Kifaru Pack Bag on a Paradox Frame?

[mtluckydan]

Looking for feedback from anyone who has tried running a kifaru pack bag on a paradox frame. How hard is it to attach the bag and how well does it work. Also, would the frame work well hauling meat bags on the load shelf with them either strapped to the frame or compressed with a talon or something similar. Thanks for the info.

 

[Ray]

You would have to modify the kifaru stap system to match up with the paradox system of buckels. Also the paradox frame is not set up to hang a bag from like the kifaru frames are. The paradox frame is also incased in fabric so it is nearly impossible to directly attache additional straps to the frame.

You could use a kifaru bag held between the frame and the talon.

Keep in mind that the paradox is not designed to be as modular and multifuntional as all the kifaru gear, and thus it is made specifically to its few components.

Your last question does not make much sense as the primary use of the paradox frame and talon is to haul meat bags in that manner. That is specifically what it was designed for, so yes it works for its intended purpose. Works very well. If you are hauling deboned meat it would be best to have it in a tall skinny bag that prevents the meat from "pooling" in the bottom of the bag onto the load shelf.

 

[Rossi]

To answer the last part of the OP, the Paradox Evolution frame works great as a stand alone load hauler with just the compression straps or the talon. A different bag can be added independent of these compression straps with a little thought and ingenuity. I added a Kuiu 1850 as my day pack with the straps that came with the 1850, but still have the option to use the compression straps and load shelf with the bag. I haven't looked closely enough at the Kifaru attachment system, but I would think there would be a way to attach one of their bags to the Evolution. It may not be the way it attaches to the Duplex frame, but it may work if that is what you want to do.

 

[mtluckydan]

I currently run several kifaru packs for hunting and getting out the first load. I prefer my bull pack frame with kifaru belt for hauling meat. I like the quick lace system for securing meat bags. Having two pack systems isn't always practical. I was trying to evaluate whether I could accomplish that with the paradox frame. The pack options are limited as mentioned and it is always hard to determine from photos what will and will not work. I would be hauling boned meat in kifaru meat baggies. I was hoping their strap system in combination with the talon would stop the meat from pooling in the bottom. I am planning an Alaska hunt for Caribou and am trying to get the best option. I picked up a longhunter bag from the Rhino Den and debating about the frame. I would like to go lighter than the duplex frame as I max out at about 60 lb loads. I have been waiting for kifaru to come up with a mod for the bikini to close the gap between the stays. Can't get a time frame or answer on that deal. I was considering the paradox as an option with the longhunter bag. However, don't want a pack that isn't going to be practical. Thanks for the feedback so far.

 

[DaveC]

I'm not especially familiar with the dimensions of the hypalon slot/flap Kifaru bags use to attach to a frame, and can't turn one up with a bit of Googling, either. The Paradox Evo frame is about 10" wide at the very top. If the Kifaru bag flap was that side, and the slots for the load lifter buckles are in the right spot, the rest should be fairly easily. You could for example sew 3/4" ladderlocks to 1" g-hooks. I believe Paradox and Kifaru bags have a similarly wide base (14") as well.

 

[Ray]

Here is my old Longhunter G2 Guide bag on my Paradox evo frame.

First is just the paradox frame top of the frame. The slider ring is for running the top straps off the bag and securing to the evo frame. The kifaru water bladder hanger is secured to the velcro tabs that secure a cross piece of the evo frame.

Here is the top view of the evo frame with the lid and bag and talon moved away from the frame.

And here is your biggest issue when trying to use a talon over another bag. The bag, lid and talon have opposing buckles that allow you to take everything off and clipping the straps from each side together holding your load.

Here is the longhunter bag on the evo frame with the load lifters pulled through and the lid sliders pulled through. Longhunter lid is in back and you can see you will have to modify that to get a kifaru lid to attach to the evo frame.

 

[Ray]

The middle compression strap from the long hunter bag comes in just below the top strap of the evo frame. You can take the buckle off the evo and use it to hold the kifaru bag to the frame. Once you do that you can no longer quickly attach the talon to the evo frame.

