Kifaru to compare to my Stone Glacier

[goathunter]

I am interested in trying the Kifaru suspension and packs. I currently have a Stone Glacier 5100 with the original Krux frame. What would be the most apples to apples frame and bag to try? Thanks

 

[Marble]

I would call Kifaru and ask them. They would probably give you all the options and the suggestions you are looking for.

 

[Kotaman]

44 Mag to me appears at least as big or even bigger than a SG 5100. Muskeg 5000 would be similar size wise if not bigger. Reckoning would be a little bigger. These three would all be similar in size paired with an Ultralite Duplex frame.

 

[jhayes6405]

Ive owned several Kifaru frames and have tried on 2 SG frames. For me the lack of any real lumber pad on the SG frames was the glaring difference. It was such a difference it overshadowed anything else and I didn't notice anything aside from that. If the SG fits your comfortably, it would be likely that the Kifaru would fit different enough you may not like it.

 

[Kotaman]

Ive owned several Kifaru frames and have tried on 2 SG frames. For me the lack of any real lumber pad on the SG frames was the glaring difference. It was such a difference it overshadowed anything else and I didn't notice anything aside from that. If the SG fits your comfortably, it would be likely that the Kifaru would fit different enough you may not like it.

I absolutely love the SG Xframe and I LOVE the Kifaru Duplex. They are different but both fit me great and I have no problem using either on a mountain hunt. Kifaru carries a heavier load better, while SG is lighter. I choose accordingly depending on the hunt.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I absolutely love the SG Xframe and I LOVE the Kifaru Duplex. They are different but both fit me great and I have no problem using either on a mountain hunt. Kifaru carries a heavier load better, while SG is lighter. I choose accordingly depending on the hunt.

This 100%

I have a Stone Glacier and a Kifaru, both fit fine but serve completely different roles for me. When weight is a consideration, I take the stone glacier, when Im going for longer periods of time or on hunts where weight is less of an issue, the kifaru can fill that role but really either work. I tend to use the Kifaru for moose hunting because the tactical frame makes a better platform for hauling out heavy meat loads, for mountain hunting, the SG gets the nod.

I'm not sure I'll ever truly settle on one over the other 100% but I do find I use the Kifaru less and less simply because my SG pack weighs 1/2 of what the kifaru weighs and fits me just as well.

 

[goathunter]

Thanks for all the input guys. I use my 5100 for a daypack, and for backpack hunting. I had a MR Nice pack before this that I used for a daypack, it was a little small for backpacking. I thought it packed well but was HEAVY - like 9 lbs.

When I got the 5100 it blew me away that it had more capacity, and I felt was more comfortable, and I could drop all that weight. I packed out elk and packed in some pretty heavy backpack loads and thought it did well, but this year it's been a little rough on me for some reason (getting old?). Maybe it's out of adjustment, but I think I might need a curved frame. I am all about cutting weight though so the thought of gaining 1/2 lb for the xcurve kills me.

Anyways, I thought if I was experimenting I might try a Kifaru. Everyone raves about the waistbelt, etc. I like the SG bags better though.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Thanks for all the input guys. I use my 5100 for a daypack, and for backpack hunting. I had a MR Nice pack before this that I used for a daypack, it was a little small for backpacking. I thought it packed well but was HEAVY - like 9 lbs.

When I got the 5100 it blew me away that it had more capacity, and I felt was more comfortable, and I could drop all that weight. I packed out elk and packed in some pretty heavy backpack loads and thought it did well, but this year it's been a little rough on me for some reason (getting old?). Maybe it's out of adjustment, but I think I might need a curved frame. I am all about cutting weight though so the thought of gaining 1/2 lb for the xcurve kills me.

Anyways, I thought if I was experimenting I might try a Kifaru. Everyone raves about the waistbelt, etc. I like the SG bags better though.

