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Kifaru Duplex Lite vs Duplex Tactical?

Hey Plebe, thanks for tagging me in to this thread.
I wouldn't have read it if you didn't. (I can afford to READ this thread only)

yeah right, i've seen the pics. you got more into climbing rope than I have in hunting gear. :)
 
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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.
Thanks, lots of good info. I have been reading reviews and over on Rokslide, my super well used buy finger is getting ready to start hitting some purchase buttons soon, typical of me I have all winter, actually longer, and after a couple days of research I’m just about finished, we will see.... LMAO
 
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!
Yes. But take the time to get the right setup that fits you correctly. Kifaru is a blessing and a curse with all the adjustments.

And if I were only buying one setup it would be a duplex lite with a larger bag. If I was only day hunting, I'd step down to the 22 Mag with the frame.

If I was legitimately only saddle hunting for deer and not hauling heavy weight, I might consider the shape charge, but I'll need to let you know after I use one for a while.
 
So.... what's the consensus? the Lite or Tactical frame?
 
A belt that sits on your hips properly, that is adjusted by pulling forward not back.

a shoulder harness that matches both the width and length of your torso so that you can balance the weight 50/50 between shoulder harness and hip belt, with the sternum strap simply keeping the harness in line.

load lifters that ride far enough above your shoulders to allow them to be tightened properly to balance the load.

once you have these things, you’re 90% there. Brand, padding, stiffness, contour, etc. are all gravy. I use exo’s harness on my Jx3 hybrid. It’s by far the most comfortable harness me.

I tote a mystery ranch pop up frame for any whitetail huntjng I’m not doing in the hybrid.

I use a Kifaru 26” hunter frame I bought used on rockslide if I’m packing more than a mile or two or staying for more than 3-4 nights when I’m elk hunting.

I don’t have much experience with kuiu. Eberlestock sucks to Me. Never seen a stone glacier. Mystery ranch guide lite frames are nice.

I thought about getting into a used kuiu carbon frame used, just to see if I really could shave 1+lbs off my whitetail kit. Right deal hasn’t come by yet.
 
Yes. But take the time to get the right setup that fits you correctly. Kifaru is a blessing and a curse with all the adjustments.

And if I were only buying one setup it would be a duplex lite with a larger bag. If I was only day hunting, I'd step down to the 22 Mag with the frame.

If I was legitimately only saddle hunting for deer and not hauling heavy weight, I might consider the shape charge, but I'll need to let you know after I use one for a while.
Thanks! I have plenty of day packs for deer hunting, I’m all set in that department, this pack is for when I go out West again and chase elk or muleys, and sometimes I hunt out of a wall tent in the Adks and need a bigger pack for the trip in, I appreciate all the help guys thanks.
 
Thanks, lots of good info. I have been reading reviews and over on Rokslide, my super well used buy finger is getting ready to start hitting some purchase buttons soon, typical of me I have all winter, actually longer, and after a couple days of research I’m just about finished, we will see.... LMAO

I hit Rokslide hard too. The biggest complaint I see aimed at Kifaru is the bags are "too strappy, messy, floppy..."

Where things get interesting is when belts come to bear. Some think the Kifaru belt is seated right hand, others...not for them. Personally, I find the belt pretty awesome.
 
I hit Rokslide hard too. The biggest complaint I see aimed at Kifaru is the bags are "too strappy, messy, floppy..."

Where things get interesting is when belts come to bear. Some think the Kifaru belt is seated right hand, others...not for them. Personally, I find the belt pretty awesome.
For tracking and still hunting, Muley pack by Wilderness Pack Specialties, I love that thing, it’s been through hell and just keeps going, I have a new one on the way for a spare in case mine ever quits, if it doesn’t my son can have it in a few years. Mystery Ranch Scree 32, my Ambush lives on that pack, I love it. Rancho Safari small day pack, not the one I just sold in the classifieds another one, that pack lives on my .5 and acts more like a bag that rides on the stand. Mystery Ranch popup 28, I use this when the Iwom xt gets the call to duty, I wrap up my Ambush like a sandwich and put the whole mess in the load shelf. All the other heavy lifting goes to my old Dana Designs k2 long bed, this new pack will retire that monster, it will either be a Kifaru or Mystery Ranch, who knows maybe if I get the Kifaru I can eliminate some of my other packs, but for now I’m pretty dialed in!
 
Don't tell my Ol' Lady.

Oh wait, I'm single. :D

Easy call then.

Saddles are for people, frame packs are for deer. :)

(I've dragged deer with my safety harness for years...you've outdone me with your saddle deer drag...so I had no choice but give in and get a Duplex Lite, right?)
 
