Disappointment and Frustration

[rayporter]

and then it was all downhill

 

[colonel00]

sounds crazy maybe, but your back is arched more than the average guy's. You might try to have Aaron retrofit a double thick lumbar pad to balance out the space between your lumbar and your spine. With your anatomy there seems to be more space than average between your thoracic spine (arc) and your lumber. If that's the true case, your shoulder straps and your lumber waist belt are competing against one another, and the result might be that when your shoulder straps are tightened you still can't get a good tight fit with your waist belt...so the packs slips down to your arse crack.

My "design" mind wants to suggest that you need a double thick lumbar pad to close the gap, which might help your comfort and fit. I don't think it's the Kifaru design at all. But that's just brainstorming on this one...

Larry

Larry,

I assume you are talking about me and I have to agree that my back is a bit odd and your comments seem spot on. Essentially a "typical" frame pack seems to pivot on that point in my back and the the shoulder straps do compete with the belt. I also agree that it most definitely isn't a design flaw and I may look at possibly doing a more extreme bend in the stays on my Duplex to alleviate the pivot.

As a general update, I did finally get in touch with Joe after returning from Alaska last week and I should be getting a fix for my sternum strap and a large belt to try out. Unfortunately I leave out again in less than two weeks so time is a bit limited. Anyone have any suggestions on a good way to get more of a bend in the stays in a nice, uniform manner?

I am still a bit surprised at the number of people that are reporting that the power pulls don't work as they should (or at least as I understand they should).

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

It is fairly difficult to get bends on metal be exact same unless you have the proper equipment I'd see if there's a local welding shop or metal shop that might be willing to help you out. That being said your body is not perfectly symmetrical so if your stays are slightly different it's probably not going to matter that much and may even help.

 

[Brandon Pattison]

Luke, too much weight on the shoulders. I have slip on my hips if the shoulder straps are loose.
Nik, maybe more discipline is needed in putting the pack on. It is hard to tell when solo. The straps are basically as short as possible.
Larry, the fur is coming off soon. lol

 

[ohhiitznik]

Man.... That's really odd. I didn't think your torso is that short. You've got to be compensating or something because of the slip. I'd try riding the pack above your belly button. I'm lucky, with my ass I can wear mine low or high and not have slippage. I prefer high because the loads ride better.

 

[Brandon Pattison]

Man.... That's really odd. I didn't think your torso is that short. You've got to be compensating or something because of the slip. I'd try riding the pack above your belly button. I'm lucky, with my ass I can wear mine low or high and not have slippage. I prefer high because the loads ride better.

Probably unlikely but I wonder if it was made screwed up. It is impossible to get the belt that high. I tighten the straps down to where I can barely breathe and the belt is centered on my hips. Then I crank the lifters and it rides okay for 200 yards. Then hip flexers start killing me.

Next issue: the load is off-centered to my left a good 2". The frame pockets seem to be sewn in off-center. When I tighten the belt, and center the buckle, it feels all twisted. I assumed the load was uneven so I unpacked and repacked. Same results. The frame seems to trapezoid easily but it is likely designed for some movement.

As you can see by comparrison something ain't right.

 

[Brandon Pattison]

I must say with 50# of salt it was very comfy. I was going to hike with one bag but I felt like it was a waste of time with no effort. Compensating? Yeah, I know it is small.

 

[ohhiitznik]

You're just bad built Brandon. Hahah

 

[Brandon Pattison]

Not the answer I was looking for.

 

[MuleyFever]

Next issue: the load is off-centered to my left a good 2". The frame pockets seem to be sewn in off-center. When I tighten the belt, and center the buckle, it feels all twisted. I assumed the load was uneven so I unpacked and repacked. Same results. The frame seems to trapezoid easily but it is likely designed for some movement.

As you can see by comparrison something ain't right.

I have the same issues. My one complaint with the pack. Your belt just ends to be moved over a bit. Undo the lumbar pad and center the belt.

 

[Brandon Pattison]

I have the same issues. My one complaint with the pack. Your belt just ends to be moved over a bit. Undo the lumbar pad and center the belt.

Negative. They only can go in one spot, the slots made for them.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Negative. They only can go in one spot, the slots made for them.

Can you pull the belt off and measure from each end to the stitching where the pocket is made to slide over your duplex and see if it's the belt off or the lumbar positioning off?

 

[MuleyFever]

Negative. They only can go in one spot, the slots made for them.

Yeah your right. Mine looked just like yours when I got it. I undid the lumbar and adjusted it to make it look even though. I forgot the frame goes into the belt I just remembered fixing it.

 

[ohhiitznik]

All I can say is wear it higher. It'll squeeze but you can breathe. Your diaphragm is up further than wearing that belt over your belly button. That, or sell the kifaru and try some of the other packs and see if they do it for you mo betta

 

[Brandon Pattison]

I had the belt so tight I have bruises on my hips and it hurt to take a piss (in my guts) while wearing it. Remember the issues I had with the last pack when we had to keep stopping on the trail? I think I finally said f*** it and just hammered on. That was a flat back duplex. This is a regular back bikini. Hands are up in the air??? I hope someone at Kifaru can see what the problem is. I am not concerned with hunting load, I am concerned with adding meat to the load and feeling miserable, like I was today. It was all I could do to log a 1.5 mile, flat hike. At this point I have no intentions on looking elsewhere. I really love the EMR II and the weight of the Bikini. Nik, I think the belt is in the correct spot.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

If it's hurting you that bad stop tightening, something else needs fixed.

 

[Brandon Pattison]

Pad signature. I think I need a Duplex. This frame is made for less than 100#.

 

[jmez]

100# will hurt the hip flexors no matter the pack. Every time I start doing weighted hikes the hip flexors talk to me. The heavier the load, the more they hurt. Takes a while to get them in shape when carrying weight. It is the one muscle that I have yet to figure out how to work other than packing a load. Not sure about your fit issues but I wouldn't put much stock in them hurting as part of the problem.

 

[tipsntails7]

I don't think the duplex is gonna make a difference, I would imagine if you get slip with the bikini you will get slip with the duplex. I put 175 pounds in my nomad ( for shits and giggles) just to see If I could make it slip. It didn't, so doubt weight is the problem. I would say either find in person someone who bends stays professionally or you may have to find another pack company to try.

 

[wapitibob]

I'm 6'3 and after talking to kifaru yesterday I shortened my shoulder straps by "inches" and they're now within a 1/2" of where yours are in that picture. Top of my hip bone is just under center of the belt pads and the top of the buckle is at the btm of my navel.