This has included two personal bear hunts where all the meat was packed out in a single trip, as well as six other hunts I documented, with a total of seven animals packed out. (I didn’t do this to shed weight but rather the 1,100 cubic inches of extra space I didn’t need.) Kifaru Crater Review: The ResultsĪlthough I’ve only been running this pack for four short months, I’ve been able to put it through a variety of trials. Just fold the collar over and connect it to the bottom straps that your lid would normally attach to. While on a few of the day hunts, I took advantage of the Crater’s ability to operate without a lid. The Kifaru Crater has the ability to do it all while still allowing for expansion to pack out meat. This pack has three compression straps down each side, three across the front, and two on the bottom. With the Crater’s ability to compress down, so far I’ve used this pack for everything from day trips to eight-day backpacking excursions. Typically, when you think of a pack with a capacity of 9,000 cubic inches, you think “multiday hunting pack.” For me, this was true, but not the rule. Gun sling: Gun Bearer, 4.2 ounces ($31).
Water holder: Water Bottle Pocket, 3.5 ounces ($28).Pouches: Medium Belt Pouches, 3 ounces ($32).The frame: Hunting Platform Frame, 3 pounds 5 ounces ($376).The bag: Kifaru Crater, 3 pounds 4 ounces ($345-396).With a wide array of bags, frames, pockets, lids, and accessories, you can really customize the pack for how you intend to use it. The Kifaru Crater PackĪnyone familiar with Kifaru knows the brand gives you choices. So when I had the opportunity earlier this year, I was excited to get my hands on the Crater and give it some abuse. This may seem simple, but I’ve broken numerous packs over the years. It’ll likely haul more than your legs could ever handle.Īs a hunting photographer, I like a pack that’s large, comfortable, and, most importantly, will never fail. Over the past four months, I used the Kifaru Crater backpack both personally and professionally for this review.Īt 8,000 cubic inches (9,100 with the lid), the Kifaru Crater pack is meant to be put to work. Like I say, they all have their pros and cons, but I am pretty happy with the eberlestock.All backcountry hunters know that boots and backpacks can make or break your hunt.
The best thing about once it is in there, you have no idea you are packing a gun, does not hinder you in any way. If I plan on being there for a long period I of course take it out. As for sitting down with gun in, I find I am usually on a hill when I need to stop to glass, so I just kinda go down on my side and lean on the pack with gun in, works surprising well, as well as being quite comfortable. With a little practice though, you would be surprised how fast you can get it out. Like anything it does have a couple downfalls, one being you can't get the rifle out super quick in an emergency. I use the Eberlestock 107 also and love the built in scabbard. The Eberlestock with integrated scabbard is great, but suffers from the same as Big Daddy Morton mentioned: you can't really sit down without taking your pack off. I agree, it looks cumbersome, having that barrel stick out in front of your face all the time.