So what's the verdict on the UL arrow stays?

[kodiakfly]

I read the New Frame thread and there were a couple of reviews in the last few months, but now that they've been out and people have used them, what's everyone think of the UL arrow stays? They carry heavy loads ok? I've got a standard/normal back in my Duplex with composite stays, so are the arrows working for guys that are normally a normal back profile? Or is everyone just getting the Hunting frame? I'm about to pull the trigger on a new frame to compliment my Duplex/EMRII, so I'm liking the UL idea and trying to keep it as light as possible for when I don't need the volume and capacity of the EMRII.

 

[oldgoat]

My opinion, my wife has a ul model and was able to pack 40ish# pack very comfortably, she's in her 50s and getting arthritic, to me, knowing her, that says a lot about it's comfort! Worst case scenario is you get one with arrow stays, if they don't work, you take the composite stays out of your duplex and put them in the new frame.

 

[Vandal 44]

KodiakFly, I have had my UL Duplex for one full hunting season, I have also owned the older version Duplex Frame as well as the Bikini Frame.

I have packed out 1 rag horn 5x5 bull elk, 1 big fat cow elk and 2 whitetail deer with the UL Duplex this past hunting season. I can say that the UL Duplex is the most comfortable pack out of the 3 listed when packing up to 40 - 50 pounds. The UL Duplex is crazy comfortable with 25 pounds I can wear the pack all day with no fatigue in the shoulder or lower back. (I Shot the 5X5 elk while wearing the pack with a rifle and I shot the Cow Elk while wearing the pack with my bow 30 yards).

With that said when it comes to packing out and animal IE heavy loads hands down the winner would be the older Duplex or my Badlands OX Frame (don't flame me for that one)

I use my UL Duplex for day hunts and to pack in for extended hunts 5 plus days; when I drop an animal I will pack out as much meat has I can with my UL Duplex and change packs when I get back to the truck and go after the rest of the meat.

The arrow stays work very well; I run two arrows in each side to make a little stiffer. I use the pack two to three times a week and have not had any issues.

I hope this helps

 

[mrbillbrown]

I've been using arrows for quite some time (even in my previous duplex models) and don't see myself ever going back to stays. Granted, from Central OK I do more training than western hunting but I've got that UL frame and 40-100# on my back 4-5 times a week. Another caveat, I'm more flat back than curved back.

The arrows carry the weight for me just as well as the alum or composite stays did but at a substantial weight savings. So...I'm sticking with arrows. The frame seems lighter and more flexible on my back when loaded light and feels as stiff as I'd ever want when carrying 100#. Can't testify to weights above 100# because I don't typically train that heavy.


molon labe

 

[PathFinder]

I've packed out 3 deer, and several loads of elk horn on mine. When I say load of elk horn, I mean 50-80lbs of bone. Thus far, I haven't noticed any shortcomings with the arrow stays. Even with the huge, awkward loads, it controls it well and remains comfortable. It's been dropped off a couple ledges while loaded as well, haven't broken anything yet.

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[luke moffat]

Having packed a caribou and several deer with my wife's UL stays I will say for the weights she will ever carry that the UL stays are more than fine. But north of 90 pounds I felt my composite stay frame was better. So I ordered the new style frame with composite stays for me this winter.

Hope that helps.

 

[ozyclint]

having a dead straight frame would never fit me. aluminium stays are my only option to get it to conform to my back shape.

 

[colonel00]

having a dead straight frame would never fit me. aluminium stays are my only option to get it to conform to my back shape.

Well, the point of the flexible arrows is when used as stays, they flex and bend with your back. That said, I made my own aluminum stays since I am completely opposite from a flat back and I have a lot of curve. The arrows still worked but they just caused more pressure on the points where they flexed.

Overall though, the greatest thing is you can order the UL and try it out. If you find that the arrows aren't for you, just order composite stays or aluminum. You are only out $10 for the arrows and you still have the option to use the arrows should the situation arise.

 

[worx53]

I packed out 2 animals with more weight in the pack than I ever had in my Bikini frame and it way still more comfortable and the arrows didn't affect anything for weight hauling or stability imo.

 

[pyroducksx3]

having a dead straight frame would never fit me. aluminium stays are my only option to get it to conform to my back shape.

