I am working in my review of the new Kifaru KU4300. I will get this out ASAP.
***Update 2/25/24*** Kifaru KU 4300 Review
![IMG_7181.jpeg IMG_7181.jpeg](https://forumdata.rokslide.com/file/forumdata/data/attachments/643/643371-b0cebfe74895f49d27892c823e95ea2b.jpg)
***Update 2/25/24*** Kifaru KU 4300 Review
![IMG_7181.jpeg IMG_7181.jpeg](https://forumdata.rokslide.com/file/forumdata/data/attachments/643/643371-b0cebfe74895f49d27892c823e95ea2b.jpg)
Last edited by a moderator:
So you’re going to let the cat out of the bag on the 4300 so to speak?I am working in my review of the new Kifaru KU4300. Will get this out asap.
View attachment 670465
Has it been decided for certain that the stone certainly does not haul meat like other packs?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.
Has it been decided for certain that the stone certainly does not haul meat like other packs?
… I have the X Curve and the Kifaru Duplex Tactical and the Exo K4. …
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.
Are these website numbers, or on your scale?
The SG X-Curve (which is probably the lightest of the big names, but certainly doesn't haul meat like the others)
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.
Wondered the same thing. 4.89lbs on a Kifaru shop scale is 6.5lbs in real life.Are these website numbers, or on your scale?
Sure, it’s body type dependent and there is some personal preference layered in. I don’t think it’s unusual to experience that more surface area on a belt leads to increased comfort…the SG being the smallest of the 3.
And when you put a 1/8” sheet of HDPE in there like Kifaru does it’s pretty effective at reducing barreling.
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.