Kifaru Stays for the New Hunting Frame

[Imcolej]

I have the newest Kifaru hunting frame with Aluminum stays. It's by far the most comfortable pack I've ever used (and I've had them all). It's the 26 inch version. I just recently purchased the Markhor to get my setup even lighter. While I'm waiting for the bag to arrive, I'm wanting to cut the weight further by going with the composite stays or the arrows.

I have a regular back profile and I'm not sure which stays to go with. We are usually packing out 2-3 elk per year and I want there to still be some decent load hauling capability with this setup when walking out heavy.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[bates]

My personal limited flat land advice is to go with the composite stays

I have a 26inch frame as well, I ordered the UL with the arrows first didn't kill anything this year but did a fair amount of training/hiking with the pack

I recently bought the composite stays with a new bag, put them in yesterday and did a couple of miles last night, I was running right around 40lbs, and I definatley noticed a difference over the arrows I put weight in both yesterday, the butt pad just rides better and I preferred the composite stays, I would say I have regular back

the arrows are only like $12 so it wouldn't hurt to buy them to try, but I don't see myself putting them back in

 

[dotman]

I used to run composite in my older Kifaru gear. I now use two arrows per stay pocket and love it, cost is $10 a set so get two sets. I would give this a try first if I were you, it isn't for everyone but I see zero reason to not use the arrow stays or give them a try first to see if they are for you considering how cheap they are.

I have no problem with 100lb loads and the dual arrow stays, hauled out my mule deer and gear, so from this flatlander I say give them a try.

 

[mrbillbrown]

I originally bought mine with aluminum stays. Cut arrows from stock I had laying around and haven't looked back. Sold the alum stays and don't regret it one bit. I train weekly with weight varying from 45-65-100# depending on the workout. If the flat profile works for you then arrows are awesome.

*flatlander also

 

[Imcolej]

Thanks everyone for the input. I didn't know you could use the frame with dual arrows. That is something to thing about. Is the dual arrow setup still lighter than just going with composites?

 

[castandblast]

I haven't tried the arrows, but I like my Duplex much better with the composite stays than I did with the aluminum. I was worried that not being able to shape the stays would be a problem but they fit well. The weight savings is very noticeable. Especially when only running my Nomad in daypack mode.

 

[dotman]

Thanks everyone for the input. I didn't know you could use the frame with dual arrows. That is something to thing about. Is the dual arrow setup still lighter than just going with composites?

Well I think each arrow maybe weighs .5oz so yes it is much lighter

 

[Imcolej]

Well I think each arrow maybe weighs .5oz so yes it is much lighter

I never said I was bright in my original post!

 

[mrbillbrown]

Yes, much lighter.

I've run 1 and 2 arrows per side and can't tell a major difference. A guy at Kifaru ;^) told me 1 arrow per side works fine but if 2 arrows made me feel better then run 2 per side. Either way, 1 or 2 arrows per side, will work.

 

[Manosteel]

Having been running Kifaru for awhile and getting the new duplex hunting frame with composite and arrow stays in time for all my hunts this season, I kinda wish I went with the tacticle version looking back. To much flex in the new duplex frame with arrow stays for my taste, especially with loads in excess of 100 lbs. A stiffer board might have made the arrow stays more to my liking.

With the composite stays my new frame is golden!

 

[hammer0419]

I will give you my thoughts. I started out with the arrow stays. It was not bad but frame is VERY FLIMSY when everything is not tightened down. I added a second pair of arrows which did stiffen frame up a bit. It has all the vertical stiffness but can still barrel a bit. I JUST received a set of aluminum stays 2 days ago. An absolute 10000% better in every way. My personal experience (15 Kifaru packs) is I much rather use the aluminum stays over the composite stays. With aluminum I can bend to fit my back PERFECT!! I will sacrifice a few ounces for an absolute perfect fit any day. I can make a couple ounces up in a dozen other places.

 

[freediver111]

Although I'm new to Kifaru packs, I just bought a tactical frame with aluminum stays. After speaking with Aron, I wouldn't go with arrows if you plan to pack out 2-3 elk a year (I typically pack 2-3 elk a year as well and look forward to a more comfortable load!). I'm not as experienced as some the previous responders when it comes to Kifaru though.
AL vs. Composite, well it's not a lot of weight difference really, and if the AL fit you well, there's a chance the composite may not since they can't be shaped. I wouldn't stress too much over it, but if 8-9 oz. is so worth it, buy them I guess.

 

[hammer0419]

Although I'm new to Kifaru packs, I just bought a tactical frame with aluminum stays. After speaking with Aron, I wouldn't go with arrows if you plan to pack out 2-3 elk a year (I typically pack 2-3 elk a year as well and look forward to a more comfortable load!). I'm not as experienced as some the previous responders when it comes to Kifaru though.
AL vs. Composite, well it's not a lot of weight difference really, and if the AL fit you well, there's a chance the composite may not since they can't be shaped. I wouldn't stress too much over it, but if 8-9 oz. is so worth it, buy them I guess.

Some people are ounce counters? An ok fit and save 8oz or a perfect fit and add 8oz?? If you had 100lbs in your pack. Are 8oz gonna make a difference or is a custom fit going to be more beneficial??? For me personally its a no brained.

 

[JoshTX]

I have a pretty flat back..ie no ass. I tried the flat back composites but they just didnt feel right. Got a set of aluminum stays and after a lot of trial and error by bending the stays to my back, I found the right fit. I since sold that frame but not before I traced an outline of the stays that fit right. When I get a new frame, I order aluminum and bend the stays to fit that trace. Works well for me.

I think the composites are the way to go if they fit you right. They are noticeably lighter. My dos centavos.

 

[husky390]

It's a minimal investment to buy the arrows from Kifaru, give em a try and if you don't like em you can buy the composites.

 

[Rizzy]

Anyone try titanium yet?

 

[hammer0419]

To find a place to make titanium stays would prob cost you more than the frame. Kifaru uses 6061 aluminum. It is a decent aluminum. I wish they would use 7075. It is more that 2x the strength and lighter in weight. Meaning they could use thinner stock, still be as strong as thicker 6061 and be much lighter. I found a place to do it but it was a fortune because of the setup cost and such.

 

[Rizzy]

I have found 7075 bar stock from the online metal suppliers but its quite a bit more expensive than 6061.
Titanium bar stock is hard to find and really expensive, titanium rod is more available and seems like a better option than small diameter carbon fiber tube (arrow).
I just have a hard time getting on board with using carbon fiber for some structural applications, like a pack frame. The yield sucks, I'd rather have my stays bend under perpendicular force, not break.
With that said, arrows and carbon seem to be working so far....

 

[hammer0419]

7075 is much much more expensive because it is a superior material. Titanium is a FORTUNE.