NEW Kifaru Frame & Suspension Review

Sounds like Aron and the fine folks at Kifaru knocked it out of the park with this frame!! Crazy that they improved on an already great frame! The new duplex is a winner!
 
T-minus 14 hours from hitting the road for elk country. Hoping to be putting the new duplex to the true test of packing meat a couple times the next week. I have been very pleased with the new frame compared to my bikini frame when packing gear, but want to save my full review until I've put heavy weight into it.
 
Dude! The new frame is sick! Just minor fit test in my house but my first impression is I couldn't believe how much more comfortable it is versus my other duplex! Great job Kifaru!
 
My only complaint about the new duplex is that there's not more 22" frame friendly bags :D

A few guys have asked so I'll post it up on here. My original plan was to use my AMR and MW bags on the new 22" frame. They work great when cinched down in "day" mode. But when the bags are filled the delta strap hangs pretty low and makes it awkward to use. Most of the bags can have the lower compression straps cinched down which will help the bags fit on the 22" frame better. Kifaru states it will not be "aesthetically pleasing" and they aren't lying.
 
My tactical frame arrived yesterday. For reference I ordered 21 Aug and received it 1 Oct, about a five week turn around. It actually would have been shipped sooner but I had Kifaru delay the shipping because I would have been out of town when it was scheduled to arrive. I ordered a 26" tactical frame with composite stays and arrow stays, in coyote brown, with a guide lid.

First impressions are, sweet baby jesus this thing is awesome. The new torso pads are plush. The shoulder straps are a big improvement. The lumbar pad is a perfect size for me. I can't wait to get this thing dirty!
 
I got my 22" UL frame last week. I'm running a Mountain Rambler and a guide lid on it . So far I'm really impressed. I did one two day hunt with about 40lbs in it and it rode like a dream. The UL frame twists with my body really well (much like an Exo) and the new back pads are awesome. I'll do a full writeup at the end of October.
 
Just packed out a black tail out of the trinity alps in CA this Tuesday, pack rode great for 10miles with 80-90lbs I only weigh 175lbs and I could have carried another 20lbs or a few more miles of hiking. The pack out was 3 1/2 hrs with one break for about 20min
 
So I got to put my AMR + duplex bag to the test for a week of elk hunting. For reference I have used the DT2 and Nomad on a bikini frame the past two seasons. I was unable to punch the tag so I never was able to test the frame with a heavy load. However I moved camp several times and with my full gear I was at 55-65#, so relatively heavy load. A few observations:

- One of the things I disliked about the bikini was that things (typically my water bladder) poked me in the back sometimes between the two stays. This obviously wasn't an issue with the duplex.
- I didn't notice the extra weight of the duplex being an issue.
- The new frame is a lot easier to put the bag on.
- I like the new shoulder straps much more than the older version, because of the extra width and padding.
- I liked the flexibility of the bikini for drawing my bow (note I'm a believer in leaving my pack on). I didn't notice any restriction in drawing my bow with the duplex.
- The straps on the new frame seem to be quite a bit longer. I am planning to make some mods to the shoulder, load lifter, and chest strap to get rid of some of the excess.

Hope this helps somebody with their purchasing decisions. :cool: Overall I am very happy with my purchase and will be posting up my bikini frame in the classifieds soon.
 
I picked up my new frame on Thursday from HQ. I ran a bikini last year for a mule deer hunt and did some training this summer with it. I liked the bikini a lot, it's definitely light, but I had a couple issues with comfortability after I got past about 70lbs. This new frame is sweet! I haven't loaded it up with too much weight yet, but I can tell that it's definitely more comfortable and I think will carry weight a little better than the bikini for me. My bikini and a new Highcamp that I also picked up on Thursday (awesome sale price!) went to my buddy. I also went down from and medium belt to a small. I've got a 33" waist and the small seemed to fit better. Hopefully I'll be carrying out some elk, bear, and deer in it in the next couple months.
 
I got a shipping notification on mine today. First kifaru pack damn exited. Can't wait for it and bag and pockets to get here. At least I know the frame will fit my long torso !
 
Got my shipping notice Friday and tracking number says it will be here tomorrow. My kids think there are 81 days to xmas, for me there is only 1 day!
 
PredatorX said:
Does anyone know what the turnaround time is on this new frame?
Click to expand...
As of last week, it was 4 weeks ordering straight from Kifaru.

However, call 1shotgear and see if they have what you want in stock. I ordered another frame from them and will have it in my hands within a week of placing the order. Dmitriy will hook you up!
 
Wow what an awesome pack and frame system. After running a Kuiu kifaru hit a home run with these. Love how comfortable the frame is. Put a 50lb sack of rice bran in it with about 25 lbs of gear inside and was blown away with how well it carries. Wish I'd've bit the bullet long ago. Got my accessories all installed. Love the gun bearer. Carries a rifle really well and amazingly fast to shoulder distributes the weight great and it rides well while moving. Can't wait to hit the mountain Friday for my colorado elk hunt. If all goes well hopefully I'll get to pack a heavy load and get some blood on this bad boy.
 
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