Finally Buying a Good Pack

[Shane Gunnin]

I’m finally going to spend the money and goin to order at least the Kifaru Hunting Frame tomorrow. I’ve used an old ALICE pack for years and I hate that thing and figured it’s time to get into the big league and can’t think of a better company than Kifaru. I’m goin to order the muskeg 2800 when I can out together the cash for it. I’ve looked at all the other companies like Stone Glacier and Exo, but settled on Kifaru because it’s built to order for you, I know my seasons goin to be done by the time I get it but I can break it in later on during late bear season. Does anyone have any idea on the lead time on the frames or pack right now? And yes this is my first post so Hi everyone and thanks for any feedback or advice

 

[bsnedeker]

Once you get over the pain in your wallet you will not regret your choice!

Give the folks at the Kifaru office a call, they are a great bunch of people from the top down and will answer all of your questions without hesitation or BS. The wait is pretty consistent 2-4 weeks for pretty much everything, but the folks at the office can give you a better estimate.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

If you want it for this year, you might try the classifieds here. I've had pretty good luck and most Roksliders seem to take great care of their gear.

 

[Shane Gunnin]

Yea I’ve talked to frank and he’s pretty much answered all my questions I have. Awesome service. It was between them and Blacks Creek and I have nothing but good things to say about the customer service but I’m going with the what I consider the best guys around.

 

[Shane Gunnin]

Gunners I don’t need it by this season I won’t get to hunt much because of work this year if I can I’ll go out around December for a couple days I’ll be happy but I’m in no rush. Thanks for letting me know

 

[WV Mountaineer]

You picked well.



My only advice is as follows. Watch the fitting video on the hunter frame. There are a lot of kifaru owners that try to adjust the hunter frame like the first gen duplex without the moving tri glides on the shoulder harness. Don't be afraid to fool with the fitting process to get it perfect. Wear the pack correctly. Meaning buckle it over the belly button. When that happens, the shoulder harness should contact your whole shoulder area if the torso length is right. And enjoy it. God Bless

 

[Shane Gunnin]

Thanks VW yea I’m watched the video about 3 times already. I just spoke to someone down there that answered my questions and as figured excellent customer service.

 

[rbljack]

Im in the same boat...just bought a used Kifaru Duplex frame and reckoning off someone on here. Waiting on the shipment and really looking forward to it. Time to try the Koolaid! LOL.

 

[Shane Gunnin]

Yep goin to order mine today with the cargo net so I got at least something Incase I gotta do some meat hauling

 

[twall13]

I still have an old ALICE pack I used for several years. It's not even fair to compare the Kifaru frame to it they are so far apart in comfort. Especially where the ALICE pack doesn't have any torso adjustment to speak of, that thing killed my shoulders with anything over 35 lbs. in it. Major upgrade for you, get it fitted right and you'll be happy. Smart move to get the frame to start with, you can always throw a drybag or something on it and make it work for now until you can get the bag you want.

 

[boom]

they are built to order? completely?

 

[twall13]

I took the "built to order" comment to mean they request your measurements at the time of the order and adjust the pack to be a very close match for you out of the factory. Starts you off at a better fit point than just grabbing one off the shelf and shipping it out.

 

[Shane Gunnin]

Well I have since changed my mind I just can’t find a bag after going through everything on Kifarus website that I like. I was goin to go
With the muskeg but I just found I don’t really need it. I’m more leaning to SG or Blacks creek now

 

[twall13]

I hear you on the bag. I put exo bags on my Kifaru frame and really like that setup.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[Shane Gunnin]

Does anyone have experience with Blacks Creek?

 

[twall13]

No experience personally, but here is an older thread with a few guys chiming in who have used them.

 

[Shane Gunnin]

Just orderd a frame, and a couple other accessories and couldn’t be happier with the customer service. Sandy hooked me up with some discounts and a free hat as well. I would recommend just giving call to them awesome people

 

[RAPTOR]

Stone Glacier packs have been outstanding for me. Customer service is fantastic...you cannot go wrong.

 

[Springer]

I have a mystery ranch that I like but have always wanted to tru a kifaru. Are they that much of a step up coming from something else that's already pretty good?

 

[WV Mountaineer]

It's personal preference. Here is my opinion on packs.

I'm of the belief that all packs will fit most people well if the person wearing them knows how to adjust them. Assuming they are within normal height ranges. Over the last couple of years, I've heard guys complain about a pack not holding, it just didn't fit my body type etc..... I'm just wagering a guess that 99% of those people didn't have the pack adjusted correctly to fit. Look at the average pic here. Belts buckled well below the illiac crest, a good bit with huge gaps on the back of their shoulder straps. Both are caused by a torso adjusted to long. Its hard on your lower back and ensures the lumbar pad will slip under heavier weights. Further proof is found with pics of pack users wearing today's "tech" clothing. Every pants I know if are mid drift cut. Way lower then the belly button. Yet 99.9% of the people wearing them with their pack on, has their waist belt buckled over top of the pants button or belt. Which is well below their illiac crest.


The short version of all of that means a pack slips under heavy load if the shoulder straps are adjusted long enough to make it slip. So, adjust whatever pack you get, to ensure the waist belt's padding center is over top of your hip bone tips, while the shoulder straps contour to your whole shoulder, with a bit of weight in the pack. That area is level with your belly button. That away, when you cinch it down tight, snug the shoulder straps, and engage your load lifters, you have ensured the hips are holding the majority of weight, the pack won't be flopping around, and the lumbar pad stays where it belongs. Roll out and enjoy. Its that simple and most any pack you buy should serve you well enough if you do this fitting right. God Bless