Here is the two possible straps off the long hunter bag that can go to the lowest strap off the evo frame.

Here is the talon used to hold the longhunter bag to the evo frame. Keep in mind once you start pulling the clips off the straps that are specific to the talon and evo frame you will loose the usability. Also the very top straps for the talon are trapped under the hanger for the longhunter bag at the top of the frame. You could run them out of the two load lifter holes, but they come off the side of the sewn incasement for the frame so even that could present an issue depending on the load.

 

[Rossi]

Based on Ray's photos, it does look like there would be a fair amount of finagling to be done to get the Longhunter on the Evo frame. If the talon is one of the major issues, I would recommend not using the talon. From my uses, I think the compression straps and bottom load shelf for the Evo work better to compress a load than with the talon. With the 1850, I have the Evo compression straps hooked together under the bag and then another set of straps that can compress the bag over the top of a load. This might be a solution for the Longhunter. Hopefully this picture will give you an idea of what my setup looks like.View attachment 23186

 

[Rossi]

Whoops, looks like the photo didn't come through. Let me try again.

 

[Ray]

If I was seriously considering a kifaru, or other bag, on a paradox frame I would not use the talon, and stick to what ever compression system works with the bag. I also determined last night that the ability to compress a meat load between the frame and bag with the Longhunter is just not there. Another style of Kifaru bag like their mountain rambler may work better, but any type of bag that is meant to hang on a frame pocket will remove or greatly deminish the frame-bag compression functionallity.

 

[Justin Crossley]

To the OP,
It sounds to me like you need to call Aron and talk to him about a Duplex and Mountain Rambler. If you call him, he can give you some tips on how to knock a bit of weight off the Duplex to make it fit your needs better.

 

[Ray]

I picked up a longhunter bag from the Rhino Den and debating about the frame. I would like to go lighter than the duplex frame as I max out at about 60 lb loads. I have been waiting for kifaru to come up with a mod for the bikini to close the gap between the stays. Can't get a time frame or answer on that deal. I was considering the paradox as an option with the longhunter bag. However, don't want a pack that isn't going to be practical. Thanks for the feedback so far.

I do not think they are going to create a solution to the Bikini frame openess. Users have posted up some of their solutions around here: weaving a paracord web is one. I think someone else made a cloth frame sheet.

Packing boned out meat could create some push against your back over time and under compression. If I had a bikini I would make my own out of material cinched between the two webbing loops above and below the back pads. Get some PVC coated net mesh that does not stretch too bad and make a panel to be laced in those webbing loops. Similar to what is found on Barny's frames or old camptrails frames.

 

[mtluckydan]

Great information guys. Sounds like a no-go on the kifaru/paradox combo. I like what I have heard about the paradox frame, but I am a noise freak and it sounds like the pack bags are a little noisier than I would like. I love my kifaru gear and will probably go that route.

 

[Kevin_t]

The X33 Multicam is Cordura and sounds the same IMO . The vx21 coyote is pretty quite as well. The VX42 and X21rc are louder especially below freezing
Kevin

 

[5MilesBack]

The vx21 coyote is pretty quite as well.

Kevin, is what you're calling the vx21 coyote the 210D, because I can never find the 210D option on your webpage? Thanks.

 

[Kevin_t]

Check http://store.seekoutside.com/backpacks-lightweight/

The info and video should be correct. We have 2 210D fabrics one is a 2 layer and one a 3. The coyote is 3 layer and soft hand and not real loud

 

[DaveC]

I agree with Kevin, the X33 is just as quiet as the good 500D cordura (which has a thicker PU coating than the cheap stuff). X33 is a great hunting pack fabric, just tough enough without being overkill.

 

[Ray]

During most of my AK hunting its not cold enough to present a problem with the noise on my basic bag (its grey so what ever that stuff is) At 0 it does make some krinkly noise, but I seldom hunt at below freezing up here. When you are moving there is not any more noise than any other pack system I have worn. The brush up here will make noise no matter what material your pack is made of.