Hillpeople Gear?

[dotman]

Anybody use their gear? I like that it is made in USA and they have decent prices. I'm currently looking at the Coyote Brown C25M bag that fits on Kifaru and other external frames. Priced at $45 it is 2500ci and could make for a good all around bag for shorter trips.

So is it worth it? Really if it is this could make getting into a Kifaru cheaper for many, just buy the frame and get one of these bags but again it isn't a huge bag and has zero options other then a zippered lid but I can see a grabit and lash kit in combination to this making a nice setup.

Here is a direct link to the bag. http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Products/ ... fault.aspx

[sreekers]

I am going to own a bag from them soon.

[RockChucker30]

I've got two kit bags and a Tara. I'm happy with them.

[Hardway]

I bought the same bag in sil-nylon and the highlander bag. Works great really flexible. Look on heir form for modifications to the compression straps. and you won't have any problems.

[ferris bugler]

That stuff looks sweet. I wish the belt looked a little more comfortable. Right now it looks like a sweat catcher. Cool design though.

[dotman]

Well I went ahead and ordered the pack bag, figured for $45 I'm not out much if I don't like it. Now to wait for the bikini to show up.

[sreekers]

If you don't like it i will take it.

[dotman]

I think I'll try to modify it and add some pals webbing on the back and sides and also put some shock cord on it. It looks like a great blank canvas bag to add your own touch to. I'll post up pics once it all comes together.

[sreekers]

Looking forward to seeing the mods.

[dotman]

Now I just have to learn to sew . This will probably be a summer project. I have no imagination so it may end up looking like a highcamp in the end, I'll put shock cord on the lid and the back of the bag then maybe try to add attachment points to the side for Kifaru pockets or maybe even SG, might try outtheir spotting scope pocket if Kifaru doesn't release theirs this year. This will become my backpacking pack bag.

[sreekers]

My sewing is terrible, but it looks better than it did last year. A few rows of webbing could add a lot to the bag, when I don't think I will make any mods until I have used it a few times. Want to get a handle on what it's best uses are.

[dotman]

The bag arrived and I have to say I'm very impressed, for $45 the quality looks to be as good as my Kifaru items. Not sure how long-term durability will be but so far I think this bag is a steal.

I would say that the 2500ci it is rated at is low, more like 2800ci. I can compress it down to a nalgene size. I'm thinking that if I add my Kifaru E&E (already have) and sew on attachment points for long pockets on the sides plus a med pocket on the top of the lid this will be a very functional pack that is very modular and will be around/over 4000ci pretty easy.

Scott, you better order one up. I talked to the Hill bros and it sounds like this bag could be discontinued at some point once they come out with their new pack system with different bag options. It also sounds like the price of those bags will not be this cheap.

If anyone wanted to pick up a good bag at a great deal that has an external frame or thinks they may get one at some point I highly recommend off of my initial inspection the $45 25 seriers bags. I also like that they are a blank canvas just waiting for us to tinker with.

I'll be keeping my Kifaru Highcamp bag for hunting but this will be my go to bag for backpacking trips, that is, if it works with my Bikini frame. I should have that around the end of the month so once it comes in I"ll take some pictures of this bag on the frame and also next to the Highcamp bag. If anyone was thinking they wanted a DT3 sized bag but didn't want to spend $300 this will fit the bill easily at $45 and over 2500ci.

Why is it all the great custom gear Made in USA stuff is coming out of Colorado currently? Seriously Hill People Gear, Seek Outside and Kifaru.

[sreekers]

Accessibility to mountains is what I think drives the CO companies to produce good stuff. They actually use their products, know what will work best. It's not some brain trust sitting in an office deciding what piece of equipment has the most visual appeal to the customer.

Thanks for the info, I will be ordering one shortly.

[dotman]

I haven't taken any pictures but I'm sending back my Kifaru Highcamp 4800 bag, keeping the HPG C25M and ordering a 7000ci Highcamp bag. The 4800 just didn't feel way bigger but only slightly bigger then the HPG bag.

If anyone wanted a DT3 sized bag and had sewing skills I recommend that you order a HPG bag and play around.

[dotman]

[dotman]

[dotman]

[dotman]

[dotman]

Sorry for the crappy pictures, I need to clean the lens on my phone.

[dotman]

[sreekers]

Looks good!

[huntabsarokee]

I haven't taken any pictures but I'm sending back my Kifaru Highcamp 4800 bag, keeping the HPG C25M and ordering a 7000ci Highcamp bag. The 4800 just didn't feel way bigger but only slightly bigger then the HPG bag.

