Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Backcountry Hunting => Topic started by: Magnum_Willys on August 24, 2014, 06:10:24 PM
-
We needed new spike camp packs for caribou hunt next month after we get our moose (hopefully). Son and I got our packs this week, EXO 3500 and KUIU 3000. Loaded em down with 45# and gave them a little workout. KUIU likes: Light ! almost a pound and a half lighter than EXO. Also nicer camo, sleek, less bulky. Dislikes - No meat tie downs or shelf - have to use bag straps. Works fine but not as sturdy as EXO but shoulder straps and waist belt were much beefier on KUIU than the EXO's.
EXO likes: Nice modular meat packing system / straps. Lots of long pockets. Clearly more durable than KUIU 3000. Dislikes: BIG back pad takes some getting used to. Shoulder straps very light duty, much load on them and they dig into shoulders. Waist belt a little thin too. Not in love with camo pattern.
Packing - both similar, KUIU shoulder straps were almost to narrow to avoid rubbing neck. EXO straps dug into inside shoulders rather than rest against them. Both worked fine, KUIU fit me a little better. Both held load fine, EXO had straps just for load, KUIU didn't.
My choice - KUIU and hope it holds up. I wouldn't pick it for commercial use by any means.
I compared load hauling to my old school $75 aluminum pack frame with thick straps and waist belt. Old school was more comfortable than either. Quality of waist belt and shoulder straps is probably the most important factor for meat packing. The old school system didn't allow you to stand full upright or even jog like the newer packs with load lifters did.
-
Nice write up. :tup: So far I've loaded my ultra 6000 up with 85# and it's held up well considering how light it is.
-
Is that the Ultra or newer Icon Pro? I am using the Icon Pro 7200 (it's freakin huge) and taking the 1850 bag rolled up with my gear until I reach spike camp. Then it's a bag swap and running the 1850 on the Icon Pro frame. I love the set up so far, both Icon Pro bags are amazing. They really hit a home run with these. Plus being able to convert them to "load sling" and place an elk quarter between the frame and the bag is a huge plus. I would take the Icon Pro set up over my previous Mystery Ranch 6500 any day of the week.
-
Its the Ultra 3000. I really like these new packs that are small enough for daypacks but are capable of throwing a quarter between the frame and bag or overnight. If I was going out for more than a night I think I would bump up to that that 7200/1850 combo.
-
If I were packing moose out I would go with the gurney method instead of trying to pack a moose quarter, etc. My easier on the body, and at the end of the packing you still have energy to do other things.
-
:tup: im loving my ultra 1800,but i doubt you can go wrong with either pack
here it is on the summit of middle Teton peak @ nearly 13k feet
-
I'm loving my EXO, over 50 miles so far on it with a load.
