Post by: 7mmfan on November 03, 2015, 03:52:49 PM
I've looked at Kuiu Ultra packs, which I like for the versatility of different bags. I have a friend with an Exo Mountain Gear pack that he seems to really like. Kifaru seems to have a myriad of options. I also came onto a new company I had never heard of, Seek Outside, they seem to offer a good product as well.
Again, my main goal is a compact, lightweight pack, that I can hunt in, but have the ability to haul a lot of meat. Having versatility to turn into a main pack for backcountry hunts would be a huge plus if the concept works, and the price is right.
And.... go
Post by: buglebuster on November 03, 2015, 04:12:51 PM
Post by: jackelope on November 03, 2015, 04:16:35 PM
I'd look hard at the EXO 3500 out of the ones you mentioned. I think it might be the most bang for the buck.
The KUIU Icon Pro's are good. I'd probably steer clear of the Ultra.
If you have the budget for a Kifaru, then it's sort of a no-brainer. Go for it and never look back.
Post by: 7mag. on November 03, 2015, 04:19:38 PM
With that said, the other companies you mentioned make high quality gear too. If you're buying a Kuiu, get the Icon Pro, the Ultra has some shortfalls.
Post by: coop2424 on November 03, 2015, 04:26:21 PM
Post by: fisheral87 on November 03, 2015, 04:28:12 PM
Exo Mountain, because I jut couldn't stomach the cost of a Kifaru.
Al
Post by: 7mmfan on November 04, 2015, 08:57:18 AM
Didn't you just buy new binos? That wife of yours is something else, she better watch it or you're bound to run amok! :chuckle:
Exo Mountain, because I jut couldn't stomach the cost of a Kifaru.
Al
Yeah I did, but I'm keeping track of what she's buying too. I have a stash of Target receipts that I can pull out when needed to justify my spending! Plus, my pack will haul meat, what does that table cloth or throw pillow accomplish?
Post by: Timberstalker on November 04, 2015, 08:58:52 AM
Didn't you just buy new binos? That wife of yours is something else, she better watch it or you're bound to run amok! :chuckle:
Exo Mountain, because I jut couldn't stomach the cost of a Kifaru.
Al
Yeah I did, but I'm keeping track of what she's buying too. I have a stash of Target receipts that I can pull out when needed to justify my spending! Plus, my pack will haul meat, what does that table cloth or throw pillow accomplish?
That's no joke! My wife got one of those Red cards, that SOB is gonna put us in the RED! :chuckle:
Post by: whacker1 on November 04, 2015, 09:03:05 AM
My buddy brought the EXO 3500 and he was a little tight on space, so you might look at the 5500 if you are going for more than over-nighter.
I wouldn't second guess the Kifaru packs
I like the KUIU Icon Pro series as well.
I think these are the top 4.
Mystery Ranch has made really solid stuff, but traditionally been Heavy, although they have some newer stuff out that is lighter
Seek Outside's pack line is new and untested, so I don't have much to say about them.
Best of luck in your search
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on November 04, 2015, 10:22:44 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on November 04, 2015, 10:44:56 AM
Post by: FWilliams on November 04, 2015, 11:01:00 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 04, 2015, 11:11:08 AM
Post by: Stickerbush on November 04, 2015, 01:49:38 PM
Post by: Labredog on November 04, 2015, 10:38:00 PM
Post by: NumaJohn on November 04, 2015, 11:29:33 PM
Cost made me pucker, but I am glad I bought the pack.
John
Post by: RadSav on November 04, 2015, 11:45:57 PM
Good stuff guys, thanks for helping me narrow it down. I've got some thinking to do but I feel like I'm leaning towards the Exo Mtn Gear 3500. It seems to fit my needs well and I like the idea of the main bag with the ability to pack meat on the shelf between the frame and bag.
I like mine as much as any pack I have had. There are things I hope they improve on like waist belt, bag shape and quieter material. But it really has been a great product. And compared to the other elite packs - One HECK of a bargain!
Post by: Payne on November 05, 2015, 01:06:50 AM
Other's I've got my eye on are the Sitka Bivy 30 and Kuiu icon pro 1850
The other thing I am wondering about with all three of these are the materials and noise rubbing up against trees etc. where a bag like the badlands 2200 material seems much more quite...
