11/1/07 - As Kifaru closes the gaps and fills the niches between their first packs, the EMR and Scout, customers still ask Kifaru to fill the spaces between the newer offerings. One of these perceived voids was the EDC (Every Day Carry)/Day Pack size. While the Marauder and Express aren't very large packs in the general sense, some find that their capacity is more than is needed for every day, general use. Always keeping their ear to customer and market needs, Kifaru has responded.

The XRay is Kifaru's newest pack (at the time of this writing), and is sized to be versatile enough to function as an EDC pack for every day use, or an assault or 2-day pack with the addition of external pockets for added capacity.

Overall Specs - The XRay has an internal capacity of 1800 c.i., and weighs 4lbs, 2 oz. Construction is 1000D Cordura, the same as all the other Kifaru packs, and available in the standard Kifaru colours. The XRay is wider at the bottom than at the top, and approximated stuffed-out dimensions are as follows: max height 20", max width (at bottom) 15", depth (halfway down) 10". Width at the top is 11".

External details - Until now, all of Kifaru's packs have been either top loaders, or panel loaders. The XRay is the first Kifaru pack to be a hybrid top loader/panel loader, and offer both means of access.

The front panel of the XRay has five rows and six columns of PALS webbing. On each side of the pack are six rows and five columns of PALS. The two compression straps are removable, and have dual-adjust SR buckles that meet in the center of the pack, so that you only have to unclick those two buckles for access to the front panel. They're not sewn to the pack, but are attached with Kifaru's metal slider and common loop method. If not needed, they can be easily removed and stored inside the pack. Kifaru Dock 'n' Lock Long Pockets fit perfectly on each side of the XRay, using the rows of PALS immediately above and below the compression straps.

Long pockets on each side of the XRay

At the bottom are four more tab loops for attaching a pod or Dock 'n' Lock pocket. Again, the Long Pocket will fit under the XRay nicely. The two bottom compression/lashing straps are also completely removable and stored inside the pack; the SR buckle is an ITW Field Expedient slotted buckle and can be removed from its tab loop. The two common loops in the middle of the bottom are cargo chair attach points.

The XRay comes standard without a waist belt as some might prefer to take out the aluminum stays and use it without a suspension system. The XRay takes Kifaru Omni belts, which come in four versions - Plain or with PALS and Powerpull, padded and unpadded. I've always opted for the Omni belt with PALS as I usually mount small pockets on the belt. The Omni belt attaches and removes within seconds (see my Zulu and Express pages for more photos of the Omni belt system).

Removable bottom compression/lashing straps

The shoulder straps attach points are adjustable at the top to accommodate different torso lengths, and the entire shoulder strap is also removable. The XRay utilizes ladder locks instead of quick-release buckles for adjustment at the bottom of the shoulder pad. Those familiar with Kifaru packs might notice that the XRay does not have shoulder lifter straps. This is because it's shorter torso length and 17" stays are not long enough to extend higher than most shoulders, and lifter straps would be of no use. There's a web grab loop/carry handle at the top of the pack where the shoulder strap are attached at the top.

On the top lid of the XRay is the top lid pocket. This measures 8" x 5.5" and tapers in depth from 1.5" at the back to 1" in front. It'll accommodate thicker items when stuffed out though. It's a convenient place to store frequently accessed items like keys, phones, snacks etc. It's the most-used pocket on the XRay for me. A 4" x 4" patch of velcro is sewn on top of the pocket for ID/patches. There are four tab loops near each corner of the pocket, on the lid, either for attaching a small pod on top of the pack or as the cargo chair vertical strap attach points. The double triangle loops at the side of the pack near the back just below the lid are the side cargo chair attach points.

Internal features - The top lid is zippered, and has a mesh pocket just under it, with a zippered opening in the middle. The opening is 11" across and the mesh pocket is about 6.5" at its widest point. Right below the lid is the familiar Kifaru chamber pocket, hanging from two common loops. The opening to the hydration pocket is behind the chamber pocket. The hydration pocket will accommodate most bladders - I've illustrated it below with a 100oz reservoir in it. The hose port is at the top of the pack between the common loops and protected by a piece of hypalon on the outside.

