Kifaru Bikini Frame/DT2 in Highlander Review!!

[WonkyWapiti]

We're gonna need to have a Washington meetup to check ou these packs.

 

[Jordan]

Poulsbo just north of Bremerton
I recall seeing some close ups on one of Kifaru s U tubes a while back but I just can't find it now
Tim

I'll have my Bikini frame and high camp sometime in April. I work in Kitsap County, your more then welcome to check it out when I get it.

 

[Pilgrim]

armyjoe and I talk about these packs all the time. I've seen and worn all his packs and he has done the same of mine as well, so I'd say we're pretty well versed in what to look for in packs. Seeing Joe's enthusiasm for this thing means something... it must be pretty darn well thought-out.

I've been using the Go-Lite Men's 90L Terrano for two simple reasons: it was clearance ($100) and it fits ridiculously well; however, I'd love to be able to ditch this thing for pretty much that exact combo... the bikini frame and dt2.

 

[mdog]

How many cross-stays are there on the bikini? Is there any movement/rotation around the rivet that holds the stays together?

 

[armyjoe]

There are two horizontal stays. One on the top of the two vertical stays where the frame slides into the pack and right across the lower lumbar pad. There is zero movement or rotation on the rivets. Thats also aided by the fact the frame has stitched in material on the vertical and horizontal stays to help with frame stability. I actually took the frame off and tried to bend it a little to test the flexibility and there wasn't any movement that I could see or feel.

How many cross-stays are there on the bikini? Is there any movement/rotation around the rivet that holds the stays together?

 

[Matt Cashell]

Interesting,

I was just looking at this today. I am going to put up a video on the comparison thread comparing the Krux and Bikini frames tomorrow (I hope).

With the Bikini I have, I can get some vertical shifting with the frame at the rivets. It only moves around 1/3 to 1/2 inch though. the Bikini frame is incredibly rigid for how skeletonized it is. There is Zero torsional flexing.

I will post a pic of some load testing I did today with the Grab-It on the other thread.

 

[armyjoe]

Matt, Hey man i'm not trying to jump in on your reviews.

I'm wondering if there might be a tad different things with the prototype then your real production frame. The frame I am borrowing has seriously almost no movement. Just a tiny tiny shift which is almost zero. Definitely isn't 1/2 inch or anything close to that. I'm also with you too that there is zero torsional flexing with the horizontal/vertical stays

 

[Matt Cashell]

Worry not Joe!

I was the one that jumped on your review! Sorry about that, I was just adding my experience. I do think mine is a production version.

It is hard to explain the amount of movement, but I will try to get some video tomorrow.

 

[armyjoe]

Dude, the more input the better I think. Please jump in and add to anything if you have info. I know a TON of people have bought these frames so the more info we can give them the better, I think.

Ya yours is the production frame. Your the only one that has a production one I think. Well beside the Kifaru guys haha.

 

[mdog]

AJ and BB thanks for the info! Another question on the lower cross stay: Is it located in the middle of the lumbar pad or is it above? Thanks again!

 

[Aron Snyder]

Dude, the more input the better I think. Please jump in and add to anything if you have info. I know a TON of people have bought these frames so the more info we can give them the better, I think.

Ya yours is the production frame. Your the only one that has a production one I think. Well beside the Kifaru guys haha.

The frame BB is using, is the production model, but that particular frame had been thrown off the roof and around the front yard a few times. It also has several miles on it.

AJ's is a proto, but beaten up as well.

 

[bbrown]

The frame BB is using, is the production model, but that particular frame had been thrown off the roof and around the front yard a few times. It also has several miles on it.

AJ's is a proto, but beaten up as well.

HAHA - yet your still confident enough to send it out for a comparison. That's saying alot!

 

[SURVIVORTYPE]

Aw damn, I didn't have to see this post. I just got a DT1 in multicam. That Kryptek looks too nice. I might have to see about saving some casholas for another bag. Thanks for the review.

 

[Bigfeet]

This is exactly the frame/pack combo I'm thinking of getting. I would like to know if the Heavy Load out kit, which fits on the Bikini frame and Highcamp bag, also works on the Bikini DT2 combo. Does it attach on the bottom and also higher up as it does on the Highcamp? I like the idea of the load out kit, particularly if it can attach up higher, but not sure if it works on the DT2 bag. If it does, anyone know if you can still reattach the load lifters after loading it up?

 

[Matt Cashell]

This is exactly the frame/pack combo I'm thinking of getting. I would like to know if the Heavy Load out kit, which fits on the Bikini frame and Highcamp bag, also works on the Bikini DT2 combo. Does it attach on the bottom and also higher up as it does on the Highcamp? I like the idea of the load out kit, particularly if it can attach up higher, but not sure if it works on the DT2 bag. If it does, anyone know if you can still reattach the load lifters after loading it up?

Bigfeet,

The Heavy Load Out Kit works with the DT bags. Aron is sending me one. The load lifters always connect directly to the frame on the Bikini, so always work.

 

[Bigfeet]

Thanks for the reply Matt.
Sorry for the many pack questions on this and other threads. I seem to research things to death before making a final decision, and really appreciate the reponses. Have to say, the people on this site make this one of the best places to get great information. Thanks again.

 

[armyjoe]

AJ and BB thanks for the info! Another question on the lower cross stay: Is it located in the middle of the lumbar pad or is it above? Thanks again!

Hey mdog, Sorry man for the late reply. I think this question kind of got lost in the sauce. The lower stay is located behind the lumbar pad but its not smack dab in the middle of the lumbar pad. Its about 60% up the pad. Hope that made sense. I will post a pic for you tomorrow of the exact location.

 

[armyjoe]

50lb test!

So I'm headed out at 5am to do a 50lb test with the pack. The weather hasn't been the best in CO lately so depending on the snow levels where I'm headed to I will be doing between 4 - 6 miles. I'm going to try and post a pic of the pack on my back with 35, 50 and 85lbs so you can get an idea of how well the pack holds with different weight.

 

[Nick Muche]

How did it go?

 

[Benny M]

My Bikini & DT2 will be arriving very shortly. None the less I'd love to hear an update.