Anyone have any incite on all of this? :dunno:
Post by: RadSav on November 05, 2015, 01:12:19 AM
Post by: jtw on November 05, 2015, 06:31:52 AM
It does weight upwards of 7 lbs and I was tempted by the sub 5 lbs of the EXO 3500.
Found one from the aforementioned "used it once" crowd for a good price.
One of these bags will be up for sale soon. :)
Post by: motg9_6 on November 05, 2015, 06:33:54 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on November 05, 2015, 06:53:12 AM
Post by: Tbob on November 05, 2015, 01:41:48 PM
Post by: whacker1 on November 05, 2015, 01:52:26 PM
I'm upgrading this year too. Love all the opinions on here. I have one of the older Badlands 4500. Big and heavy, but served its purpose over the years. Time for something new... I'm leaning towards the Kuiu icon pro 7200, as I need a pack big enough for those 7-10 day backcountry trips. They are also going to be on sale later this month at 30% off.. I guess now I need to do a little more research on some of the packs/companies you all have mentioned.. For the price though (with 30% off) the Kuiu icon pro 7200 seems to be the best bang for my buck.. Anybody out there running this pack?
Yes, if they will honor the packs at 30% off that would be a good opportunity for sure. Inventory for them is the key
Post by: jtw on November 05, 2015, 02:39:32 PM
Post by: croix on November 05, 2015, 02:59:29 PM
Post by: Tbob on November 12, 2015, 12:42:39 PM
Post by: Payne on November 12, 2015, 07:39:23 PM
Post by: fair-chase on November 12, 2015, 08:04:24 PM
Damn it! I thought the the sale was next thursday!? Someone please tell me that there's another next week!!!
Yes, there is another sale November 19th-22nd. It will be 30% off IN STOCK items only.
Post by: 7mag. on November 12, 2015, 11:45:05 PM
Damn it! I thought the the sale was next thursday!? Someone please tell me that there's another next week!!!
Yes, there is another sale November 19th-22nd. It will be 30% off IN STOCK items only.
:chuckle: their stock is pretty low this time of year. I love Kuiu clothing, but that company sucks.
Post by: jtw on November 14, 2015, 11:10:46 AM
Damn it! I thought the the sale was next thursday!? Someone please tell me that there's another next week!!!
Yes, there is another sale November 19th-22nd. It will be 30% off IN STOCK items only.
:chuckle: their stock is pretty low this time of year. I love Kuiu clothing, but that company sucks.
Can you really blame a company for wanting to offload end of season stock? It's a clearance sale...
Post by: Deathgrip on November 14, 2015, 12:04:48 PM
Dave
Post by: Todd_ID on November 14, 2015, 12:13:59 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on November 14, 2015, 12:22:34 PM
I've got a bit of input on this. I've got the Kuiu Ultra 6000 and 1850 bag. The 1850 is the right size for day hunts. The 6000 is a good size for week hunts. I got mine last year. I packed 3 elk, 2 deer, and 1 bear then. I packed 2 elk this year. Some of those packs were a long dang ways. The frame is super light and tough. The bags are noisy. The pockets are designed for light weight and not usability. Putting meat on is easy. Plus, the second and third trip needs no bag and weighs nothing. My hunting buddy has the newer Icon Pro 7200 and smaller bag. His is much better for usability but heavier. Comfort is as good as I've felt, even with 100# over several miles.
:yeah: I could have literally wrote the exact same paragraph word for word........minus the bear and add a couple more deer.
Post by: 7mmfan on November 30, 2015, 11:05:03 AM
On their website, they say if you plan to hunt under 5 days, the 3500 should be fine unless its a late season hunt where you need to bring more clothing.
Does anyone have any experience specifically with these bags (Exo-Mountain Gear 3500 or 5500) and can give me some input as to the gear hauled and why it did or did not meet your needs.
My wife wants to order this for Christmas, I can hear her foot tapping from Seattle right now...
Post by: buglebuster on November 30, 2015, 12:23:24 PM
Post by: whacker1 on November 30, 2015, 12:54:45 PM
I've made up my mind that I'm going with the Exo-Mtn Gear pack, but am struggling with the size. My friend has the 3500, he feels its big enough for a 3-5 day hunt. I'm working hard at putting together a very minimalist backpacking setup, but I worry about space.
On their website, they say if you plan to hunt under 5 days, the 3500 should be fine unless its a late season hunt where you need to bring more clothing.
Does anyone have any experience specifically with these bags (Exo-Mountain Gear 3500 or 5500) and can give me some input as to the gear hauled and why it did or did not meet your needs.