Inside the hydration pocket are the aluminum stay pockets. These are have velcro-closed flaps and the 17" stays are instantly removable.

Front Panel - The front panel measures about 12" high x 11" wide, and allows easy access to the middle and bottom areas of the XRay. The panel has a full sized zippered pocket inside, and four rows and six columns of PALS webbing for attaching internal pouches. The three common loops inside the top of the panel are for dummy cording items or attaching chamber pockets or PullOuts.

Inside the bottom of the XRay are four common loops for lashing or dock 'n' locking a pocket at the bottom of the pack. There are tab loops inside that serve as the attach points for a Kifaru Radio Pouch as well.

 

3/11/08 - Here are some of Kifaru's newer pocket offerings.

Organizer Pocket - Kifaru's Organizer Pocket was designed specifically for mounting on the outside of a pack, adding storage and organization, and quick retrieval of small items that might get lost inside a larger compartment. It measures 9" wide, 7.5" tall and 1.5" deep, and weighs 9.25 oz. It's not meant to be used as an 'admin' pouch on a vest or chest rig - it's too large. It requires six columns of PALS webbing for optimal mounting using two long Malice clips. Two tab loops on the top of the back allow attachment of a strap or shoulder sling for stand-alone use. The Organizer is constructed out of 1000D cordura on hte outside and the internal pockets are 420D.

The Organizer has a 9" x 7" external zippered pocket, and a 4" x 2" velcro patch on the outside. The wrap around zipper opens the pouch on the top and both sides, but does not extend all the way to the bottom of the pouch. This prevents the pouch from opening out flat, and from letting items fall out. As you can see from the photos below, you still have unlimited access to the items inside.

Inside the front panel (the one that flips open) is a full-width internal slot pocket with a mesh pocket on the outside. On the back panel (which mounts against the pack) are two slot pockets, 5" tall. Perfectly sized for a PDA, Kifaru's little notebook, compasses, sunglass case, GPS units etc. Sewn to the outside is a 1.5" elastic which forms loops. There are four pen loops near the middle, a large loop on the right side and two smaller ones on the left.

At the top of each panel is a hang/dummy cording loop. Even though the Organizer is 1.5" deep, it expands to accomodate bulkier items.

 

Loaded up

 

Mini Long Pocket - For those who don't need the capacity of Kifaru's standard Long pockets, their Mini Long Pocket might fit the bill. The Mini Long pocket measures 11" x 5" x 2.5", and is suited for mounting wherever you have 3 columns x 5 rows of PALS webbing available. The Mini Long attaches via four short (3") Malice clips. It does not dock 'n' lock or have quick-detach/attach capability. The Mini Long has dual zipper pulls, and two lash tab inside for dummy cording items.

The Mini Long pockets fit perfectly on the side of the XRay, which isn't as deep as other Kifaru packs. You can also mount two Mini Long pockets side by side on the top lid of an EMR or on the front of the larger packs.

 

 

Lock'n Load #10 - Shown below is the new Lock'n Load #10 pocket. The Lock'n Load pockets are lightweight pockets designed to be used internally. For full-time pockets on the inside of a pack, 1000D is overkill, and adds unnecessary weight and bulk. The Lock'n Loads are made of 420D and mesh, and attach to PALS webbing by a very simple metal slider arrangement. Each Lock'n Load has metal sliders attached to it with webbing. You simply thread the slider through a loop of PALS webbing and the pocket is locked in place securely. The slider can be inserted from either the top or bottom of the loop. The Lock'n Loads are available in a variety of configurations, hence the numbering system instead of a descriptive name, and should cover most user's needs for internal storage. They'll work on any pack with internal PALS, not just Kifaru's.

The #10 shown here is a 3D pocket (not flat), and measures 9" x 7" x 1.5". It has a 420D back and mesh front, with a top zipper opening. Coincidentally (or not), it's the perfect fit for the XRay front panel, on which it's attached to below.

