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Gear you liked/disliked 2022

metty said:
Liked:

This water bottle pouch for rappel rope https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KN66QO...olid=1IYWH581SIDG0&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

it has a bottom pouch, i found that after i cut out the partition between it and the main pouch it made it very easy to insert 40' of 9mm rope because you could open the bottom and pull the rope in instead of just trying to cram it in the top. i had a dump pouch for rope storage previously and i really like this.

also, the side pouch is a perfect size to store a carabiner and a grigri for descending

Disliked:

the rope belt on my Latitude Classic 2. it just doesnt seem to stay in place unless you really cinch it down which sucks because then you have a small diameter rope digging into you and bearing the weight of whatever is on the MOLLE loops. I would much prefer a wider webbing belt. i know they say they did it because a metal buckle can be loud but i think the rope belt is a fail. i might sew some loops on and take the cobra belt off my sit drag
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This seems to vary saddle to saddle. Back when I had mine it was rock solid. Didnt budge once locked down
 
metty said:
Disliked:

the rope belt on my Latitude Classic 2. it just doesnt seem to stay in place unless you really cinch it down which sucks because then you have a small diameter rope digging into you and bearing the weight of whatever is on the MOLLE loops. I would much prefer a wider webbing belt. i know they say they did it because a metal buckle can be loud but i think the rope belt is a fail. i might sew some loops on and take the cobra belt off my sit drag
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Interesting, the rope belt is one of my favorite features on the Method 2. Just shows that we all in have different preferences.
 
AttackMode said:
The 44 access and layout are about perfect for me. I thought about the 357 but I wasn't sure if my platform would fit inside. Kifaru has the 44 listed at about 11" wide, 357 says 12" but the amount of pals webbing shows the 44 is wider. I still platform climb and it does fit in the 44 but it's close. Everything is very streamlined and I don't have to worry about snags going through the thick stuff with the exception of anything overhead. But I usually stay out of that stuff unless I'm shed hunting. Multicam is also a big plus. Adding xpac pouches and sherman will give me plenty of waterproof storage for camera gear and other items. I'll upload some pics of the 44 stuffed with clothes and platform later today.
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I thought I saw you listed a Kifaru 357 Mag pack. Did it not fit your platform / do you know the true internal width?
 
Plebe said:
I thought I saw you listed a Kifaru 357 Mag pack. Did it not fit your platform / do you know the true internal width?
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I did. The 357 was narrower than the 44 by several inches. With that said, I sold the Kifaru frame and 44 Mag. I'm now using an Exo K4 frame and 5000 bag. The frame fits and feels better and their bag is great. A couple minor things I'd change but overall it's an awesome combo and I can accomplish what I want with it.
 
Why are some of the pack manufactures going away from Coyote and Multicam? I noticed Kifaru and T&K have moved in this direction(Ranger Green) only. However EXO seems to be staying with OD/Coyote/Camo options??? Just wondering what is going on? Are there durability issues or shortages??? Just curious.
 
woodsdog2 said:
Why are some of the pack manufactures going away from Coyote and Multicam? I noticed Kifaru and T&K have moved in this direction(Ranger Green) only. However EXO seems to be staying with OD/Coyote/Camo options??? Just wondering what is going on? Are there durability issues or shortages??? Just curious.
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I thought I read something from kifaru that said ranger green was by far there best seller. So it sounded like a business decision.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Crcusmonky said:
I thought I read something from kifaru that said ranger green was by far there best seller. So it sounded like a business decision.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I remember reading the same thing on rokslide, multicam just didn't sell as much so they d/c it (also possibly related to moving facilities and streamlining perhaps?). I don't think it was anything about the fabric durability or availability or anything, just sales.
 
AttackMode said:
I did. The 357 was narrower than the 44 by several inches. With that said, I sold the Kifaru frame and 44 Mag. I'm now using an Exo K4 frame and 5000 bag. The frame fits and feels better and their bag is great. A couple minor things I'd change but overall it's an awesome combo and I can accomplish what I want with it.
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Thanks. As you probably know there is a sale on for Kifaru internal frame packs (Minikeg, 357mag, Kutthroat). It's no good to me if I can't fit a platform in the bag. I've a few platform options, favoring the RidgeRunner XL and Fix.

I'd have bought a Minikeg, were it all cordura. Shiny X-pac makes no sense, unless it's applied to the whole bag for waterproofing.

The 44mag fits a RidgeRunner XL, but it's more than I need.

I think, or rather, hope, Exo will make a "whitetail" setup at some point. The bag lineup is Western focused and not to my taste. But I may try the frame as an attachment to my .5...except the Seek Outside Revolution (with Merlin Talon) is the bomb already with that. (Minus camo fabric). Idk. I think Steve at Exo was laser focused with the K4 frame build. But the Seek frame is legit for this purpose and even more lightweight (marginally I suppose).

