Kifaru Bikini top cross bar and stalking:

[ftballman125]

Some background: I'm 6'2" and have the Kifaru Bikini frame with 26" stays. In all ways the pack fits and works wonderfully... except for one.

I have been practicing shooting my bow with my pack on because I would ideally not have to drop my pack during a stalk or in the instance where I unexpectedly run across a deer. In that vein, I have been doing some stalking practice with pack on as well, both hunched-over walking and crawling.

The issue is that the crossbar on top of the Bikini frame hits right at the base of my skull, limiting my ability to look up while crouched over and eliminating my ability to look up while crawling. I'm basically forced by the crossbar to stare right at the ground 2 feet in front of me when crawling. This is not ideal for a stalking situation, obviously.

Because of my height, the 26" stays are ideal for load lifting, so moving to the 24" stays isn't really an option. Looking at the pack, it seems that Kifaru could have possibly mounted the crossbar 3-4" lower, eliminating this issue, though possibly harming rigidity. Or, better yet, they could have designed some sort of semi-circular cross-bar that could drop down allowing for the neck to bend backwards when hunched or crawling.

So, my question is: does anyone else have this problem and, if so, were you able to solve it? How?

It'd be great to be able to make this pack as versatile as I can.

 

[Slim Jim]

I take my pack off when I take my boots off.

 

[ftballman125]

I hunt in the desert where there are lots of cholla cactus... shoes stay on unfortunately. There's also very little cover, so I have to crouch/hunch for a long ways sometimes. It's nice to have access to water on multi-hour stalks like that in the early season desert temps. That's the primary reason for wanting to have my pack with me.

 

[hammer0419]

The bikini frame is great. The one thing however is you can not put your head back at all. Belly crawling and looking up or just looking up in general is not possible.

 

[Tim M]

could you post a picture of you wearing the pack from the front and side please. I have been using mine for over 1 1/2 yrs now, have always stalked and shot with it on and have not had any issue with the top crossbar hitting my head. Just curious how it is sitting on you.

 

[mt100gr.]

I too am 6'2" and have a 26 inch duplex. I love the setup but I do run my head into the top of the frame. The way kifaru designs the pack bags to attach makes some rigidity on the top of the frame necessary. The duplex has more rigidity from the frame sheet so the cross bar on it is just a length of webbing but it's still there. I am using the nomad this year and have set up an E&E for stalks should it turn into a long, drawn out ordeal where I need water, etc. I swapped the buckles for k connectors so it comes off quietly and carry a half full 2 liter bladder in the pouch that stores the shoulder straps. That water is separate from my larger daily supply. This smaller stalking "kit" allows for much more freedom of movement as I am not strapped to the frame and confined from my hips to my neck. I hate dropping my big pack but I don't want to be wrestling it when things get hot....

 

[tipsntails7]

I take my pack off when I take my boots off.

I really don't understand dropping your boots. I've killed a few animals and have never needed to drop the boots and really wouldn't want to, some stalks have turned into 2 mile walks.

 

[ftballman125]

I too am 6'2" and have a 26 inch duplex. I love the setup but I do run my head into the top of the frame. The way kifaru designs the pack bags to attach makes some rigidity on the top of the frame necessary. The duplex has more rigidity from the frame sheet so the cross bar on it is just a length of webbing but it's still there. I am using the nomad this year and have set up an E&E for stalks should it turn into a long, drawn out ordeal where I need water, etc. I swapped the buckles for k connectors so it comes off quietly and carry a half full 2 liter bladder in the pouch that stores the shoulder straps. That water is separate from my larger daily supply. This smaller stalking "kit" allows for much more freedom of movement as I am not strapped to the frame and confined from my hips to my neck. I hate dropping my big pack but I don't want to be wrestling it when things get hot....

That makes sense... glad to know that people are figuring out ways around it. Unfortunately I run a BT3 bag, and so having an extra bag for stalking isn't really going to work all that well... not much room and I'd prefer not to have the added weight if possible. But, there may not be much of an alternative I guess...

 

[castandblast]

I'm bucking a trend but I bought a 24" bikini even though I'm 6'1" and it gives me lift without getting in the way much.

 

[dotman]

I really don't understand dropping your boots. I've killed a few animals and have never needed to drop the boots and really wouldn't want to, some stalks have turned into 2 mile walks.

X2...

 

[slim9300]

I'm the same height. In daypack mode I loosen the shoulder straps so that the stays effectively drop about 2-3" and this puts the hip belt lower too. Solves the issue for me.

I never drop my pack unless I'm carrying my full kit.

 

[colonel00]

I really don't understand dropping your boots. I've killed a few animals and have never needed to drop the boots and really wouldn't want to, some stalks have turned into 2 mile walks.

I think it was an attempt to be witty in saying that he wears his pack at all times and only takes it off when he takes his boots off to go to sleep.

 

[squeekieslayer]

I think it was an attempt to be witty in saying that he wears his pack at all times and only takes it off when he takes his boots off to go to sleep.

I don't... I have tried the boots off thing to stalk, NOT for me.

Joe

 

[boom]

I dump my pack. flip on my red flashing beacon so I can locate it if it creeps into night.

No biggie going back for my gear.

 

[fillthefreezer]

this cross bar bothers me most when riding my bike. especially steeper up hills. slacking the load lifter straps way off helps a little.

 

[squeekieslayer]

I dump my pack. flip on my red flashing beacon so I can locate it if it creeps into night.

No biggie going back for my gear.

Thats a great idea. I mark it on gps, but this would be easier.

Joe

 

[boom]

Thats a great idea. I mark it on gps, but this would be easier.

Joe

GPS works great. But mine is usually in the pack I'm dumping.

I use the flashy light from ROAD I.D. You turn it on by twisting the light. No risk of accidentally turning on. It is also freaking tiny. Fairly bright. It clips on super secure. It will never fall off.

 

[realunlucky]

GPS works great. But mine is usually in the pack I'm dumping.

I use the flashy light from ROAD I.D. You turn it on by twisting the light. No risk of accidentally turning on. It is also freaking tiny. Fairly bright. It clips on super secure. It will never fall off.

This is a great idea I'm going to look into it

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm 6'6" and that crossbar was hitting me right in the middle of the back of my head. Couldn't stand that, or the pack being that high while hunting. So I sold it and bought the Paradox. I cut 2" off the tops of their frame to make it even lower for hunting, and always have the 4" extensions I can put in for hauling.

 

[vegas hunter]

I have seen articles about stalking without boots. I don't think its all that uncommon. "Stalking socks" I think they called them.