Adjustable Duplex Frames

[mfllood3800]

I , like many, am on the edge, size wise of the 24"-26" frame height. I may be over analyzing or thinking this, but I was hoping to be at the 24" frame size, more for maneuverability than anything else on day hunts in the timber. If you hunt Utah mountains you know the issues with blown timber. I wonder what the engineering, strength, stiffness, and cost efficiencies would be involved with just making the frame in a 22-24" and a 24-26" options allowing those on the edge the option of carrying in 24" carrying out 26". I guess the length of the stays would be another consideration to tackle in this idea. But like the frame having an internal slide tube, the stays could as well, and the pack itself could just be Velcro adjustable. I have yet to see the duplex in person, just kind of thinking out loud.
I am thinking mostly for day hunt guys, If I was doing the extended stay situation, I would have no issue just going to the 26".
But until I get my own to see if that extra 2" even matters (just going off others complaints here on the forums) I am simply making assumptions. But I did hunt this year with a Eberlestock, and it too gut hung up on trees I went under, especially hiking in the early hours of dark mornings to get set up. And this pack is really low on my back. So I tend to agree with the ones stating this extra 2" could be an issue.
I'm not expecting pack companies to meet every bodies needs, as there are more every bodies than profitable production choices keeping inventory and engineering harnessed to efficient profits.

 

[DaveS]

I have a 22" Hunting Duplex and I'm currently testing a removable extender I made that adds 4 inches to the frame making it 26". So far it working pretty well. I've hunted the past 5 years or so with a 26" Bikini and have had issues getting hung up on trees and branches. The 22" frame sits right at shoulder level or slightly below so it shouldn't get hung up. My plan is to hunt with the 22" frame and when I need to haul a heavy load add the extender. The extender is made out of webbing, buckles and carbon arrows.

 

[mfllood3800]

Yes that is what I am wanting........... going in low, coming out high
Do you utilize varying stays of some sort or just use the same for both heights?

 

[mrbillbrown]

I don't mean any disrespect but I think you're overthinking it.

Buy the frame you're gonna use 90% of the time. If you need a shorter frame for 90% of the time then don't buy the tall one. If you need to haul heavy loads then the taller version is probably more appropriate.

I train with my pack year round from 30-100# thus I want the 26". If I weren't doing heavy training or using it so often with big loads I would opt for the shorter frame and "suffer" thru the occasional heavy load out. Hope that makes sense.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hammer0419]

I have used a 26" frame for years. Long outings, to day outings. Not in wide open country either

 

[wyelkhunter]

yeah, I hunt elk in thick timber, dead fall, steep country. Have not once had a problem with the 26" frame hanging up. Things like this that are adjustable tend to be not as durable or a hassle.

 

[DaveS]

Yes that is what I am wanting........... going in low, coming out high
Do you utilize varying stays of some sort or just use the same for both heights?

I don't change the stays in the 22" frame. I simply attach an extender to the top of the 22" inch frame that uses 8" carbon arrow stays. The extender sticks 4" above the top of the 22" frame making it 26" tall.

 

[hammer0419]

If you want adjustable, buy a paradox frame

 

[mfllood3800]

I want a Kifaru, Just believed everything I read on the internet
lol

I will see how "tall" my 26" feels and rides next spring in our mountains.
I hade made my mind up my next pack would be a Kifaru. I just got caught in between sizes sort of and wasn't sure which size to use, and then read the posts about issues with the 26" getting hung up, resale value of the 22 and 24, not needing the 26 to pack out short distances, from one end of the spectrum to the other.
At the end of the day I knew I wanted a Kifaru, I wanted to haul a load, it had to be the 26". I can adjust to any trade offs the 26 might cause in the timber, if any at all. But I couldn't adjust to any more discomfort hauling a pack for miles and miles. I was just wanting the back pack fairy to come sprinkle the perfect combination for what I wanted.
Actually I think they did in the Kifaru, I just haven't got to see it first hand yet, but in 2 weeks I will.

I haven't ordered any bags yet, will see what comes up in 2017 and what others say and what I feel I need. Hopefully the bag fairy comes around and waves its baton on my new bag.

 

[Felix40]

Yep 26" is the way to go. I'm 5'9" and never have a problem with the tall frame. When you put an animal on that thing it's the greatest feeling in the world.

 

[couesbitten]

No disrespect to anyone, but I don't know what people are talking about when they voice concerns about their pack frame getting hung up in brush. I'm 5"-10' and use a 26" bikini. I've spent plenty of time in some ugly brushy areas (slide alder, vine maple, etc.) and have never had my pack frame get hung up on anything. IMO, everyone is over thinking this.

 

[mfllood3800]

Yes I agree which is why I went with the 26". I figured the issues "some" were complaining about, might just be their issue. No one is disrespected, and we certainly appreciate every ones input.
When investing in a $600 set up, every one wants all the info and at the end of the day, we will make our choice based on convictions and wallet size.

There is no doubt some guys get hung up, I got hung up with my X2 and it sits below my neck.
But the Kifaru was the only choice for me and the 26" made the most sense.