Kifaru vs. Exo

[Bughalli]

Bughalli, if you go to the Kifaru website and look at the hunting frames they have a picture of three packs lined up showing a side profile. You can clearly see a straight black Frame in the middle and the two end packs are curved at different levels of curvature. I tried to copy and paste but I do not know how to do it on the phone. Maybe someone can do it for me. The sales person at Kifaru sounds like he is not informed. The would go back and get a more knowledgeable person to help me.
Nevertheless, you are definitely doing the right thing by try before you buy. When I was younger I could use almost any pack and get by but now that I'm older I'm looking for more comfort. Wish I had done that 15 years ago. Goodluck. Fatrascal.

I was very surprised when the Kifaru rep said it can't be shaped to my back and only the old model did that....because I thought I read it on the site as well, but I figured he would know since he works there. Now I question if he knew what hip belt I had on because I expected it to be amazing and it was just average. Unfortunately I have no plans to be back in Denver any time soon.

 

[stormsearch]

Buy both, return the one you don't like. My brother and I bought 3 packs to try out last year, what he liked and was comfortable with was my 2nd pick. My first was his third. You are doing yourself an injustice w/o trying both packs. Yes it takes money, but you are not buying something off the shelf from the big box store.

 

[Vids]

Trying both packs makes sense. I first bought a DT2 with a duplex frame (older duplex frame). I liked the bag well enough, but the frame was too stiff for me, like having a piece of plywood on my back. But I couldn't decide until I hunted one season with the Kifaru.

I decided to switch things up - sold the Kifaru and bought an Exo 5500. I love my Exo, it couldn't be more comfortable. It's not as robust as a Kifaru - as mentioned the straps and fabric are thinner, but I still think they are plenty strong. Haven't packed a quarter yet but I've hauled all my gear and a sandbag without an issue, about 70 lb. I'm sure the Exo will be strong enough for me, but if you're one of those guys that can put 150lb on your back and hike out maybe go Kifaru.

One thing I noticed is I think 5500 ci is way understated for the Exo, I can get a lot more in that bag than I could the DT2. I like the Exo bag a lot better, I think the straps and pockets are a lot more functional and carry gear better. I also like the Exo belt better, it's easier to get cinched up and stays tight.

 

[hammer0419]

The Exo packs size wise do not include the side pockets. The 3500 is about 4200. the the 5500 is in the 7000. I too prefer Exo bags over any Kifaru bag by a mile. Now if Exo could duplicate a duplex belt....... PERFECTION!!!

 

[sneaky]

The Exo packs size wise do not include the side pockets. The 3500 is about 4200 and the the 5500 is in the 7000 range. I too prefer Exo bags over any Kifaru bag by a mile. Now if Exo could duplicate a duplex belt....... PERFECTION!!!

Steve was talking about the size on the podcast the other day. The 3500 is actually 4650ci and the 5500 is right at 7000. I think people get thrown by the 3500 thinking it's too small, when in reality you can actually carry way too much stuff lol

 

[sneaky]

Fwiw I've had a bone in hindquarter and a shoulder off of a cow elk on my 3500, along with my gear and bow strapped to the back. Heavy? You freakin bet but it hauled it like a champ. Trekking poles are definitely your friend. Only reason I had that kind of load was because it was my buddy and myself and his 12 year old daughter. She carried the backstraps and we had the rest. She had the nerve to turn to me about two miles into the pack out and ask if I could carry her bow, her pack was too heavy. I wasn't too amused at that point

 

[Ozzymodel70]

am I the only one that found the EXO frame felt like a sheet of plywood was strapped to my back? it also caused a lot of pressure on my lumbar. I have what I consider a pretty curved back. I bought one last year to replace my MR gen.1 metcalf but returned the exo after about a week of trying to make it work. Was pretty bummed out because I loved the bag and really wanted it to work. I'm still considering trying out the new frame.

 

[hammer0419]

First I heard that from Exo. Very stiff vertical but pivots great. The new K2 frame has a bigger lumbar and thicker padding in belt and shoulder harness so we will see.

 

[Silver_yummies]

Curious to know how the new 2017 exo packs stand up to Kifaru. I am in the market and have the reckoning and hunter frame/guide lid/pockets in my cart but am all of a sudden intrigued by the new exo packs.

 

[HMG1]

My Kifaru has been good so far. Took me a while to dial it in, and its good, but not having the chance to try out any of the other ones im still left wondering. So if you can, as stated above, try all the packs on and see what you like. Also, I have my Kifaru pack setup with an Exo 5500 bag.

 

[cuerro viejo]

am I the only one that found the EXO frame felt like a sheet of plywood was strapped to my back? it also caused a lot of pressure on my lumbar. I have what I consider a pretty curved back. I bought one last year to replace my MR gen.1 metcalf but returned the exo after about a week of trying to make it work. Was pretty bummed out because I loved the bag and really wanted it to work. I'm still considering trying out the new frame.

I actually like the first gen frame over the K2....until I get over 50lbs. To me the 1st gen moves better with body, but then again probably why the K2 hauls better

 

[Lockster]

I have just bought the Kifaru frame with both aluminium and the arrow stays, I am hoping to carry both types of stays on a hunt, enjoy the higher "flex" of the arrow stays with lighter loads, then switch out to aluminium stays for heavy pack outs, best of both worlds and the arrows add very minimal addition weight penalty. Being able to switch out the different stays is a game changer.