I agree with the above, I can use the ultralight stays but the composite regular stays really fit me so much better. It's a a personal fit deal. My buddy has used freighter packs for years and can't stand my curved packs. My brother is a straight stay guy so he loves the ul pack

 

[ozyclint]

i'm a hunchback with lumbar curve the other way. that UL frame with arrows would be like having a 26"x12" piece of plywood strapped to my back, it would only touch me in two places not putting the pressure where it should be. FOR ME i need stays that can be custom bent. even pre bent from the factory when i bought mine i had to bend them to get them right.

 

[colonel00]

Yeah, I hear ya. I'm the same way. I got tired of trying to bend the kifaru aluminum stays so I just made my own out of 1/4" aluminum from the hardware store.

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[Pardner]

Long-time Kifaru curved stays user here and I find the arrows serviceable and even pleasant with their flex for day trips and light loads. However they are not as comfortable on longer trips and heavier loads. I make sure I have my composite or aluminum stays when in doubt. My recommendation specially if you have a Standard or curved back profile is to at least have a set of aluminum stays (composite if the curve fits as is) and then a set of arrows for a change of pace during lighter work.

 

[slim9300]

I own every type of Kifaru pack/frame. Timberline 1 (internal frame), Bikini and Duplex. And I have both the arrow stays and carbon flat back for my Hunting Duplex. For me I won't run the arrow stays with anything over 50 lbs. The carbon stays are much more comfortable for me with typical loads and obviously provide more lateral support as you move. They also seem to transfer the load to my hips better.

For a summer backpacking trip where I didn't take the Bikini, I might take the arrows since I'm normally around 30 lbs. for a couple days. But if you plan on coming out heavy with meat and antlers/horn, just go carbon imho.


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[kodiakfly]

...when I drop an animal I will pack out as much meat has I can with my UL Duplex and change packs when I get back to the truck and go after the rest of the meat.

The arrow stays work very well; I run two arrows in each side to make a little stiffer. I use the pack two to three times a week and have not had any issues.

I hope this helps

Yes, you hit the nail on the head.

Overall though, the greatest thing is you can order the UL and try it out. If you find that the arrows aren't for you, just order composite stays or aluminum. You are only out $10 for the arrows and you still have the option to use the arrows should the situation arise.

Bingo. This pretty much sums everything up for me. In full disclosure, I was going to order the UL anyway and do just as colonel00 said. And even if I don't swap them out, I do as Vandal said, but I was doing that with my Barney's/Duplex before. Now it'll be my Duplex/UL. (And then keep the Barney's for moose hunts.)

Thanks everyone. Y'all gave me the best advise on the interweb. Actual use, quality individuals. Thanks.

"Add to cart" as they say...

 

[colonel00]

If your back doesn't fit the typical curve and the arrows aren't what you like, I'd highly recommend making your own stays out of slightly thinner aluminum that's easier to mold. Nothing against the Kifaru aluminum stays but for me, I needed a lot of tweaking. The thinner aluminum made it a lot easier to form fit. Once I should finally settle on a shape, I could at least have a pattern for the thicker kifaru stays.

 

[kodiakfly]

If your back doesn't fit the typical curve and the arrows aren't what you like, I'd highly recommend making your own stays out of slightly thinner aluminum that's easier to mold. Nothing against the Kifaru aluminum stays but for me, I needed a lot of tweaking. The thinner aluminum made it a lot easier to form fit. Once I should finally settle on a shape, I could at least have a pattern for the thicker kifaru stays.

Good advice, as it's first-hand. Thanks. For me, fortunately, the curved composite are a perfect fit.

 

[Tony Trietch]

I would do exactly as Colonel00 said. Get both and see for your self. I tried running two shafts in the old duplex before they new frame came out and I just felt the carbon fit my back better.

 

[Ruskin]

Having heard the opinions on stays, I'm interested in hearing opinions on the tactical vs the hunting frame. The major difference being the thickness of the frame-sheet. Does anyone have experience comparing stiffness, stability, load carrying comfort? Below is the weight difference off Kifaru's site:

Hunting: 1/16" HDPE Black Frame Sheet
- Weight: 26" frame 3lbs 5oz (composite stays)
- Weight: 24" frame 3lbs 4oz (composite stays)

Tactical: 1/8" HDPE Coyote Brown Frame Sheet
- Weight: 26" frame 3lbs 14oz (composite stays)
- Weight: 24" frame 3lbs 8oz (composite stays)

 

[camelcluch]

I recently bought my first bag from Kifaru. I went with stays because I have plenty of arrows I can try later. The weight savings did not seem to be that much so I opted the get the "beefier" set up first with the ability to switch up after I try out the pack.