So if the 2500 bag feels bigger than it is rated and the Highcamp 4800 is bigger but not that much bigger what is your best guess of the actual size of the Highcamp 4800?

[RockChucker30]

Good looking dog too. Gotta love old labs.

[dotman]

I haven't taken any pictures but I'm sending back my Kifaru Highcamp 4800 bag, keeping the HPG C25M and ordering a 7000ci Highcamp bag. The 4800 just didn't feel way bigger but only slightly bigger then the HPG bag.

So if the 2500 bag feels bigger than it is rated and the Highcamp 4800 is bigger but not that much bigger what is your best guess of the actual size of the Highcamp 4800?

I was talking to Aron Snyder about this exact thing the other day. His guess on the HPG is 3000ci plus and he did actualy testing on the hc bags and they are true to sizing listed. My issue is I had a ku5200 (per Aron closer to 6000ci bag) and a T1 so the hc4800 just seemed small, it would be a good 6 days or les bag were as the HPG I will probably be maxed out at 4 days. So the hc4800 is probably a third larger.

Reason I sent it back is I need a 10 day bag and was hoping the hc4800 would be close to my ku5200 which it wasn't.

So I kept the HPG just for backpacking since those are shorter trips and will use the hc7000 for hunting and any backpack trips over 4days.

So there is probably 1500 - 1800ci diff I guess between the hpg and hc4800. Not a big enough diff for me to keep the hc4800.

I really recommend this bag though based on price, quality and they are discontinued sowhen they are gone this option no longer will be available.

[dotman]

Good looking dog too. Gotta love old labs.

Thanks, he is actually an old cocker, sadly my old lab passed away a month ago

[huntabsarokee]

Thanks for the clarification on size. Maybe I will get both. Doubt I will ever need more than 3 or 4 nights. Did you weigh the HG bag. Just curious if it was close to the weight they list.

[dotman]

Didn't put it on the scale but it weighs nothing so I bet it is close to the listed weght.

[huntabsarokee]

OK I am going to order the Bikini, 4800 HC, and HG bag today. Looking to get a water bottle pouch for my belt and maybe another small pouch/bag for range finder and stuff. By chance has anybody tried the HG water bottle pouches or other small belt pouches? Looks like they are $15 which is about 1/2 of kifaru. Are these things kinda of universal so should fit the bikini? Anybody have any other recommendations for the bikini?

[dotman]

FYI, if you don't want to wait there is a brand new bikini & hc4800 on rokslide. The bag may be sold but I'm not sure. It is foliage in color. I haven't tried either companies water bottle holders but I have read that the HPG has better attachment system.

[huntabsarokee]

Yes I see the bag is sold but he still has the frame. I think it would fit since I have a 36" waist. I think he has a large belt. Not sure the size limits to the large.

[huntabsarokee]

Looked again and he has a foliage frame. Literally just sent my order in 5 minutes ago. Going to keep it. Black bikini frame, 4800 coyote bag, medium belt pouch. Skipped the water bottle carrier for now.

[dotman]

Large would probably be too big, you"ll want a med belt.

[huntabsarokee]

Well I got my HPG bag today in foliage. I ordered my highcamp in CB so thought the smaller HPG bag in foliage would be good for my typical 1 day deer hunts. I think the size is pretty much as advertised. It doesn't feel any bigger than 2500 and my 1st impression was it looks a lot smaller than your pics Dotman. Actually I have a MR Dragon Slayer that I believe is advertised at 2200 and I think the HPG is close to the same size. Weighs less than 1 pound and quality looks good.

Now just need to figure out what I need to strap on my bow since there are no straps except the 2 to strap to the frame.

[dotman]

I wonder if you didn't order the C20M, which is advertized at 2000ci or if they didn't send you the wrong bag. Mine weighs in at 1lb 5oz.

For strapping on your bow think Kifaru Grabit and lash strap kit, both will mount directly to the frame with the hpg bag attached also.

[huntabsarokee]

I actually thought the same thing. Maybe I will ask them.

[huntabsarokee]

After I emailed them I realized there was tag that says 25m under Made in USA. Still it weighs right at 14 oz. Guess its the right 1 though. Now need to figure out how to carry my bow.

[dotman]

Hmm, still interesting that mine is 7oz heavier. Oh well all that matters is that you like it and that it will work.