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Kifaru
International Spike Camp II
Every
once in a while I come upon a piece of equipment that
really gets me excited. You know the feeling, something
that you would swear was sent down from above to make
your life better. Well, Kifaru International's Spike Camp
II hunting pack is just such an item.
The Spike Camp II is more than just a hunting pack, it's
more of a ultra-quiet load carrying system. It incorporates
a roomy pack, a cargo chair, a gunbearer and hydration
system into one unit that not only can work together,
but does work extremely well together. I will do my best
to give detailed descriptions of the aforementioned features,
but you really have to see it to appreciate it. Look very
closely at the photos.
The pack is constructed of black 500 denier Cordura, which
make it both rugged and weather-proof. Every seam is double
stitched and taped for durability and waterproofing. Every
stress point has six stitch lines and bartacks. Kifaru
packs feature double quiet panels over the Cordura for
silence. These two side fleece panels are removable and
reversible to give you a choice of camo, blaze orange
or black. The Spike camp II also has integral compression
straps to help tighten the load. A bright orange bungie
cord is attached to the pack to provide additional load
bearing area. These cords proved so strong that I wouldn't
think twice about attaching a gore-tex jacket or other
expensive equipment to them.
The internal frame of the pack is made of aircraft grade
aluminum. The design of the frame helps to stabilize the
load and transfer weight to your hips using the contoured
waist belt. The distinct sound of a metal pack frame banging
against a tree is not a concern with this pack. To test
the frame we loaded up the pack, and tried to bend and
pull in every direction in an attempt to get the frame
to lose its shape or crack. We couldn't even get it to
shift weight when we had it properly secured. The shoulder
straps are comfortable, quiet and made of Drilex, a material
that helps to wick away moisture. A chest strap is incorporated
into the shoulder straps to help keep the straps in place
during movement. A combination hand warmer/ chest pouch
is an add-on that will allow you to tuck your hands into
a fleece sleeve and carry binoculars or other small equipment
right up front were it can be easily accessed.
Attached to the waist belt, is the Gunbearer. This is
another standard feature from Kifaru and one of the most
pleasant surprises. This setup allows your rifle to be
carried hands free, without the use of a rifle sling.
I admit I was skeptical when I saw it, but have since
become a believer.
The weight of the rifle is carried on your hips, with
the rifle on the front of your shoulder, as opposed to
the back of your shoulder. Through the use of a well design
securing system, your rifle can go from being attached
to the firing position in a split second. I'll admit I
had to practice this about three times first but now it's
a lot faster than a sling. An accessory for the gunbearer
is a 10 round cartridge holder that can be attached to
the bottom of the gunbearer or anywhere else on the waist
belt through the use of a plastic paddle and Velcro, to
help keep it secure.
At
2,300 cubic inches, the inside area of this pack is large
enough for an overnighter, let alone a day out hunting.
The inside of the cargo area contains a sheath for a two
liter hydration unit . Those of you who read the last
issue know that I am a huge fan of hydration units. Kifaru
has incorporated ports that allow the hydration hose to
be ran to the left or right side of your body and then
clipped to either shoulder strap for hands free drinking.
A removable zippered chamber, that is large enough to
store your valuables, keys, spare pair of glasses, etc.
is conveniently located inside the top of the cargo area.
The top flap of the pack incorporates a heavy duty # 10
zipper. I really abused this zipper, and could not get
it to come apart.
The Cargo Chair is an optional platform that allows you
to carry a good deal of weight and equipment. The Cargo
Chair can be used to carry out an entire hind quarter
of elk, since we did not have a hind quarter of elk on
hand, we improvised. We loaded up some rigid containers
that we use to store equipment in.
After securing the containers with the bungie cord and
some extra cord that was provided with the Cargo Chair,
we found that not only was the load stable but it was
bearable during movement. Carrying extra weight this way
was not a problem. An added feature of the Cargo Chair
is that it can be flipped to the front and used as a fleece
lined seat for resting or glassing an area. The straps
attached to the pack allow for back support.
Two other accessories that the folks at Kifaru International
included were a possibles pouch and a rifle rain cover.
The possibles pouch is made of the same ultra quiet fleece
that is used on the packs panels. With a heavy duty zipper
on the top you could keep your calls, some food or your
survival supplies within easy reach. The rifle rain cover
features a bungie draw cord to keep the cover secured
to your rifle in foul weather, but is designed to allow
you to shoot through in an emergency situation.
This is without a doubtone of the most comfortable and
quiet packs I have ever worn. Kifaru International builds
the pack to your dimensions, ensuring the perfect fit.
A custom pack is something that every hunter who carries
a pack owes to himself. Because of the fit, less is taken
out of you during your movement, this will allow you to
hunt longer because the load is more comfortable. Every
pack that Kifaru manufacturers is serial numbered and
comes with a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship.
Kifaru packs are built by hunters, that have over twenty
years of pack building experience.
A hunting pack should be thought of as a tool no different
than your rifle or knife. When you go out into the woods
you always want to take the best equipment that you can,
your life could depend on it. Do yourself a favor and
give Kifaru International a call and talk to the staff
about the products that they have to offer. Visit Kifaru
International at www.kifaru.net
SpikeCamp II:
Volume: 2,300 cubic inches
Weight: 2 lbs, 13 oz.
Each SpikeCamp is available in either a Basic Package,
or a Complete Package
SpikeCamp II Basic:
- DoubleQuiet Fleece Panels
- GunBearer System
Price: $195.00
SpikeCamp II Complete
- Possibles Pouch
- Water Bladder
- Cartridge Pouch
- CargoChair
- Handwarmer Pouch
Price: $345.00
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