Frame Pack Recommendations; KUIU, Kifaru, EXO, Stone Glacier, etc

[isleofGough]

I've purchased equipment from Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, Seek Outside, Kifaru, and Exo Mtn Gear and dealt with all their customer support departments. Even though for my personal use, I went with a Hellbender on Ark frame, Exo Mtn Gear stands well above all the others for quality and promptness of support, shipping times, and attention to detail.

 

[mgstucson]

I am referring to their actual load sling that they sell. Yes, if you just use the bottom 2 pack to frame straps you can load meat that way but I prefer to use an actual shelf to better support the meat and to use this system you have to remove the pack and leave it off for hauling, which I don’t like.

I also don't like the fact that you can't use the KUIU load sling and the KUIU pack at the same time with the KUIU frame, for the same reasons you mentioned. All the connection points of the load sling require you to use the pack connection points. If you use a KIFARU frame, you can use the KUIU pack and the KUIU load sling at the same time because there are extra connection points on the frame not used for the pack, or you can use the KIFARU Cargo Panel (even better) and the KUIU pack at the same time, You can also do the same thing with the K4 frame and KUIU packs and load slings, but there are more strap connection points on the KIFARU frame. BTW it is possible to add straps to the KUIU frame and use the KUIU Load Sling and KUIU pack at the same time (sort of), KUIU just doesn't design it to be used that way. I still prefer using KUIU packs on KIFARU or K4 frames.

 

[krisn416]

K3 on Ark frame. Best of both worlds.

Thread 'Exo K3 bags on Kifaru Ark frames: how-to'

Feb 28, 2025

Intro:
Been meaning to post this for a while, just want to help out some guys that may be considering this. I realize this has been discussed and posted about quite a bit, but a lot of the info on the web is either incomplete or lacking. This isn't a thread to say Exo frames or Kifaru bags aren't good, because they are, but I have had fitment issues and needs that neither companies’ products 100% address. To me this truly provides the best of both worlds. I have done this successfully with Exo K3 bags on both Duplex and Ark frames, and have helped others do it as well. K2 bags...

• krisn416
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Backpacks

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[azreddy]

Have Mystery ranch overload. They do no appear to be selling the load sling seperately without the frame.

 

[azreddy]

The Mystery Ranch Nice frame would be more useful if we can buy load slings etc - separately.

Have Mystery ranch overload. They do no appear to be selling the load sling seperately without the frame.

I also don't like the fact that you can't use the KUIU load sling and the KUIU pack at the same time with the KUIU frame, for the same reasons you mentioned. All the connection points of the load sling require you to use the pack connection points. If you use a KIFARU frame, you can use the KUIU pack and the KUIU load sling at the same time because there are extra connection points on the frame not used for the pack, or you can use the KIFARU Cargo Panel (even better) and the KUIU pack at the same time, You can also do the same thing with the K4 frame and KUIU packs and load slings, but there are more strap connection points on the KIFARU frame. BTW it is possible to add straps to the KUIU frame and use the KUIU Load Sling and KUIU pack at the same time (sort of), KUIU just doesn't design it to be used that way. I still prefer using KUIU packs on KIFARU or K4 frames.

Is the Kifaru cargo panel still available?

 

[mgstucson]

The Mystery Ranch Nice frame would be more useful if we can buy load slings etc - separately.


Is the Kifaru cargo panel still available?

Kifaru load slings are no longer made, but if you keep an eye peeled, you can pick them up in the classified section here or on fleabay.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I have an old Kifaru duplex frame with a couple of bags, have a Kifaru tactical frame with a couple of bags, had an EXO K3 3200, and have an EXO K4 5000. Like @sndmn11 said above, packs are a personal thing and what I might find fantastic, you might think sucks. With that said, I agree with @madcalfe, and I will be carrying the Kifaru if packing a heavy load is the plan of the day. For everything else, give me the EXO K4. It is really comfortable to me. It just doesn’t quite handle heavier weights quite as well as the Kifaru (for me).

Kifaru Duplex Frame/guide pack:



Kifaru Tactical Frame/Woodsman bag:



Kifaru Tactical Frame/Reckoning bag:



EXO K3 3200 bag:



EXO K4 5000 bag: