Kifaru Backpacks

Kifaru has 12 backpacks on PackRanker, priced from $225 to $877. Compare the full lineup below.

When Mountainsmith, which Patrick Smith had founded in 1979, moved its production offshore, Smith hired the American sewing staff it left behind and started Kifaru in Colorado in 1997, and every Kifaru pack has been made in the US since. Sewing now happens in Colorado and Wyoming, where the company opened a Riverton facility in 2022. The brand built its name on load-hauling frames for elk and sheep hunters, plus PALS and MOLLE webbing that lets owners bolt pockets, rifle carriers and meat bags onto almost anything it makes.

There are two ways into the lineup, and a price alone hides the difference. Most of the bags ride on the ARK, a $500 carbon-fiber frame that replaced the Duplex and Light Duplex, and their prices include it: the 44 Mag at $850 is a bag plus an ARK. Within that family the step up is volume and access, from the Stryker XL (31 L) and Hellbender (37 L) day packs through the 22 Mag, Maniml, 44 Mag and Bedlam to the Hoodlum (107 L) and Absaroka (108 L) expedition bags. The other route is a complete pack with its own suspension: the 357 Mag at $550, the Shape Charge at $475, the Minikeg at $450 and the Tac Pack at $225. Those are the usual first Kifaru, because none needs the frame. Once you own an ARK, though, a second bag costs only the bag, and Kifaru says the ARK fits most of its older Duplex bags too.

Owners consistently report that these packs carry more than their size suggests. 357 Mag owners describe 100+ lb pack-outs against an 80 lb comfort rating, one 22 Mag owner balanced a 105 lb elk load, and Minikeg owners run 50-60 lb training hikes on a 3.39 lb pack. The repeated complaints are about fit and extras rather than strength: one 5 ft 8 in owner found the Shape Charge's tall lid hitting the back of his head, long-torso Minikeg owners get little load-lifter lift from its fixed 22-inch stays, lids such as the one shown on the Absaroka are sold separately, and the DWR on the 500D Cordura wears off, so a liner is wise in sustained rain.

Frame height is the choice to get right. Kifaru sells the ARK in 22-inch and 25-inch heights, recommending the 22-inch for people under 5 ft 8 in and the 25-inch for taller hunters and the heaviest loads. In October 2026 the Stryker XL showed as sold out on Kifaru's own store, so check stock before planning around it.

Sources: offgridweb.com, wyotoday.com, kifaru.net, kifaru.net

Kifaru 357 Mag
~$550
Hunting Pack

Kifaru's flagship internal-frame hunting pack: 3,860 ci (63 L) of 500D CORDURA on a Kutthroat-derived 24-inch composite-stay suspension, sold complete for $550 rather than as a bag for the brand's Duplex Lite or new ARK frames. Top and full panel access, dual 530 ci spotting-scope side pockets, and Kifaru's PALS/K-clip accessory ecosystem define it, with a comfortable rating to 80 lb loads.

63 LPanel AccessMade in USA

Weight

4.8 lbs

Capacity

63 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 22 Mag (39 L) / 44 Mag (77 L)

Best for: Deer and 1-3 day western hunters who want Kifaru build quality in one complete pack instead of an a-la-carte frame build
Kifaru Absaroka
~$877
Hunting Pack

The newest bag in Kifaru's Expedition line, blending the Dall and Kutthroat into a 6,580 ci (108 L) external-frame pack with dual access via a horseshoe zipper and snow collar. Ultragrid and EPX400 fabric makes it the most weatherproof bag in Kifaru's lineup, with integrated pockets that replace add-on belt pouches. Complete system is $877 ($377 bag + $500 25-inch carbon ARK frame) at 6 lb 4 oz.

108 LWeatherproof FabricDual Access

Weight

6 lbs 4 oz (bag + medium 25-in ARK frame)

Capacity

108 L

Frame

External Frame

Best for: Hunters on 5-12 day expeditions in wet weather who want Kifaru hauling with built-in organization instead of an accessory shopping list
Kifaru Hellbender
~$875
Hunting Pack

Kifaru's answer to Stryker XL owners who wanted more room: roughly 2,250 ci (37 L) of internal storage — 350 ci more than the Stryker XL — plus a large Bane-style stash pocket and an X-Pac meat sling that wipes clean after a pack-out. Complete price is $875 ($375 bag + $500 ARK frame), about 3 lb for the bag and 6.1 lb as a system, making it Kifaru's compact do-everything meat hauler.

