The new Kifaru 22 Mag is a solid bag choice that checks a lot of boxes for day or weekend hunting

I love backpacks. Plain and simple. 

And since July of 2025, I’ve been testing the new Kifaru 22 Mag backpack. Let me tell you, it’s grown on me immensely. I’ve taken this backpack on scouting trips for mule deer (day trips and weekend overnighters), an antelope hunt, a mule deer hunt, and recently a hog hunt.

I want to start this off by saying that 2025 was my first experience with Kifaru’s line of backpacks. I have lots of friends across this space, and so I’m always willing to put pieces of gear through my hunts to see how they perform. This was nothing more than just helping out friends. 

I will say that this year I’ve grown very fond of their ARK frame, waist belt foam, and shoulder strap system!

What makes the Kifaru 22 Mag a great option for a hunter?

As I mentioned earlier, I’m new to using Kifaru, so I did not use the older version of the 22 Mag. My experience here will come from my perspective on this backpack and why, after using it, I’ll definitely continue to use it on hunts. And if you’re in the market for a new pack, this one will be a great option.

I love it when companies take a piece of gear and update it with feedback from real users.

Specs of the Kifaru 22 Mag:

Weight: 3lbs Total: 2400in³ / 39.32 L Lid: 150in³ / 2.45 L Main: 2250in³ / 36.87 L Materials: 500d Cordura, 500d / 1000d Squadron Laminate,  #8 & #10 YKK coil zippers, Duraflex Buckles Frame: Built for 25" ARK frame (compatible with a 22" ARK with 3" of bag below the bottom of the frame)

Main bag dimensions: Height 25”, Width 11”, Depth 8” Lid dimensions: Height 8”, Width 10”, Depth 1.75” Load Shelf Dimensions: 33” total length, 23.5” to pleat

Molle tracks: 14 1” slots length-wise, spaced six columns across

I do really appreciate that the 22 Mag fits on my long 25" Kifaru Ark Frame. And the full-length load shelf is a great feature on this bag. The load shelf attaches very high on the frame, which I noticed provides a lot of stability when packing meat. 

Also, a side benefit is that the longer load shelf helps prevent your back from getting all bloody when packing out meat. That is one thing I have noticed when packing out meat on the ARK frame, using it with their Hoodlum bag on. I packed up my friend Paul’s bull, and most recently, I packed out several Sambar deer in Australia, and I’ve noticed that if the meat is really bloody in game bags, the blood will get through the holes in the frame and onto your back. Now, that can be thought of as a silly thought, but on some hunts where you don’t pack a bunch of extra layers and still have animals to hunt, that is something to think about. 

So anyway, that long load shelf on the 22 Mag is great.

Attaching accessories to the bag is super easy thanks to laser-cut molle sections. I used one Kifaru Medium Belt pouch and one Kifaru Large Belt pouch so I can always have some essentials at the ready.

As a rifle-first hunter, I greatly appreciated the bottom sleeve on the back of the bag, which let me easily carry my rifle. Sometimes, with a heavier rifle, it’s just so nice to pack a rifle in the center portion of a backpack, rather than place it on the right or left side.

I’m a big backpack lid guy. Most of the time, lids end up as the junk drawer of backpacks (since you end up tossing so much stuff in them). But what I appreciated about the Kifaru 22 Mag's built-in lid was that it made me more organized. The lid has two zippered pockets on the top portion of the bag. The larger one I would toss my gloves, hat, and even my rear shooting rest and ear protection. And then, if you open the bag, you'll find zippered mesh pockets under the lid to store more items.

If you like to carry a hydration bladder, this bag has dual enlarged hydration ports on either side of the bag that are big enough to fit the valves through (which has been an issue on some other backpacks in my opinion. And there is a sewn-in bladder sleeve.

For carrying your tripod, there are side stretch pockets that let you store it on the side while hiking, with quick access when you start glassing. And you could also toss a water bottle in these side pockets.

This next item is huge! This bag has compression straps positioned so they don’t cross your main zipper. Most people might not realize the benefit of this feature right away, but I’m sure you’ve had a bag with straps crossing over a main bag's zipper. Straps designed to avoid crossing the main bag zippers let you zip down the bag to grab an insulation piece or some snacks without fully adjusting your compression straps. I think this system just makes it easier when I want to get something out of my bag easily and quickly. And I feel like on a mostly day to weekend style hunting bag, this is a great feature.

And finally, the two handles on the top of the bag have come in clutch for me when just grabbing the pack. Little things like this that I didn't know I was missing on previous backpacks.

Overall, I have really enjoyed using this bag for the past year. And I'll be continuing to use it on an upcoming spring bear hunt. If you're in the market, definitely give it a shot.