Question, Kifaru stays.

[fatrascal]

So I bought me a new Kifaru pack with the ultralight frame and arrow shaft stays. But after reading many posts and watching lots of videos I'm questioning my decision on getting the arrow stays. I have three Nevada tags and one Colorado tag this year and I hope to be packing meat after filling those tags or some of those tags. My question is should I get aluminum stays or composite? After talking to a friend, he says that the aluminum stays tend to have some flex which will allow a heavy pack to slide down a little towards the buttocks and hampers hiking. But you are able to fine tune the aluminum stays and bend them to conform to your back. While on the other hand, the composite stays are stiffer due to the wood layer added to the composite but you cannot fine tune them. I have a curved back and am leaning towards the composite. I'm 5'9, 200 pounds, am using the Timberline 1 and actually have another pack being the Nomad both brand new with arrow stays and in size 26". From what I've read, the arrow stays are awesome up to 80 pounds but gets a little uncomfortable with heavy weight. Normally I would call Kifaru and just ask them but I'm having trouble getting a hold of them this week. So I want to order my new stays on line but not sure which ones to get. Opinions please. fatrascal.

 

[IndiaWhiskey]

Whilst I haven't used composite stays, I've used aluminium stays in my ZXR for years carrying 30-40kg loads without any issue. I've also never had the pack slide down provided the belt is correctly adjusted.

 

[mrbillbrown]

You've pretty much nailed it. Aluminum works for a more custom fit. Never had my aluminum stays "flex" under a load. Composite stays are great and if they fit your back profile will save some weight over aluminum. I'm lucky with no ass, flat back, and small beer gut so the arrows work perfectly for me. Saves a ton of weight over the other choices and sticks to my backside like glue. Never had a problem with arrows up to 100# training loads. I try to get a "heavy" workout in every other week just to stay cognizant of packing heavy weight. If you need to speak to somebody at Kifaru just call Aron directly. He posts his cell freely and encourages the calls.


molon labe

 

[mddat]

Try running 2 arrow shafts stays per side and see how that works. If it's still not stiff enough then I'd go with the aluminum stays so you can custom fit them to your body

 

[COlineman78]

As others have said, the aluminum and composite will function pretty much the same other than the ability to bend the aluminum. I have the composite and they too have a little bit of give to them. They should never slide if the pack is properly adjusted and you have the right profile stays. Using curved when you need flat and vice versa can cause this sliding. With the aluminum you are mainly sacrificing weight for cost.

 

[jspradley]

A little bit of a side note but what exactly are the carbon fiber arrow stays?

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[Felix40]

Just put 80-100 pounds in the pack and see what you think. I have to say that I've never seen much use for the arrow stays for someone like you but since you already have them you might as well try them.

 

[mrbillbrown]

jspradley, it's just as it sounds. A pair of carbon arrow shafts (I actually cut fletching off of some damaged carbon arrows I had laying around) are used instead of the flat bar alum stock or composite/wood hybrid stays.


molon labe

 

[fatrascal]

Thanks everybody for the quick response and some great answers. I think I will do as suggested above and try putting 80 to 100 pounds in the pack and see how I like it. If I don't like it then I'll get aluminum stays for one pack and composite for the other pack and try them both out. Thanks again. Fatrascal.

 

[hammer0419]

Who ever told you about the aluminum stays flexing to much is blowing smoke up your backside. I love aluminum stays by far. A bit heavier but you are able to custom mould them to perfection!!

 

[camping1601]

My .02 on this. I got my pack with the arrow stays and although it worked fine I noticed the lumbar pad didn't sit even against my back. I decided to try the Alum. ones and for me they are so much better. After speaking with Aron by email I'm gonna try the composites next. My suggestion is to try the composites and if they don't work get the Alum. and bend them to fit. I don't think you would have a hard time selling the composites if they don't work for you.

For myself there's no going back from the curved stays.

