Kifaru Bikini DT1--An ongoing review

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

So I'm going to hold of on greater judgement until I can get home and load up two fifty pound sandbags, but WOW.

I had 40 pounds in my pack today and took in on the Summit Loop at Smith Rock, just outside Bend, OR.  It is approximately a 7.5-8 mile hike.  40 pounds is about 15 pounds below my 7 day pack in weight, so we weren't quite there yet, but close, and I certainly can't speak to what it's going to feel like with a 100 pounds in it. 

So some things right off the bat, the DT1 is BIG.  I wasn't even close to filling it.  The bag also has more pockets then I realized, and the sleeping bag zipper at the bottom is a huge plus in my book.  The spotting scope pocket easily fit my 80 mm Swaro, and I was able to fit the lid over the top completely covering my spotter.

It took me a bit of playing last night, maybe 15 minutes, after watching the video's on Kifaru on how to fit your pack to your frame, to get my pack just right.  But I think it wouldn't take me more then five minutes now that I know what I'm doing.  There is a couple of little tricks. 

I made a mistake right off the bat when I started my hike.  When I cinched everything down the lid was over part of the load lifters, and it only took me about a hundred yards to realize something was wrong.  I moved it back a little, put the pack back on, and I got between 2-3 inches of lift on my shoulders. 

You can see the lift pretty apparently in the pictures below.  Sorry I look like a goober with my pants rolled up.  The sun was beating on this pale skinned man from Western Washington.  I haven't seen the sun in about 6 months!   

The front side of Smith Rock (Monkey Face Trail) was pretty steep.  It honestly felt like I had no weight in my pack.  The lifters put all the weight on your hips, it was pretty phenomenal.  I felt myself checking out most of the other hikers packs.  I saw mostly northface and REI packs everywhere (coupled with lots of Suburu's), and I don't think I saw a single functional load lifter all day, and I looked at over a hundred packs.

I really don't have anything bad to say, which I didn't expect too.  It's very easy to cinch everything up tight once you get into a routine.  I spent quite a bit of time glassing on the backside, as I was pretty much alone back there, and the ease of removing and replacing the spotter was really nice.  My only concern is if I fell, the spotter is pretty exposed on the outside.  While hiking in, I think I'll probably wrap my spotter in between all my gear internal to the bag.

I know a couple of you wanted to test out the pack who live locally.  Just hit me up when you want to give it a whirl, and I'll see if I'm available. 

This thread will be an ongoing review, as I will be drastically increasing the weight when I get home.

[couesbitten]

Sounds good so far.  I got mine, Bikini with 26" stays and 4800 cubic inch Highcamp in Kryptek Highlander camo on Wednesday. My extras were 2 small belt pouches, set of 5 pull-outs, XL internal chamber pocket, and expanded meat shelf (back ordered).  Haven't loaded it up yet, but am hoping to do so tomorrow.  I did try it on, and my initial impression was WOW, just the waist belt felt better than any pack belt I've ever worn before.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Sounds good so far.  I got mine, Bikini with 26" stays and 4800 cubic inch Highcamp in Kryptek Highlander camo on Wednesday. My extras were 2 small belt pouches, set of 5 pull-outs, XL internal chamber pocket, and expanded meat shelf (back ordered).  Haven't loaded it up yet, but am hoping to do so tomorrow.  I did try it on, and my initial impression was WOW, just the waist belt felt better than any pack belt I've ever worn before.

I was just so impressed with those load lifters.  ABSOLUTELY ZERO shoulder contact.  My shoulders are 100% fine right now.  I kept arching my back so I could really feel the lifters haha.  I was definitely in love today.

[slim9300]

I have the flat back Bikini & DT1 combo and a standard T1 that I have had for two years. I just sold the standard Bikini & Highcamp 7k in about 5 minutes. I am really loving my new Bikini frame. It's very comfortable with 100 lbs. and amazing with 40-50 lbs.


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[slim9300]

Sounds good so far.  I got mine, Bikini with 26" stays and 4800 cubic inch Highcamp in Kryptek Highlander camo on Wednesday. My extras were 2 small belt pouches, set of 5 pull-outs, XL internal chamber pocket, and expanded meat shelf (back ordered).  Haven't loaded it up yet, but am hoping to do so tomorrow.  I did try it on, and my initial impression was WOW, just the waist belt felt better than any pack belt I've ever worn before.

I was just so impressed with those load lifters.  ABSOLUTELY ZERO shoulder contact.  My shoulders are 100% fine right now.  I kept arching my back so I could really feel the lifters haha.  I was definitely in love today.

You will find that you will want more of a balance with 80-120 lbs. or your hips will die. I like 60% hips and 40% shoulders with really heavy loads until my hips start to get tired. Then I flip the balance for a mile or so.


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[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Sounds good so far.  I got mine, Bikini with 26" stays and 4800 cubic inch Highcamp in Kryptek Highlander camo on Wednesday. My extras were 2 small belt pouches, set of 5 pull-outs, XL internal chamber pocket, and expanded meat shelf (back ordered).  Haven't loaded it up yet, but am hoping to do so tomorrow.  I did try it on, and my initial impression was WOW, just the waist belt felt better than any pack belt I've ever worn before.

I was just so impressed with those load lifters.  ABSOLUTELY ZERO shoulder contact.  My shoulders are 100% fine right now.  I kept arching my back so I could really feel the lifters haha.  I was definitely in love today.

You will find that you will want more of a balance with 80-120 lbs. or your hips will die. I like 60% hips and 40% shoulders with really heavy loads until my hips start to get tired. Then I flip the balance for a mile or so.


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I found this as well.

[JPhelps]

I hate when I get to 6 or 7 miles and it seems like I'm re-adjusting every 30 seconds 

[slim9300]

I hate when I get to 6 or 7 miles and it seems like I'm re-adjusting every 30 seconds 

You need a new pack Jason! Sounds like my old AK Outfitter or my Blue Widow with heavy loads.


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[JPhelps]

My Dana Designs Terraframe does a great job.  I think I just need to pack less weight

[slim9300]

My Dana Designs Terraframe does a great job.  I think I just need to pack less weight

Probably true. You must be familiar with the GIF then?


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[couesbitten]

You must be familiar with the GIF then?

Definite love/hate relationship with the GIF, but ever sense reading Aron's write up on the GIF, I'm mostly amused.

[JPhelps]

Bikini frame with DT1 pack ordered!

[fillthefreezer]

Bikini frame with DT1 pack ordered!

nice work, ive packed 2 bears with mine now. and its only been hunting 3 times 
it hauls 95% as well as the duplex with 100lb+ loads and it feels more like a backpacking pack with under 40.
ive got 4 trips and about 45 miles on it so far

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Bikini frame with DT1 pack ordered!

nice work, ive packed 2 bears with mine now. and its only been hunting 3 times 
it hauls 95% as well as the duplex with 100lb+ loads and it feels more like a backpacking pack with under 40.
ive got 4 trips and about 45 miles on it so far

You've been murdering it!

[lostbackpacker]

got my bikini in foilage last month.  couldnt decide what bag to put on.  ordered highcamp. will be here mid of july.  cant wait