GR2 34L or Kifaru X-ray for deployment. I'm torn!

First of all, thank you for your service.

Second, I have no experience with the Kifaru, but I own a GR2. Obviously, I'll say GR2! It was built for it! Use it and abuse it!

 

I recommend the XRay. It's got enough clearance to wear above a belt if needed, it has an option to use a belt, you can attach pockets/pods/cargo chairs for more functionality, can mold better to body armor if that is needed, it can easily dock to larger packs with all the attachment points. If all you need is a travel organizer bag, then the layout of the GR2 will probably be better. Thanks for your service!

 

Agreed, I'd think no contest here. Xray. More modularity. Better form factor and straps for use with a belt and/or body armor on.

 

I have both a Goruck GR2 in multi cam and a Xing (longer xray). Goruck carries on the shoulder, Xray on the waist. My Xing sits there doing nothing, I hate the carry. The British military packs carry on the shoulders (based on berghaus vulcan). I don't know what unit you are in but for british commandos a simple shoulder worn backpack rules supreme. After usage I wouldn't dream of taking a xray into the field of combat, it would be Goruck all the way. Remember Goruck was designed by military people where Kifaru I believe were hunters.

Another option could be a Mystery Ranch 3dap or Kommodo which again is used by the forces. They are also desined for body armour.

 

Just thought I would add some additional notes. I own the GR2, GR1, Xray and Xing among others and I love them all (just ordered the GR3). Just hoping to save you some trouble specially if you plan to take these outside the wire. From the initial post you're just choosing between the Xray and GR2 34 and not any others.

Bottom line is to see how the bags carry with plates on as this may be the deal breaker. The upper part of the Xray straps are removeable and adjustable so if the fixed Goruck straps also fit fine then all is good. The back panel and padding of the xray allows some ventilation and in my opinion forms better to what you put under it. Although Kifaru is now focused on their hunting line because of the current market for US-made gear, the Xray is from their old Military Division with Mel Terkla (now with Wolfpack) which also brought us the Zulu, Scout and Navigator/Marauder.

The GR2 was patterned after military med packs but designed for the civilian market. Hey, that padded laptop compartment is sweet and the minimal molle, lack of compression straps and load bearing frame/belt makes it easier in airports and on the metro so I am not knocking it. However without compression straps this means that if what you're carrying does not fill-up the Goruck (assume comms batteries, extra ammo, etc.), the contents will not be compressed to your back and may move around so make sure you get some straps and connectors for the inside, plus the bag will be bulkier than it needs to be. Also and you're not going to be able to strap on extra equipment under the pack or need to be creative about it (again bring extra straps).

One last note the Xray can be worn up high for strictly shoulder carry if that is what is called for but with the Omni belt it also has the option to carry as a load bearing butt pack. I believe the strap belt that they sell for the GR2 is more for stability rather than load bearing (helps keep the bricks that people use in their events from banging the back of the head -- the GR3 does come with a better belt and compression straps but will probably arrive after you deploy).

Basically both great tough highly recommended packs, just make sure it fits what you need it to do and stay safe out there.

 

Do you use a hip belt with your Xing? I have a Xing, and have owned 34 and 40L GR2's. I agree the GR2's feel better shoulder-only, but Xing really needs the hip belt. I use my Xing without a hip belt when it is my carry-on flying, and yeah, the carry is just "meh", but in that case it mostly just has clothes in it. With 25+lbs in it and using the waist belt, it is much better than a GR2.

I am curious about the xray (I have an urban zippy and a xing, so it's the in-between of those), but I fear it will be too short for a waist belt to work well, and large enough that t could quicky get too heavy to work as shoulder carry only.

So I guess what I might be saying is the OP could maybe consider a Xing with a waistbelt as well. It is just slightly larger than a 40L GR2.

 

It makes sense that the Xing w/o a waist belt is meh. All of Kifaru's packs are designed to position all the weight on your lumbar and have minimal amount applied to the shoulder straps.

There was a video by Mel@Kifaru that illustrates the logic in their load carrying system.

I think it comes down to whether you're going to be carrying around a laptop a lot and need organization or not.

 

Yes got a molle belt with it with 2 belt pouches. Here is a picture of the back, sorry haven't got any of the belt.
I simply don't use it because of the carry, the shoulder straps are flimsy. Maybe Ihave overloaded with pouches. On the over side I use my GR2 all the time, it carries so much better.