Best Frames for the far ends of the sizing spectrum

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Jul 2, 2025
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Brand new poster here, and long time forum creeper, but I'm in the market to sell and buy some new stuff and wanted to get community feedback before I make another blind purchase.

I'm 6' 6" and currently using a Kifaru Duplex Lite 26", and my wife is 5' 3" and petite, and was using a DL 24" until she deemed it too heavy even when unloaded. Granted, she's not a hunter, so I guess she doesn't need a pack that robust, but I am pushing if not exceeding the height for the 26". The load lifter straps are barely at an angle when loaded down.

So, once I am able to post her frame for sale that'll come, but I'm curious if the EXO K4 would be any better for myself? I previously owned a Seek Outside Revo frame, and with the 4" extensions, it was great. 2" extensions were ok with light loads. My problem with it was that I didn't particularly care for the way the pack attached to the frame. That could have been user error but I tried a number of things to make it more secure and less floppy, but was never successful.

Anyone else out there have suggestions on setups/brands?

Appreciate any input!
 
Kifaru used to make 28" Tacticals if you put in a custom order. Obviously you can forget about that these days, but you might be able to track one down second-hand.

The Hill People Gear Qui-Ya v2, Qui-Ya Light and Decker Tall have 28.5" frames and arguably the best suspension in the game. Their yoke harness is incredible and I run it on all my packs these days. If I can't mod a pack to take it, I sell it right away, that's how good it is.

I've modified an Eberlestock Mainframe with 30" stays and get a perfect 45 degree load lifter angle on it, as opposed to the useless stock angle. The pack itself still sucks and I would never recommend it to anyone, but it just goes to show you can get quite a bit done if you're willing to grab an x-acto knife and modify your frame. It might not look pretty with stays sticking out of your pack, but it gets the job done.
 
So, once I am able to post her frame for sale that'll come, but I'm curious if the EXO K4 would be any better for myself? I previously owned a Seek Outside Revo frame, and with the 4" extensions, it was great.
.... My problem with it was that I didn't particularly care for the way the pack attached to the frame. That could have been user error but I tried a number of things to make it more secure and less floppy, but was never successful.

Exo has a women's K4 https://www.rokslide.com/exo-mountain-gear-k4-exs-pack-system/

I also use the 4" frame from Seek Outside. I question how you had the bag attached if it was floppy. They also make an internal frame. I haven't found anything more comfortable yet from Kifaru, Stone Glacier, or Exo.
 
It was a Brooks pack on the and I admittedly did not look closely at how it was attached when it came out of the box. I can’t say that it was uncomfortable at all. Just seemed less stable. Like I said, very likely user error.

I called Exo about their K4 for women and they told me the smallest waist the belt will accommodate is a 27” I think. She’s sitting at 25”.

I’ll have to try the Seek Revolution again I think. It would be great to be able to drive to Colorado and go to the shop, but I have to save some money because that’s gonna to be a fun/expensive trip.
 
I really like the Initial Ascent frame. They also make a shorter model for smaller framed people.



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I dunno about short. I'm 6'3 shrunk a little from 6'4" with a fairly long torso.

I ran a custom Mchale for many years just for that reason, the packs viable 20 years ago didn't fit well.

When I wore the McHale out, I went to the long Exo, fits like a dream.

I would call the different pack outfits like EXO, SG, Kifaru with your back measurements and discuss.
 
I dunno about short. I'm 6'3 shrunk a little from 6'4" with a fairly long torso.

I ran a custom Mchale for many years just for that reason, the packs viable 20 years ago didn't fit well.

When I wore the McHale out, I went to the long Exo, fits like a dream.

I would call the different pack outfits like EXO, SG, Kifaru with your back measurements and discuss.

If he's not getting any load lift on a 26" Duplex frame, it'll be even worse on a 25" Ark. Kifaru don't offer anything taller than that.
 
Brand new poster here, and long time forum creeper, but I'm in the market to sell and buy some new stuff and wanted to get community feedback before I make another blind purchase.

I'm 6' 6" and currently using a Kifaru Duplex Lite 26", and my wife is 5' 3" and petite, and was using a DL 24" until she deemed it too heavy even when unloaded. Granted, she's not a hunter, so I guess she doesn't need a pack that robust, but I am pushing if not exceeding the height for the 26". The load lifter straps are barely at an angle when loaded down.

So, once I am able to post her frame for sale that'll come, but I'm curious if the EXO K4 would be any better for myself? I previously owned a Seek Outside Revo frame, and with the 4" extensions, it was great. 2" extensions were ok with light loads. My problem with it was that I didn't particularly care for the way the pack attached to the frame. That could have been user error but I tried a number of things to make it more secure and less floppy, but was never successful.

Anyone else out there have suggestions on setups/brands?

Appreciate any input!
Exo K4 is great. I'm 6'6" and it has worked for me. I'm definitely more used to dealing with stuff because of my height, but for what its worth it is a great pack.
 
If he's not getting any load lift on a 26" Duplex frame, it'll be even worse on a 25" Ark. Kifaru don't offer anything taller than that.
I was thinking the same thing. Shorter isn’t better unless the way the frame and belt attach are significantly changed from the duplex lite frame. I’ll have to look into the Exo a bit more then.

I dont mind just ordering them and returning, but I live in Hawaii and shipping isn’t cheap.
 
I was thinking the same thing. Shorter isn’t better unless the way the frame and belt attach are significantly changed from the duplex lite frame. I’ll have to look into the Exo a bit more then.

I dont mind just ordering them and returning, but I live in Hawaii and shipping isn’t cheap.

Shorter is never better with heavy loads, you want your load lifters to work so they can transfer the weight off your shoulders and into your pelvis - and they work optimally at a 45-degree angle.
 
Shorter is never better with heavy loads, you want your load lifters to work so they can transfer the weight off your shoulders and into your pelvis - and they work optimally at a 45-degree angle.
Yeah that was my first tip off. I’ll try to find a picture for an example, but I think my are close to 25 degrees or around there.
 
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