Kifaru Bikini Troubles

[jquarnberg]

What can prevent this issue I am having? I have done just a couple hikes with a small load (optics and bladder) in my bikni nomad. I feared this may happen, but I get this bulge in the middle between the back pads that pushes into the center of my back. I got a photo to try and show it, I dont know if you can tell but the bulge down the center sticks out further than the pads, it is what makes the most contact with my back. It drives me crazy.

 

[jquarnberg]

Sorry for saying "bulge" so much, I cant think of a better word.

 

[RosinBag]

You should try putting something in that area that is wider than the opening of the pads. If your bladder is in there it will bulge and will actually heat up your water as it sits against your body all day.

With the Timberline Packs and Bikini's you have to pack more carefully with your gear or your gear can bulge through the opening.

The best fix for this is buying a Duplex Frame....

 

[7mag.]

Mine does the same thing. I don't have a solution yet, but I am more careful how I pack, so that the problem is minimized.

 

[duchntr]

I had the same issue as well so I laced 550 cord in a criss cross pattern.. This is the only picture I have of it but hopefully you can get an idea of what I'm talking about.
http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/bensansone1/media/DSCN0041_zpseb84b8cd.jpg.html

 

[djsmith46]

Just an idea but what about a water bladder that has a wider surface area instead of a tall bladder? Like that Camelbak mil spec 100 oz or so bladder? I don't know if it would help but it might be worth a try.

 

[jlsteel]

I read on another thread here that Kifaru is working on a lightweight framesheet to be used with the bikini frame.

 

[armyjoe]

What kind of water bladder are you running?

 

[squeekieslayer]

I used 2 longish straps with g hooks on each end and ran them across the gap behind the bladder, that way they hold the bladder away (some) and they are there to use to lash quarters or horns or whatever if in need them.

I was debating some of that corrugated plastic (like cardboard) stuff to put there at one point... but I really like the paracord job above. It would be lightweight and could be used in emergency.

I used to have a DT3 and DT1 so I never ran a bladder, always just a bottle or two.... so I used to strap everything in and then hold the pack and put me knee to it and it workd good hahaha.

joe

 

[bbrown]

I had the same issue when I ran the bladder under the 2 med pockets attached to the panel. Stuck the bladder in one of the sleeve pockets and problem solved. I was not wild about moving it at first but getting used to it now plus it's easier access to fill.

 

[chippewawarrior]

I used some para cord & a strap down the middle, but it only happened in my HC with a full pack and the bladder against my back. Initially, I just moved the bladder. No big deal to me...

 

[steve s]

Just got a lot less excited about the nomad... Is this a common problem for guys? Anyone else switch to duplex as a result?

 

[wapitibob]

Mine doesn't stick out enough to hit my back. I just zig zagged some release rope I had from top down to about the belt. You could also velcro a semi pliable plastic frame sheet to the other side of the nomad bag, between it and the frame. You can also use a bladder like the camelbak lumbar that sits down in the waist belt area.

 

[dotman]

I think some just get irritated/notice it easier then others, actually kind of weird though this is the first time I have seen it come up. I noticed it but it never was irritating to me.

 

[voidecho]

Sounds like it irritated a quite a few people, they just jerry rigged a solution.

 

[dotman]

Sounds like it irritated a quite a few people, they just jerry rigged a solution.

Well I guess if your gonna have a problem then this is better then a broken frame or material failure .

 

[wapitibob]

It's a bikini frame feature. Been going on since it came out with the highcamp bag. Nothing new.

 

[voidecho]

Well I guess if your gonna have a problem then this is better then a broken frame or material failure .

I see what you did there.

 

[bbrown]

It's a bikini frame feature. Been going on since it came out with the highcamp bag. Nothing new.

Exactly - its designed as a minimalist skeleton style frame so either you learn to pack around it or just deal with it. It really was not that big of a deal for me and definitely not enough to justify the duplex over the bikini for my style. Moving it was more about ease of access then the "bulge" and since I could not come up with anything to put in that slot pocket anyway it just made sense.

 

[5MilesBack]

This is just one reason why I never put my bladder against my back. I almost always try to put my bladder in an outside pocket for easy access, and removal with little interruption to anything else in the pack. On top of that, after a few years the o-rings in my Camelback degraded a bit and started leaking out of the bottom where it connects to the hose. I certainly don't need the bottom of my pack full of water and everything down there wet.