zfastmalibu
Well-Known Member
Have any of you guys tried this new pack? I am looking for some feed back on it.
Thanks
Alex
Thanks
Alex
Kuiu Icon Pro
- Thread starter zfastmalibu
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
mtnclimber
Well-Known Member
i haven't tried it myself. Depending on what your going to use it for, how much weight you will you be carrying and how many days in the field per year will dictate if its going to be the right one for you.
BUT, I would highly recommend a kifaru, stone glacier, or barneys pack over a kuiu any day.
zfastmalibu
Well-Known Member
I usually hunt as light as I can. Day hunts. If I have to pack out it wont be very far. 5 miles at most. The issue I have with the brands you mentioned is weight. I had a capable pack that weighed close to 9lbs. It was a lot of extra weight to carry around for day hunts. Why would you recommend those other packs over the Kuiu even if you have never tried it? Do they have known problems?
Thanks,
Alex
Thanks,
Alex
mtnwrunner
Well-Known Member
Ditto on all the above packs plus the EXO mountain gear pack. Just got mine and it is friggin awesome. And yes, KUIU has had some known problems with their packs.
Randy
mtnclimber
Well-Known Member
The Icon pro weighs 5lbs 10oz.
The Stone Glacier sky 7400 weighs 4.27 lbs.
Kifaru Bikini frame and DT1 bag weights 5lbs 7oz.
The icon is the heaviest of the 3 and has had ALOT of problems. Ive seen photos of at least 5 kuiu frames that have broken. Ive never heard of or seen a kifaru, SG, or barneys break.
Kuiu keeps changing the design constantly which doesn't give me the confidence in really testing their products thoroughly. Don't get me wrong kuiu does have there place in the industry which is there price point is a lot cheaper than others.
My advice, buy once cry one. If your going on guided hunts the kuiu will probably work fine. If your going on DIY heavy pack outs i would say your much safer with a proven pack.
Been using the kuiu ulta 6000 this year. So far I've been on both summer backpacking trips and a wilderness mule deer hunt. I have approximately 80 loaded miles with this pack. Loads have been anywhere from 30 lbs to 80 lbs. The pack so far has held up well and only weighs 3 lbs 9 oz. I know from experience that backpacks are not 1 size fits all so i can only speak to my own experience. I like the pack so far. I have a pack that cost more than twice as much and so far i am planning to continue using the kuiu ultra. Its not perfect but neither are the packs mentioned above. Ive tried most of them and others as well. But if i could only have 1 pack.... i dont honestly know what i would pick.
zfastmalibu
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the replies. I was misinformed about the weights. I understand the buy once cry once thing. I do that on most everything. I just cant swing 500-600 for a pack this year.
mtnclimber
Well-Known Member
I know what your saying. Ive seen some used ultra 6000's around for $250 so you may be able to get one on the cheap.
mtnwrunner
Well-Known Member
Well, they are both great companies and great packs. That being said, I like the EXO much better. The frame is way more comfortable and I really like the features of the bag----side pockets, side entry, great lumbar support. Not a real fan of the reverse lid but I can live with it and may change it around with my sewing machine. I've had it out now for a couple of scouting trips and can't say enough good about it. I have a pretty ****** lower back and this has been the only pack that doesn't hurt me in that L4 and L5 area. The frame also has an upper pocket and it's great for all your kill stuff.
I'll be giving it the real test here in a couple of weeks and some high country mule deer hunts but I sure don't see any issues. The 3500 has plenty of room in it for 4 to 5 days out. Here are a couple of recent photos of it.
Randy
Attachments
Thanks Randy. I'm curious to see how it does on a hunt for you. I know you put your gear through the paces. I'm still curious about the Kuiu Icon Pro as well. I know they've had problems with their packs but this one looks like its set up similar to the Exo. How the frame moves with you. Anyways I hope to see your gear review after the seasons. And good luck to you.
mtnwrunner
Well-Known Member
Well, I've got 2 deer tags, 2 elk bull tags and one antelope tag to fill which starts on Sept. 25th. So, yes, I'm hoping to put the pack through its paces............
Are you looking to buy one of the aforementioned packs????
Randy
I have the KUIU , Kifaru and Stone Glacier as well as older Dana internal packs(among a dozen other "big" packs sold at REI". Dana is tits, Stone glacier is first on the list if heavy packing is in order. Kifaru turned the hiking world an end for low weight and rigidity. Stone Glacier responded in kind and delivered a pack that rides like a high end internal frame yet will handle heavy loads. All the while, it is streamline with nothing to hang on to the brush.
Back to KUIU, doesn't matter what pack (new frame or old). I don't like the rigid frame. If I liked a rigid frame, I would return to an indestructible Camptrails, Dana or Barneys.
Edit: I would love to try an EXO
Back to KUIU, doesn't matter what pack (new frame or old). I don't like the rigid frame. If I liked a rigid frame, I would return to an indestructible Camptrails, Dana or Barneys.
Edit: I would love to try an EXO