37 LX-Pac Meat SlingStash Pocket

Weight

6.1 lbs

Capacity

37 L

Frame

External Frame

Best for: Whitetail saddle hunters, guides, and western day hunters who want one bag that carries stands or camera gear in and elk quarters out
Kifaru The Maniml
~$749
Hunting Pack

A day pack for the ARK frame designed with champion archer Levi Morgan: a 2,320 ci top-loading main bag with 120 ci dual-access lid plus the included 750 ci Cinch breakaway daypack, about 3,070 ci (50 L) total. A full-length pleated load shelf, autolock weapon straps, and a Chamber Pocket organizer round out the $749 complete system ($249 bag set + $500 ARK frame).

50 L SystemBreakaway Cinch DaypackFull-Length Load Shelf

Weight

6 lbs 11 oz (bag + Cinch + 25-in ARK frame)

Capacity

50 L

Frame

External Frame

Best for: Whitetail and saddle hunters who want a tree-stand-friendly day pack that can still pack out a deer on a real hauling frame
Kifaru 22 Mag
~$850
Hunting Pack

Kifaru's load-hauling day bag: a 2,400 ci (39 L) full-zip panel loader (2,250 ci main + 150 ci lid) that bridges a daypack and a full expedition system, sold complete for $850 ($350 bag + $500 ARK frame). A full-length load shelf positioned high on the frame, a bottom carry sleeve for rifles or tripods, and laser-cut MOLLE define the current ARK-era version, at about 3 lb for the bag and roughly 6.1 lb complete.

39 LPanel LoaderLoad Shelf

Weight

6.1 lbs

Capacity

39 L

Frame

External Frame

Also in 44 Mag (77 L)

Best for: Day hunters who want daypack organization on a frame that can still pack out an elk quarter — or fly with a carry-on-legal 22-inch frame setup
Kifaru 44 Mag
~$850
Hunting Pack

Kifaru's flagship multiday hauler, redesigned in G2 form for the carbon-fiber ARK frame: 4,720 ci (77 L) split across a 3,670 ci clamshell main bag, 340 ci lid, and dual 355 ci side pockets, with a horseshoe front zip for fast access. The complete system is $850 ($350 bag + $500 25-inch ARK frame) and weighs 6 lb 6 oz. The G2 swaps sewn MOLLE for laser-cut laminate tracks, adds a built-in weapon-carry sleeve, and moves compression straps outside the zippers.

77 LClamshell AccessMade in USA

Weight

6.4 lbs

Capacity

77 L

Frame

External Frame

Also in 22 Mag (39 L)

Best for: Western multiday hunters who want one pack that compresses for day hunts, swallows a full spotter, and hauls boned-out animals on the ARK frame
Kifaru Bedlam
~$850
Hunting Pack

A 4,900 ci (80 L) multiday workhorse designed in the open with input from forum users — Kifaru's first pack produced in its Riverton, WY facility. A near-full-length two-way side zipper, enclosed spotting-scope pocket, and Hellbender-style front stash pocket define the asymmetric layout. Complete price is $850 ($350 bag + $500 ARK frame); the bag weighs 2 lb 12 oz, roughly 5.9 lb as a full system.

80 LSide-Zip AccessCommunity-Designed

Weight

5.9 lbs

Capacity

80 L

Frame

External Frame

Best for: 3-4 day backcountry hunters (stretchable to 5-7) who want Kifaru's load hauling with zippered access instead of a roll top
Kifaru Hoodlum
~$850
Hunting Pack

Kifaru's guide-driven expedition hauler since 2019, updated in Gen 2 form (fall 2025) with a full-length main zipper. Total capacity is 6,500 ci (107 L): a 4,340 ci main bag, 1,000 ci expandable snow collar, and dual 580 ci zippered side pockets sized for spotting scopes. The complete system is $850 ($350 bag + $500 25-inch carbon ARK frame) and weighs 6 lb 7 oz.