I have a kifaru Fulcrum on a 28" tactical frame. With the Organizer guide lid, 3 medium pockets and a nalgene holder the damn thing is over 10lbs lol. Carries heavy weight really really well but man its a pig.

 

[justin davis]

I prefer kifaru. Been using them for years. They are the most comfortable with heavy loads

 

[goathunter]

I have a kifaru Fulcrum on a 28" tactical frame. With the Organizer guide lid, 3 medium pockets and a nalgene holder the damn thing is over 10lbs lol. Carries heavy weight really really well but man its a pig.

Ouch! I'm not going back to a heavy pack. Seems like you can get around the 5 lb range with the duplex ul and a bag.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Ouch! I'm not going back to a heavy pack. Seems like you can get around the 5 lb range with the duplex ul and a bag.

depends on the bag....then there’s the lids and pockets that just add more.

 

[chasewild]

I've noticed the same thing. I have the hunter frame with a reckoning and two medium pockets. I don't know how much it weighs, but when I pick up my wife's SG Krux fully loaded Sky 5100, there is a NOTICEABLE difference. I haven't tried the UL frame by Kifaru but with 6 animals from fairly long pack outs, I'm sure there is a frame that can carry the "pack out" load without compromising the "pack in" weight.

 

[Lawnboi]

One thing to keep in mind with kifaru is you will see a lot of people adding on to them. Pockets, lids, grab it, bottle pockets..... you can go pretty crazy, and end up with a boat anchor.

That said you don’t necessarily need any of that stuff if you get the right bag from them. You can build a fairly light setup without the add ons. But they still are a little heavier. Kifaru has gone down the UL hole, and has seemed to come out and just make tough, functional packs. Maybe we will see another UL bag from them at one point, I’m sure it’s coming.

Just something to keep in mind when looking at kifaru.

It’s night and day when I lift up my fulcrum on a hunting frame, then my wife’s SO peregrine.

For example auto lock buckles on the kifaru, they weigh more, but sure are nice to have when packing meat and/or antlers.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

I read through your posts and it sounds like you like the pack but want one that can handle more weight. I have owned both (currently own SG). When packing out heavy weight in excess of 125lbs I found that the duplex frame excelled. That frame makes it more comfortable than the SG krux. In weights less than 12 lbs, I love my SG more. I have not tried the newest duplex but I imagine my opinion would be the same. I stick with the SG because I don’t typically pack out 125+ lbs. I would contact SG and see if they can help you out with the fit of the pack.

 

[md126]

Exo is a nice compromise between Kifaru and SG in my opinion. The K3 frame is a nice upgrade from the K2

 

[thinhorn_AK]

One of those light/ultralight frames with a muskeg pack would probably be about as close to a SG as you could get. That’s what I’d get if I were going to get another kifaru and weight was an issue. That being said, that setup would still be heavier than an SG pack even before you added a lid and any sort of pockets.

 

[hammer0419]

Have you thought about the X-Curve frame? It is superior in comfort compared to Krux.

 

[goathunter]

Have you thought about the X-Curve frame? It is superior in comfort compared to Krux.

Ya I'm going to try one out. I think it is 8oz heavier than my OG Krux frame though.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

Ya I'm going to try one out. I think it is 8oz heavier than my OG Krux frame though.

If your looking at the new frame x-curve it’s only going to be a couple ounces (9 oz). The new frame is made with a one piece carbon fiber rather than the two piece in the OG. I would second the xcurve is way better for comfort.

 

[hammer0419]

Ya I'm going to try one out. I think it is 8oz heavier than my OG Krux frame though.

I have always stood by the belief that NOTHING should come before comfort in a pack. I fully understand the difference between a 9lb MR pack and 5lb SG. But when your talking a few ounces...... There is no one on this forum that can tell the difference strapped up!! Only difference they see is visually on a scale. I make sure my pack is comfortable as hell. Then there are 50 items where I can shave ounces here and there. But NEVER at the expense of my pack itself!