Kifaru belt pull issue

[hammer0419]

Sorry for the delay. Here is old vs new (new is on the bottom).

That attachment is going to work the same way when they doubled up the loops for a short time. This will stop twisting and give a more secure fit when belt is pulled tight. Good job Kifaru!!

 

[SDHNTR]

Yeah, good point. I have had no problems with mine. I have had some issues having to lift the buckle to get it to tighten off and on as my weight has fluctuated. That is more the problem with the undersized belt, but this can lead to the twisting loops because you are pulling and the buckle isn't tightening.

Definitely not an undersize issue! My belt is damn near bottomed out.

Frank, thanks for the info, I'll call shortly.

 

[welpro222]

I had the twisting issue last year with my older Gen2 medium belt. This year I used a newer Smedium belt and the issue was gone. But... I did notice with both belts that when cinching the belt tight with a heavy load it hurts my hips and my hips are sore for a few days. Regardless of what I say, the Kifaru belt design is the best as far as I'm concerned. I think that they need to make it so the whole belt is tighten across the hips, I believe with the design it mostly just tightens the center of the belt (between the pals webbings, and that right on the tip of your hip bones). If you tighten the belt and feel the top and bottom of the belt, it is somewhat loose. I think that it should have some kind of stabilizer straps sewn on the belt pull to the top and bottom of the padded part to help pull the entire belt tight equally.

I'll have to draw a picture and post it in case that sounds confusing.

 

[flyinsquirel]

I believe Seek Outside and Hill People Gear make there belts the way you are describing.

 

[welpro222]

I envisioned a pull system on the Kifaru belt just like the HPG belt.

 

[Jeff Martin]

I have owned 3 Kifaru packs - all had/have same issue. I have learned to simply use 1 hand to pull and use the other hand to tilt the buckle - it works like a champ. I then proceed to the other side. It looks like the new belt would be killer.

 

[COlineman78]

I have owned 3 Kifaru packs - all had/have same issue. I have learned to simply use 1 hand to pull and use the other hand to tilt the buckle - it works like a champ. I then proceed to the other side. It looks like the new belt would be killer.

This is a separate issue; some are having trouble with the common loop for the power pull twisting in the webbing. The problem you describe is due to a belt that is slightly too small according to Aron. However I am just guessing, but your problem should also be solved by the new design. The problem that the OP was having is most likely caused by the loop not being sewn in quite as tight as it needed to be.

 

[SDHNTR]

You know, now that I think of it, something definitely changed with the design of the belt. Mine now looks like the top pic in hammers post. When I sent my pack frame (a few years old) back in last fall for some sewing repair, it came back with an "upgraded" belt. I never put much thought into it but I know that with my older belt, I could clip my pistol holster on the belt on top of the pad. There was one solid, wide belt strap running along the waist pad. I can't do that now as the belt design is totally different and the belt doesn't wrap around the hips. I carried 90lb+ loads with the old belt and never had hip point soreness. But this year on my goat hunt my hips got very sore. I figured it was because I couldn't get the belt tight enough with the faulty pull, but now that I read this it may also be a design issue.

The good news is, I talked to Frank at Kifaru today and they have a fix for the pulls that is supposed to be arriving soon.

 

[tipsntails7]

Sorry for the delay. Here is old vs new (new is on the bottom).

They Stole that from KUIU... JK... JK

That looks like it will solve the problem perfectly, probably more durable as well.


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[tipsntails7]

Hey Reaper,

I'll have to get back to you on that next week when our production manager returns from vacation.

Frank, can we send our current belts in and have this done? I've got a bikini in mandrake and I doubt you've got any plans on making more of those.


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[Jeff Martin]

I wish they would steel from the McHale pull design on the belt. The slickest and most affective I have seen.

 

[bobhunts]

Not sure how old the design is on mine..I have two. At least 3 years on both. But I have been able to cinch them up tight enough to make my hips hurt and making adjustments to the angular strap back toward the frame changes the feel a'lot. Have you tried that? Mine does come loose with time but I usually just sit down and re-cinch on a break and all is good. Never had the straps twist ..but never had them really wet either. Hope you figure it out.

 

[camping1601]

I have this problem also. I called Kifaru and they offered to try and sew the common loop tighter on mine or give me a discount on a new belt with the redesign. Not happy about having to buy a new belt for a pack that hardly six month old, but that's gonna be the best option.