Ramblings.

How do you feel the K4 vents compared to the Duplex Lite? The DL is the best venting frame I've used.
 
woodsdog2 said:
Why are some of the pack manufactures going away from Coyote and Multicam? I noticed Kifaru and T&K have moved in this direction(Ranger Green) only. However EXO seems to be staying with OD/Coyote/Camo options??? Just wondering what is going on? Are there durability issues or shortages??? Just curious.
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Coyote is a good way to get shot, in the East, imo.

Multicam is, imo, fantastic.

Steve at Exo wanted to get away from the camo options. But Rokslide saved him, and he bent to consumer demand.

T&K unfortunately want a price they don't deserve.

Kifaru are riding some unfortunate waves here. They offer quality stuff, but it's a market they don't want to divest of camo.
 
I agree I like Multicam way better than the others I think it matches in a multitude of environments from back east to out west and down on the ground and up in a tree.
 
Plebe said:
Thanks. As you probably know there is a sale on for Kifaru internal frame packs (Minikeg, 357mag, Kutthroat). It's no good to me if I can't fit a platform in the bag. I've a few platform options, favoring the RidgeRunner XL and Fix.

I'd have bought a Minikeg, were it all cordura. Shiny X-pac makes no sense, unless it's applied to the whole bag for waterproofing.

The 44mag fits a RidgeRunner XL, but it's more than I need.

I think, or rather, hope, Exo will make a "whitetail" setup at some point. The bag lineup is Western focused and not to my taste. But I may try the frame as an attachment to my .5...except the Seek Outside Revolution (with Merlin Talon) is the bomb already with that. (Minus camo fabric). Idk. I think Steve at Exo was laser focused with the K4 frame build. But the Seek frame is legit for this purpose and even more lightweight (marginally I suppose).

Ramblings.

How do you feel the K4 vents compared to the Duplex Lite? The DL is the best venting frame I've used.
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Exo is releasing a smaller bag. I believe it's 1800 or 2200 cu/in and there's been some teaser pics on rokslide. Should be done by summer. Xpac is nice but when it's below freezing the material is too loud imo. I'm glad I got rid of it. I have a sea to summit Event dry bag for those hunts now. As for the venting...the K4 is better imo. I've had a K3, M1 carrier , Duplex tactical, Duplex light and the K4. K4 wins every category. I have a 120lb loaded up in it and have been doing training,1 mile every other day on my elliptical on the mtn setting. Once adjusted properly it's fantastic and I have zero hot spots or soreness.
 
Plebe said:
Ranger green isn't so dark as go be problematic...but..indeed...why not have a camo to break up the human form?
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They could have split the difference and continued to offer the pouches and pockets like the sherman in multicam to give the pack some pattern break up.

As for Exo building a dedicated whitetail rig, when I called and talked to them last year it didnt sound like there was any interest at all in moving such a project. The comment was their current packs will do everything needed. For once in my life I saved my breath and wished them well. Found a duplex light with stryker xl at a good price and snagged it. Added my sherman and have 2 custom belt pouches coming from CGM that will make it as close to the perfect one pack system as I think can currently be assembled for someone to cover everything from a quick day hunt through a week long backpack hunt and haul dead critters.
 
woodsdog2 said:
Why are some of the pack manufactures going away from Coyote and Multicam? I noticed Kifaru and T&K have moved in this direction(Ranger Green) only. However EXO seems to be staying with OD/Coyote/Camo options??? Just wondering what is going on? Are there durability issues or shortages??? Just curious.
Click to expand...

Not loving the coyote on Exo's fusion bags either. So, I'd probably have to go Ranger green there as well

B2B0AE85-85B8-4B5D-8EC8-9B64DE33AE73.jpeg
 
Plebe said:
Not loving the coyote on Exo's fusion bags either. So, I'd probably have to go Ranger green there as well

View attachment 84480
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I wasn't a fan of the mix at first but it's growing on me and I feel like it looks a bit better in person compared to their online photos. May just be the fanboi in me coming out lol. Likely when it's on my back it'll have a foam mat or something strapped over top, which will decrease the looking like a deer aspect a bit.
 
Plebe said:
Coyote is a good way to get shot, in the East, imo.

Multicam is, imo, fantastic.

Steve at Exo wanted to get away from the camo options. But Rokslide saved him, and he bent to consumer demand.

T&K unfortunately want a price they don't deserve.

Kifaru are riding some unfortunate waves here. They offer quality stuff, but it's a market they don't want to divest of camo.
Click to expand...
Kifaru still makes multicam & CB. You just have to buy those patterns from Black Ovis. They are selling those directly on the Kifaru website. Haven't heard why that is the case though.
 
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