Kifaru tail gunner vs scout

[Jeff25]

Anybody on here own either pack? If so could you post some pictures of your set ups? I need to know if I can strap a predator, lwcg doubles, and a jacket and vest on the outside

 

[JCLINE84]

I love Kifaru packs and highly recommend them for saddle hunting. But the tail gunner and scout are very expensive for that style of pack. The alps little bear and big bear are very similar for less money. That style of pack is not really made to strap things to and carry. At least not that much weight and bulk. They’re more of a minimalist day pack/waist pack For just a little more money you could get a 357 mag from Kifaru that would handle any saddle hunting equipment you wanted to throw at it. If you want to really spend some money and have the best setup I’ve seen for carrying platforms and sticks check out a 24 inch duplex lite frame with a Stryker cargo panel. It’s a smaller day pack that attaches to the frame and has a cargo hauler between the bag and the frame. Best $600 you can spend for hauling your setup through the woods.

 

[enkriss]

I have them both. For all that the tailgunner by its self is going to be too small.

I suggest the scout.

 

[Jeff25]

I love Kifaru packs and highly recommend them for saddle hunting. But the tail gunner and scout are very expensive for that style of pack. The alps little bear and big bear are very similar for less money. That style of pack is not really made to strap things to and carry. At least not that much weight and bulk. They’re more of a minimalist day pack/waist pack For just a little more money you could get a 357 mag from Kifaru that would handle any saddle hunting equipment you wanted to throw at it. If you want to really spend some money and have the best setup I’ve seen for carrying platforms and sticks check out a 24 inch duplex lite frame with a Stryker cargo panel. It’s a smaller day pack that attaches to the frame and has a cargo hauler between the bag and the frame. Best $600 you can spend for hauling your setup through the woods.

Thanks for the info. I have it narrowed down between the tailgunner/scout or pop up 28. Will probably go with the pop up now

 

[enkriss]

Thanks for the info. I have it narrowed down between the tailgunner/scout or pop up 28. Will probably go with the pop up now

Different leagues of packs. Mystery ranch has also sent most of their manufacturing overseas. Kifaru is US about the highest quality pack you can get.

From the ones you have listed I suggest the scout. I also suggest the shapecharge. Frame packs are nice if you are going to be humping 80lbs of meat out of the woods but way overkill for packing in 10lbs of saddle hunting gear.

 

[Jeff25]

Different leagues of packs. Mystery ranch has also sent most of their manufacturing overseas. Kifaru is US about the highest quality pack you can get.

From the ones you have listed I suggest the scout. I also suggest the shapecharge. Frame packs are nice if you are going to be humping 80lbs of meat out of the woods but way overkill for packing in 10lbs of saddle hunting gear.

I know the pop up may be over kill most of the Time, I do hunt 1-2 miles into public that is fairly steep and rugged so it could come in handy. I’m torn between a minimalist set up like the scout vs a day pack that has more than enough space like the pop up. Just afraid of buyers remorse
I think my total set up for the rut is probably close to 20#, how do you think the scout would handle that on a 2 mile trek?

 

[iamcorey]

I know the pop up mary be over kill most of the Time, I do hunt 1-2 miles into public that is fairly steep and rugged so it could come in handy. I’m torn between a minimalist set up like the scout vs a day pack that has more than enough space like the pop up. Just afraid of buyers remorse
I think my total set up for the rut is probably close to 20#, hole do you think the scout would handle that on a 2 mile trek?

With that being said, I think your buyers remorse would kick in when you’re 2 miles deep, you’ve killed a 220 lb buck and your standing there with a Fanny pack with shoulder straps.

A pop up 18 would be what you are looking for.


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[Jeff25]

With that being said, I think your buyers remorse would kick in when you’re 2 miles deep, you’ve killed a 220 lb buck and your standing there with a Fanny pack with shoulder straps.

A pop up 18 would be what you are looking for.


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do you know how the pop up 18 style poles compare to the new 28 poles?

 

[enkriss]

With that being said, I think your buyers remorse would kick in when you’re 2 miles deep, you’ve killed a 220 lb buck and your standing there with a Fanny pack with shoulder straps.

A pop up 18 would be what you are looking for.


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They don’t make the 18

 

[iamcorey]

do you know how the pop up 18 style poles compare to the new 28 poles?

The pop-up 18 has the fold up tent poles. The new models have the extendable tent poles. As mentioned below the pop-up 18 is no longer in production but you can still find them. I thought that might suit you better since you’re considering a smaller lumbar style pack.


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[TK161BOONER]

I would go with a scout , the tail gunner is a great lumbar pack, but you are going to want the extra room for gear and outerwear.
I have hunted with both and currently use the scout.

 

[Jeff25]

They don’t make the 18

I found a 18 for sale but didn’t know if the new 28 pole system was substantially better

 

[Camelcluch]

Kifaru and MR have history but MR has sent most of the stuff overseas. I’m lucky to be near the Kifaru shop. The pack are top quality. I use a shape charge for whitetail. It’s a very capable pack especially if you add a waist belt. The modularity is what really sells a Kifaru. They are spendy but worth it. Camofire and rokslide classified is a good place to save money

 

[Jeff25]

The pop-up 18 has the fold up tent poles. The new models have the extendable tent poles. As mentioned below the pop-up 18 is no longer in production but you can still find them. I thought that might suit you better since you’re considering a smaller lumbar style pack.


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I found an 18 for sale but didn’t know if the new extendable pole system was better

 

[iamcorey]

I found an 18 for sale but didn’t know if the new extendable pole system was better

In my limited experience no. Some like the fact that you can adjust the height of the polls. I don’t think it’s a deal killer. I mean maybe if you were doing multiple 5 mile pack outs out West, but you’d probably not want to use a pop up for that application.


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[Jeff25]

In my limited experience no. Some like the fact that you can adjust the height of the polls. I don’t think it’s a deal killer. I mean maybe if you were doing multiple 5 mile pack outs out West, but you’d probably not want to use a pop up for that application.


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True, I do like how the new pop up 28 you can get the additional compression straps on the front to carry your bow. If the 18 had that I would for sure go with it. Just can’t decide

 

[iamcorey]

True, I do like how the new pop up 28 you can get the additional compression straps on the front to carry your bow. If the 18 had that I would for sure go with it. Just can’t decide

From what I’ve read if you have layers you haul to the stand the 18 is not for you. Also the 18 being out of production means you will be paying pop up 28 prices and possibly more.


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[Jeff25]

From what I’ve read if you have layers you haul to the stand the 18 is not for you. Also the 18 being out of production means you will be paying pop up 28 prices and possibly more.


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Yeah the one I’m seeing is 300 for 18 which is higher than the original price new

 

[iamcorey]

There’s a 28 on rokslide right now for $265. You can find them cheaper just have to keep an eye out for them.


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[4090Sharps]

I found an 18 for sale but didn’t know if the new extendable pole system was better

The new system is nice I suppose, if you really need to get the frame height just right for some reason.... However, if you look at how the load lifters attach to 1st vs 2nd gen, you'll see that 2nd gen is more likely to have a floppy bag when the frame is collapsed.