My wife wants to order this for Christmas, I can hear her foot tapping from Seattle right now...
My buddy brought his 3500 on a planned 7 day hunt. We ended up cutting out after 4 days, but I packed the tipi tent and stove. He did not have enough room inside the pack for a tent or stove. He had a spotting scope and that would have been the difference maker deciding between tent and spotting scope. or tent on the outside of the pack.
If you were in a 5 day early season hunt, with less in the way of gear, then it would be possible, but I think a stretch for a late season hunt. We were in Montana at 8000 feet in the last week of October.
I would lean toward the 5500 as it doesn't cost you much in the way of weight. He is inclined to buy a second bag for his frame for this reason.
Post by: 7mag. on November 30, 2015, 07:12:40 PM
Post by: jackelope on November 30, 2015, 07:22:20 PM
3500 ci is not big enough for a backpack hunt, unless you don't plan on hauling any meat out. You don't have to use all of a bigger pack, but, with a smaller pack, once it's full, it's full.This.
I've seen a fully corked 3500 EXO on a 4 day hunt. The guy carrying it had pretty good gear and it was full. I couldn't figure out where he was going to put meat if he killed. I wouldn't consider anything but the 5500.
My .02
Post by: coop2424 on November 30, 2015, 08:30:25 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on November 30, 2015, 08:38:14 PM
Post by: fair-chase on December 01, 2015, 02:48:04 PM
First, I would like to address the comments about cubic inches and meat hauling. One of the advantages to having an external frame pack, is that the meat is able to be "sandwiched" between the frame and the bag. It does not take away your from your bags storage capacity to haul meat, as the bag itself is simply moved outward to accommodate the additional load between the frame and bag. I can see no good reason for hauling meat inside the bag itself unless your game bags failed or ripped. Why would you intentionally cut off air circulation to the meat by placing it inside the main compartment???
Regarding capacity, I feel the 3500 cu. in. rating to be extremely conservative. I'm not sure how Exo came up with that figure, but it must be for the main compartment only. With a lid and the external side pockets, this pack loads out to what feels like a 4500. The external side pockets are quite large and stretchable, and the lid is almost too big for what I pack in it. Even so, I would not recommend the 3500 for extended trips. Realizing that everyone's gear list and comfort levels are different. And that without a truly dialed in minimalist kit, you would be short on space. I've used the 3500 for a 10 day trip, but the stars were aligned. I had good water sources, and it was mid season with great weather. Your not loosing anything by going with the 5500 as the weight penalty is fairly insignificant. If the 5500 is anything like the 3500 it should compress down nicely for day use.
I'm currently using the beavertail to haul 65lbs of sand for training. I'm close to logging 500 miles with this setup and it is still functioning flawlessly. Although completely subjective, the frame and waistbelt are the most comfortable I've ever used. The lumbar pad is a little sticky/grippy, so getting it set in the right place without your clothes wrinkled underneath is important when first donning the pack.
The metal webbing loops used for changing out the bag and beavertail are a little tricky (pain in the...) at first. I thought they might be an issue; but after some use and changing it out a few times, either I got better, or the webbing softened up to make it easier. Either way it's a non issue for me now.
I haven't really torture tested this pack yet; I've had fairly mild conditions this year and less dense terrain. However, by the feel of the fabric and overall construction, I am expecting this pack to be fairly durable. Less durable than Mystery Ranch, but more durable than Kuiu Icon. Hopefully that gives you an idea of where this pack lands.
At this point the only thing I would change on the bag is the side access and top closer. I much preferred the roll top style of Kuiu Icon, and the ability to completely unfold the main bag compartment. I may consider having it altered in the future, if I can find a qualified seamstress that can install the welded zippers.
Post by: 7mmfan on December 01, 2015, 03:21:53 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on December 05, 2015, 02:26:21 PM
Post by: jtw on December 05, 2015, 05:45:02 PM
Post by: splitshot on December 07, 2015, 03:40:27 PM
Post by: Munsterlander fan on December 10, 2015, 10:12:38 PM
Post by: RadSav on December 10, 2015, 10:52:05 PM
Wife says I can't open it until Christmas >:(
Going to be a long few weeks :chuckle: Nice!
If she is going to make you wait you should tell her you want it gift wrapped! :tung:
Post by: 7mmfan on December 11, 2015, 09:02:31 AM