Hey guys. We will have the official K4 Size Selection information posted on our website before we begin taking K4 orders (or Rokslide pre-orders) online, but I wanted to give you guys a preview of this size selection information.
We will have a quick and concise version, but I am giving you guys a lot of detail here...
HIPBELT SIZE SELECTION
For the K4 Frame & Pack Systems, we offer 5 hipbelt sizes — Extra-Small (XS), Small (SM), Medium (MD), Large (LG), and Extra-Large (XL).
We no longer use “pants size” at all in our size selection chart. We have just found too much variance with what size pants a guy wears, compared to how they may be built above that waistline.
To determine your K4 hipbelt size, find the Iliac Crest — which is the highest point of your hip’s bone structure. This will be above where you wear your pants, and is slightly below the navel. Measure directly over your skin and pull the tape/string snug enough to begin to compress any excess tissue.
DO NOT “ROUND UP” on your Iliac Crest measurement at all. Our size guidelines account for having plenty of room for clothing layers and other factors. For example, as you can see above, I measure right at 33.5-33.75”, but still wear a Small hipbelt. I do not “round up” to 34” and wear a Medium.
FRAME HEIGHT SELECTION
The K4 Frame is available with 4 different frame height options — 22”, 23.5”, 25”, and 26.5”. Selecting a frame height will be determined primarily by your height and torso length, but can also be influenced by your overall body shape, as well as how and where you intend to use your K4 Frame.
Beginning with your height, look at the chart below. In most instances, you will find 2 frame height options listed for your height. Because all of our frames have 6” of torso adjustment on the frame, both frame height options listed for your height will fit you. And even if we used an exact torso measurement (which most people get wrong), you will still have two frames that could adjust to fit that torso measurement.
It isn’t that one of the listed frame heights “will fit” and the other “won’t fit” — instead, either frame height option can fit you, but each will offer slightly different benefits for your build, or for your intended application.
As mentioned above, either of the two frame height options listed for your height will fit you. Choosing between the two becomes a matter of preference or nuance for your body shape and/or intended use…
Consider the SHORTER option if…
- BODY SHAPE — You are pretty average, and/or are lean and athletic is your overall physique. You are not overly “big and broad” through the upper body, and/or…
- LEGS & TORSO — You have longer legs (and therefore a shorter torso) than average for your height, and/or
- HUNTING AREA — You hunt a lot of thick cover and want to prioritize mobility and head-clearance for ducking under cover, and/or..
- HUNTING STYLE — You mostly day hunt (from the truck, trailhead, or a backcountry basecamp) and do not commonly carry multiple days worth of food and gear on your back while hunting.
Consider the TALLER option if…
- BODY SHAPE — You are big and “barrel chested” in your upper body, or are really “thick” (more than just moderately overweight) throughout the midsection and upper body, and/or…
- LEGS & TORSO — You have shorter legs (and therefore a longer torso) than average for your height, and/or…
- HUNTING AREA — You hunt more open country and want to prioritize every bit of load-hauling performance, even if that comes at a slight reduction of head clearance from the additional frame height, and/or…
- HUNTING STYLE — You commonly backpack hunt, carrying multiple days worth of food and gear (35lbs+) on your back while hunting.
The percentages listed next to the frame height options is just a guide for how many people of a given stature would choose between the frame height options listed. For example, roughly 80% of guys who are 5’ 10” tall would be best in the 25” frame height. The other 20% of guys may choose the 26.5” frame — either because they are very big and broad-chested in their build — or, for example, they are prioritizing heavy load performance because they will be carrying a 60lb pack for the entire duration of a 10-Day sheep hunt in Alaska.
Our final Size Selection page on the website will have a video that walks through everything, including how to take measurements. We will also have images showing how the different frame height options fit on the same person, as an example of what you can expect to see/feel between two options for your build.
This is just an early preview for you guys. Tag me in a reply if you have any questions.