Kifaru KU 4300 review **Updated 2/25/24**

[sivart]

This is almost 100% individual body type dependent. I have been apart of 40-50 elk being packed out between 2 and 6.8 miles in X-Curves, a dozen or more in various Kifaru’s, 5-6 in Mystery Ranch’s, 10-12 in Exo K3’s, and 4 this year in K4’s. Somewhere close to 100 deer and antelope in X-Cruves and 30-40 in Kifaru’s, and 20-30 in Exo. Usual pack out loads are bone in rear and front quarter at a minimum, and often the head or the backstrap/tenderloins as well for the first load. Deer and antelope is generally one trip bone in. I used to carry a scale at the truck- average loads were 85-90lbs and frequently 110-115lbs.
The Xcurve is slightly more flexible in barreling than the Exo’s (I actually prefer the K3 frame to the K4), some Kifaru’s are about the same and some are less susceptible to the slight barreling.

In no way the X-Curve “doesn’t haul meat like the others”. I have hiked and packed extensively with a bunch of people that have a SG, Kifaru, and Exo all sitting side by side. My experience is bout 10% pick a Kifaru to haul loads over the others after using them all, and it is a very specific body type. The rest have all preferred SG X-Curve or Exo.

Glad to finally see someone else who prefers the K3 frame to the K4. Now I feel less crazy.

 

[StopMakingSense]

Maybe it is very body type-dependent but everything that @Formidilosus has said has been my complete opposite observation with SG, Exo, and Kifaru frames.

I only use Kifaru now because it just works. I'm not a big dude either. SG always packed the worst for me, The Exo K3 was not great, the K4 is better, but the Kifaru Duplex just feels right.

 

[Dobermann]

The rest have all preferred SG X-Curve or Exo.

Form, from memory, when you posted the results from some extensive testers a couple of years ago (which had most people choosing the SG), that was before you posted you were going to run an Exo for a while ...

What have you seen since then as a rough breakdown in preference of SG vs Exo?

I have a large lumbar curve, and Kifaru works for me; I also don't have access to SG or Exo packs to compare. But was interested what the preference breakdown was between the SG and Exo given the passing of time (and also that, when it first appeared, the Exo seemed like it was fairly far down the table of offerings from what was then Kifaru, SG, and MR, as the top three...).

 

[Formidilosus]

What have you seen since then as a rough breakdown in preference of SG vs Exo?

I dont want this to turn into a pack comparison drift, I just wanted to address the original post I quoted. However, about 50/50 between X-Curve and K3. The hip belt on the K3 had a weak point and that was an issue. The K4 is better in most regards, however the bag design is a solid step backwards from the K3’s for how I and some others use a pack.

 

[JohnB]

Screw the backpack! Tony tell us about what's in it!

 

[Tony Trietch]

Tony, couple things..

1. Did they remove the water bladder pocket and water ports on the side?

2. I saw a zipper back panel at the top, is this an additional pocket? How big is this?

It has a water bladder sleeve and the zippered pocket is not very large. I used the pocket for tags, knife, TP and small sand bag for rifle. It measures about 8”x9” and can stretch to maybe 2.5” deep.

 

[Dos Perros]

It’s hugely dependent on body shape- I despise Kifaru’s hip belts. They are way to large/wide, slip and greatly impede hip movement and mobility. This has been a common complaint of most of the people that I was referring to above. To get the belt to not slip requires it to be extremely tight. As well, they generally have a massive lumber pad which also causes the belt to slip if you don’t have a deep lumbar curve, and again means that some/most need to tighten the belt even more, which puts significant pressure on the lumbar.

This is not me saying Kifaru doesn’t make a good pack- they do. It’s that most people don’t have the body shape that Kifaru’s are built for/around. The people I know and have seen that prefer them after using the others extensively- including @Ryan Avery, all have a similar build. They really prefer them. But, for a lot of people that don’t have that body shape, Kifaru’s are the last choice among the top packs.

Kifaru’s are very good packs and for some body shapes are the best available. For some body shapes they are not good. But, take body shape out of the equation- functionally the X-Curve carries weight like the other top packs.






Yes it does. However, the “barreling” that X-Curves do, is not what most think of as barreling- it only happens with certain load types and packing, and is virtually unnoticeable while using it.

I purposely put a load of frozen meat with a bulge in the middle on the shelf of an original R3 5900 non X-curve right in the center of the frame then cinched it down as absolutely tight as I could get with my knee pressing down to purposely try to break the stays and cause the most barreling possible. I succeeded in breaking a cross stay, and damaging another. The pack carried a very heavy load out in relatively steep terrain without issue, and I could not tell anything was wrong outside of when picking it up.

I have what some might describe as a badonkadonk, nice juicy and shaped rear. With heavy loads the SG sags and slips and I have to tighten it so much it pinches the points of my hips. The belt loosens over time, too. I also have a curved back and the barreling pushes right into the center of my back, and is really noticeable and uncomfortable.

It is still my primary pack, and I’ve packed out more animals with it than any other. I really like it, just not for heavy and rigid loads.

