Badlands 2200 or KUIU Icon Pro?

[krapmit]

Trying to decide on a new pack. Mostly for days hunts but still with the ability to back a  bow and an elk quarter out of the woods.  They both seem to be capable or everything I wand and need in a pack.

Can anyone with experience with either or hopefully both of these packs weigh in?

[Bob33]

My opinion may be contrary to most, but I’ve been wearing a Badlands 2200 this year for multiple hunts and have to admit that I really don’t like it. It weighs 6 pounds empty, which is heavier than the internal frame pack that I typically use for packing out elk quarters. It’s a bit longer than my other day packs, and even though I’m 6-0 it tends to constrict my hip movement just a bit more than I’d prefer for a daypack. The pockets for holding a spotting scope are not readily available without unbuckling some straps. The external pocket on the back has less capacity than I'd like.

I’m just about ready to give up on it and go back to a 4 pound daypack. It means one more trip to the vehicle if I need to haul out elk quarters, but I think the tradeoff is worth it.

[whacker1]

Icon Pro for sure.

external frame with load shelf option.  option to put multiple different bags on it, should you decide to hunt in different methods.  Weighs less than the Badlands.

[Magnum_Willys]

My opinion may be contrary to most, but I’ve been wearing a Badlands 2200 this year for multiple hunts and have to admit that I really don’t like it. It weighs 6 pounds empty, which is heavier than the internal frame pack that I typically use for packing out elk quarters. It’s a bit longer than my other day packs, and even though I’m 6-0 it tends to constrict my hip movement just a bit more than I’d prefer for a daypack. The pockets for holding a spotting scope are not readily available without unbuckling some straps. The external pocket on the back has less capacity than I'd like.

I’m just about ready to give up on it and go back to a 4 pound daypack. It means one more trip to the vehicle if I need to haul out elk quarters, but I think the tradeoff is worth it.

Look at the Kuiu icon or ultra - 3# day packs that can haul 100# out handily. 

[krapmit]

I've been definitely leaning toward the icon pro 1850.  It seems to be a great day pack and I see no reason not to hunt with the actual carbon fiber "frame"...Ive read that some folks hunt without it, but it seems so light that it wouldn't matter.

[BigBullDreamer11]

I have the badlands 2200 and just got the the icon pro 3200 and the icon pro is way way way more comfortable.. Havent hauled any meat with it yet but as far as pack goes love it over the 2200.

[lamrith]

I do not have a Badlands and only tried one on in a store briefly so I cannot offer any direct experience on it.
I have worn an Icon Pro, just bought one last month after hands on with one during Elk camp.  Great pack, light weight and comfortable.  It is a lightweight carbon pack frame with a bag mounted on it, where the Badlands is more of a pack with a frame inside it, just different concepts so they are not very apples/apples.  I have found the Icon extremely comfortable and it will shave 2# off my basic cheap daypack.

The Icon is nice because you can split pack from frame and carry your meat between the frame and pack, so even with a 1850 size pack you are not limited in what weight/size you can haul out (other than how long your retention straps are).  You can also buy pack only down the road to go big if you decide to back country camp/hunt and need the 7200.  I will say I was impressed with the purchase process too.  I called asking a question about an item and the CS agent pulled everything up and had my question answered and the order done in 5minutes.  Then a week after I got my pack I got a handwritten thank you note and a decal, while not important that is a darn nice touch and tells me they take pride in their product, company and customers.

[Magnum_Willys]

I've been definitely leaning toward the icon pro 1850.  It seems to be a great day pack and I see no reason not to hunt with the actual carbon fiber "frame"...Ive read that some folks hunt without it, but it seems so light that it wouldn't matter.

Frame and waist belt and straps are a system.  Bag attaches to that.   With 3000 bag you can put meat in a garbage sack in the bag or strap meat between the bag and frame like most do. 

Here's boned qtr, backstrap, tenderloins and head on kuiu 3000 with gear in kuiu bag, meat in gamebag between pack and frame.

[krapmit]

I think I'm sold. SUPER bummed that all the packs I was interested in on the kuiu site were sold out for the 30% off deal that ended yesterday!

Anyone know when their next sale will be? Do they do a black friday ?

[JoeE]

I used a badlands 2200 for several years. 3 years ago I switched to the icon pro frame with the 3000 and 6000 bags. No question the KUIU is much better.

[dscubame]

Kuiu gets it done but I am impressed with the Stone Glacier.  Retired the Badlands and still love it too.

[Beargravy]

I have used the Badlands 2200 ever since they first came out.The pack is heavy I will admit but extremely quiet and durable.Its works great as a day pack and can handle as much weight as you can carry.Mine has packed more than 20 deer and elk with no failures and if it ever does  its guaranteed forever

[lamrith]

I think I'm sold. SUPER bummed that all the packs I was interested in on the kuiu site were sold out for the 30% off deal that ended yesterday!

Anyone know when their next sale will be? Do they do a black friday ?

Yeah they had a 30% on packs only sale a week earlier as well which is what really ate their inventory.  They do 20% coupons all the time, there was a thread on here a few months back
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,200231.0.html
That should get you 20% off.  I would do that and then wait for pack you want to come in stock and grab it.  I am new to Kuiu myself and not familiar with when they do their sales to know when it might happen again.

[bwhntr2819]

Looks like I'm not the first to endorse the Icon Pro 1850 and won't be the last.  Just way too versatile to pass up.  Get the full kit then you can add different bags later if you want to convert it to a longer stay pack. 

[DOUBLELUNG]

I have used the Badlands 2200 ever since they first came out.The pack is heavy I will admit but extremely quiet and durable.Its works great as a day pack and can handle as much weight as you can carry.Mine has packed more than 20 deer and elk with no failures and if it ever does  its guaranteed forever

My experience is very similar, however below about 20F the Badlands gets squeaky and is too loud for effective bowhunting in cold temps.