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Kifaru Duplex Lite vs Duplex Tactical?

Ordered my Stryker XL with the lite frame as well. I am 6'3'' @ 195 lbs and 34" waist. I went with the 26". Should I change to the 24"? I will be mostly whitetail hunting in SC and plan to out west at some point if life allows.
 
Well, I ended up straying from the frame pack. I really liked the 22mag, and appreciate JCLINE84’s input and videos. Helped sway me towards Kifaru. I still wasn’t sure I wanted a frame and pack system for the type hunting I do. I wanted something a tad smaller and with an internal frame. I’m typically not packing out meat for miles. I may regret it, but I went with the Shape Charge. It does connect to their frame system if I ever get out west which I do plan to do in the near future. It is setup up very similar to the 22mag, just a little shorter. For now, I think the internal frame will suit me and after buying pouches, pullouts and possible bags, I spent a good amount. I still can buy the frame if I choose to go that route.
 
Ordered my Stryker XL with the lite frame as well. I am 6'3'' @ 195 lbs and 34" waist. I went with the 26". Should I change to the 24"? I will be mostly whitetail hunting in SC and plan to out west at some point if life allows.
You are about an inch and a half taller than me so look at the pic I posted and you can guess how yours will fit. I kept my 26 and love it but that last inch really hangs up on overhead limbs. You may be fine being taller than me. The 26 is easier to resale and is a benefit out west hauling heavy loads. But if you are under 6’2” and only hunt white tails and woods I would choose the 24. I think the tactical frame can be bought in 22 for guys under 6 feet.
 
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@JCCLINE84 Thanks for honest input. Cordura can be stiff and noisy but watching your videos the material seemed pretty soft. You guys have me looking hard at the 22mag, but not sure I need a framed pack, so chewing on the 357 mag or possibley the Shape Charge with internal frame. 357 mag may be too big for me.
Between the shape charge and the 357 I would choose the 357 for the way I carry things in my video. I’ve said this before but the advantage of the Kifaru frame is that you can adjust the straps and yoke and their relationship to the frame to fit your torso length perfectly. That’s the first thing you should do with your frame. And the 357 allows you to adjust the yoke the same way as the frame does. The shape charge yoke is fixed like most internal frame packs so you just have to hope it fits you. The 357 is big but you can use the compression straps to shrink it a little.
 
Between the shape charge and the 357 I would choose the 357 for the way I carry things in my video. I’ve said this before but the advantage of the Kifaru frame is that you can adjust the straps and yoke and their relationship to the frame to fit your torso length perfectly. That’s the first thing you should do with your frame. And the 357 allows you to adjust the yoke the same way as the frame does. The shape charge yoke is fixed like most internal frame packs so you just have to hope it fits you. The 357 is big but you can use the compression straps to shrink it a little.
Yea, I was looking hard at the 357, but it’s big! I had decided on the 22mag if I went the frame route. Good points about the 357, I may chew on it some more as my stuff doesn’t ship until mid December. Thanks for input and advice. I appreciate it.
 
The only bad thing about this setup is hanging it in the tree. I put it at 1-2 o clock and just don’t worry about it. But it does take up a lot of room. If you can get past that it’s going to be too much pack for pretty much everything to do with saddle hunting. And I love me some overkill. Take the time you’re waiting for it to arrive to watch the adjustment videos for your frame and you’ll hit the ground running when you get it
Spent this last season with a borrowed kifaru rig, got my own now! At 64, the money vs. efficiency decision was easy. But i leave the frame on the ground, along with rope storage. Thanks for all the tips and recommendations!
 

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@bowhuntr09 @Plebe I know this is an old thread, curious if any of you guys who jumped on the sale have any new opinions on your packs after handling them and stuff, I’m buying a new pack soon, something big with a meat shelf, I have no desire to switch bags and be modular I have plenty of other bags that I’m happy with, I just want one large bag/meat shelf frame pack and Kifaru is high on my list because of all the good reviews, I have no complaints with Mystery Ranch other than being made overseas, big plus for Kifaru, my other Mystery Ranch packs fit my long torso great (pop up and scree) but they are obviously not in the same league as what I’m looking at now, I have my eye on the Beartooth and Metcalf, I have 2 external frame packs now, Dana Design K2 long bed and short bed, they will be for sale soon if anybody needs a cheap tough pack, but it’s time for an upgrade and I have all winter to pick one. This pack won’t get used much, it’s for when I go out West again and most likely will live at the tent while I’m actually hunting, I prefer to not carry much when I’m on the go, that being said I still want one big, bomb proof pack, that can pack meat and handle a load. Any of you guys going from a Mystery Ranch to Kifaru notice a difference in comfort? That wide belt on the Kifaru looks nice. Thanks
 
