Summer’s getting into full swing, which means outdoorsmen and women around the country are spending plenty of time enjoying it. I tend to venture to both rivers and trails throughout the course of any given week, and I’m carrying my SIG SAUER P365X through all of it. However, finding a carrying system that goes from teaming with my fishing pack to being comfortable for short hikes to layering under a backpack system has been a challenge. That’s why I was pleased to see Kifaru’s Steelhead Chest Rig come onto my radar.
The Riverton, Wyoming, company is best known for their hunting packs and frames. They’re a “doer’s” brand; crafting quality bags right here in the USA without frills or fancy colorways. Their bags are meant to go out and get dirty, and they’re bags I’ve come, admittedly, to like.
Kifaru Steelhead Chest Rig Features
The Kifaru Steelhead, (MSRP: $250), is designed to be comfortable for long treks over varied terrain while still allowing quick access to important items without taking off the pack. The spacious chest rig has three separate work zones.
It’s a design I really like, as I can tuck essentials such as keys, phone, and wallet into the main compartment, where a gusseted zippered mesh pocket and reinforced internal dividers keep gear secure. I store a few flies, forceps, and tippet in the front panel, where two reinforced stretch pockets with dummy cord tabs, a tapered center sleeve for those forceps, and internal routing for retractors keep things right.
Concealed-Carry Compartment
Closest to the body, behind the other storage, lies a concealed Quick Draw compartment, big enough to comfortably hold most pistols and accessible from either side. Lined with Velcro and outfitted with paracord loops (the brand sells Velcro pistol and mag holders which attach securely), this pocket securely holds my SIG and a few mags without feeling obtrusive.
Not carrying? It can double as a compact workstation as well. The pocket keeps my CCW hidden, which is great when I’m on busy trails or boat ramps, while still ensuring I’m seconds away from having my daily carry in my hands.
Kifaru Mesa Harness
The Steelhead comes with a mesh-back harness which is comfortable for daily use, even in hot weather. I went ahead and tried out Kifaru’s newest harness, the Kifaru Mesa, with the Steelhead on hot summer hikes. The Mesa has a minimalist, contoured shape that fits me, as a woman, surprisingly well, and doesn’t feel bulky.
The low-profile silhouette lays comfortably under a bigger pack system, and quick-detach buckles make adjustments easy while also providing a stable base. I’ll likely be pairing this harness with some of my bino chest pack systems come hunting season; it’s that comfortable.
The Kifaru Hydro Harness for Anglers
If you’re off on summer adventures and only want to carry one pack / harness, Kifaru also makes a Hydro Harness which integrates seamlessly with the Steelhead. The Hydro accommodates most 3-liter water bladders with ease, and still leaves a bit of storage room. I’ve found that if I’m carrying a heavier load in the chest rig, using this harness with a water bladder helps counteract the weight of the chest rig, providing an even, balanced carry for a long day with only one sleek pack.
The Steelhead has been a great solution for hot days when I’m wading deep and don’t want to worry about carrying a full backpack or even a sling. It readily holds the basics for a day of fly-fishing for trout in my home turf of Montana, and keeps things easily accessible without having to wade out of the river, sling out of a pack, and dig through said pack to find one roll of tippet or that little hockey puck box of hoppers.
It's also become my go-to for quick conditioning hikes, longer backpacking trips, hunting, and general outdoor adventures. The chest rig and harness design is just that comfortable. It’s easy to wear under larger packs but rests nicely on its own, staying in place through switchback trails and rough terrain. And, since it’s made with care just down the road in Wyoming, I know it’s going to last for many years to come.
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