review on kifaru muskeg

[@ryankuxhausen3108]

Thanks for sharing the Muskeg review! Trying to decide on that vs Hoodlum or 44 Mag.

[@island-gear-review2359]

Hoodlum looks very versatile. Depends if you want pockets accessible without opening the bag. I like the fulcrum. The wing pockets are great for rain gear spotter and tripod. Plus compresses very well to day mode.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

Did you see Kifaru has a new pack out called the Dall pack that is made of Xpac and looks just like the Muskeg 7000 but is bigger and has larger pockets on both sides that can now fit water bottles ? One major difference is that the front panel which is ranger green does not have an Xpac backing so it is not water resistant as the Muskeg. In your experience what is more important for long term trips ? A larger bag with larger pockets to carry more water bottles or a more water proof pack?

[@island-gear-review2359]

The muskeg is big enough for any length of trip. You have to be careful when packing with a big bag easy to bring too much stuff. When it comes to water have the capacity of 3 litres in Any configuration you want. Also I use dry bags no matter what bag to protect my insulation extra clothes which is socks and underwear. It’s easy to run out and buy every new pack that comes out. The big difference is the useable pockets on the side of the new pack. I’m not a fan of top loader packs. I prefer access to the pack without digging though the top. So to answer your question. I think having enough room for mandatory gear with a little extra space and having water resistant pack is very important.

[@island-gear-review2359]

Your muskeg will do great. Go get some experience with the pack. Hike in the rain, load it up with everything you need for a 10 plus day hunt.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

@@island-gear-review2359 Thank you for your response. You make good points and I agree that water resistance is VIP.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

@@island-gear-review2359 Out of curiosity what kind of dry bags do you use? I have several dyneema dry bags but they are very expensive so I would like to find an alternative.

[@island-gear-review2359]

I use kuiu dry bags small, medium, large ,XL

[@danieldevlin391]

Finally a real review on this pack. Great video

[@island-gear-review2359]

Hey Daniel Yeah not many reviews on this bag for sure. I find it excellent for my environment and needs. Also handy if you have bulky gear Thanks for your time Happy hunting

[@danieldevlin391]

@@island-gear-review2359 thanx very much for the reply, I'm over in the UK. So for me its just for hiking/backpacking love the look of it soon as I sore it.just with no indeptb revies its kinds pricy with the frame for something that was pretty much an unknown. But the Review was brilliant.also I didnt know it supported hydration bladders either until your vid Thank alot

[@island-gear-review2359]

For hiking and camping this pack would be a great choice for sure, especially in wet environments. What I like about kifaru is the costumer service and the ability to ask the CEO questions through social media all times of the day and he will answer you ASAP is a great connection. If you decide to get this pack please let me know how it works for you. Thanks Daniel enjoy the outdoors and stay safe

[@danieldevlin391]

@@island-gear-review2359 thank you for all the invaluable information, it has really helped to make an very informed decision

[@chordsandnotes]

Great review. Thank you.

[@island-gear-review2359]

Thank you

[@bx7993]

Nice review! , how is this for a day pack? Can u compress it down good? Only thing I wish it had was big side pockets for spotting scope /tripod Is it bow friendly if a guy wants strap a be on the back ?

[@island-gear-review2359]

You could use is for day pack for sure. If you want side pockets the dall pack would be the next option. I never secured my bow to the pack as of yet but the 2 straps and the handle at the bottom would do the job.

[@bx7993]

@@island-gear-review2359 right on thanks , good to know , I might just get the hoodlum .

[@ilovefreeski]

Thanks great video! Any other waterproof bags similar to this that anyone is aware of?

[@island-gear-review2359]

The new SG terminus 7000 would be a option to look at.

[@whirlwindjml]

Does meat go between the bag and the frame? Muskeg7000

[@island-gear-review2359]

There is a load shelf between bag and frame, but with this size bag it would be more effective putting meat inside the main bag.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

After messaging you back and forth I did end up buying a Muskeg 7000. You stated in your video that your pack weighed between 60-65 pounds when you shot this. My pack will weigh about the same but I really dont know how far I can carry that amount of weight. How far can you carry 60-65 pounds with the Muskeg 7000 and frame?

[@island-gear-review2359]

That will come down to training. Hike as much as possible. I’m starting hiking for nov black tail season on Vancouver island.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

@@island-gear-review2359 Can you hike 10 miles in a day with 60 pounds on your back after significant training? Can you hike 5 miles with 60 pounds on your back with no training ? I am just trying to guess how far I will be able to hike with 60 pounds on my back carried by the Muskeg 7000. I wont actually have the pack for another month because they are backlogged. I am an averaged sized man of average strength in decent but not excellent condition.

[@island-gear-review2359]

I would start with around 45 lbs. go for shorter hikes in the beginning. Try to stretch as much as possible before and after. Stay hydrated. Hike as much as possible, increase weight slowly. Don’t compare to others. Aim to beat your own record daily.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

@@island-gear-review2359 Thank you

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

Sorry to bug you again with pack questions but you have been a good resource so far. I know you own a Fulcrum pack. Can you please tell me how water resistant it is in a strong rain? Will everything you have inside the pack be wet?

