Built for the Stage: The Kifaru Citadel

True to form, Kifaru has once again masterfully engineered a pack system tailored specifically for the end user with the Citadel. Taking a lateral step outside the lane of backcountry hunting, the Kifaru Citadel is purpose built for precision rifle matches like PRS and NRL Hunter. With one look at it, you’ll see all the markings of Kifaru’s bomb proof style, with none of the aesthetics that screams “heavy packouts in the backcountry”. Instead, the ergonomics of this system are of a different breed - intended for organization, easy access, speed, and stability, all critical when you’re on the clock and deploying gear fast at a shooting stage. Specific discipline aside, the Citadel still utilizes Kifaru’s 22 inch ARK Frame

I saw an early prototype in testing at the first NRL Hunter match of 2025 in January, and was instantly intrigued by the layout and structure of the pack. A few months later, I have one of my own and can’t seem to find a shortcoming in the design. Granted, I’ve only used the Citadel in one NRL Hunter match, a few trips to the range, and on a long day of hustling from one plane to the next. But every time I use it, I find another detail that works and is well thought out.

This Boy Sits Upright

This might seem small, but I can’t express how nice it is to have this pack sit stable and upright when you put it on the ground. While upright, it makes accessing the lid for pens or other small gear - or the galley pocket - that much more convenient. In the brief break between stages, I loved how efficiently I could reset my dope card, reload mags, and take a bite of jerky so I stayed in the game. Another hidden win? Using the pack itself as a rear rest while it’s upright. I did this on one stage and used my Armageddon Game Changer bag on top to give me some rear height adjustment.

Deploy Essentials, NOW!

I ran my tripod in one channel pocket and used the top compression strap to secure my shooting bag to the pack. This system made deploying my tripod and bag as fast as possible - just one strap to unbuckle and the bag dropped free, tripod ready to grab. When using other bags in past matches, quickly deploying my bag and tripod without getting caught up was a struggle, costing me valuable seconds and composure.

Dedicated Table Top Lid (work area)

The supported drawbridge-style lid was another game-changer feature that kept me organized and my stuff from getting lost in the dirt. Between stages, I loved opening the lid and having a safe place to set a few things down while I regrouped. It was a great place for mags, ammo, sunglasses, lens cloths, pens, Zins, and snacks. When our lunch came around, my squad was jealous that I had a table for my sandwich and chips keeping it from getting covered in moondust.

In just a couple short weeks I have my next match and will be putting the Citadel to work once again - slamming it down to deploy gear, dragging it through dirt and rock, and trusting it through the chaos of each stage. With every stage I have grown more confident in this bag and look for it to continue being a tool that helps me shoot better instead of a pack that I am just making do with.

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