- Mar 20, 2013
- 1,638
- 90
**New pack ordered!!**
- Thread starter 25contender
- Start date
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
- Mar 20, 2013
- 1,638
- 90
Spent some time with the DT1 and Bikini frame last night. The first thing I noticed was how many different adjustments there are on the pack. I did a basic setup with the belt and shoulder straps and really like how the pack works. I am sure it will take a few hikes to get everything exactly right. BB was right about the waist belt. Comparing the waist-belts from my other packs with this one there is really no comparison. I put my training load in the pack which is 60lbs and after adjusting the belt I was surprised that there was no binding on the hips or around the shoulders. The large lumbar pad fits well though it is a big change for me.
The next thing I noticed the load lifting straps are considerably different. They really work and it doesn't take much adjustment to change the feel of the load. The bikini frame is interesting it does feel different and I like the space between my back and the pack. The bikini frame also spreads the weight a little differently than the internal frames I am used to. I do like the way the weight is distributed. I also like the way the pack packs up instead of out. This really makes the center of gravity of the pack closer to the body.
As far as the pack itself. very nice and once again there are many ways to configure the pack. I gave 60lbs of gravel in a sack inside the pack right now and I was amazed how small the pack has compressed. It actually compresses smaller than my J34 which is a much smaller pack. I received a small and med external pouch with the pack but didn't get a chance to install them yet. My 3liter CamelBak - Antidote Reservoir fits perfect in the water bladder storage area and it is easy to get too. I like the way you can separate the sleeping bag area from the load area of the pack. The pack has a internal flap that allows you to separate the two if you wish.
That is as far as I got with the pack last night. I will be using it Thursday for my weekly 4 mile hike so I will make another post later in the week.
The next thing I noticed the load lifting straps are considerably different. They really work and it doesn't take much adjustment to change the feel of the load. The bikini frame is interesting it does feel different and I like the space between my back and the pack. The bikini frame also spreads the weight a little differently than the internal frames I am used to. I do like the way the weight is distributed. I also like the way the pack packs up instead of out. This really makes the center of gravity of the pack closer to the body.
As far as the pack itself. very nice and once again there are many ways to configure the pack. I gave 60lbs of gravel in a sack inside the pack right now and I was amazed how small the pack has compressed. It actually compresses smaller than my J34 which is a much smaller pack. I received a small and med external pouch with the pack but didn't get a chance to install them yet. My 3liter CamelBak - Antidote Reservoir fits perfect in the water bladder storage area and it is easy to get too. I like the way you can separate the sleeping bag area from the load area of the pack. The pack has a internal flap that allows you to separate the two if you wish.
That is as far as I got with the pack last night. I will be using it Thursday for my weekly 4 mile hike so I will make another post later in the week.
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price mainly they had the foliage bag for 227.was looking at the timberlan1.whitch the longhunter is close just without the pockets.desided for the savings I would go with the longhunter and after talking with joe@kifaru the bikini frame would best suite my needs.did get two hip pockets and the gun bearer.after reading as much as I could find on packs kifaru was one of the companys that almost everything I could find was positive.looked at the kuiu ultra as well (the price was very attractive)but it was 50/50 on what people were saying either liking or not,and I just wasn't willing to chance it.
- Mar 20, 2013
- 1,638
- 90
I will be doing a 4 mile hike tomorrow. I will report back on the bikini frame. I think It's really going to feel good with a full pack.
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- Mar 20, 2013
- 1,638
- 90
I am basically a sceptical guy til I try something myself. I always wonder if It's worth the money for all the hype. Most if the time the hype is not worth the extra cash.
Today my nephew and I went on our weekly trek and will say that I was totally impressed with the way the new pack performed. I had my normal 60lbs of weight in the pack. After a few minor adjustments we were off on our hike. As mentioned the belt is the best belt I have had on a pack. There was no binding of any kind on the hips and the lumbar pad really is comfortable. There is a slight squeak in the buckle on the front of the belt that I will have to look into. Over the 4 miles I didn't have to make any adjustments except for a slight load lifter tightening. The pack road well and was extremely comfortable. I was sceptical about the bikini frame but it lived up to its reputation. It is super solid for its weight with no flex . The pads on the frame do rotate slightly to conform to your back shape. I like the way the frame allows some air to circulate on your back. I felt about 50% drier at the end of the hike. My shoulder felt great and I attribute that to the great waste belt. I will say it again the belt is just fantastic. The pack also compressed down nicely. And was one of my main concerns. Not anymore. This is the first pack that I would love to add more weight to and that's saying a lot. More to come.