 

[ozyclint]

the advantage of being able to custom bend aluminium stays for a perfect fit far outweighs the disadvantage of the weight penalty. unless you are lucky and the composite stays happen to be the right shape for you.

remember, "someone always gets payed". carry the the extra few ounces so you can carry the extra 50 pounds.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Call me anytime

720-937-1418

So I bought me a new Kifaru pack with the ultralight frame and arrow shaft stays. But after reading many posts and watching lots of videos I'm questioning my decision on getting the arrow stays. I have three Nevada tags and one Colorado tag this year and I hope to be packing meat after filling those tags or some of those tags. My question is should I get aluminum stays or composite? After talking to a friend, he says that the aluminum stays tend to have some flex which will allow a heavy pack to slide down a little towards the buttocks and hampers hiking. But you are able to fine tune the aluminum stays and bend them to conform to your back. While on the other hand, the composite stays are stiffer due to the wood layer added to the composite but you cannot fine tune them. I have a curved back and am leaning towards the composite. I'm 5'9, 200 pounds, am using the Timberline 1 and actually have another pack being the Nomad both brand new with arrow stays and in size 26". From what I've read, the arrow stays are awesome up to 80 pounds but gets a little uncomfortable with heavy weight. Normally I would call Kifaru and just ask them but I'm having trouble getting a hold of them this week. So I want to order my new stays on line but not sure which ones to get. Opinions please. fatrascal.

 

[stuckbuck]

I ended up with aluminum too. I tried carbon fiber first, then cut down old arrows lying around.
Bent the aluminum to my flat azz and curvy back and wow! at the comfort difference. (All at Aron's recommendation)
I still have my old 26" cf stays I need to sell, don't think I'll use them here on out.


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[fatrascal]

Talked to Aron and I'm gonna go with the carbon fiber. Maybe one pair of aluminum also for the other pack. I want to do some experimenting and find the best possible match for me. Thanks everybody and thanks also to Aron.

 

[aion2come]

kifaru is awesome to work with. Try what you want and if you have issues, they will work with you until you get it right. I swapped out two or three sets of stays before I found the right ones. Ended up with the curved back composite stays. Love the rigidity and, as stated on their website, those work for 90% of guys out there just fine. If I were you, that is where I would start. Go the composite route, and - if that doesn't work, try the aluminum. You don't have anything to lose in my book.

 

[Tim M]

I have run the flat back composite stays for several years now on my bikini frame and automattically went to them when I ordered the new hunting duplex however when I started training with it I couldn't keep it from either leaning back or sliding down... I tried a buddies regular back stays and it pulled the pack into my back but caused a major pressure point on the edge of the lumbar pad so I then tried arrow shafts and again couldn't keep the pack from sliding down my butt (or missing butt according to my wife!)
After several months of trying different things and settings on loadlifters pluss calling Aron every two weeks I just decided I should run over on one of my days off to see him and see if we could get it figured out once and for all. Long and the short of it is that when I got there Aron said I am about halfway in etween flat and standard stays so we put in a set of custom bent aluminum stays that worked perfectly, that afternoon when I got back to GJ I went out on a pack hike/shed hunting trip with 55 lbs in the pack and came out with 72# including a deadhead desert bighorn on it and the pack has worked flawlessly ever since at whatever weight I have in it up to 120# so far!
Sorry this is so long winded but I guess what I'm trying to say is don't be afraid of the weight penalty for aluminium stays because it is so close to your back you won't even notice it and the advantages of being able to truely custom fit the pack to you far outweigh any other consideration... as far as someone saying that the aluminium flex's, I have never seen this and have had some massive loads on my pack in some insane terrain out here in western Co!

 

[fatrascal]

It definitely would be cool to be able to drop into the store but I iive too far away. But I might be able to drop in before or after my Colorado hunt in September. Or got to the shot show in Vegas next year. Gonna do some hiking/scouting this weekend. Can't wait to try out one of the new packs. fatrascal.

 

[E in CO]

[QUOTE=fatrascal;"I think I will do as suggested above and try putting 80 to 100 pounds in the pack and see how I like it."

Hey man, if you find you like 80 to 100 lbs let me know and you are invited on my next hunt!

 

[fatrascal]

E in Colorado, thanks for the invite on your next hunt, lol. I just turned 53 and find that I cant keep up with most people due to age and injuries. I would not want to slow you down. I kinda go at my owne pace and I've learned that slower is more enjoyable.
I havent got my new stays yet but I'll let you know how and what I like when they come in. fatrascal.