Kifaru Bikini Frame?

[Outdoorsman3830]

Has anyone inserted a Frame Sheet behind the lumbar pad (inside the lumbar pad pouch)?

It may be a stupid question, but I figured I'd ask. It sounds like the duplex has the advantage by having the frame sheet spread the pressure from the stays across the lumbar. I haven't tried this yet with my bikini frame, but it crossed my mind and I'd see what you fellow Kifaru Owner's thought.

A small optional frame sheet could add to the bikini's comfort under heavy loads while maintaining it's more comfortable feel under lighter loads. It would come at the cost of a small weight penalty, but at least it would be an optional accessory.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.

Thank You,

 

[Aron Snyder]

I have done it....

 

[Backpack Hunter]

How did it work Aron?....and what materials did you use?

 

[Aron Snyder]

Worked well at displacing the weight throughout the lumbar pad equally.

Had a couple others issues we're working through (attachment points), but should be finished soon.

 

[7mag.]

Will this be an accessory we can add at home? Is this sheet just down near the lumbar pad, or will it run the length of the stays?

 

[Tim M]

Will this be an accessory we can add at home? Is this sheet just down near the lumbar pad, or will it run the length of the stays?

X2 Aron, I would be very interested in this as an aftermarket ad on for when i haul really heavy loads with mine too.

 

[Aron Snyder]

I'll keep everyone posted on this.

Nothing comes out quickly with Kifaru and we want to make sure there's no glitches in the system.

 

[Tim M]

Sounds good, thanks

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

Good idea.

 

[RosinBag]

Sounds like a Duplex after a little weight watchers.

The Duplex is just so tough to beat when you have to haul heavy loads.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

A bikini with a bikini frame sheet would be pretty awesome!

 

[Mad Mountain Mike]

A bikini frame with a frame sheet sounds like a Duplex, I'm not sure what the weight difference would be but I'm sure it would be minimal.

 

[LaHunter]

Any updates on this?

 

[ridgefire]

Kind of defeats the purpose of the bikini. perhaps kifaru should look into a frame that is x shaped and call it the brace frame. It would be the best of both worlds.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Doesn't really defeat the purpose of the bikini as you would still have a bikini but also an add on that would provide some of the benefits of a duplex at a fraction of the cost.

 

[trk3263]

Yea I am glad I came across this post. I would like it because I could use the bikini like designed with the pack and when I get back to the truck with the first load I could drop the bag and have a nice solid frame and frame sheet for the next load out.
Also would be nice for some work related activities where I just need a small daypack option with frame for hauling.

 

[rhunter424]

Kind of defeats the purpose of the bikini. perhaps kifaru should look into a frame that is x shaped and call it the brace frame. It would be the best of both worlds.

The problem is not the pattern of the stays. It's because the stays come in contact directly with the lumbar pad and create two hot spots.

A small piece of framesheet (8" x 8" or so) would spread the pressure from those two points over a much larger area. The framesheet would also weigh much less than the entire standard duplex framesheet (which is like 10" x 24/26").

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

I think a piece of plastic cut the same shape as the lumbar pad that would fit in the lumbar pad pocket would work well. And it would not add much weight.

 

[Rizzy]

I'm also really liking the idea of adding some shear strength down there. I might try to make one

 

[Aron Snyder]

I think a piece of plastic cut the same shape as the lumbar pad that would fit in the lumbar pad pocket would work well. And it would not add much weight.

That's EXACTLY what we did.

It will be available soon.

Nothing comes from Kifaru without A LOT of testing, so I hope everyone can understand.

Sorry for the delay!