New Frame and Bags from Kifaru International

[OBP]

Haha great picture, I always love hiking with my pack through my neighborhood, get some really strange looks! Aron I measured my scope yesterday, with the eyepiece it's nearly 17 inches long and the long pocket is only 14 inches. Any chance you all could add a few inches to one of the long pockets to accomodate big spotters? Or do you have any other suggestions other than throwing it into the main body of the pack?

 

[Aron Snyder]

Swapping packs to compare at halfway point.

 

[shaun]

man tons of packs popping up in the classifieds guessing this pack and frame area hit

 

[Aron Snyder]

Man I'm all about this lightweight set up but the bikini just doesn't look near as solid or comfortable as the duplex frame does.

To me, the Bikini is more comfortable than the Duplex, and here's why: Torso Pads move left to right on Bikini (about 3/8) and that helps with torsional movement and the vnting on the Bikini is significantly better than the Duplex. The shoulder straps and belt are basically the same, so nothing different with that aspect of the frame. I would say the Duplex is going to have the edge in "world ending durability", but that should go without saying. We've dropped 26 ounces off of the Duplex to make the Bikini, so the Duplex should be slightly more durable. Having said that, we feel (and have tested this), that you won't find a lighter weight frame/pack system that offers this type of durability, modularity and comfort. Since the introduction of the Timberline and Duplex Timberline packs, we have gathered as much information as we could from our customers. With everything we gathered, a few things stood out 1) the Timberline would barrel when overloaded 2) the Duplex was to heavy for UL backpack hunters 3) with light loads the Timberline suspension felt better than the Duplex, but with heavy loads, it was the other way around. So we knew that we needed to find a happy medium between these two system! So Patrick started on a suspension/frame system that would give users the best in everything. So you now have a frame that is equally comfortable with light or heavy loads, modularity for all Duplex type packs, horizontal and vertical rigidity and all of this at a weight of 2lbs 5 oz. You now have a frame that offers the attachments points of a Duplex (pods, pack bags, cargo panels and pockets), that's lighter than a Timberline and hauls heavy loads like a Duplex. I would say that the Bikini will cover 90-95% of what the Duplex can do.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Give me a call and I will go over the options. 720-937-1418

Haha great picture, I always love hiking with my pack through my neighborhood, get some really strange looks! Aron I measured my scope yesterday, with the eyepiece it's nearly 17 inches long and the long pocket is only 14 inches. Any chance you all could add a few inches to one of the long pockets to accomodate big spotters? Or do you have any other suggestions other than throwing it into the main body of the pack?

 

[Backpack Hunter]

What is the reasoning for not allowing/making it with aluminum stays? Are they too flexible in this configuration?

 

[trophyhill]

Lower compression strap attaching to Bikini frame

Upper compression strap

that's a great looking rig!

 

[fillthefreezer]

sure, a wek after the ku shows up you post this....

 

[Bobmuley]

Has anyone heard of someone being shot because of pack color? I haven't but kind of wondering now.

Never, not even when packing horns out.

However, during rifle seasons its not unusual for me to have a little orange ribbon flying from three sides of my pack.

 

[Slim Jim]

Thanks Aaron,
That helps with my decision on the strength and durability of the bikini. I know that you are getting a ton of questions and we appreciate it, but its a large investment and I want to get it right as I'm sure others do too

 

[Aron Snyder]

Hey Slim,

I'm at the gym, but Dan and I did a video this morning that explains a few things about the frame and bag.....I'll post it up when I get home.

 

[SDHNTR]

Interesting. I like the concept behind the frame, just don't know if I could get used to a wad of boneless meat, or the bone of a quarter riding right on my back. I'm sure you thought of that, so what am I missing?

 

[Gasman]

Aron,

Does the High Camp bag compress down into daypack mode as well as the DT's do?

 

[slim9300]

Interesting. I like the concept behind the frame, just don't know if I could get used to a wad of boneless meat, or the bone of a quarter riding right on my back. I'm sure you thought of that, so what am I missing?

In theory the regular Timberline's would do this due to not having a frame, but it appears there would be a small air gap with the Bikini frame between the bag and the frame. I have the regular Timberline 1 and have packed out quite a few loads of meat and bone, and this was never something I noticed except for a little added heat from the meat. I would guess it's a non-issue with the new frame.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

In theory I would agree with slim9300, I don't think the "gap" will be an issue.
I have 11 packouts this year with either the T1, KU5200, or a KU3700 all of which have a gap between the stays with no issues.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Aron, Does the High Camp bag compress down into daypack mode as well as the DT's do?

Yes, the compressibility is the same.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Interesting. I like the concept behind the frame, just don't know if I could get used to a wad of boneless meat, or the bone of a quarter riding right on my back. I'm sure you thought of that, so what am I missing?

What Slim and BH stated is correct. The only differnce with the Bikini is the frame does not allow for barreling like the T and KU series packs.

 

[trophyhill]

so if one were to order the Bikini Frame and a DT bag, he could put meat in the bag and use a grab it as well and not have to store the meat between bag and frame. is that right?

 

[slim9300]

so if one were to order the Bikini Frame and a DT bag, he could put meat in the bag and use a grab it as well and not have to store the meat between bag and frame. is that right?

Yes. That's exactly how I will do it. The grab-it works great for securing antlers or your bow.

 

[Aron Snyder]

so if one were to order the Bikini Frame and a DT bag, he could put meat in the bag and use a grab it as well and not have to store the meat between bag and frame. is that right?

Yep, what Slim said. You can do it either way, but I will continue to pack meat inside the bag.