Changing backpacks-KUIU to ???

[colby12]

Do you ever have issues with the 6200 for the day bag you just deal with or does it cinch down pretty well? Just for curiosity, how much weight are you using for a training ruck?

 

[colby12]

The solo or 5900 will be perfect. I run the solo most the time. You can get 5 days if you do it rite, 5900 will be great too. Good choices!!

What do you prefer about the solo over the 5900? I’m looking at both and could use some swaying towards one or the other.

 

[Wassid82]

In our hunting group we have kuiu, kifaru, mystery ranch, eberlestock. I swiped from kuiu years back to MR. last year we decided to all switch packs for a small amount of time. After the hunt I sold my MR. going back to kuiu. Only one I would consider other than kuiu is exo but doubtful I make the switch in the future. I think there was a video shootout by rokslide. might check that out too

 

[huntem]

When it’s all said and done, you really have to put the pack on your back to make the final decision. I started with Badlands because I had pro staff buying abilities, was annoyed they were made overseas, went to MR but found myself looking/drinking the koolaid at the latest and greatest. I switched to Kuiu on a large scale. Covid reminded me of my US made focus. I ultimately found what I was looking for in a Kifaru system. Best of luck

 

[bozeman]

If 'Made in the USA' hits home for you, dont rule out Seek Outside. They did very well in the shoot out as well. I have had mine for over 3 years now and it has been SOLID! Best of luck finding the right setup.

 

[Cameron.25]

If 'Made in the USA' hits home for you, dont rule out Seek Outside. They did very well in the shoot out as well. I have had mine for over 3 years now and it has been SOLID! Best of luck finding the right setup.

I have a custom seek outside pack on the way and im excited, i currently have a kuiu and i am not impressed with its load carrying capabilities or its durability at all personally

 

[thinhorn_AK]

If 'Made in the USA' hits home for you, dont rule out Seek Outside. They did very well in the shoot out as well. I have had mine for over 3 years now and it has been SOLID! Best of luck finding the right setup.

SO makes a great pack. While the “shootout” is cool, keep in mind, it’s one guys opinion with fairly limited use. It’s a cool way to get a basic idea but you need to find what works for you.

 

[Pahunter1]

I have 2 packs from Kifaru. An AMR with a bikini frame for multi day hunts and a Shapecharge for tree stand hunting. Fit is excellent and customer service is even better

 

[Tradchef]

Check out the Backpack Shootout Zach Herold just finished doing. Some really good info in his videos.

 

[SkunkCabbage]

Kifaru convert coming from a Kuiu. Main reason was the frame was actually fit to your body type opposed to being a one size fits all thing. I’ll pack the 1.5lbs of difference

 

[colby12]

Been a while but thanks to everyone’s input. I went with a SG Sky 5900. Used it on 2 bear hunts, elk, and a backcountry deer hunt. Great bag, carried the weight well and compresses nice for a day bag. No complaints with it and their customer service was outstanding.

 

[prm]

In the “other suggestions“ category, I can recommend a Kifaru Stryker/XL. Pretty much bombproof, made in USA, and the bag is very versatile. 3-5 days of cold weather hunting is easy when using a dry bag. It cinches down very compact for day hunting. I have used SO, Kuiu, MR, and eberlestock, though not tried SG or Exo. In the end the pack has to fit you and work for your use case. Lots of good options out there.
edit: missed your latest post. Glad it worked out well!

 

[Bosco]

Kifaru Mountain Warrior. Built like a tank lots of space. And additional attachments if you want. Nice to have a guide lid.

 

[nobody]

I'm posting without reading anybody else's posts because I don't want to be swayed.

I ran a stone glacier avail 2200 last year with the Evo Krux frame. It was my first "real" pack after running a badlands superday for a long time. I sold it earlier this year as I was hard up for some cash, and I just never really fell in love with it. It never fit me really good, I was constantly moving stuff around and adjusting the straps and everything on the frame trying to get it to fit me. I just don't think it was meant to be. My brothers all tried it and so did my dad, and none of us could get it to fit us very well. For reference, we are all anywhere from a 32-35 inch waist, big broad shoulders (I'm the smallest and I wear a 46 inch suit coat). We are all "triangle" shaped and very athletic builds, and the stone glacier just didn't fit us at all. However, my hunting partner is very long and thin and it fit him great.

After half a season with a cheap sportsman's warehouse special, I picked up a mystery ranch metcalf and it fits me much better. Same with my brothers and dad, it fits us all phenomenally. But again, my hunting partner tried it and he hates it. Doesn't fit him at all.

Bottom line, if there's any way for you to get out and try any of them on before buying, you'll be much happier in the long run. Stone glacier is widely regarded as one of the best modular pack systems on the market, but it just didn't fit me at all! Take that for what it's worth.