 

Inside an XRay panel

 

Illustrated below is an XRay with all three pockets installed (you just can't see the #10 Lock'n Load). The Organizer on the front panel and a Mini Long pocket on each side. The addition of these pockets really enhance the 'EDC'-ness of the XRay with all the organization they provide. In December, when our son was born, we had the misfortune of having to stay in the hospital for more than a week while he was treated for an infection. The XRay served as my every-day, back and forth pack which held our clothes, supplies, computer, snacks, water bottle - just about anything that would make a 16-hour a day stay in the hospital less of a torture. Not really a 'field test' for the pack, but an 'everyday' use in which it shined.

 

5/10/08 - Military Pods - Kifaru's Pods have been around a few years, but I never had a set until recently. Have you ever needed to strap a bulky item like a sleeping bag or bulky jacket to the outside of a pack but had difficulty with it slipping out of the straps? Kifaru's Military Pods are the simplest, quickest way of attaching large, bulky gear to the outside of your ruck. Instead of utilizing precious cargo space inside the ruck, gear can be attached to the outside of any ruck with PALS/MOLLE webbing or any of Kifaru's packs (which all come with bottom web loops) utilizing Kifaru's Dock & Lock system.

The Pods are shaped like a fabric 'bucket' with a rectangular bottom with rounded corners. The bottom of the bucket is 1000D cordura while the side is 420D. The top opening has no zipper, but instead has a drawcord cinch closure. A length of 1" webbing is sewn onto the bottom longitudinally, and bartacked every 1.5". Two straps are provided which run through the spaces between the bartacks.

The Pods come in three sizes; small, medium and large. The Small measures 12" x 7" at the bottom with a 9" depth. The Medium measures 15" x 9" and 10" deep. The Large is 18" x 12" and 12" deep. The Small will fit jackets, a summer sleeping bag, parahootch and pole kit etc; the Medium will fit most size sleeping bags, and the Large will hold 2 sleeping bags or the military MSS (Modular Sleep System).

 

Small pod stuffed

 

To use, the items are placed in the pod and the drawstring cinched up tightly, closing the opening. The quick-attach female buckles are attached to the tab loops at the bottom of every Kifaru pack for bottom mounting, or to PALS webbing if mounted on the sides. The four SR buckles attached to the compression/mounting straps are clicked in and the straps tightened, compressing the contents. It's very secure and the contents will not slip out. It's a great improvement over using straps alone to secure an item to a pack. I find the Small and Medium sizes to have the most utility (for me, at least) as the Large size is pretty huge, and I would rarely need to carry as much outside the pack. Balance and load distribution is an important consideration.

Besides bulky items, Pods can be used for items you may not want to carry inside a pack, like wet or muddy items, boots or bloody game. When not in use, the Pod can be left attached and flattened, or folded and stowed inside the pack. The Small Pod (foliage green) is illustrated below mounted to the bottom of an XRay. MultiCam Medium and Large Pods are shown on the ZXR, with the Large mounted at the bottom and the Medium mounted on the back.

 

 

Grab-it Panel - Kifaru's Grab-it Panel is a trapezoidal 'beaver tail' that attaches to the bottom of any Kifaru pack, and provides a means of stashing a jacket or bulky item outside the pack for quick and easy access. It measures 17" across at the top, 6" at the bottom and is 15" tall.

The Grab-it panel is constructed of 1000D cordura, and has two metal sliders at the narrow end (bottom), and a ladder tension lock at each upper corner. A strap runs through each ladder lock, and has a metal 3-bar slider sewn at one end. The Grab-it is attached to any Kifaru pack by running the metal 3-bar sliders through the common loops at the bottom of the pack. The upper attach points are the forward triangles on the side of the pack that are also used for the cargo chair. There is a drawstring with cord lock at the top of the panel, which is cinched up to keep the contents in place. The panel is not flat - it's contoured to form a 'cup' shape to wrap around the contents.

 

 

The Grab-it can be used for jackets, woobies, helmets, sleeping pads etc, or long objects like shovels (with the handle secured at the top, of course). Loosen the side straps, place the object on the panel, cinch up the drawstring and tighten the straps. For the larger packs, quick-attack SR buckles (not included) can be used at the upper attach points for quick-release capability. I've shown it below mounted to an Express, carrying a TAD Gear Combat Anorak inside it.