Help me decide between Exo and Kifaru Frame!

[TheCougar]

I'm still on the fence between an Exo K2 frame and a Kifaru Hunting Frame. I'm definitely getting Exo 2000 and 5500 bags regardless of which frame I get. The difference between the two set ups (Exo and Kifaru) is about $100 and 8 ounces. I know I can't go wrong with either frame, but I want to get the "most right"!!!

95% of my packing is in daypack mode for spot and stalk, so lightweight, flexible, breathable, and comfortable are all things I value. The Kifaru is probably overbuilt for what I need, but then again they are the gold standard for frames and suspension and I don't want to regret anything 3 years from now. What do you guys think? Should I go with Kifaru or is it overkill for a run & gun daypack frame with periodic pack-outs? Will I regret Exo when I have a moose hindquarter strapped to the frame? Vote once, vote often! Thanks for the input.

 

[Tuscor]

Kifaru all the way mate - you won't regret it. If the weight difference is that small, I'd definitely go with the Kif, even if you feel it is a little 'over engineered' for your use. From what I've read (I dont own Exo), the kifaru is a definite step up in quality of material and workmanship.

 

[hammer0419]

I use a Kifaru hunting frame with aluminum stays and have the Exo 2000 and 5500. Absolutely awesome combo. I also have the Exo crib installed on frame if extra room is needed. I have 2 medium HPG pouches on my belt.

 

[doverpack12]

I would go with the EXO (I have never owned a Kifaru) reason being they provide 2 straps to secure your load in the load sling to the frame independent from your pack compression straps. Those 2 straps make such a huge difference in how secure and stable your load is that any pack without them isn't even an option for me. With the added two load straps you don't have to smash everything in your bag so bad when you try to secure a load in the load sling, and I feel the load is more secure than using just the bag to secure a load in the load sling. Every person that asks me about packs and I point out those two straps is a little hesitant to believe me at first and then they get the pack and start messing with it and pretty soon they are thanking me for steering them away from (you choose the brand) that didn't have those two load securing straps independent form the pack compression straps. In daypack mode most packs should be pretty much equal or very very little difference. When the load goes on is where the rubber meets the road. With that said I'm sure the Kifaru is a phenomenal load hauler as all of their packs are but above is my experience and reason for my recommendation.

 

[zeroforhire]

Kifaru frame with exo pack. Best of both worlds.


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[TheCougar]

I would go with the EXO (I have never owned a Kifaru) reason being they provide 2 straps to secure your load in the load sling to the frame independent from your pack compression straps. Those 2 straps make such a huge difference in how secure and stable your load is that any pack without them isn't even an option for me. With the added two load straps you don't have to smash everything in your bag so bad when you try to secure a load in the load sling, and I feel the load is more secure than using just the bag to secure a load in the load sling. Every person that asks me about packs and I point out those two straps is a little hesitant to believe me at first and then they get the pack and start messing with it and pretty soon they are thanking me for steering them away from (you choose the brand) that didn't have those two load securing straps independent form the pack compression straps. In daypack mode most packs should be pretty much equal or very very little difference. When the load goes on is where the rubber meets the road. With that said I'm sure the Kifaru is a phenomenal load hauler as all of their packs are but above is my experience and reason for my recommendation.

You lost me here... To my knowledge, I will not be missing any of the compression straps from the Exo frame. I would be using extra Kifaru compression straps and buckles to enable the Exo straps to connect to the Kifaru frame in the same way they would connect to a K2 frame. In addition, I would be using G-Hooks to run an Exo crib between the Frame and the bag. There is a post with a lot of pictures which covers this in the backpack forum, just search "franken" and you will find the thread. Did I misunderstand what you are saying?

 

[mitchellbk]

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

 

[mrbillbrown]

I've owned both simultaneously and only kept the Kifaru. You hit the nail on the head. Bags will come and go depending on trip needs but the Kifaru frame is the gold standard.


molon labe

 

[TheCougar]

Yeah, I've looked a the Nomad, the EMR, DT2, and MW bags. None of them really float my boat. In particular, the Kifaru bags don't lend themselves well to accessing gear, for example the EMR and Nomad with the top access only on the wings and the bazillion buckles and straps if you want to access the main compartment. Plus the bags themselves weigh 3lbs without the lid. The Exo bags get rave reviews and they seem much more user-friendly and built specifically for hunting.

 

[sheephunter2]

I have the new Exo K2 with the 2000 bag. It is a great day pack that you could use for a couple nights out also. Been using in for archery elk here in Colo and Wyo muzzy antelope hunt. Maybe the best day pack I have ever used. I had the first two generations of the Exo 3500 this belt and frame and shoulder harness are way better. I have been using Patrick's packs since he started making them and have owned 10 or so of them. Currently I have the Ultra Light Duplex frame with a Rambler on it and love it also. Great frame, belt, straps, etc. as per usual and I really like the Rambler personally. It is a little heavier than the K2 but not much. It is really splitting hairs IMHO. It is kind of like comparing Swarovski to Zeiss to Leica. All are very good with very little difference having owned all of them also. It is a matter of personal preference. Get one and then get the other one. It's all fun and games anyway.

 

[307]

My impression is that the Kifaru is likely 10% better under heavy loads (stable, sturdy), and the Exo is 10% better in daypack mode (more flexible, lighter). Not that much difference really. However, I spend 90% of the time I'm hunting in daypack mode, so the Exo made more sense to me. If I hunted with camp on my back a majority of the time, the ratio of benefits would likely favor the Kifaru rather than the Exo. I tend to hunt from basecamp at the moment. I'm 100% certain I would be happy with either choice.

