Kifaru Nomad - Setups

I am looking long and hard at picking up the Kifaru Nomad. Not sure if I need it but it seems so versatile. Its been out for a while now and I am wondering how guys have been running them. How they liked them. What they used them for.

I like the thought of day hunt gear in a nice compact easy to access unit that can expand for a 7 day hunt.

For the guys that ran them, please let me know your thoughts.

Cheers

Subscribed...been thinking he same thing.

It is my main hunting pack. I did 9 days of elk season with it. I had given my camp bag to my dad so I ran it with just an OR 55 L dry bag between the wings. Guide lid on top, light long pocket below the wings going horizontal. Grabit II on the bottom. Once 8 miles deep I dropped the guide lid, dry bag and stored the grabit for day hunt mode. When we killed I was able to pull out the grabit and carry two front quarters back to camp between the wings: it is a very slick all in one system.

Other pockets I ran include water bottle pocket and gps pocket on one side of belt. Medium hip belt pocket on the other side. A large pocket against the frame beneath the wings and a small pocket on top of the guide lid.

They are on sale right now for a substantial savings! I have one, it's my first real pack so I don't have a lot to compare it too other than my BL day packs. Mine is set up similar to dreamingbig. The straps can get a little frustrating till you figure out how to manage them, then they are no problem! If I was buying right now and know what I know now, it would be a real toss up between getting it again and getting a Cargo Panel and some pockets. My wife has the cargo panel and it is pretty cool and versatile and cheaper to get into initially but start adding pockets and it starts evening out. If you get a Kifaru, I strongly recommend getting the water bottle pocket and a mini belt pocket to pair with it. We basically didn't even use our Camelback's this year except to refill our nalgene bottles, much easier to hydrate with. Then on opposite side I have a medium belt pocket. I really liked dropping off the camp bag and not having a bunch of unused pack there. Once you figure out how to tame the straps you will like it a lot I bet! Get a guide lid and not the long hunter lid in my opinion.

Manosteel said:

I am looking long and hard at picking up the Kifaru Nomad. Not sure if I need it but it seems so versatile. Its been out for a while now and I am wondering how guys have been running them. How they liked them. What they used them for.

I like the thought of day hunt gear in a nice compact easy to access unit that can expand for a 7 day hunt.

For the guys that ran them, please let me know your thoughts.

Cheers

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Manosteel----I was/am in your boat also. I keep looking at that pack and love the versatility of it.
So, the other day, I was talking with Ryan Avery about it and he suggested I look at the EMR II and give it some consideration. He has used both extensively. So I did review it and now I am considering that pack over the nomad. It also has great features and by the time you add a grab it and a camp bag onto the nomad, you are at about the same overall weight as you would having the EMR II. I kinda keep going back and forth between the two but will most likely end up with the EMR. I currently use an EXO 3500 first generation and it is great but I keep looking at the kifaru system for heavier loads and extended stays. As my wife says, "why on earth would you need another pack?"
And I keep telling her that it is not a matter of need.............
Maybe someone else will chime in that has used both. I have not seen either one in person.



Randy

I had a nomad when they first came out, it was ok but to me nothing was really easy to access do to the strapping pretty much making access to the pockets go away. I now run a cargo panel it it is by far my favorite Kifaru item other then the new frame. It is very versatile and if you already have pockets from previous Kifaru purchases it is pretty cheap when you look at it. I mean a guide lid is only $50 or so less then a cargo panel.

When loaded up I keep the straps tight which makes access into the bat wings restrictive. Once I've dumped my camp and the bulk of my load and just carrying day hunt stuff I remove the top strap and leave the other two straps a little loose. This way I can easily access my spotter and tripod from the bat wing without unbuckling the straps, but the load still carries firmly in place. I run the the long hunter lid where I keep my lunch, asswipe and other things I like to access quickly. I use a Elberlestock gun scabbard I mounted up against the Duplex frame and dry bags on either side of that for meat held in place with a grab it. The Nomad takes some time to get used to but now that I have mine dialed in I don't see me looking for another bag for years to come.

Thanks for all the input. I have or had several kifaru bags and currently run a modified HC7000 which I love for the week+ Mountains hunts. But it is such a big bag for day or weekend Bonza hunts for elk and moose. So this is kinda what I was thinking I would use this bag for. I am a little worried about what other mentioned here, no access to the pockets b/c of cinched down straps or unbalanced loads. Trying to figure out how I would load it up for a 2 day hunt where in addition to my dayhunt stuff, I would need a shelter , sleep system + food.

Anyone have pics of their nomad loaded up?

Manosteel said:

Thanks for all the input. I have or had several kifaru bags and currently run a modified HC7000 which I love for the week+ Mountains hunts. But it is such a big bag for day or weekend Bonza hunts for elk and moose. So this is kinda what I was thinking I would use this bag for. I am a little worried about what other mentioned here, no access to the pockets b/c of cinched down straps or unbalanced loads. Trying to figure out how I would load it up for a 2 day hunt where in addition to my dayhunt stuff, I would need a shelter , sleep system + food.

Anyone have pics of their nomad loaded up?

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I don't have pictures, but it's pretty easy to put entirely too much crap in this pack! I have the grab it and camp bag. I put my medium box stove up against the frame, my sleeping bag in the bottom of the grab it,, camp gear, clothes, shelter etc in the camp bag, and I put all the stuff I access regularly in the lid. Stuff I don't need a lot in a pocket attached under the wings and in the bat wings. I think the Nomad, Longhunter lid and Camp Bag add up to 8200 cubic inches.

