Does Your Kifaru Pack Rub Your Lower Back Raw?

Paleface

WKR
Joined
Jun 2, 2016
Messages
316
I can't be the only guy out here with this problem...
Over the summer, I got my first Kifaru pack -- the latest model of the 26" hunting platform. I go out and ruck quite a bit -- usually with a cargo panel and a 70# load. Overall, I'm very happy with the pack -- it was a big step up for me and it carries like a dream -- much better than anything I've used before. My only complaint is that after an hour or so, the black pad of the pack tends to rub my lower back till it's red and painful. I don't actually bleed, or blister, but it is uncomfortable (especially once I start sweating). I've watched a bunch of pack fit videos and made some adjustment tweaks that have helped but I know there is still room for improvement.

I start by tightening the waist belt and put almost all of the weight over my hip "points".
Next, I snug up my shoulder straps but I don't put much weight there -- I like to be able to freely raise my hands overhead.
I then lean forward and snug up the load lifters. (The tri-glides have been adjusted to lay over my clavicles.)
After that, I clip the sternum strap.
Finally, I snug up the D-Straps -- just enough to pull the slack out.
I also position the load in the cargo panel so that the bottom of the load is even with the top of the pack waist belt.
On my pants, I wear a thin belt and pull it down a bit so that it is not between the pack and my body.
I also don't tuck in my shirt but I do my best to smooth out all the wrinkles before cinching up the pack.

If any of you have any ideas that you think might help me, I'd sure be grateful for the input!
 
I have the newest gen frame as well. I have used it for road marches and the like with a typical gear load of around 60#s or so, while wearing full uniform and I have not had any issues with my back being raw. I think the difference between you and myself is I do not touch the delta straps. If I recall correctly they are only to be used for load stabilization under HEAVY loads. Also check where your load lifters are currently on the frame. If they are on the highest setting, providing the most lift, it is not an ideal position for rucking. It places the majority of the weight on your hips and allows the pack to move side to side much more than if the weight is distributed between your shoulders and waist. Now if you are hiking through the mountains and not necessarily rucking for time or training, then you would want the added lift. Just my thoughts and experience, hopefully you can get it squared away.

Mike
 
Save a lot of time and trouble and call the shop. Aron or Frank will be the most help and you're getting it straight from the source.

I ruck 3-5x weekly with weight varying from 30-100#. Been doing this for 2 yrs now and haven't ever had what you're describing.


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Are you using the Bikini frame?? I had a similar issue with my Bikini. Also make sure that the lower straps that hold the bag to the frame are no so tight that they pull the belt away from your waist.
 
What are you wearing for a shirt during your rucks? I've had issues using certain synthetic workout shirts giving me hot spots on my lower back due to the texture/knitting of the fabric. Now when I ruck, the only shirt that I will wear is my First Lite Merino T-shirt. Haven't had any issues since.
 
Are you sure you are not flat backed? I have to have flatback stays, bend my aluminums or use arrows. I also have the thinner lumbar pad foam which Kifaru will send you for free if you ask.
 
Thank you. You guys are fast!
mlawrence125 -- I will take your advice and loosen the Delta straps. I don't think that is the problem though, I barely even snug them up. I did watch the podcast where Aron advised transferring weight from the hips to the shoulders and not letting the load lifters sway the pack from side to side but my understanding was that was for running with the pack or preparing for Train To Hunt. I am just striding out 15 minute miles and the pack doesn't seem to move at all. Maybe that is my problem though -- even if the pack isn't shifting back and forth, I do have probably 90%+ on my hips -- there is almost no weight on my traps. And yes, my load lifters are at the highest setting. Next time I go out, I'll try it your way.
mrbillbrown -- If I can't figure this out myself, I'll call the boys at Kifaru. Just figured I'd do my due diligence first.
mmccolloch -- I usually wear a Microtex shirt or a cotton t-shirt. (All my merino is long sleeved and it's still pretty warm here in Texas.)
hflier -- I have thought that the thickness of the pad might be the issue. That being said, I have the composite stays so I don't think that they can be bent. I am pretty sure that my back curvature is normal. Before I ordered, I stood with my heels against a wall and I was barely able to slide my hand between my back and the wall.
 
I agree with mrbill. Call the shop and they'll be best able to work it out with you. I, like others here, have had no such issues with my Kifaru, so hopefully it'll be an easy fix.
 
My hunting duplex needed a few extra layers of foam from a old sleeping pad to make the lumbar pad fit my back better. It sags less for me with the extra foam. Play around with it.
 
had a similar problem with my T2, it would place the weight on the bottom of the lumbar on my lower lumbar region. i'm skinny and have a curved lumbar and a hunchback. i tweaked the aluminium stays and now it's a dream. it needed more curve in the lumbar and the shoulder regions to conform to my shape. as it was under load, the lumbar pad would only contact me along it's bottom edge just above my tail bone. with extra curve in the stays the whole lumbar pad pushes into my back on my belt line. the lumbar pad has something to sit against now so to speak.

alloy stays are heavier but they allow a truly custom fit and the comfort gained from that is more than worth the weight penalty.
 
Thank you. You guys are fast!
mlawrence125 -- I will take your advice and loosen the Delta straps. I don't think that is the problem though, I barely even snug them up. I did watch the podcast where Aron advised transferring weight from the hips to the shoulders and not letting the load lifters sway the pack from side to side but my understanding was that was for running with the pack or preparing for Train To Hunt. I am just striding out 15 minute miles and the pack doesn't seem to move at all. Maybe that is my problem though -- even if the pack isn't shifting back and forth, I do have probably 90%+ on my hips -- there is almost no weight on my traps. And yes, my load lifters are at the highest setting. Next time I go out, I'll try it your way.
mrbillbrown -- If I can't figure this out myself, I'll call the boys at Kifaru. Just figured I'd do my due diligence first.
mmccolloch -- I usually wear a Microtex shirt or a cotton t-shirt. (All my merino is long sleeved and it's still pretty warm here in Texas.)
hflier -- I have thought that the thickness of the pad might be the issue. That being said, I have the composite stays so I don't think that they can be bent. I am pretty sure that my back curvature is normal. Before I ordered, I stood with my heels against a wall and I was barely able to slide my hand between my back and the wall.

That sounds like semi flat to me. Normal composites stays will always cause you pain.


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mine does but its from shirt bunching up because my pack push my pants down so i am always have to jack them up then either shirt bunches up or its skin on lumbar pad!
i have no arse at all so my pants fall down all day unless tighten pant belt so tight it hurts or harder to move hips
 
I have had the exact same issue and called the shop last summer and talked with Aron. I also have the exact same setup as you with a 26" frame. It is the way you are carrying the load I did it the exact same, it worked great for me when I had 30-40#'s in the pack and I had no issues. When you start cranking up the weight into the 70#'s plus loads you need to take some of the weight on your shoulders which means no gaps between the shoulder straps and your body. With the gap in there that is what is allowing the load to swing from side to side and pivot on the lumbar pad causing the hot spot. so tighten up those shoulder pads and load up the shoulders some more and the swaying should stop.

Matt
 
Matt21418 -- Thank you ... I think that the way I was carrying the load was the bulk of my problem. I went out the other day and put a little more weight on my shoulders. I was also using a new, thinner, lumbar pad that Kifaru sent me. It was a huge improvement and between the two adjustments, almost all of the discomfort is gone. Thank you again to all of you for your help and suggestions.
 
I didn't read most of the responses but with mine I tried arrow stays, composite, and finally alum. to get mine perfect. I think I bent my Alum. ones 4 or 5 times to get them perfect.
 
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