Splitting hairs... Dont' overthink it.

 

[rileybassman]

My impression is that the Kifaru is likely 10% better under heavy loads (stable, sturdy), and the Exo is 10% better in daypack mode (more flexible, lighter). Not that much difference really. However, I spend 90% of the time I'm hunting in daypack mode, so the Exo made more sense to me. If I hunted with camp on my back a majority of the time, the ratio of benefits would likely favor the Kifaru rather than the Exo. I tend to hunt from basecamp at the moment. I'm 100% certain I would be happy with either choice.

Splitting hairs... Dont' overthink it.

Prolly a fair comparison - tho I am thinking with the new K2 frame, it's prolly more like 5% load hauling difference - and that difference is probably more to do with comfort of the harness/belt then actual hauling ability. The K2 frame has a larger lumbar and belt pads as well as thicker harness frames as well.

 

[doverpack12]

You lost me here... To my knowledge, I will not be missing any of the compression straps from the Exo frame. I would be using extra Kifaru compression straps and buckles to enable the Exo straps to connect to the Kifaru frame in the same way they would connect to a K2 frame. In addition, I would be using G-Hooks to run an Exo crib between the Frame and the bag. There is a post with a lot of pictures which covers this in the backpack forum, just search "franken" and you will find the thread. Did I misunderstand what you are saying?

EXO has essentially 4 side compression straps. 2 of those straps are only used to secure a load to the frame. Kifaru has 2 side compressions but if you add two and the buckle orientation of male and female allows you can potentially achieve the same result that way. I haven't followed the Frankenstein packs this year as I found a combo I personally really like.

 

[hammer0419]

I would go with the EXO (I have never owned a Kifaru) reason being they provide 2 straps to secure your load in the load sling to the frame independent from your pack compression straps. Those 2 straps make such a huge difference in how secure and stable your load is that any pack without them isn't even an option for me. With the added two load straps you don't have to smash everything in your bag so bad when you try to secure a load in the load sling, and I feel the load is more secure than using just the bag to secure a load in the load sling. Every person that asks me about packs and I point out those two straps is a little hesitant to believe me at first and then they get the pack and start messing with it and pretty soon they are thanking me for steering them away from (you choose the brand) that didn't have those two load securing straps independent form the pack compression straps. In daypack mode most packs should be pretty much equal or very very little difference. When the load goes on is where the rubber meets the road. With that said I'm sure the Kifaru is a phenomenal load hauler as all of their packs are but above is my experience and reason for my recommendation.

There are NO lack of straps to secure loads with a Kifaru frame. Far from an issue.

 

[TheCougar]

EXO has essentially 4 side compression straps. 2 of those straps are only used to secure a load to the frame. Kifaru has 2 side compressions but if you add two and the buckle orientation of male and female allows you can potentially achieve the same result that way. I haven't followed the Frankenstein packs this year as I found a combo I personally really like.

Got it. With the way you hook up the Exo bag on the Kifaru frame, you don't lose any straps or connections... Basically the hookup is identical to an Exo frame.

 

[COlineman78]

Got it. With the way you hook up the Exo bag on the Kifaru frame, you don't lose any straps or connections... Basically the hookup is identical to an Exo frame.

Yes and no. You will need some extra straps from kifaru and some extra buckles from exo unless you do what shtf did and cut the exo (duraflex) buckles off and replace them with kifaru (itw) ones. I have the 2014 model 3500 and it's good for organization off the shelf, but I prefer my 22mag for a daypack for its modularity. I run it on my 26" frame and run a medium pod underneath with a woobie for those evening and morning glassing sessions and a large belt pocket on the back for more quick access storage. I agree that the EMR2 in daypack mode doesn't have a ton of quick access, but I keep my extra layers in the main bag with kill kit and everything else in the guide lid with a medium belt pouch attached to it. It really depends on your personality if you want to play with combinations of things that work best for you or do you want a bag that gives you some good options out of the gate and you can make it work for you.

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[NDarrough]

You really can't go wrong. Having tried both out a bit I found the exo k2 with a 3500 bag to be pefect for my needs.

Being close to Exo headquarters didn't hurt either.

 

[Graves14]

I recently had both and felt the Exo better suited my needs. I hunt with my pack on my back and the Exo simply felt better.

 

[TheCougar]

Yes and no. You will need some extra straps from kifaru and some extra buckles from exo unless you do what shtf did and cut the exo (duraflex) buckles off and replace them with kifaru (itw) ones. I have the 2014 model 3500 and it's good for organization off the shelf, but I prefer my 22mag for a daypack for its modularity. I run it on my 26" frame and run a medium pod underneath with a woobie for those evening and morning glassing sessions and a large belt pocket on the back for more quick access storage. I agree that the EMR2 in daypack mode doesn't have a ton of quick access, but I keep my extra layers in the main bag with kill kit and everything else in the guide lid with a medium belt pouch attached to it. It really depends on your personality if you want to play with combinations of things that work best for you or do you want a bag that gives you some good options out of the gate and you can make it work for you.

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I plan on using the Kifaru straps and replacing the buckles just like SHTF did on his. I did take a look at the 22Mag, but but it was too heavy for my needs. A Kifaru frame and Exo 2000 with Crib weighs 5lb 6oz but a 22 Mag set up with a guide lid and Crib weights 7lb 6oz, which is too heavy for a day pack. I'm not knocking the 22 Mag or guide lid - I like the set up and it is something I looked at. I'm not a huge ounce-counter either, but ounces only matter once you start to add them up and I'm giving up 2lbs before I put anything in the bag. How do you run a meat shelf with the 22Mag?

 

[COlineman78]

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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