For day hunts a nomad is perfect I think. It can hold everything you need, you're weapon, and carry meat out with grab it and strap it all down tight. I have the emr2 also and if I staying six days I like it better. I don't have a whole lot of pics, but the nomad ends up virtually the same as emr 2 with camp bag.
The emr 2 with 65lbs of gear and food and a boned out mule deer.
The price is right this weekend and I'm sure you would be happy with either
I have figured out how to add the outer pockets for essentials without undoing the straps by modifying a standard lid.
I'm running my nomad now coyote hunting and I carry a cheap 20 dollar lined camp bag below the bag in a top zip side pocket to throw a coyote in. I know it will work good when I'm 4 miles from the truck I just haven't got to use it yet.
I just make a few tweaks in my setup and how I want to run it, that makes this pack so impressive to me. You can add or take away whatever you like but carry a heavy awkward load quite easy.

I've hunted with my Nomad for two elk seasons now and It's packed out three bulls. I love that pack and can't say enough good things about it. I have a camp bag, guide lid and grabit II. I load all of my gear for 7-10 days in the camp bag and drop it once I get to camp. Then I just run the pack with the grab it and guide lid which has my kill kit, food, t paper and a jacket tucked down in one of the tubes. It's not too heavy when in day mode and the ability to open the wings and stuff a Kifaru game bag full of meat down the center is unbelievable. Since getting that pack I have been able to load up half the meat right at the kill site and head back to camp. It's incredible.

I got my Nomad this past April, l run it on a Duplex. This pack came with the K- clip compression straps and One Wrap velcro for webbing management. Depending on what I'm doing, I use the following accessories with it: Guide Lid, Grab-it, Camp Bag, Nomad Gun Bearer, five-gallon bucket, and various belt pouches/Back Pouch. I basically now use this pack for everything I do in the outdoors because of its awesome versatility. From backpacking to trout fishing to turkey hunting in the spring, more backpacking/fishing in the summer with varmint hunting and turtle trapping, archery in the fall and now fox and coyote hunting. I love this pack!

One of the first things I realized when I started using the Nomad was how easy it was to carry odd shaped and/or heavy items like climbing stands, ladder steps, folding chair, and my blind. It carries a five-gallon bucket like it was built just to do that, making it great for stuff like live bait for cat fishing or for carrying snappers out of the swamp (you can use the internal tabs with add-on compression straps to attach the bucket securely, this leaves the wing pockets and straps for other gear). The Nomad/Duplex system lends itself to tinkering and different rigging options because of its attachment points, three compression straps, two zippered pockets, two slot pockets, and two general purpose bungee - closure pockets. Securing stuff to the outside of the pack is really easy.

Like others have said, the Nomad is perfect for day-long hunts and activities, but l have also used it for backpack camping trips with the Camp Bag and Guide Lid; I have never used up all the space rigged this way. With my gear and how I pack, a five day trip is easy to do.

So far I haven't found it difficult to balance loads between the wings, and I don't think the pack is too "strappy" either. The three compression straps are the secret, to me, to the packs ability to carry just about anything, either between the wings or on the outside of the pack. I also really like how the Nomad Gun Bearer carries a rifle or shotgun, muzzle up, between the wings, no flopping around.

I admit, I'm not a western or mountain hunter, but l spend a lot of time in the field here in Pennsylvania and the Nomad is by far the best and most useful pack for my purposes that I have ever used. I hope this helps!

- CrowHunter

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This is my Nomad loaded down for a four day early season hunt. I run it with the back pouch between the wings for all my clothes and sleeping bag, but have also just used a 55l OR dry bag. I have used it now for two seasons and really like it. It did take some trial and error to get my set up just right but it works well now. I have packed out two deer and an elk with it the ease of being able to strap the meat right to the frame between the wings is awesome.

I also Have the nomad, grab-it, long hunter lid, camp bag, Medium belt bag. I also use a HPG kit bag. Very versatile set up. ready for most anything. I wont change.

I have both the Erm2 and the nomad. Let's just say I always grab the nomad because of its versatility. I spike camp and once you hang your lid and camp bag in a tree it's a slick day pack. I might sell my Erm2 cause it just sits in the garage. My best pack I've ever owned. Took some time to dial it in but now it's probably the last pack I will ever need.

For those saying a nomad is strappy, a few strap keepers make it the cats meow in daypack mode. You can even run it with just two horizontal straps in daypack mode. Tuck the extra in the bottom of the wing pocket.

I've used my nomad from elk hunting 7 days to walk in waterfowl and trapping/hunting coyotes. You can carry anything with it. My nomad is on a bikini with the older style k hooks, im thinking about adding a camp bag this year, but last year I got all my equipment for a 7 day hunt without it.

I just received my nomad two days ago. I was looking for a pack that would work great for packing a long range rifle for spring bear hunting. The nomad with its versatility was my number one choice. I have the guide lid, grab it II,camp bag, two small belt pouches, and I added an eberlestock gun scabbard between the wings so the gun would be fully protected but also quick to get the out. Everything fits great this pack is awesome I have used the t2 for 2 years now and can't wait to try this new set up out.

elkkilla, I am eyeballing the same set up. What bag are you planning on hauling your meat in? Looks like Kifaru does not offer a large mesh meat bag according to thier website.

elkkilla1 said:

I just received my nomad two days ago. I was looking for a pack that would work great for packing a long range rifle for spring bear hunting. The nomad with its versatility was my number one choice. I have the guide lid, grab it II,camp bag, two small belt pouches, and I added an eberlestock gun scabbard between the wings so the gun would be fully protected but also quick to get the out. Everything fits great this pack is awesome I have used the t2 for 2 years now and can't wait to try this new set up out. View attachment 31522View attachment 31523View attachment 31524

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I'm going to use my caribou game bags in junction with the grab it. I'm thinking I can run the meat in close then the camp bag on last.