Kifaru Flat Back Test Not Always Correct

[Aron Snyder]

I might try that too.

I Loaded up my Duplex with the 4800 and threw some weights in there. I think I was a touch over 40 pounds according to the bathroom scale…still felt the pressure. I'll take the pad off tomorrow and see how it feels. Crap! I thought I had my system down, now it looks like I'm starting over again.

DON'T TRY THAT.....EVER!

Give me a call and we can go over everything.

720-937-1418

 

[edg1967]

DON'T TRY THAT.....EVER!

Give me a call and we can go over everything.

720-937-1418

Oops…I did. Sorry. I dropped the pad down on the Duplex frame to see what it felt like. That felt like I had two 2x4's strapped to my back with a couple cement blocks. I'm tied up tonight, but I'll move everything over to the Bikini frame and call you in the morning Aron. I'm tied up with a Christmas party at daycare tonight. Thanks…I appreciate your excellent service!

 

[Aron Snyder]

I know, right? Like driving a car with no tires....just makes no sense

Have fun at the party....call anytime.

 

[Duk Dog]

Plenty of good info in this thread. Kind of confirms for me why I chose the aluminum stays. Everything indicates I've got a normal back, but I ordered aluminum just in case I need to do any tweaking. Come on DT1 and warmer weather...

 

[CtP]

Aron, maybe you could shed some light on this. I read though the thread and still have a question about choice of stay profile.

If we have a normal arch to our lumbar, which stay is the best option? With these guys chiming in that flat worked better with a normal profile, even though they are a small percentage, do we just order what we think is best and if it doesn't work we just ship it back and swap frames/stays?

 

[gelton]

Here is my opinion on the subject - the flat back test showed I was a normal (curved) back, so I ordered the normal profile, however, I can definitely feel the lumbar pad in the square of my back, not nearly as bad as someone putting their knee in your back but you can definitely feel it. It is my assumption that this feature is what allows Kifaru packs to excel above others - this design helps keep the straps off of your shoulders allowing the load lifters to work better and also helps shift the weight from your shoulders to your hips where it is easier to carry.

If you don't have the pack adjusted right and/or no break in on the lumbar pad then I could see where it might be more bothersome but on the other side of the coin, if you don't have a flat back and order flat backed stays anyway then it will likely put more strain on the shoulder straps and prohibit the effectiveness of the load lifters shifting more weight to your shoulders where it is not wanted.

This is why I like the aluminum stay option because it can be customized to your fit. The good thing is that Kifaru will make it right regardless.

 

[luke moffat]

Aron, maybe you could shed some light on this. I read though the thread and still have a question about choice of stay profile.

If we have a normal arch to our lumbar, which stay is the best option? With these guys chiming in that flat worked better with a normal profile, even though they are a small percentage, do we just order what we think is best and if it doesn't work we just ship it back and swap frames/stays?

Craig,

I am nearly 100% confident you are a standard stay guy. I've seen your ghetto booty. Only cause you were beating me up the mountain while we were struggling to keep up with Foster!

 

[Aron Snyder]

Listen to Luke!

 

[CtP]

Thanks Luke & Aron.

It was nice to have some company on that climb, although you did have the best view.

Luke, what configuration did you choose for your EMR/duplex combo? Looking forward to hear how that pack works for ya on Kodiak

I picked up a dg007, so I'm headed to Ketch to chase goats with Foster.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Out of all the frames we sell to customers, less than 1% need aluminum frame/custom bended stays. Some will need to go from a standard back composite to a flat back, but again, very few need something different.

Patrick and I have talked about the flat vs composite in great length since I met him a few years ago (my back is flatter than plywood) and here's what we've come up with.

The flat back composite will work pretty dang good on curved back users, but a curved back will not work on a flat back guy. This means the curved back guy that's using a flat back stay will not get the crazy pressure in his back that happens when this is reversed.

Now when someone like me uses a standard stay, I WILL get some pressure when packing a heavy load that can cause pain. This is because the bend for standard back does not distribute the weight to the entire lumbar pad. What I actually feel is the majority of the pressure on the upper part of the lumbar pad. If you take someone that has a big curve in the lumbar region and they use a flat back stay, the pressure is distributed throughout the lumbar pad, but it won't keep the weight on your hips as well as the curved would.

Keep in mind that none of this is 100% exact all the time, but no matter what your situation, we can get the pack to fit you.

The options that Kifaru offers is why I feel we can fit just about anyone. Let's say I get a call from someone that says they don't like the curved stay in their frame...no problem, as we will just put a straight aluminum stay in the frame. We have never done this, but we can if needed.

If someone wanted a HUGE bend in the lumbar region, but didn't want a huge lumbar pad, then we can do that as well.

Long story short, we can get just about anything figured out and fitted if you give us a chance to do so.

 

[luke moffat]

Luke, what configuration did you choose for your EMR/duplex combo? Looking forward to hear how that pack works for ya on Kodiak

I went with a duplex frame with standard composite stays and and EMR II and a longhunter lid (that will get a hack job as I never use it as a messenger bag style or anything) all in highlander.

Its at the post office and Becca is picking it up for me this morning before she comes and picks me up from the airport. Coming off of night shift I doubt I'll do much with it today though, other than ensure its all there and make sure its fitted to me. No plans to load it up and take pics of it in the house. Got too much to do for packing for Kodiak on Thursday and then flying out first thing Friday morning for such things. Maybe when I get back I suppose if someone wants to see something that Aron hasn't already done, but I doubt it. Seems to me he covered all the options and many of the configurations well enough to give most the idea of what its all about in this pic library on the website and the videos.

Congrats on the goat tag man!!! James Bond style and all with the 007 tag!

If I'm blessed with a chance to harvest a winter billy I'll be sure to see if I can't get some pics of it in meat mode Really looking forward to find the niches of how I'll load what were. After using the Highcamp bag all last year I wont' know what to do with myself with so much organization.