Another Exo vs Kifaru thread...

[guitarpreston]

So I've got the exo bug pretty bad. Currently I have an ark frame, with a gnargali bag, lid, and a few pockets...My main complaint with the kifaru is width; it feels like I can hardly walk through a door when it's full. The weight carries great, but it just feels wide to me. If you have tried the k4 5000, how does it compare width wise to a gnargali, or bedlam?

The exo is a bit lighter, and I do like having access to the main compartment without having to go in from the top every time (although the bedlam would solve that as well).

 

[madcalfe]

im not gonna stop you from spending money but...
have you tried different ways of packing your bag?
i run a hoodlum on a duplex tactical frame and can get my bag packed fairly small width wise for sheep hunting granted it is higher up which i dont overly have a issue with.
these pics are from a 14 day sheep hunt. and my bag isn't any wider than the frame.


Also order the "compression kit" the extra straps from kifaru and use all the strap attachments going up the frame if you have unused ones on the Ark frame,

 

[guitarpreston]

There's a high probability it's all in my head...
Full disclosure I’ve got a giant synthetic bag in there to fill up some space for training so it’s stuffed pretty full.

 

[madcalfe]

looks like its compressed pretty tight. i do know i can get my kifaru compressed more on the sides than my stone glacier.

another easy trick is to put all your shit in 2- 20L dry bags, sleeping bag, sleep pad, clothing in one, then food in another one. and stack them on top vertically.

 

[guitarpreston]

looks like its compressed pretty tight. i do know i can get my kifaru compressed more on the sides than my stone glacier.

another easy trick is to put all your shit in 2- 20L dry bags, sleeping bag, sleep pad, clothing in one, then food in another one. and stack them on top vertically.

Already keep my whole sleep system in a dry bag at the bottom, and don't carry much as far as extra clothes besides a puffy and mid layer.

Its definitely not bad, I would 100% take it anywhere. Trying to figure out if the grass only looks greener, etc., or if there is a notable difference.

 

[TradLife406]

For me the EXO doesn't rub my hip bones raw.

This past year I had my exo pretty damn heavy a few times. It carried well.

I did miss the adjustable load lifters.

I like the layout of the S2H bag and I've used a ton of Kif bags.

I used Kif for about 10 years to add context.

Tried SG for a few months and wasn't for me or my style. Liked it but just wasn't my jam.

Kif is pretty damn solid. Packed out a ton of dead animals with one. But the compression strap salad is annoying.

The Exo load shelf is way better too.

That S2H bag though is a game changer for rifle hunting via glassing. Which is my main style of hunting.

 

[guitarpreston]

The more I dig into it and read, the more I am starting to lean towards the bedlam purely because I know the Ark works for me where theres a variable with the K4. If I didnt already have this pack it would be different.

The S2H bag looks sweet but giant and I try to stay out of late season cold for now.

 

[Lawnboi]

You don’t know what you don’t know. I happily used kifaru for years and still think they make a good pack.


Got an exo and didn’t realize what I’d been missing. Better thought out and more comfortable frame and features.

 

[TOLeary]

I Used the gnargali for a few years with a duplex frame. I liked the simplicity of the gnargali but could never get the duplex to fit me right. It feel like a giant frame, I’m 5’7, whereas you can get different sizes with the exo. The frame is a much better shape to fit your back, less play in the stays to belt connection, better shoulder strap adjustments other than not having adjustable load lifters. I modified my straps because of this, again short.. I would say 0 concerns about getting it to fit anyone. Not even compatible in comfort for me

For the bags, the gnargali is for sure wide because it’s cut square all the way down. All of EXOs bags have a taper to the bottom that keeps the bag from getting blocky and maintains the weight dispersion to the proper locations better (shit doesn’t pile up at the bottom unnecessarily). I Originally was going to modify the gnargali bag and when I go the EXO bag it had what I wanted plus more than what I would’ve ever thought of. I now have a 3600 and Teratorn. The Teratorn is big but the gnargali feels much bigger because of the blockiness and not being able to secure it to the frame as tight. You could hike around with a completely empty Teratorn and not worry about it slopping around and having straps everywhere. I really can’t overstate how big of an upgrade the Exo is atleast for me

 

[Hoghead]

I have had duplex hunter duplex light tactal and ark frames. I like the tactal and ark the best.
Tried a k4 didn't like the load lifter setup as much. I liked it more than the duplex light but hands down the ark fits me the best. I like to try new stuff so I put a k3 4800 bag on my ark. I like the side pockets and the rest of the bag too. If you know you like the ark you might try a k3 bag. As far as I can tell they are very close to the k4 bags.

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[fatlander]

I liked my kiffy duplex light until I did a 7 mile 120 pound pack out with it. Found out that it just wasn’t right for me. Tried a stone, and it was great until I passed 70 pounds. Got an exo k4 and that’s handled heavy (100+ pound loads) the best for me while still maintaining dexterity. I had a kiffy tactical for a bit. That was without a double the most comfortable under heavy load but it felt like you were moving around with a sheet of plywood most of the time you were wearing it.


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[bcv]

Here I am, just some dude with no dog in the fight, gets zero respect from being a member since 2014 and lil rockwhatever, I've bought and sold both... Kifaru for the win.