Do I need a new pack?

[ScottEinsmann]

Right now I'm running a Kuiu Icon Pro and I'm having a hard time getting it comfortable with a 50 lbs in it.

I have all the straps loose when I put it on. I put my hip belt on snug it tight over my hip bone. Then I snug up my shoulder and sternum strap. I keep the load lifters pretty loose. The weight sits mostly on my hips and it feels great at the truck.

After a mile things start getting uncomfortable and after two miles I'm ready to take the pack off. I can't imagine what it would be like with more weight in it.

I'm 6'6" and the tall frame on the Kuiu pack comes just above my shoulders so the load lifters have a slight angle to them but they are pretty close to being parallel. I was thinking maybe that could be part of the problem.


My big question is how comfortable should I expect to be and how much more comfortable would I be going to something like a Kifaru pack?

 

[PathFinder]

What is most uncomfortable about it, shoulders or waist belt? Being 6'6" is going to make it slightly more difficult to get plenty of lift angle. That said, I have a 22" UL frame, my lifters aren't much above level, and my Kifaru rides like a dream even up over 70 lbs. When it comes down to it, weight is weight, but a good pack system really can make it comfortable. 50lbs isn't much weight at all, if it's miserable there a real heavy pack out will be a nightmare. In the end, a Kuiu isn't a Kifaru. I've had both and the Kifaru is in a completely different league. The Kifaru belt really is something else. My advice is to dump the Kuiu on a fanboy who doesn't know any better, and call Kifaru up to get exactly what you need in a 26" frame. It seems like a lot of money, but you'll end up doing it after the first time you haul out a critter with that Kuiu anyways.

 

[oldgoat]

Watch Arons video on fitting and donning a pack, I think if you tighten your shoulder straps and load lifters are loose then they won't do what they are supposed to, you would feel that discomfort on your shoulders.

 

[COlineman78]

I have a very long torso and had a similar problem with the Kuiu Icon Pro. It pulled my shoulders back causing extreme discomfort especially when using trekking poles. I feel like their tall frame still doesn't accommodate those of us with really long torsos. The good news is that there is a solution. There are 2 packs that specifically work for long torsos: Seek Outside and Kifaru. Seek Outside has some disadvantages, mainly with their belt and lack of lumbar pad. As such, if you don't have a lot of definition in the belt area (i.e. you are skinny or have big hips/butt) you will have sliding issues at higher weights. I have a 26" Kifaru frame and it is amazing. They have been known to custom make a 28" but only if you already tried the 26 and want more lift. I was in the same situation as you about a year ago and what it came down to was that I had a $450 pack that rode not a whole lot better than my $80 pack. So, the answer was this; either tough it out with the $80 pack or cough up the money for a $600 pack, but either solution is better than a $450 pack that doesn't do sh!t.

Now, I am aware that Kifaru packs are expensive and not everyone can just switch as simple as that, but I would suggest getting a 26" hunter or UL frame at the very least and picking up a used pack if you are looking to save some money. If you are on a really tight budget you can either keep the Icon pack and just sell the frame, or you can use a grab-it, lash kit and dry bag setup. Unfortunately the older frames are not an option for tall folks as they had some issues, but tall folks were a focus in the development of the latest frame.

 

[ScottEinsmann]

I carry most of my height in my torso also.

The shoulder straps feel like they are cutting into my shoulders and the hip belt leaves red marks on my side. Most of the discomfort is in the shoulders though.

I feel like I have the pack fitted right with most of the weight on my hips. The weight that is on my shoulder straps is on the front of my shoulders.

 

[Seth1913]

I would definitely look into seek outsides packs. They are all constructed of waterproof xpac material, are ultralight, and have claimed load ratings well over a 100 lbs. Their seems to be miss information that a lumbar pad is needed for people without a butt. Contact them for more info, they have great customer service!

 

[Bruce Culberson]

I would definitely look into seek outsides packs. They are all constructed of waterproof xpac material, are ultralight, and have claimed load ratings well over a 100 lbs. Their seems to be miss information that a lumbar pad is needed for people without a butt. Contact them for more info, they have great customer service!

I agree to the above. One piece hip belts suit me better than lumbar pads. The Seek Outside packs are up to a 28" frame.

 

[Bruce Culberson]

And to answer your question....I would say Yes, you do need a new pack. Shouldn't be that uncomfortable @ 50lbs.

 

[DenRuyter]

I had the Icon Pro with very similar problem. Anything past ~35lbs was uncomfortable, and I thought I just didn't have it setup correctly. After weeks of messing around trying to get it setup to me I gave up, sold it, and went with the Kifaru Hunting Frame/EMRII. From day 1 it felt better and rode the way a pack should. I ran about 85lbs for 8 miles the other day without any issue. It's in a class all by itself IMO.

 

[ScottEinsmann]

Thanks you for all the help guys. I will be looking in another direction for a pack