Today my nephew and I went on our weekly trek and will say that I was totally impressed with the way the new pack performed. I had my normal 60lbs of weight in the pack. After a few minor adjustments we were off on our hike. As mentioned the belt is the best belt I have had on a pack. There was no binding of any kind on the hips and the lumbar pad really is comfortable. There is a slight squeak in the buckle on the front of the belt that I will have to look into. Over the 4 miles I didn't have to make any adjustments except for a slight load lifter tightening. The pack road well and was extremely comfortable. I was sceptical about the bikini frame but it lived up to its reputation. It is super solid for its weight with no flex . The pads on the frame do rotate slightly to conform to your back shape. I like the way the frame allows some air to circulate on your back. I felt about 50% drier at the end of the hike. My shoulder felt great and I attribute that to the great waste belt. I will say it again the belt is just fantastic. The pack also compressed down nicely. And was one of my main concerns. Not anymore. This is the first pack that I would love to add more weight to and that's saying a lot. More to come.
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CoHiCntry
Veteran member
- Mar 20, 2013
- 1,638
- 90
- Mar 20, 2013
- 1,638
- 90
Alright I have hiked quite a few miles with the Dt1. I really cant say anything negative about the pack. There are so many different combinations to compress the pack that I am still experimenting with that. It seems that with a full or partially full pack all the different compression configurations I have tried have worked. The slight squeak in the buckle on the belt has gone away after some use. Very impressed with the pack.
- Mar 20, 2013
- 1,638
- 90
Pack Update******
Getting ready to head on this years Elkhunt in less then two weeks and thought I would update about the pack. I have logged about 70 miles with the Pack since I received it. 95% of these miles have been with 60+ lbs and this is the first pack I have looked forward to strapping on and taking a trek. It did take me a few weeks to learn all the adjustments on the pack and a little while longer to get used to the lumbar pad. All the other packs I have used have had either a thin or almost non existent lumbar pad. I have been running about 80% of the weight on the hipbelt and 20% on the shoulder straps. To be honest with you the 60+ lbs I have been packing really feels like less than 50 lbs. Once again the hip belt is quite amazing on this pack. There is absolutely no hip binding with it at all. With my other packs it would feel like the circulation was sometimes being cut off around the hips. There has been no problems like that with this pack. I also like the way the pack packs up instead of low, back and wide. This is great for the balance of heavy weight in the pack. You don't feel as if you are tipping in one direction or the other. Another thing I like which I didn't think I would is all the extra adjustment and compression straps. With these straps it really makes it easy to tighten and adjust the load. The internal hydration pocket with bladder hanger is extremely nice, My 3 liter CamelBack bladder fits perfectly in this compartment and with the Quick disconnect outside the pack filling the bladder is a snap with my water filter. After putting all the miles on the pack that I have I am impressed with the quality and more importantly the comfort of the pack. Good Hunting everyone!! Mark
Getting ready to head on this years Elkhunt in less then two weeks and thought I would update about the pack. I have logged about 70 miles with the Pack since I received it. 95% of these miles have been with 60+ lbs and this is the first pack I have looked forward to strapping on and taking a trek. It did take me a few weeks to learn all the adjustments on the pack and a little while longer to get used to the lumbar pad. All the other packs I have used have had either a thin or almost non existent lumbar pad. I have been running about 80% of the weight on the hipbelt and 20% on the shoulder straps. To be honest with you the 60+ lbs I have been packing really feels like less than 50 lbs. Once again the hip belt is quite amazing on this pack. There is absolutely no hip binding with it at all. With my other packs it would feel like the circulation was sometimes being cut off around the hips. There has been no problems like that with this pack. I also like the way the pack packs up instead of low, back and wide. This is great for the balance of heavy weight in the pack. You don't feel as if you are tipping in one direction or the other. Another thing I like which I didn't think I would is all the extra adjustment and compression straps. With these straps it really makes it easy to tighten and adjust the load. The internal hydration pocket with bladder hanger is extremely nice, My 3 liter CamelBack bladder fits perfectly in this compartment and with the Quick disconnect outside the pack filling the bladder is a snap with my water filter. After putting all the miles on the pack that I have I am impressed with the quality and more importantly the comfort of the pack. Good Hunting everyone!! Mark
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- Mar 20, 2013
- 1,638
- 90
Ok so I made it back from Montana. This was the first real world test with the pack in the mountains. It was a absolute beast. I didn't get tired, sore, or uncomfortable once even while packing out two elk in one week. I cant say enough about the Kifaru setup. It packed 100lbs of meat like it was 60 lbs. Kudos to them for making a great system. Mark