@bowhuntr09 @Plebe I know this is an old thread, curious if any of you guys who jumped on the sale have any new opinions on your packs after handling them and stuff, I’m buying a new pack soon, something big with a meat shelf, I have no desire to switch bags and be modular I have plenty of other bags that I’m happy with, I just want one large bag/meat shelf frame pack and Kifaru is high on my list because of all the good reviews, I have no complaints with Mystery Ranch other than being made overseas, big plus for Kifaru, my other Mystery Ranch packs fit my long torso great (pop up and scree) but they are obviously not in the same league as what I’m looking at now, I have my eye on the Beartooth and Metcalf, I have 2 external frame packs now, Dana Design K2 long bed and short bed, they will be for sale soon if anybody needs a cheap tough pack, but it’s time for an upgrade and I have all winter to pick one. This pack won’t get used much, it’s for when I go out West again and most likely will live at the tent while I’m actually hunting, I prefer to not carry much when I’m on the go, that being said I still want one big, bomb proof pack, that can pack meat and handle a load. Any of you guys going from a Mystery Ranch to Kifaru notice a difference in comfort? That wide belt on the Kifaru looks nice. Thanks

I got the 22 Mag with the 24" duplex lite frame. I am coming from a MR Pintler and this bag carries noticeably better...and the Pintler wasn't bad. I'm really happy with my purchase. Sounds like the Stryker XL may be a good bag for you. You can carry camp in on the meat shelf in a camp bag and then use the pack for your day hunts.
 
I got the 22 Mag with the 24" duplex lite frame. I am coming from a MR Pintler and this bag carries noticeably better...and the Pintler wasn't bad. I'm really happy with my purchase. Sounds like the Stryker XL may be a good bag for you. You can carry camp in on the meat shelf in a camp bag and then use the pack for your day hunts.
Flat or curved stays on your Kifaru? From what my research shows most get the curved, I did the back against a wall test and I’m pretty sure I need the curved, do you notice the lower lumbar pad more on your duplex frame vs the mystery ranch pad, it looks substantially bigger in the pictures on the duplex, on my old K2 short bed the pad is so thick it always drove me nuts, it’s too much pressure on my lower back I can’t stand it, I have adjusted it enough I’m done with it time for something new.
 
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Can’t speak much on kifaru, I have the Mystery Ranch Pintler and Beartooth 80. I’m not saying anything against kifaru as I myself want one so bad. Mainly just don’t wanna spend the extra money. So if you’re like me I’d go the mystery ranch route. You can find them on sale for stupid good prices. I have 500$ in both my bags and a 1 frame. I’ve carried 75lbs in my pack no problem and I’m not super strong and out of shape. I know your asking about kifaru so hopefully someone helps you out there. I mainly replied to mention how extremely expensive back country hunting is. Loaded down your walking into the woods (with good gear) with thousands and thousands of dollars worth of gear. If you’re not gonna use it much I’d save money where you can. @Topdog
 
Can’t speak much on kifaru, I have the Mystery Ranch Pintler and Beartooth 80. I’m not saying anything against kifaru as I myself want one so bad. Mainly just don’t wanna spend the extra money. So if you’re like me I’d go the mystery ranch route. You can find them on sale for stupid good prices. I have 500$ in both my bags and a 1 frame. I’ve carried 75lbs in my pack no problem and I’m not super strong and out of shape. I know your asking about kifaru so hopefully someone helps you out there. I mainly replied to mention how extremely expensive back country hunting is. Loaded down your walking into the woods (with good gear) with thousands and thousands of dollars worth of gear. If you’re not gonna use it much I’d save money where you can. @Topdog
As it stands right now I’m probably going to get a Mystery Ranch, I like their packs big time, all the noise lately is Kifaru and I’m sure for good reason, I just really like Mystery Ranch and hoping I’m not missing out on something lol, packs are almost like buying boots, maybe worse lol. I just watched a Terraframe 50 sell on fleabay brand new for $220 something, what a deal that was, I think I will wait and see if Black Ovis runs another special this winter and end up with a Beartooth.
 
