Kuiu Test

[sirmissalot]

The price has gone up everyday I swear.  They want 475 for the icon pro 7200 today. might hold off for a sale or used.

If you're looking for a day pack with the possibility of multi day you are way over killing it with the 7200. I've always thought the 1850 was a little small for me for a day pack, that is why I went with the 3,000 ultra with an icon pro frame as my day pack. I'm going to run the 5200 for longer trips. The 3200 might be a perfect pack for you, it wasn't available when I ordered my 3,000 but being the UL guy I've become I'd still sacrifice some organization for a lot less weight.

So far I'm loving the Kuiu. I plan on strapping two dead bear and a wolf to it come end of May, until then its just a hiking pack.

I don't care who you are or what pack you have, 120lbs isn't going to feel good on your back.

[Karl Blanchard]

One thing I try and tell people when they talk about testing out someone's pack is that it isn't fitted for them so its not a good representation of the comfort and ability of the pack.  My Kifaru is fitted to my body, so if I toss 80 pounds in it and let fish test it, and it doesn't fit him right, then he would think its an $700 pile of crap.  Take the same pack that is fitted to his body and he would probably never use another pack again for the rest of his life.

The same can be said for any pack with lots of adjustment.  You get a Stone Glacier, Kuiu, Mystery Ranch, Outdoorsmans, Kifaru, etc. and adjust it right so it fits properly, your going to be happy with it.  My personal opinion is there isn't a pack out there that can haul like a duplex frame but Kifaru is out of your price range.  A MR Metcalf with the extension for the load lifters or an Icon Pro would serve you well for many years

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

The price has gone up everyday I swear.  They want 475 for the icon pro 7200 today. might hold off for a sale or used.

If you're looking for a day pack with the possibility of multi day you are way over killing it with the 7200. I've always thought the 1850 was a little small for me for a day pack, that is why I went with the 3,000 ultra with an icon pro frame as my day pack. I'm going to run the 5200 for longer trips. The 3200 might be a perfect pack for you, it wasn't available when I ordered my 3,000 but being the UL guy I've become I'd still sacrifice some organization for a lot less weight.

So far I'm loving the Kuiu. I plan on strapping two dead bear and a wolf to it come end of May, until then its just a hiking pack.

I don't care who you are or what pack you have, 120lbs isn't going to feel good on your back.

Yeah I am thinking the 5200 might be enough space.  I'm sure I could max my weight with meat in it.  A few pieces of updated gear to save space with the 5200 pro me get be the route I go.  Thanks for the help guys.

[kentrek]

May or may not help but here is a winter weekend pack in the 1800.. in hunting situation that compression bag would be lashed to the top or bottom. .

Also I would highly recommend getting the new load sling kuiu came out with..only complaint is how the compression straps go to the far side of the bag...this works great for camping but not so good for packing meat and packing gear

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

100 lbs of sand in both.  Weight stayed on my hips and off my shoulders.  I can't really ask for more than that at 100 lbs.

I'll reiterate that Kif is hands down a solid freaking tank.

But I think KUIU can hold its own, and I'll risk "the pack not performing" for having pack options at less cost.  Just my preference.

This was the information I was looking for. It appears they fixed quite a few issues and I was waiting for someone to really load it up.

How does the waist belt compare?

If money weren't an issue, which one would you buy?


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[wooltie]

This was the information I was looking for. It appears they fixed quite a few issues and I was waiting for someone to really load it up.

How does the waist belt compare?

If money weren't an issue, which one would you buy?

The Icon Pro kit supported the pack weight in the same manner as the duplex.  In other words, I didn't feel like the IP carried the weight differently.  However, I felt the IP "fit" on me was more athletic, less bulky....form fitting, I would say.  Sometimes the duplex felt like I had a ladder strapped to my back.  Compare, for example, the lumbar pad and the waist belt on both packs.  The duplex belt is much bigger and bulkier than the IP.  Both provide the same level of comfort, but the duplex felt intrusive comparatively.

If $ was no object I'd still buy the KUIU packs for a few reasons:

Fit.  I like the more "athletic" fit.  Think of a form fitting dress shirt vs the costco specials.

Functionality.  I like many bag options.  Use the 7200 for the multiple day pack-in, then the 1800/1850 for day hunts from camp.

Weight.  The DT2 weighed over 7 lbs.  The 1800's weight 3 lbs.  And day hunts constituted the majority of my hunts.

oh, and the pivoting hip belt is a nice feature.

[JPhelps]

If money wasn't an issue I would buy the kifaru. If money was an issue I would save some money and get by with an external pack and a dry bag until I could afford the kifaru.

A kifaru duplex frame properly setup will handle weight better and be more comfortable than the other packs (with the multiple stay bends and lumber pads, unless you are an exception).

I will pay more for the durability of the bag, the bulletproof suspension and the Made in the USA tag.

[Karl Blanchard]

If money wasn't an issue I would buy the kifaru. If money was an issue I would save some money and get by with an external pack and a dry bag until I could afford the kifaru.

