Gents,
This is going to be a long detailed review and comparison of the Exo K2 frame and the Kifaru Hunting Duplex, so grab a cup of coffee and have a seat. I’m also including a lot of pictures for those who need periodic breaks from reading. I also ordered the Exo 5500 and 2000 bags to mount on either a Kifaru or Exo frame. In a few days I will follow this up by adding to SHTF’s Frankenpack thread (Exo bag on Kifaru frame) since I took a bit of a different approach for mounting my bags to the Duplex frame. You can find this thread by searching “Franken”.
This was my first “handmade” high quality pack purchase, so I listened to the smart guys on Rokslide and bought both frames to try both and return the one I didn’t want. I will tell you that this is great advice. You pay $25 out of pocket for return shipping, but you have the benefit of KNOWING that you are getting the right pack for you.
I am 5’11”+ and about 190lbs with an athletic build, 31” waist and normal torso length. I ordered an Exo K2 frame and a 26” Hunting Duplex frame with normal contour carbon fiber/plywood stays. I got small belts for both packs based on measurements.
Both packs were delivered quickly and the box contained everything that was ordered. The Exo box had a handwritten note from the Exo folks welcoming me as a new customer. I won’t go into a review of the 2000/5500 bags here, but I got the 5500 and 2000 bags to mount on either a Kifaru or Exo frame and suffice it to say I am very happy with the quality, and the perfect blend of durability, functionality, and weight.
My initial visual impressions of the frames were that they looked remarkably similar in size, dimensions, and feel. The biggest differences in the frames: 1.75” difference in height, contoured frame stays versus straight profile of the K2, and the extra padding along the back of the Duplex. The width of both frames was nearly identical. I measured and weighed both frames and found both to be within an ounce of the advertised weight, the Exo coming in 8oz lighter than the Duplex. The K2 frame was right at 25” tall and the 26” Duplex frame was 26.75” tall. Hands-on, the K2 frame had an edge in “torsional flexibility”, which is frame twist near the waist belt area. Neither frame exhibited flex/bend along the length of the frame and both were vertically rigid. The build quality was excellent on both. I had read posts about how Kifaru frames are “heads and shoulders” above Exo (or anyone else for that matter) in build quality and craftsmanship because of differences in design/material. I found this statement to be untrue. The packs are both very high quality, but they are designed differently. The Exo uses both 1” and ¾” straps, has smaller buckles, a smaller weight belt strap, and less padding in the mid-back part of the frame. I’m assuming this is where the 8oz of weight savings come in. The Kifaru uses 1” straps (except for sternum strap), bigger buckles, larger waist belt strap, and more padding. In the same way Swaros and Leica differences in weight/design does not mean differences in quality, the Exo being designed smaller or lighter doesn’t mean lower quality; it simply means lighter and smaller, period. I think it warrants mention up front that you need to critically examine forum comments and decide if there is a bias for a certain company.
Below: 25” K2 on left and 26.75” Duplex on right
Below: Frame dimensions are very similar
Below: Notice difference in vertical contour profile.
Below: Difference in Sternum buckles
This is going to be a long detailed review and comparison of the Exo K2 frame and the Kifaru Hunting Duplex, so grab a cup of coffee and have a seat. I’m also including a lot of pictures for those who need periodic breaks from reading. I also ordered the Exo 5500 and 2000 bags to mount on either a Kifaru or Exo frame. In a few days I will follow this up by adding to SHTF’s Frankenpack thread (Exo bag on Kifaru frame) since I took a bit of a different approach for mounting my bags to the Duplex frame. You can find this thread by searching “Franken”.
This was my first “handmade” high quality pack purchase, so I listened to the smart guys on Rokslide and bought both frames to try both and return the one I didn’t want. I will tell you that this is great advice. You pay $25 out of pocket for return shipping, but you have the benefit of KNOWING that you are getting the right pack for you.
I am 5’11”+ and about 190lbs with an athletic build, 31” waist and normal torso length. I ordered an Exo K2 frame and a 26” Hunting Duplex frame with normal contour carbon fiber/plywood stays. I got small belts for both packs based on measurements.
Both packs were delivered quickly and the box contained everything that was ordered. The Exo box had a handwritten note from the Exo folks welcoming me as a new customer. I won’t go into a review of the 2000/5500 bags here, but I got the 5500 and 2000 bags to mount on either a Kifaru or Exo frame and suffice it to say I am very happy with the quality, and the perfect blend of durability, functionality, and weight.
My initial visual impressions of the frames were that they looked remarkably similar in size, dimensions, and feel. The biggest differences in the frames: 1.75” difference in height, contoured frame stays versus straight profile of the K2, and the extra padding along the back of the Duplex. The width of both frames was nearly identical. I measured and weighed both frames and found both to be within an ounce of the advertised weight, the Exo coming in 8oz lighter than the Duplex. The K2 frame was right at 25” tall and the 26” Duplex frame was 26.75” tall. Hands-on, the K2 frame had an edge in “torsional flexibility”, which is frame twist near the waist belt area. Neither frame exhibited flex/bend along the length of the frame and both were vertically rigid. The build quality was excellent on both. I had read posts about how Kifaru frames are “heads and shoulders” above Exo (or anyone else for that matter) in build quality and craftsmanship because of differences in design/material. I found this statement to be untrue. The packs are both very high quality, but they are designed differently. The Exo uses both 1” and ¾” straps, has smaller buckles, a smaller weight belt strap, and less padding in the mid-back part of the frame. I’m assuming this is where the 8oz of weight savings come in. The Kifaru uses 1” straps (except for sternum strap), bigger buckles, larger waist belt strap, and more padding. In the same way Swaros and Leica differences in weight/design does not mean differences in quality, the Exo being designed smaller or lighter doesn’t mean lower quality; it simply means lighter and smaller, period. I think it warrants mention up front that you need to critically examine forum comments and decide if there is a bias for a certain company.
Below: 25” K2 on left and 26.75” Duplex on right
Below: Frame dimensions are very similar
Below: Notice difference in vertical contour profile.
Below: Difference in Sternum buckles
Last edited:
