Exo vs Kifaru frame question/advice

[KSBackCountryHunter]

Hey! Anyone by chance have the opportunity to compare frames between the Exo and Kifaru? Looking for which has better breathability (does the pack on one vs the other sit off the back more) and comfort (padding, etc). Unfortunately not really able to try either on. Thanks in advance!

 

[Rob5589]

Can you swing buying both, then return the one that doesn't work for you? What works for some people may not work for you.

 

[WJS23]

I would go with the new kifaru frame it’s got a bunch more air flow over the older version

 

[Cody McGonigal]

Another vote for the new Kifaru, I have the duplex and it's great. But additional airflow would be nice.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

To really know for yourself you need to try both. I did this and overall the Exo fit me much better and has zero barreling. I still love the new Kifaru Duplex lite frame.

 

[camelcluch]

I have a Kifaru and just got an Exo. I will say that you can’t go wrong with both. I don’t think one breathes better than the other. The Exo’s lumbar pad is a bit thicker but not any more comfortable than the Kifaru. I have no butt and the Exo seems to grab my back a bit more. The Kifaru is built a little more heavy duty but again, you can’t go wrong here. If you are close to the Co boarder I would meet you somewhere to try both. Good luck.

 

[JNDEER]

They are very different packs, IMO. Fit and feel is not similar. I don't have the new kifaru frame. But have the original exo, the K2, orginal duplex frame and hunter frame.

Hunter barreled and hurt my lower back (sold)
duplex frame if not packed well i got lower back pain with the adjustment strap metal tabs. (new frame fixes this)
oringal exo with super heavy loads twists with you a lot. its ok, just know if you got a heavy load and are hiking over dead falls it will twist on you
k2 is more stout and doesn't twist.

i don't see any pack giving you a good breathability back. If you are hiking and sweating there won't be enough air flow to dry off your back. They all get hot and my back shirt is always soaked (wool).

 

[camelcluch]

I have had no issues with barreling on my Kifaru. I may be a little lucky and have a very plain body structure too. So far both packs fit me very well. If I had to have just one, I think I would lean towards the Kifaru but really like the Exo so far.

 

[meatpacker]

Don't mean to hijack the thread... I couldn't find any info on this one!
Does anyone know if the EXO k2000 bag will fit up to the Kifaru lite frame? I can see the larger EXO bags will...

 

[couesbitten]

Does anyone know if the EXO k2000 bag will fit up to the Kifaru lite frame?

It should, I believe that all of their bags attach the same way.

 

[twall13]

Don't mean to hijack the thread... I couldn't find any info on this one!
Does anyone know if the EXO k2000 bag will fit up to the Kifaru lite frame? I can see the larger EXO bags will...

I don't have the new Kifaru Lite frame but I do attach an Exo 2000 and 5500 to my Kifaru Hunter frame with no problem. As mentioned above, both bags attach the same way so if you can attach one you can attach the other. It wouldn't take much to do, a couple of Kifaru compression straps and rig up a way to connect the bottom straps of the bag to the frame and you'd be set. If you want to run an Exo lid as well you'd need an extra set of lid straps from Exo but otherwise it should work fine.

 

[tdhanses]

Don't mean to hijack the thread... I couldn't find any info on this one!
Does anyone know if the EXO k2000 bag will fit up to the Kifaru lite frame? I can see the larger EXO bags will...

I don’t have the new ultralight but have the duplex hunter with carbon stays, the EXO 2k fits like it was made for it. You’ll want to switch out the buckles though to ITW Nexus on the EXO.

 

[meatpacker]

Good feedback Guys... Many thanks