So.... what's the consensus? the Lite or Tactical frame?
Duplex lite. But the tactical is good if you can find it cheap. Buying new at full price I’d go duplex lite. Never ultra lite. The frame sheet is too thin
 
I wish I could add value to this conversation, as I have ordered not one, but two Kifaru packs and accessories. Unfortunately I haven’t received a single thing yet. So if you order, don't expect anything in a hurry. It’s a little disappointing. I ordered on 11/23 with expected ship date of 12/7-12/14. On 12/7 I was contacted and told they over sold the ShapeCharge in Ranger Green and I could switch to Coyote, get a refund or wait until February. I hate to sound like I am griping, but I dropped a lot of money with the expectation of using at least one of the packs the last month of whitetail season and the way it’s going, I won’t get anything until after season. That does me a lot of good. They haven’t offered to do anything to help expedite the 357mag pack which was also ordered.
I realize they had a sale and it’s Christmas, but they knew that.
Other than getting that off my chest, If you take anything from this, it’s if you are trying to get these products for a planned trip, it might be a good idea to order six months in advance. Although some people here received their stuff timely.
I’ll post my thoughts on the packs, if I ever get them. But none of mine are external frame meat haulers.
 
I wish I could add value to this conversation, as I have ordered not one, but two Kifaru packs and accessories. Unfortunately I haven’t received a single thing yet. So if you order, don't expect anything in a hurry. It’s a little disappointing. I ordered on 11/23 with expected ship date of 12/7-12/14. On 12/7 I was contacted and told they over sold the ShapeCharge in Ranger Green and I could switch to Coyote, get a refund or wait until February. I hate to sound like I am griping, but I dropped a lot of money with the expectation of using at least one of the packs the last month of whitetail season and the way it’s going, I won’t get anything until after season. That does me a lot of good. They haven’t offered to do anything to help expedite the 357mag pack which was also ordered.
I realize they had a sale and it’s Christmas, but they knew that.
Other than getting that off my chest, If you take anything from this, it’s if you are trying to get these products for a planned trip, it might be a good idea to order six months in advance. Although some people here received their stuff timely.
I’ll post my thoughts on the packs, if I ever get them. But none of mine are external frame meat haulers.


I got my stryker XL and camp bag in 7 days from order to delivery. Frame is set to be delivered tomorrow. I will get to use it at least a few hunts prior to turkey season. I am also waiting on the SC to come back in stock in RG so I can make that my EDC / Travel do all bag.
 
I wish I could add value to this conversation, as I have ordered not one, but two Kifaru packs and accessories. Unfortunately I haven’t received a single thing yet. So if you order, don't expect anything in a hurry. It’s a little disappointing. I ordered on 11/23 with expected ship date of 12/7-12/14. On 12/7 I was contacted and told they over sold the ShapeCharge in Ranger Green and I could switch to Coyote, get a refund or wait until February. I hate to sound like I am griping, but I dropped a lot of money with the expectation of using at least one of the packs the last month of whitetail season and the way it’s going, I won’t get anything until after season. That does me a lot of good. They haven’t offered to do anything to help expedite the 357mag pack which was also ordered.
I realize they had a sale and it’s Christmas, but they knew that.
Other than getting that off my chest, If you take anything from this, it’s if you are trying to get these products for a planned trip, it might be a good idea to order six months in advance. Although some people here received their stuff timely.
I’ll post my thoughts on the packs, if I ever get them. But none of mine are external frame meat haulers.

That’s worth mentioning. They batch build I think and that effects fulfillment schedules. Maybe someone knows more on that, I can’t remember where I heard it.

I’ve been pretty lucky it seems and received everything I’ve ordered from Kifaru expeditiously, without any expectations on how that would unfold.
 
Kifaru does batch build, all American made, and it used to take months to get everything. Shipping estimates are just that - estimates.

I ordered a pack one year months in advance of a hunt and didn't get it, so I can empathize, but waiting will be worth it. Trying to estimate shipping around black Friday and the holidays is a crap shoot at best.
 
I am definitely familiar with logistics, fulfillment and transportation. And it does sound like they batch build. Hey, you can’t help but want it when you order it! Lol. I’m hoping it’s worth the wait.
 
I am definitely familiar with logistics, fulfillment and transportation. And it does sound like they batch build. Hey, you can’t help but want it when you order it! Lol. I’m hoping it’s worth the wait.
It will be, I've been there! Awesome gear and company, and they've actually admitted they're trying their best to get better on shipping and estimates, they just can't keep up with the demand.

They're moving headquarters to WY next year, and it sounds like expanding at the same time. So hopefully things continue to get better.
 
It will be, I've been there! Awesome gear and company, and they've actually admitted they're trying their best to get better on shipping and estimates, they just can't keep up with the demand.

They're moving headquarters to WY next year, and it sounds like expanding at the same time. So hopefully things continue to get better.
I think I saw something a week or so ago about them also doing year end inventory too which was going to impact some ship times.
 
I have a frame coming, duplex lite, so now I just need a bag and my research has started, if anybody has Kifaru buyers remorse and has a bag send me a PM, question, is the Stryker xl the only one with the beefier load shelf, I have watched countless youtube videos and scoured threads, from what I gather it looks like this is the case as it was designed for bulkier stuff, stands etc., I’m trying to weigh getting a bigger bag or Stryker xl with a camp bag and using the shelf more, or 2 bags possibly, the options are endless obviously, so my main question is the Stryker xl the only bag with the more rugged looking load shelf, and it also looks like less fiddle factor to use said load shelf, or am I missing something, I’m sure all of the load shelf bags are simple to deploy it just looks like the Stryker mite be a bit easier.
 
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