Help me decide between Exo and Kifaru Frame!

[TheCougar]

You don't need a guide lid with the 22mag. I only added a large pouch on the back for more quick access storage. As far as the meat shelf goes, I tried the old one kifaru used to make and it didn't ride very well. The better way that I found was to use a grab it and strap the bag over it.

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True about the guide lid on the 22 Mag, but I think I am set on an Exo 2000 and 5500 bag, It is the frames that are giving me fits! Life would be so much easier if I could just try them on...

 

[zeroforhire]

True about the guide lid on the 22 Mag, but I think I am set on an Exo 2000 and 5500 bag, It is the frames that are giving me fits! Life would be so much easier if I could just try them on...

Send it back if you don't like it


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[TheCougar]

I'm going to take your advice and order both. Hopefully both packs will be there by the time I get back stateside and I can try them on to find which one suits me best. My wife in her infinite wisdom told me if I'm going to spend that much money on a pack, to cough up the extra $30 for return shipping so I can try both packs on. Smart woman, my wife.

 

[COlineman78]

I'm going to take your advice and order both. Hopefully both packs will be there by the time I get back stateside and I can try them on to find which one suits me best. My wife in her infinite wisdom told me if I'm going to spend that much money on a pack, to cough up the extra $30 for return shipping so I can try both packs on. Smart woman, my wife.

Sounds like a winner. If the expected ship date on the Kifaru is too late call or message Frank or Aron and explain the situation and they will try to speed it up. The Exo should ship quickly. Archery season is over in a week so they should be catching up.

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[Graves14]

I did exactly what you are doing and ended up with the exo. I felt that the Kifaru would perform BETTER under heavy load but I wear my pack more frequently with less weight while I'm hunting which I believe the exo excels at. To my mind that was more important and though I've only tested the exo with 100lbs of sand, I felt like it handled it just fine. The added load lifter angle of the kifaru was definitely helpful but not enough to change my mind.

Also, you are 100% dead on with running the two exo bags. I think they're the best bags available. I suggest getting their "crib" accessory too. It is great for training with just the frame.

 

[TradLife406]

Check out how small one of Kifaru's largest packs can pack down to for a day hunt - Kifaru EMR II part 3 day hunt mode - YouTube

Yep this is what I ran for my 8.5 days last week. I could spike camp then suck everything together and run it in day mode with water, kill and emergency kit and a jacket. It's very sleek! That frame is epic. I've had 125# in it in training and it's not bad at all! It's nice being able to adjust the frame fit for the load weight. And the service is awesome too!

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[TheCougar]

I will be running the Exo crib regardless of my frame. I like that it is lightweight enough to justify carrying it around even with a daypack.

 

[TheCougar]

I just bought a Hunting Duplex Frame and a few other items! Next up is the Exo! Buy once, cry, sob, cringe... once.

 

[dirtytough]

Been using the new hunter frame from Kifaru this year. From day hunts to backpack hunts. I don't notice it on while day hunting it's so comfortable. Packed out a buck and gear from the high country with it. It was one of the most miserable pack outs I've ever had. I was way overly confident on how easy it would be and how big of a stud I am. I didn't load the meat or head very well so the weight was hanging off pretty far etc. Just careless loading on my part really.

The next week I loaded up 2 elk hindquarters in it and packed them out about 3 miles. Had my gear also. This load I took the time to load right haha. It was as comfortable as I expected and not miserable at all like the previous weeks load. I've used different frames and lots of them are comfortable with day hunt gear. But it's when it comes to packing real loads that a pack really needs to perform like I found out this last hunting trip.

Regards, Branden.

 

[Elkheart82]

I'm going to be running the Kifaru pack frame with the EXO 2000 day pack. I also ordered the Kifaru cargo panel. The cargo panel comes with 6 or 8 straps I believe. Can I just use some of these extra straps to use on the EXO pack to mount up to the Kifaru frame? Or better yet, is there a video? I'm more of a visual type to learn something.

 

[homebru.trout]

Looks like you'll get your hands on both and be able to make your decision but FWIW it's worth I own both and love both for different reasons. If I could only have one frame, the new Kifaru frames are hard to beat and can do it all. I bought a hunter frame with aluminum stays for when I want/need a stiffer platform. I cut down a couple arrows for when I want to run the ultralight version and presto...two frames for the price of one.

 

[geriggs]

I have both. I sold my emr2 bag, too much bag for what I do. The exo 5500 did the trick this year. I like the belt better on my gen 3 duplex but other than that for what I do the exo will work for me. That being said, I'm going to alaska next year for moose and the kifaru duplex with cargo panel, pockets, lid, and grab it is coming with me.