New Exo K2 Frame and Belt vs Kifaru Ultralight

[TheCougar]

Does anyone have any experience with the new Exo K2 frame and belt compared to the Kifaru UL? I have seen on the forums that Kifaru fans say that the old Exo belt/shoulder straps weren't as comfortable as Kifaru. Exo made the lumbar pad and hip belt/shoulder straps beefier this year, and I was wondering how it compared to the Kifaru now? I'm still on the fence between Kifaru, Exo Mountain, or putting an Exo bag on a Kifaru frame. I'm trying to get as close as possible to the perfect bag: Exo bag with a guide lid, the Exo frame, and the Kifaru belt and straps!!!

 

[hammer0419]

I have owned 3 Exo packs (all 3 model frames). I have also owned 15 Kifaru packs and frames to date. Exo is nice and many like it. The titanium frame how it pivots is really nice. HOWEVER........ nothing compares to the quality, fit, and comfort of a Kifaru frame. Bar none in a league of their own.

Pack bags: I will say not one Kifaru bag ever made me crazy. All incredible quality, just never liked them for one reason or another. Now Exo pack bags I really like. For summer time day and weekend trips I have the Exo 2000 on my Kifaru frame. The fit is not good, it is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. Like it was made for the Kifaru frame. I also have the 3500 and 5500. They work well and fit good with just a few buckle changes and minimal hardware needed.

 

[LJ Buck]

When kifaru makes a change you seem to see other companies follow suit. I still don't think the exo is as comfortable as the Stone Glacier and not close to a kifaru. No point in buying from a company chasing the best just buy the best.

 

[PathFinder]

I have owned 3 Exo packs (all 3 model frames). I have also owned 15 Kifaru packs and frames to date. Exo is nice and many like it. The titanium frame how it pivots is really nice. HOWEVER........ nothing compares to the quality, fit, and comfort of a Kifaru frame. Bar none in a league of their own.

Pack bags: I will say not one Kifaru bag ever made me crazy. All incredible quality, just never liked them for one reason or another. Now Exo pack bags I really like. For summer time day and weekend trips I have the Exo 2000 on my Kifaru frame. The fit is not good, it is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. Like it was made for the Kifaru frame. I also have the 3500 and 5500. They work well and fit good with just a few buckle changes and minimal hardware needed.

This is pretty much identical to my experience. I've ended up sticking with the Kifaru UL frame. It has some give to it, much like the Exo. But the belt is what sets the Kifaru apart. Until someone makes something that can compare belt-wise, I won't switch. The K2 is a step in the right direction, but the Kifaru belt is still in its own league. The Exo bags are stellar, combining the two is a good solution. If not for the rifle scabbard in my Rambler, I'd probably run an Exo bag.

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[Xtreme007]

I have had both Exo and Kifaru and even did the Exo bag on the new Kifaru frame. I don't think you will go wrong with either company . I fell that both are very solid packs and I have had nothing but excellent customer service from both Exo and Kifaru. Both company's seem to go above and beyond to help you with your questions and needs. I'm no pack expert but think it really comes down to personal preference. To me both frames are solid but I never found a Kifaru bag I was crazy about. I personally like how the Exo frame is made at the top. I can lean my head back with out hitting it when looking up and the Exo bags just fit my needs. They are very well thought out. This year I'm using the new Exo k2 frame with Exo bags. I'm very happy with this setup.

Don't think you will go wrong with either one you pick but You could always order both packs and then return the one you don't want. No better way to compare them then trying both side by side.

 

[gobbler1662]

I have had the new kifaru ultralight duplex frame and now own the new K-2 frame. Both are great, but IMO the new K-2 frame is as good as it gets. The waist belt is now comparable to the kifaru. The new shoulder straps are as good if not better than kifaru. The frame itself is by far superior to the kifaru UL duplex imo. The guys at EXO hit it out of the park with he new K-2 frame. So I have owned the 2014, 2015 and now the new K-2 frame as well as multiple kifaru packs, mystery ranch and stone glacier. Honestly I don't honk you can go wrong with any of the top 4 being Kifaru, EXO, stone glacier, mystery ranch.

