Kifaru frames; new duplex

[MountainWalk]

  I was wanting to pick some guys brains for a bit.
I hunt a bikini frame, with a few different bags and set ups and I have never had a complaint or issue with kifaru quality and design,  even while carrying large loads on a frame that weighs less than 3 pounds.

 But the thing is, I'm finding that I'm routinely packing more weight, in every way, hunting and hiking in Alaska.
The bikini does great, but I helped a pal on an Etolin elk hunt and another friend tipped over a moose and I helped pack, and the whole time I was wishful of the frame being a little beefier.

  The duplex looks like it has changed up some since I last frame shopped.  I do remember them pushing an ultralight with carbon arrow stays! Hahaha. 
 How much better and more solid feeling is the new duplex compared to an old hat bikini?

Thanks, dan

[Karl Blanchard]

Night and day difference between the duplex and the bikini.  The bikini was a nice thought but just not built for big loads. If you like your bikini, you'll be over the moon happy with a new frame.

[MtnMuley]

Night and day difference between the duplex and the bikini.  The bikini was a nice thought but just not built for big loads. If you like your bikini, you'll be over the moon happy with a new frame.

 

I love the bikini for many things, but if large loads are gonna be typical, I will use the Duplex 100% of the time.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I use a duplex. The exo packs remind me alot of the bikini frames from kif. I found weight transfer is not the issue with these guys, as much as the load being secure to the frame itself, if that makes any sense. In other words the pack would fit me good, load lifter and belt would get weight where it needed to be, but the load itself felt far less stable than similar loads in the duplex. 

[zwickeyman]

Night and day difference between the duplex and the bikini.  The bikini was a nice thought but just not built for big loads. If you like your bikini, you'll be over the moon happy with a new frame.

 

I love the bikini for many things, but if large loads are gonna be typical, I will use the Duplex 100% of the time.

 

[MountainWalk]

Blackvelvethunter -

   

  I know what you mean.   With my bikini on (this makes me laugh ( under big loads  (moose quarter) I don't really feel it barrel roll. I can suck it down to the frame and with a big load, it's fairly stable,. I guess what I'm after is more mating surface, if that makes any sense.

  The frame does great, hasn't bent or anything, loads stay put etc. I don't think it's going to break or fail or anything.

KarlBlanchard,  Zwickeyman -
  Ok. I'll love the duplex. But what's it doing, that the bikini can't or better? I'm not trying to challenge you guys, but I'm looking at them. And other than material between the stays, I don't see tons difference.   I'd like to drop the coin on it, but I'm not in the business of pissing money away on new shiny things that I don't really need.

You guys have any comparisons between the two? As in, used both?

[MtnMuley]

The Duplex is built a lot more sturdy that the Bikini frame and by having a better structural support design, can handle larger loads with more stability while being a lot more comfortable for the user. The Bikini was designed to be an ultralight alternative for that type of crowd and was a hit. With technology, Kifaru has seemed to come up with "fits both" style frame with their newer Duplex's and even most the ounce counters sacrifice a little weight up front for the benefits it provides in all other aspects. And yes, I own a few Duplex's and a Bikini.

[Karl Blanchard]

Pretty much sums it up.  I don't really pack quarters ever. Always boned out meat so can't speak to that but the bikini was just never overly comfortable with loads over 100lb. No matter how I loaded it, id get gear or meat pushing through the openings in the frame. Ive owned and abused every frame kifaru has made and the current duplex is my favorite for all around use. The original duplex is still my all time favorite hauler though. You could strap a truck to that thing and it would take it.

[MountainWalk]

I'm almost convinced. I may try to find an older duplex.

 I'm a belly and back sweater, and I love the ventilation.

KarlBlanchard -I hear ya about the getting poked part!. But I only got that problem with ribs, so I just loaded them different.

Some places in Alaska,  you may not bone meat.
And, I just have never attempted it myself, so I'm not sure how great I'd be, and most of the time when I tip something over, it's very bad conditions and timing to be trying experiments.  Boning on the table is easy enough, for now. At a hardworking 40, I'll worry about bones as I get older and weaker!

[Jdk22]

I’ve got a 26” duplex light with semi flat stays if you want to try it out ?