My boys both had the same spring break from their respective colleges this year, so we planned a trip to see their grandparents in Riverton. And since we could finally go to Fremont County during the week, we were able to stop in at a few outdoor equipment businesses I’ve wanted to visit.
We started our safari at Kifaru, a company that builds packs, sleeping bags, tents and hunting clothes. They moved in to the building that used to house Big R in Riverton several years ago. I’ve seen their stuff online, but I hadn’t ever seen it in person. Their pack frames fit nicely, and the packs themselves seem to be durable enough to last a hundred hunting seasons. They also have plenty of choices for pack sizes, and they’re all interchangeable, so they’d be a great option for any hunt, from a day hunt to a multi-week excursion. And they’re all made right there in Riverton.
I went in to see their packs, but what really caught my eye was their sleeping bags. I need a new one, because my old Marmot is bulky and heavy. The Kifaru bags are much warmer than my Marmot, and they are about an eighth of the weight.
From there, we went to Maven over in Lander. I have binoculars, a rangefinder and a scope from Maven, but I wanted to see their new building. It was impressive. And it also allowed me to play with several more binos and scopes. They’re all clear, bright and solid. In my opinion, they’re right up there with the big names in optics, but they are a fraction of the price of other top-quality optics.
Next time I visit, I hope to be able to go to Lucid, the optics company in Riverton, and Brunton, where they make the best compasses on the planet. And hopefully I’ll have some disposable cash on the next trip.