 

[hammer0419]

The Exo waist belt is NO WHERE'S NEAR A KIFARU BELT. Not even close!! As stated above. Until someone makes a belt as good as Kifaru.... They will only be second best when it comes to suspension.

 

[gobbler1662]

Well I beg to differ, take a look at the new EXO belt it's as thick and wide as the kifaru. The lumbar pad isn't quite as big but to me it's getting pretty close. Hammer do you have a or have you had your hands on the new k-2 frame. I have both the k-2 and new kifaru UL duplex for a side by side. Just saying EXO has made some huge improvements in their waist belt and shoulder straps. If you look at the two side by side I actually like the EXO shoulder straps better. And the frames you can't even compare.

 

[mrbillbrown]

Gobbler, could you post some side by side comparison pics of the belt and lumbar pad? And maybe the shoulder straps? Pretty sure we'd all be interested to see the improvements in the K2 frame and how close they come to the Kifaru frame. Thanks


molon labe

 

[toddb]

Gobbler, I would not have a problem if you shipped exo frame to bill to try out in September and I could try out for month of October . Lol.

 

[hammer0419]

Well I beg to differ, take a look at the new EXO belt it's as thick and wide as the kifaru. The lumbar pad isn't quite as big but to me it's getting pretty close. Hammer do you have a or have you had your hands on the new k-2 frame. I have both the k-2 and new kifaru UL duplex for a side by side. Just saying EXO has made some huge improvements in their waist belt and shoulder straps. If you look at the two side by side I actually like the EXO shoulder straps better. And the frames you can't even compare.

I have had all 3 models of the Exo frame. One , two, and K2. Everyone has their opinions And Choices. That's the best part of all this. Like I said. I love Exo bags and they work great on my Kifaru frame.

 

[TheCougar]

From the forums I have gathered that the general consensus is that kifaru had a superior suspension over the old exo. Since you have also owned the K2, would you say it is a significant improvement and it is closer to the kifaru now?

 

[TheCougar]

Can you put a Kifaru Guide Lid on an Exo Bag and K2 Frame? I imagine you can, but some special strap magic might be necessary for the load shelf area? I found several posts showing kifaru lids on an exo pack on a Kifrau frame, but not on the exo frame. Matbe Steve of SHFT might know. They seem to be pack ninjas.

 

[gobbler1662]

It's really hard to compare the EXO k-2 frame to the kifaru. With my kifaru UL frame the frame sheet is pretty thin, I've noticed that there is some bend especially in the upper stay areas n the frame sheet, even when changing pack bags out. Now with that said we all know that kifaru hauls weights very well and that the kifaru waist belt is and has always been the gold standard. Now I have noticed that with the new kifaru UL frame the waist belt seems to be not as wide as compared to the older duplex or bikini frame. Now going on to the new k-2 frame. The K-2 frame now is around twice the diameter of the 2014 frame and like Steve mentioned in his video you could literally stand on it if you needed a short ladder, it's that stout. The horizontal stays that were flat in the 2015 frame are now tubular and the same diameter as the main frame. Biggest difference is the older frames 2014-2015 were wide at the shoulders and then tapered in and rand down the spine to the base of the belt. The new k-2 frame is shaped more like a skeleton frame about 11.5" wide on the sides with the horizontal stays running in about the same areas as the 2015 version. I know I probably just butchered that explanitation. As far as the waist belt, kifaru and EXO they are actually really close in width and thickness. The kifaru lumbar pad is still way bigger, although I think Steve said the new k-2 lumbarad is 20 or 25 percent bigger than the 2015 model. Now as far as carrying weight. IMO both do a very good job just another one of those apples vs oranges thing. Both are great packs as we all know.

 

[PathFinder]

I think the major difference between the belts is the Kifaru's seamed design. It made a huge difference on my skinny butt. The way it folds over the hip really keeps it in place without excessive tension. That said, I'm getting really tempted to buy a K2 to try it out in person.

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