[@island-gear-review2359]

The fulcrum pack is not water resistant. Wouldn’t take long maybe 20 mins in rain. A good option is pack cover and dry bags to keep clothes or camera gear dry.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

@@island-gear-review2359 Do the pack covers really work even if they don't really cover the back of the pack?

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

Hey, did you seam seal your Muskeg 7000 ? If so do you think it helped ? If not do you wish you would have done it ?

[@island-gear-review2359]

I have not seam sealed my muskeg, I think eventually I will seal it. How has the pack treated you so far ?

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

@@island-gear-review2359 I actually returned the Muskeg 7000 and bought the new Dall pack because I wanted the extra size. I really like the pack. Both the Muskeg 7000 and Dall packs are great packs.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

Have you had that bad in heavy rains ? If so how did it hold up ? I really want to buy that bag but it costs a fortune and is quite heavy compared to my second place option which is a dyneema hiking pack.

[@island-gear-review2359]

I had it in a few rain storms in Vancouver island, like heavy fat rain going sideways I found that I have to position the guide lid to cover the 500 D fabric on top of bag to keep it dry. 500 D will eventually soak through. I would suggest to seam seal for maximum waterproofing. It’s the best option for waterproof. Other options or pack fly or internal. Dry bags to keep gear dry.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

​@@island-gear-review2359 Thank you very much for responding. I didnt know the top of the bag was 500D rather than X-Pac. You just made my decision that much easier because I need a waterproof bag to keep my camera gear dry. Are you happy with your bag in general ?

[@island-gear-review2359]

I’m very happy with the bag. It’s my go to bag for wet conditions. I keep my camera gear in a small kuiu roll top dry bag. Early season, warm conditions I’ll use my fulcrum, just for organization purposes.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

@@island-gear-review2359 I am a little confused. I just looked at many of the photos of the muskeg on the kifaru website and it looks like the top of the bag is also made of x-pac. Can you please help me understand how the water gets into the bag ? Thanks. I need a waterproof bag and dont want to buy the wrong bag for my requirements.

[@island-gear-review2359]

The front, bottom and top of the snow collar is 500 D fabric. Check out images on goggle. Or kifaru website. So when you flap down the snow collar 500 d fabric would be exposed if you don’t have a guide lid or other option. So I attach the guide lid to cover the top of snow collar.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

how much did that pack weigh when you had it full ? How did it manage when loaded with heavy weight ?

[@island-gear-review2359]

The bag weight was around 55 lbs on that hike. As for carrying the load. Kifaru holds weight very well. The longer straps on the pack help secure the pack. The tough part is getting the right frame size and shoulder straps. I find keeping the load higher up using the bag to elevate the weight higher up on back. I’m actually taking it out for a bear hunt tomorrow hopefully coming out heavy.

[@stevenlaubach7222]

If you go hunting can you do a meat haul out video with this pack?

[@island-gear-review2359]

Yes last time it was raining so bad, couldn’t get the camera out. I’ll do my best to get a pack out video done this season. Thanks for watching.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

You mentioned in a previous post that you had a Kifaru Fulcrum pack. Can you please tell me which pack you like better between the Fulcrum and the Muskeg 7000 and why ?

[@island-gear-review2359]

If I could only have one the fulcrum would be it. Because it’s ability to go from 7800 to a small day bag. You have to manage the straps stay organized.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

@@island-gear-review2359 Thank you for your response. Have you ever heard of a company called Hill People Gear ? If so what do you think of their gear compared to Kifaru's gear ? I am having a very hard time making a decision on which pack I am going to buy for a month long back country fishing trip I have planned in August. Kifaru makes great gear but it doesn't seem to fit my needs perfectly and their gear is so damn expensive in makes me pause. What gear company do you think is closest in quality to Kifaru ?

[@island-gear-review2359]

I no experience with hill people gear. As for the price is expensive but worth it. Another option is to buy used gear on kifaru insiders page on Facebook Always people selling gear.

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

@@island-gear-review2359 Thank you for pointing me toward Kifaru insider pages. I didn't know they existed. I will look into them. Thanks.

[@island-gear-review2359]

Kifaru insider page is on Facebook Just seen a fulcrum go for cheap actually

[@outdooroutpost6061]

I couldn’t hear what size muskeg is this ? I’m assuming the 5,000?!

[@island-gear-review2359]

It’s the 7000 muskeg bag

[@outdooroutpost6061]

@@island-gear-review2359 dang okay thank you sir!

[@island-gear-review2359]

Your welcome thanks for watching

[@outdooroutpost6061]

@@island-gear-review2359 just noticed the size in the thumbnail. Sorry about that

[@newlifeeveryday1821]

Hi again. Do you find the pouches useful on the back of your Muskeg 7000 ? Are the pouches actually called belt pouches even though they are on the rear of the bag ? Are these the actual pouches: kifaru.net/store/accessories/pockets/belt-pouch-xpac/ Do you wish you would have bought smaller or bigger ones ? Thanks for your help.

[@island-gear-review2359]

Hey newlifeeveryday The belt pouches fit the attachment points on the back of bag. Smalls are good for waist belt. I prefer a small for waist belt and a water bottle pocket and a large for the back. I also have a guide lid and organizer guide lid. Guide lid is better to load stuff.

[@philliptaylor3023]

Great review!

[@island-gear-review2359]

Thanks for watching Phillip