A kifaru duplex frame properly setup will handle weight better and be more comfortable than the other packs (with the multiple stay bends and lumber pads, unless you are an exception).

I will pay more for the durability of the bag, the bulletproof suspension and the Made in the USA tag.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

There's just so many toys to buy this year....

[dreamingbig]

If money wasn't an issue I would buy the kifaru. If money was an issue I would save some money and get by with an external pack and a dry bag until I could afford the kifaru.

A kifaru duplex frame properly setup will handle weight better and be more comfortable than the other packs (with the multiple stay bends and lumber pads, unless you are an exception).

I will pay more for the durability of the bag, the bulletproof suspension and the Made in the USA tag.

Yep.  I started with a duplex frame and cargo panel in foliage.  Why?  Because it was the cheapest option and was under $500.  That was four years ago and now I have two frames and two separate packs.

The gear has great resale value and I haven't heard a duplex frame breaking yet.  I would buy the new exo over the kuiu anyday.


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[hogslayer]

I agree with what Jason and BLRMAN have said.  I tried 3 different packs before I got a kifaru.  I can say that I won't ever be buying another frame.  Once you get your hands on one you will know what everyone is talking about.  The frame is bombproof with 100lbs in it.  Sure every pack will feel solid with 60lbs, but  when I am 8 miles back and kill a bull solo I don't care about 2.5lbs lighter.  I care about if the frame is going to hold up and feel good on the ride out.  I don't want the waist belt to pivot, moving 100 lbs of weight side to side. 

[Karl Blanchard]

Gritty Bowmen Podcast: Why Do Kifaru Backpacks Cost So Freakin' Much! Aron Snyder - EPISODE 1

Podcast with Aron Snyder.  Good discussion with a guy who most respect for an unbiased opinion, even though he now works for Kifaru.

[Magnum_Willys]

  The 1800's weight 3 lbs.  And day hunts constituted the majority of my hunts.

I like the Ultra 3000 as 90% of the time its a daypack and a great one at under 3#.   Packed great for me ( 80# max) but my body likes the biggest waist belt you can find and I found the Ultra's waistbelt wasn't as thick as I would like.  The Icon's would be better.   I've seen buddy's bulletproof packs like the eberlestock at 9-10# and cringe. 

[kentrek]

Gritty Bowmen Podcast: Why Do Kifaru Backpacks Cost So Freakin' Much! Aron Snyder - EPISODE 1

Podcast with Aron Snyder.  Good discussion with a guy who most respect for an unbiased opinion, even though he now works for Kifaru.

That's a good video, since getting my ultra in july Ive prolly used my pack 70ish days...the 5 bulls I got to pack out this fall, only one pack lasted two days (thank god) so out of the 70ish I spent 6 days packing...and for me, i really like the balance of normal pack duties vs load hauling..and if it was going to break it would have broke

everyone Is going to prefer a different ratio between normal pack duties & load hauling..just like people and boots as was demonstrated in the video..if I was packing 100 pound loads for 100 days out of the year I may be alil more interested in a heavily padded load hauler
 
I bet 30 of my days spent with this pack have not even been with the hip belt on...which is super nice Times

Look at how youl be using the pack...if you think you can justify the cost, weight, and more narrowly intented use then go for the Kifaru..I know so far I haven't been able to

youl more than likely be happy with either choice 

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Gritty Bowmen Podcast: Why Do Kifaru Backpacks Cost So Freakin' Much! Aron Snyder - EPISODE 1

Podcast with Aron Snyder.  Good discussion with a guy who most respect for an unbiased opinion, even though he now works for Kifaru.

That's a good video, since getting my ultra in july Ive prolly used my pack 70ish days...the 5 bulls I got to pack out this fall, only one pack lasted two days (thank god) so out of the 70ish I spent 6 days packing...and for me, i really like the balance of normal pack duties vs load hauling..and if it was going to break it would have broke

everyone Is going to prefer a different ratio between normal pack duties & load hauling..just like people and boots as was demonstrated in the video..if I was packing 100 pound loads for 100 days out of the year I may be alil more interested in a heavily padded load hauler
 
I bet 30 of my days spent with this pack have not even been with the hip belt on...which is super nice Times

Look at how youl be using the pack...if you think you can justify the cost, weight, and more narrowly intented use then go for the Kifaru..I know so far I haven't been able to

youl more than likely be happy with either choice 

I don't disagree with your logic that you should buy a product suited to your hunting style. IMO, you don't need a Kifaru if you aren't backpack hunting.

But I would like to touch on a point that's been brought up a few times, and most recently in your post.

The Kifaru is not a "niche" pack.  I run a Bikini frame with the EMR2 (8500 Cui), and can get it compressed down to basically nothing.

I understand the point where the duplex may feel more like a board on your back, but my point is that you can have the best of both worlds. A very comfortable pack, that is compressible down to nothing, while giving you top industry standard in load hauling abilities, which is why I went with the bikini.

FillTheFreezer (who owns both a bikini and a duplex) liked to describe it as the bikini can do 95% of what the duplex can, but is exponentially more comfortable in the 70lbs and less club.

Is it season yet?


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