Flat or curved stays on your Kifaru? From what my research shows most get the curved, I did the back against a wall test and I’m pretty sure I need the curved, do you notice the lower lumbar pad more on your duplex frame vs the mystery ranch pad, it looks substantially bigger in the pictures on the duplex, on my old K2 short bed the pad is so thick it always drove me nuts, it’s too much pressure on my lower back I can’t stand it, I have adjusted it enough I’m done with it time for something new.
I got the semi flat composite stays. I do notice the lower lumbar pad and it’s great! It’s a lot of money to spend, you may want to see if someone near you has one you can try.
 
packs are almost like buying boots, maybe worse lol.

This.

And there's so much fuss around here about saddles, idk why :tearsofjoy:

Boots and packs > saddles

I just got a pair of Hoffman Explorers. Left boot feels like it was born from my foot, not loving the fit of the right boot. Never had a saddle fit my right cheek any different than my left...

Then there's packs...you have to consider fit, function, and load. It's more like shopping footwear than shopping for a boot, and even tougher because you can't just grab some crocs and and be cool. Saddle has just one function to do well, keep your azz in the air...only @phatkaw is using his as a deer drag (he's the man!) Packs are tough. I've been totally satisfied with my first saddle purchase, spent way more on packs.
 
I've been using Kifaru since 2014, over the years I dropped from 26" to 24" duplex lite, love it at my height (5'11", 33" inseam) and it carries heavier weight than I can. I've hauled out 3 Elk solo along with all my whitetail hunting.

Stays are based on your back profile, I went curved instead of regular and they fit me better after having both.

Big fan of the 22 Mag as a day pack, love the Hoodlum for my big pack, and am going to add a shape charge to the mix for most of my saddle Hunting. Tried the Stryker XL and still preferred the 22 Mag personally.

For anyone in Mass or Southern NH, you're welcome to check out gear too.
 
I've been using Kifaru since 2014, over the years I dropped from 26" to 24" duplex lite, love it at my height (5'11", 33" inseam) and it carries heavier weight than I can. I've hauled out 3 Elk solo along with all my whitetail hunting.

Stays are based on your back profile, I went curved instead of regular and they fit me better after having both.

Big fan of the 22 Mag as a day pack, love the Hoodlum for my big pack, and am going to add a shape charge to the mix for most of my saddle Hunting. Tried the Stryker XL and still preferred the 22 Mag personally.

For anyone in Mass or Southern NH, you're welcome to check out gear too.
If money was no object and you had to buy a new pack again would it be another Kifaru, I only ask because 7 years of hard use is no joke and this is the kind of stuff I listen to, thanks!
 
Flat or curved stays on your Kifaru? From what my research shows most get the curved, I did the back against a wall test and I’m pretty sure I need the curved, do you notice the lower lumbar pad more on your duplex frame vs the mystery ranch pad, it looks substantially bigger in the pictures on the duplex, on my old K2 short bed the pad is so thick it always drove me nuts, it’s too much pressure on my lower back I can’t stand it, I have adjusted it enough I’m done with it time for something new.

I did the wall test (as per their video) and thusly ordered the curved composite stays. Idk. I really notice the lumbar pad, alot more than my X-ray that came with aluminum stays.

Though honestly, I haven't had the pack on my back for more than a few minutes as I spent the last couple weeks out of town. It's just my initial reaction. I'm confident I ordered properly for my build, and can remove cushion sections if it's too much padding.

I was totally surprised at how light the Duplex Lite frame is. The packaging tape looked a bit handled when I picked the box up; I actually thought someone had snatched the frame. It's that light. Can't imagine featherlights like the Stone Glacier and Kuiu frames.

The build quality is signature Kifaru, albeit not as meticulous as my X-ray...the sewing on that particular bag is immaculate...but pretty exceptional nonetheless.

The frame has what I envision is the right balance of flex and rigidity. Of course, I have 0 use thus far.

For a dedicated meat hauler and camp mover, I'm not sure where I'd have landed. I wasn't looking for anything dedicated, which is what ultimately made the Kifaru so attractive. Modularity.

If I was tracking and still hunting only but wanted to pack out my game, I would have given Exo a hard look. The K3 pack seems to move dynamically with the user as well as being functional as a meat hauler without a pack. @kyler1945 has experience with their stuff I believe.

But for a dedicated hauler, idk. More rigidity might be the ticket. Lots of good choices. I might have ended up with an outlier in the frame pack discussion..Sitka. There were massive discounts on their hauler last year. It's kind of a complicated mess of a thing, but apparently carries well, big bag, and was bargain priced.

I kind of landed in the middle. I was curious about Blackscreek for whitetail only, but again, the Kifaru seemed to have the edge in case a Western hunt comes together.

Never had a MR, wouldn't hesitate to use one.
 
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