifaru offers quite material, camo? Last time I check you had to add some sort of cover? There are lots of guys that rave about Kifaru so I have no doubts it's a fantastic pack.

NMRaptor · Aug 5, 2004

You might want to take a look at packs made by Wolf Pack Systems. These are pretty good packs that compare quite well to Badlands and Kirafu. I recently bought their packs and am very happy with them. Wolf Packs have life time no questions asked warranty.
-Raptor