Kifaru will debuting several new packs at SHOT Show including the Xing (pronounced zing) seen here.
Features:
– 22″ stays.
– 500d Cordura
– 16″ tall front panel vs 12″ for the Xray
– New contoured top pocket on the top lid
There are several other models on the way as well. All of the packs are pre-production prototypes and will not go into production until after SHOT Show. Full details can be found here: www.kifaruforums.net
According to Kifaru, they have been working on the new Bikini Duplex Frame for a year-and-a-half. They will offer two High Camp bag options in this design (6,500 and 4,500)….both in 500D Cordura and weighing under 4.5 lbs with frame. They’ve told us that there a few other surprises in store as well.
Kifaru Tactical was launched in June of 2002. We’ve known them this whole time and they’ve been a great supporter of SSD.
Here is a excerpt of a thread on their message board by Mel of Kifaru Tactical –
“Here’s a little trip down memory lane for you guys that might not know the story of how Kifaru Tactical came to be. I contacted Patrick in Nov 2001 in my search for an American made military pack with mountaineering grade suspension, and asked if they had ever thought about entering that market. I had done my research and was familiar with Patrick’s reputation from Mountainsmith and really liked what he was doing with Kifaru. Also, I believed in his suspension philosophy of thinner and drapier shoulder straps and waistbelts. In our e-mail exchanges Patrick showed interest in possibly starting a military division at Kifaru. We decided to meet at a hunting show in Reno in Jan 2002. I was pretty familiar with the Kifaru line and offered to help in their booth while out there. We hit it right off when we met, sharing a lot of the same interests and outlook on life in general, as we grew up in the same era. Patrick made the decision to start a military division at this time, and gave it a 110% effort right out of the gate. After working the booth during the day, we headed up to the hotel room in the evening and started work on designs for the new military packs, which initially were the EMR and Scout. Actually, that is where the Dock n Lock system was born, along with the Piggyback Wrap Kit. We worked on this all three nights and a few weeks later, my wife and I drove out to the shop in Colorado and spent a week there working day and night on the new designs with Patrick and crew. From Jan 2002 to June 2002, Patrick, the Kifaru crew, and myself worked tirelessly on the soon to be Kifaru Military Gear division (in later years changed to Kifaru Tactical). The launch was in Jun 2002 on the website and message board, and the rest is history.”
I remember when Mel called me and told me he had contacted Patrick. I too had been a Mountainsmith fan and when Mel told me about Kifaru I was pretty stocked. I’m glad he is such a great salesman in convincing Patrick Smith to launch a tactical line. We’re all the better for it.
There are a couple of solutions out there for use with both ALICE and MOLLE that modify the frames with a large PALS field and allow them to be configured with any combination of pouches. But recently some readers came to me looking to carry odd sized loads with their MOLLE frames. My immediate suggestion was the Kifaru Cargo Panel that came out last year. Originally intended as an accessory specifically for Kifaru packs, they immediately recognized that the long beaver-tail design could be used elsewhere.
If you have any doubts to the versatility of the Cargo Panel, this photo showing it carrying an air compressor should shake the notion. The CP attaches to the frame and cradles your load. How closely it rides against the frame is adjustable and the load can stick out the sides or top with no problems.
Made in USA! from 1000D Cordura to stand up to the wear and tear it is going to see while being used to pack mule gear. It can be had in a variety of colors, contact Kifaru for availability because I know they can accommodate special requests on a case-by-case basis.
Since apparently guys wearing jeans can’t use woobies, Kifaru has succumbed to pressure from those who won’t buy anything from them anyway and put up a new photo of the excellent reversible MultiCam to Coyote Woobie.
Woobies rock. Get yours at and send us a photo of you using it while wearing jeans. We’ll reward you with an SSD morale patch.
Kifaru Tactical has just updated their excellent Woobie and Doobie. They are now offering both in a reversible, two-tone MultiCam/Coyote color combination. The Woobie was originally envisioned as a modern replacement for the USGI poncho liner. It combines RhinoSkin Shell with ClimaShield combat insulation. The Woobie uses 2 oz/square yard of insulation and the Doobie (Double Woobie) uses 4 oz/square yard of insulation.
Kifaru invested in the RhinoSkin Shell material so other products will also be offered in the new colors. For example, Slick Bags will also be available in either MultiCam or Coyote with OD interiors.
I got a Woobie several years ago when they were first released and it has weathered very well. Much better than the issue item. Granted, it costs more, but I have to remind of my old adage; “Buy Quality, Cry Once.” The issue poncho liner will never insulate like this thing.
Coming soon, the Kifaru Cargo Panel was designed to be used with their Duplex Frame as well as all of their packs from the Express on up.
There are three different adjustable height options. The compression straps are removable and there are three for each side with multiple attachment points. This allows you to use up to three straps on each side and arranged at any angle you want depending on the load. Additionally, there are two options to carry it when not in use. On the Duplex Frame packs, it can be attached to the frame and then sandwiched between the frame and bag or, it can also be rolled up and cinched down on itself.
Here you can see it in use. The adjustability is really going to shine with this one.