 

[COlineman78]

I have this problem also. I called Kifaru and they offered to try and sew the common loop tighter on mine or give me a discount on a new belt with the redesign. Not happy about having to buy a new belt for a pack that hardly six month old, but that's gonna be the best option.

Re-sewing the common loop should be sufficient if you are having the twisting issue. From their point of view, if they were to swap everyone out for the new one they would be getting everyone sending in their belts even if they aren't having problems. Then they will be sitting on top of a pile of belts that no one wants even though they are perfectly good. I think this was simply a quality control issue with a difficult manufacturing process that they will need to take care of for a few select people. You don't have to buy a new belt, and even if you did, you would likely be able to sell your old belt for close to the same price as the discounted price on the new one. Sounds like anyone who sent it in to be sewn tighter has been happy with the results.

 

[camping1601]

Re-sewing the common loop should be sufficient if you are having the twisting issue. From their point of view, if they were to swap everyone out for the new one they would be getting everyone sending in their belts even if they aren't having problems. Then they will be sitting on top of a pile of belts that no one wants even though they are perfectly good. I think this was simply a quality control issue with a difficult manufacturing process that they will need to take care of for a few select people. You don't have to buy a new belt, and even if you did, you would likely be able to sell your old belt for close to the same price as the discounted price on the new one. Sounds like anyone who sent it in to be sewn tighter has been happy with the results.

I more than understand their business position on this, but if there wasn't a problem with the design they wouldn't have made a new design?
I looked at mine again today and the stitching at that common loop is tearing so I'll have to send it back to be repaired. Once they repair it I'll sell it and just pay full retail for the new one. If I didn't have to send it back to be repaired I'd sell it and take the discount on the new one.
It looks like the new design will also eliminate the lift buckle with one hand pull with the other problem.

It's still frustrating after hearing these are the best you can buy that I'll have to pay to ship it back and then pay to have a new one shipped to me.

I still really like the pack.

 

[welpro222]

Because I have always been a fan of Kifaru's customer service and how they handle customers problems. I would be willing to pay full price for a upgraded belt, then just sell my old belt at a discount. I feel like we need to show our support for a wonderful company that supports hunters and hunting in general. I have had the twisting troubles with past belts, but have been resolved with a different sized belt. I was told the newer belt will solve the twisting issue and help cinch the belt down better.

 

[tipsntails7]

Re-sewing the common loop should be sufficient if you are having the twisting issue. From their point of view, if they were to swap everyone out for the new one they would be getting everyone sending in their belts even if they aren't having problems. Then they will be sitting on top of a pile of belts that no one wants even though they are perfectly good. I think this was simply a quality control issue with a difficult manufacturing process that they will need to take care of for a few select people. You don't have to buy a new belt, and even if you did, you would likely be able to sell your old belt for close to the same price as the discounted price on the new one. Sounds like anyone who sent it in to be sewn tighter has been happy with the results.

Or they could just sew the new piece on in place of the old common loop. I've broken 2 common loops and they have restitched new ones. So in theory they may only really be sitting on extra 2" common loops. I'd even pay for the parts.

They don't make bikini belts anymore that I'm aware of so I don't have a choice in the matter at this point.


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[welpro222]

I more than understand their business position on this, but if there wasn't a problem with the design they wouldn't have made a new design?

Well, this could apply to the frame itself too. Kifaru is on a gen3 frame design and its not solving a problem, it got upgraded. I feel the same applies to the belt, its an upgraded belt or at least buckle system.

 

[COlineman78]

but if there wasn't a problem with the design they wouldn't have made a new design?

This is the exact mindset that will have people sending it back when they don't actually have the problem. Since you obviously do have the problem I would ask Frank if you could do both. Send your old one back for repair and get a discounted price on a new one and ship them both at the same time. The problems that this solves should not exist if your belt is properly sized and had the common loops sewn tight enough (as mine apparently were since I have no twisting issue).

It looks like the new design will also eliminate the lift buckle with one hand pull with the other problem

If you are also having this problem then your belt is most likely too small as well, which may have caused the stitches to loosen if you had to pull to hard to crank it down. When ordering a new one, you should also talk to Frank about going a half size up.

 

[PMcGee]

Or they could just sew the new piece on in place of the old common loop. I've broken 2 common loops and they have restitched new ones. So in theory they may only really be sitting on extra 2" common loops. I'd even pay for the parts.

They don't make bikini belts anymore that I'm aware of so I don't have a choice in the matter at this point.


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Call and talk to them about a bikini belt. I just got a new one.