Kifaru Frame Size

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Jun 8, 2016
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454
Location
Colorado
How do you guys know which frame length to get? Does the 26" frame just give you more of an angle for the load lifter straps? So wouldn't that be what you want?

I am about 5'10"/185lbs/Waist about 33-34/inseam around 30.

I was thinking of the Medium belt and 26" frame. Should I opt for the small belt since I am kind of right on that edge? And is the 26" frame the way to go?

Thanks for the feedback
 
My experience has been that it's better to have a belt a shade on the small side than too big. My waist is 30" and the small belt was definitely too big.

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Really? Even though that small belt says between 28-33". Interesting, maybe I'll take into consideration that I should be losing some LBS as well so get the small belt over the medium haha.
 
My experience has been that it's better to have a belt a shade on the small side than too big. My waist is 30" and the small belt was definitely too big.

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My experience with the belt is opposite. When I've had belt slippage issues, it is because my belt was too small. I fall between sizes (M&L). I"ve tried M, L and Marge. All of my current packs are size large to deal with any slippage and deal with layering and seems to work best for me.

As far as the frame goes, torso length is your key measurement. Yes, the 26" stays will provide you with more lift, but 24 can provide plenty if your torso isn't that long.
 
I am almost exactly your size and have a longer than normal torso but still felt the 26" frame was too tall. I'd go with a 24" and if you call kifaru they will make a smedium belt for you between the s and M
 
If i understood the video on Kifaru correctly, with the 26" frame, the lifter straps could be moved down to the 24" level fairly easy. So other than having 2" of fame sticking out- you really have the option of both. I guess if you know you don't need the 26" frame, than no point in buying it. But I don't really know what size i need. I consider myself having a fairly long torso and arms.
 
Graves, that right there probably confirms what I need. Someone who is similar build and has the frame already. Didn't know you could have them do that so sounds like I need to give them a call when I place this order.
 
I'm roughly the same size (5'11" / 175# / 32-33 waist) and I went with the 26" frame and small waist belt. To go off of what PathFinder said, it's better to have the belt on the smaller side for when you have a heavy load and you want to really tighten down the belt. There has been a couple times during the summer when I was training that I wished the belt was a tiny bit smaller. Comparing the belt size to your pants isn't an apples to apples comparison since your pants are not trying to support 80+lbs
 
How do you guys know which frame length to get? Does the 26" frame just give you more of an angle for the load lifter straps? So wouldn't that be what you want?

I am about 5'10"/185lbs/Waist about 33-34/inseam around 30.

I was thinking of the Medium belt and 26" frame. Should I opt for the small belt since I am kind of right on that edge? And is the 26" frame the way to go?

Thanks for the feedback

I'm about exactly your size and I run a 26'' with a small-medium belt. I just packed out almost 100# Sat. and I couldn't come close to bottoming out the belt. The small is too small. The 26'' frame does suck when your in thick stuff.
 
I am in the same boat. I just talked to Frank at Kifaru, my recommended size is 24", but for over 80LBs he said the 26" works better. So, anybody had both sizes? How much of a difference is it for a 5-10 guy running around with a 26 over an 24 when in day mode? To me, the investment in the Kifaru would be for the load packing capabilities.
 
I'm 6'2" 185lbs and I run the 26" and a small belt. Waist is 32 or 33 and I can get pretty close to bottoming out the small, but I really crank in on the belt. Everyone has a different torso size so you may want to measure your torso or just go with the 26" and notch down to 24" if you need to.
 
WV, i sent an email and had confirmed what you just said. 5'10" is right on the edge for a 24 or 26 frame. Whoever responded to my email (no name associated), said that if you were going to be carrying heavy loads regularly than the 26" frame is the way to go. Also was told to just put in the comments section that you are between sizes on the waist and they will make a smedium belt.
 
I am 5'10 175 pounds. I went with 22 inch for my frame. 54 years old not going to haul over 50 pounds so do not need extra lift. I also wanted to get on airplane once and a while with it as a carry on. My method of hunting is still hunt all day and where we hunt is heavy timber and lots of blowdowns. Quite often I am on hands and knees crawling under blowdowns. If the country was more open I would go 24 or 26.
 
WV, i sent an email and had confirmed what you just said. 5'10" is right on the edge for a 24 or 26 frame. Whoever responded to my email (no name associated), said that if you were going to be carrying heavy loads regularly than the 26" frame is the way to go. Also was told to just put in the comments section that you are between sizes on the waist and they will make a smedium belt.

^^^ spot on from my experience. I'm an inch shorter at 5'9" and went with the 26" because I figured it would be better with heavy loads when it sags a little and I could always move the load lifters down. It is good but I found myself wishing I had the 24 like my hunting buddy (same height) most of the time as its just a little easier to get around in the timber with. Got a 24 on order now as it should still give me enough lift with a lot of weight and just be a little more ideal for the bulk of the time where I'm not carrying super heavy loads.
 
I'm 5'10" 180lbs 31-32"waist, 31" inseam. When my 24" hunter frame arrived in Feb, I tried it on, loaded up some weight...5mins later I was on the phone with Aron. Texted him some pic's. Returned it the next day for a 26". I've put several hundred miles on it since then and never once regretted switching to the 26". Small belt. Anything else would be way too big. After everything I had heard about the way a kifaru carried heavy weight I was underwhelmed with the 24". FWIW, based on the pic's I sent Aron, he said I'd only be good to about 65lbs with the 24".
 
FWIW I bought my 26 with the intentions of hauling a heavy camp and hauling meat as the priority. If I was buying it for day hunting and hauling meat I would have got a 24. I actually bought a different pack for day hunting.
 
This is a question I have been wondering, is there any kind of equation or ratio that says what frame is better for various torso length?

I know some manufacturers such as arcteryx etc that offer different size torso length packs will have a recommendation saying if you are say below 18" go with this on etc,is there a guide for the Kifaru frame fitting?
 
I am 5-11, 31" inseam. Weigh anywhere from 170 - 185 dependent on the part of the year. Waist 31 - 33". I would go with the 26" and small belt. Towards the end of elk season this year as I lost weight - I was running out of adjustment on the small when I was cranking down some real heavy loads. Personally - I think there are several belt sizes that will work just fine until you have to crank them down with a heavy load.
 
6'
180lbs
i have the 24" and the small belt
no problems for me
i have been curious on the 26" but the 24 works well for me with heavy weight, so i think i will stick with it..
 
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