107 LFull-Length ZipMade in USA

Weight

6 lbs 7 oz (bag + medium 25-in ARK frame)

Capacity

107 L

Frame

External Frame

Best for: Guides and backcountry hunters living out of one pack for a week-plus who want fast zip access to a huge bag that still cinches down for day hunts
Kifaru Stryker XL
~$825
Hunting Pack

A day pack built around an oversized cargo sling: 1,900 ci (31 L) in the main bag plus an extended load shelf Kifaru rates at effectively unlimited volume, made to haul tree stands, bait barrels, full-bodied antelope, and boned-out meat. Complete price is $825 ($325 bag + $500 ARK frame), with the bag itself at 2 lb 9.6 oz — the lightest complete system of Kifaru's ARK hunting bags.

31 L + SlingInfinite Load Shelf4.9 Rated

Weight

5.7 lbs

Capacity

31 L

Frame

External Frame

Best for: Treestand, bait-and-blind, and day hunters whose real cargo — stands, sticks, barrels, quarters — rides the sling, not the bag
Kifaru Shape Charge
~$475
Hunting Pack

Kifaru's hunting/EDC crossover day pack: 1,960 ci (32 L) split between a 1,770 ci full-clamshell main compartment and a 190 ci dual-pocket lid, wrapped in 500D Cordura with MOLLE webbing and compression straps for weapons, tripods, or climbing sticks. Sold in Coyote Brown, Black, and Ranger Green at $475 with belt; 3 lb 15 oz bag only.

32 LFull Clamshell AccessHunting/EDC Crossover

Weight

4 lbs 9 oz (with medium belt)

Capacity

32 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Whitetail, saddle, and truck-based hunters who want one organized bomber day pack that also passes as an office or travel bag
Kifaru Minikeg
~$450
Hunting Pack

Kifaru's keg-shaped internal-frame day pack: 2,800 ci (46 L) of 500D Cordura and X-Pac with a Reckoning-style full-length front zipper, built-in hydration sleeve, and dual bottle pockets. Twin 22-inch composite stays keep it carry-on legal, and it runs the same Duplex shoulder straps and waistbelt as Kifaru's frame packs. Expandable with any Kifaru top lid; $450 complete at 3.39 lbs.

46 LCarry-On LegalDuplex Suspension

Weight

3.39 lbs (with long shoulder straps and medium belt)

Capacity

46 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Day hunters and fly-in travelers who want frame-pack-grade suspension in a carry-on-size bag that can still haul a whitetail out
Kifaru Tac Pack
~$225
Hunting Pack

Designed with Total Archery Challenge for 3D courses and short archery hunts, the Tac Pack is a one-piece framed day pack from Kifaru. It holds 1,625 ci (26.6 L) across the main bag and a zippered lid, rides on an HDPE sheet with a single stay, and weighs 2.46 lb. At $225 complete it is the only Kifaru pack under $400 that is not an everyday-carry bag.

26.6 L2.5 lbsBow carry strapsVentilated back

Weight

2.5 lbs

Capacity

27 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Archers wanting a light framed day pack that carries a bow on its back

Kifaru backpacks: common questions

Do Kifaru pack prices include the frame?▾

For the frame-based bags, yes: prices such as the Hoodlum at $850 or the Absaroka at $877 include the $500 ARK frame. The 357 Mag, Shape Charge, Minikeg and Tac Pack are complete packs with their own suspension and need no separate frame.

Which ARK frame size should I get?▾

Kifaru makes the ARK in 22-inch and 25-inch heights. It recommends the 22-inch for people under 5 ft 8 in and the 25-inch for taller hunters, and says the 25-inch gives the most load-lifting for heavy loads on long backcountry hunts.

Can a Kifaru pack go in an airline cabin?▾

Owners report flying the Minikeg as their only carry-on, and the 22 Mag is carry-on compliant too. The Minikeg's 22-inch stays keep it inside carry-on limits, and the 22 Mag fits when it rides on the 22-inch ARK frame, though the bag then hangs about 3 inches below the frame.