If the Ark carries like the Duplex Tactical it would be an every day all the time kind of pack for me.

 

[S.Clancy]

Some specs.

The ARK frame in the 25" medium is 3.09 pounds. KU 4300 is 1.8 pounds. All in weight of 4.89 pounds for 4300 ci.

The SG X-Curve (which is probably the lightest of the big names, but certainly doesn't haul meat like the others) is 3.0 pounds in medium. The Col 4800 is 1 lb 10.8oz bag only. Total weight of 4.69 pounds for 4800 ci.

Based on that IMO the Kifaru specs seem pretty impressive. I would wager for a minimal weight gain you're getting quite a bit more load hauling capability, but at the cost of bag durability. I think most people would take that assuming they could live with the price. That's also assuming the Kifaru listed specs are accurate, which hasn't always been the case in the past.

Wouldn't you have to include K clips and straps on top of the frame for attachment? Or did they change that.

 

[S.Clancy]

Has it been decided for certain that the stone certainly does not haul meat like other packs?

My Terminus hauls meat better than the Duplex lite, for me. I like the narrower shoulder harness, longer shoulder straps and the denser foam of the straps and waist belt.

 

[Formidilosus]

I have what some might describe as a badonkadonk, nice juicy and shaped rear.

That is exactly the body type that prefers Kifaru. Powerlifters, etc. Deep curve of the lumbar, big glutes.

 

[Pramo]

Most everything Stone Glacier makes will fit tall and lean the best, based on the fact the founder has that build it makes sense. I'm 6'2'' 185 and 33 inch waist almost everything I get now is stone glacier simply cause it's fits, shirts and jackets are long enough and I even like the long neck on hoods everyone complains about.

I'm glad these pack makers are geared towards certain body types rather than one size fits none.

 

[rbutcher1234]

That is exactly the body type that prefers Kifaru. Powerlifters, etc. Deep curve of the lumbar, big glutes.

Ok based on this it sounds like I should look into the kifaru over the SG. No idea which kifaru to look at though.

 

[sndmn11]

Ok based on this it sounds like I should look into the kifaru over the SG. No idea which kifaru to look at though.

I think you should consider taking away from the last page or so of comments that fit drives preference. I do not do well with the Kifaru duplex or SG xcurve. If you do not know what you are looking for in a frame, buy two different FRAMES and use them. Then figure out the bag part.

Exo has a 30 day trial thing I think.
Kifaru and SG frames pop up here in the classifieds a lot, as well as Seek, Mystery Ranch, etc.

 

[willfrye027]

How do the Kuiu pro fit compared to those mentioned above? I’m looking to switch. I’ve only had Kuiu packs, about every iteration, and I love them until it’s time to haul meat. I can never keep the load up on my hips and off my ass/sacrum when it’s over 60-70lbs,

I’d say I have a big ass/thighs with a lot of lumbar curve and 33in waist. 6’0 and 185.

 

[Dos Perros]

Wouldn't you have to include K clips and straps on top of the frame for attachment? Or did they change that.

Good point. Not sure if that’s included in the bag weight? I did the math for the all in weight, don’t see it specifically listed on the website. Maybe I missed it.

 

[S.Clancy]

Good point. Not sure if that’s included in the bag weight? I did the math for the all in weight, don’t see it specifically listed on the website. Maybe I missed it.

I don't think it was for the duplex lite, which was frustrating. If you want 2 sets of straps for attaching meat to the frame then the 2 sets you need to attach the frame to the bag it was an extra ~ 9 oz as I remember. It doesn't seem like much, but in the Ark reference you'd be adding 18-19% to the total frame weight (unless it is included in the bag weight, which I would bet $$$ it's not, I could be wrong tho)

 

[Bearwhisky]

That is exactly the body type that prefers Kifaru. Powerlifters, etc. Deep curve of the lumbar, big glutes.

Interesting. I have assatall disease and have been very happy with my kifaru frame.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Formidilosus]

Interesting. I have assatall disease and have been very happy with my kifaru frame.

Have you carried loads back to back in the mountains with it and the other top packs-Exo, SG, MR, etc? I mean something like having 6 round trips to pack meat out and switching the pack each trip to compare and contrast?

Kifaru is a good pack and if I were coming from a Badlands, etc. I would be through the roof with how great it is. I am not saying it sucks, I am saying that compared back to back with the other top packs, lots of people do not prefer it over them. That’s all.

 

[realunlucky]

Have you carried loads back to back in the mountains with it and the other top packs-Exo, SG, MR, etc? I mean something like having 6 round trips to pack meat out and switching the pack each trip to compare and contrast?

Kifaru is a good pack and if I were coming from a Badlands, etc. I would be through the roof with how great it is. I am not saying it sucks, I am saying that compared back to back with the other top packs, lots of people do not prefer it over them. That’s all.

Did you get a chance to try the ArK frame the purpose of this thread?

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[Formidilosus]

Did you get a chance to try the ArK frame the purpose of this thread?

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

I have not. My apologies, I should not have engaged when guys claim that others packs don’t carry weight.