Icon Pro 5200

[Jake Leibke]

Long story short.... My Bikini frame came up missing. Noticed it about 2 weeks ago, not sure what happened or where it's at! So I needed a new pack for this fall. Decided to pull the trigger on an Icon Pro 5200. I ordered it on the evening of the 15th, a friday, got an email it shipped on the following monday and it showed up this past friday. Obviously I haven't had it long but here are my initial impressions. I have only got about 3 miles with a 48lb total pack weight.

Frame and Suspension
Seems well built. Torso length is incredibly easy to adjust. Shoulder pads are nice, padded and don't seem to dig in. The right also has a handy clip for a hydration hose. Hip belt is fairly padded compared to a Kifaru. The power pull locks on the edge of the belt and not at the quick-tach buckle. I like this and so far has stayed put and not slipped. The frame seems rigid enough but have not had a lot of weight in it yet. I'm 6'2" and got the tall frame and there is plenty of angle on the load lifter straps. The "stays" seem rigid enough as well. I cranked on them pretty good without much flexing.

Bag
Again seems well built. It'll take awhile to get used to all the straps though. I was kinda dissapointed that my vortex razor 85 wont fit in the center pocket but does fit in the side pockets. Bag layout seems well thought out. It came with 4 extra straps inside the pack for lashing loads in. These can also be used on outside of bag, there are several lashing tads on exterior of bag as well. It compresses down very well for day pack use which is mostly what I will be using it for. The lid is well laid out and detachable. Once detached however the straps are left hanging. I wish either it had quick-tach buckles to attach to the straps or quick-tach buckles on the top of bag to use it as a roll-top bag.

Overall, so far I am liking the system.

P.S. Shrek there is no need to comment.... we all know your not a Kuiu fan......

 

[MuleyFever]

Is there a load shelf to keep a load between the bag and frame from slipping down?

 

[209hunter]

Any pics? Ive been thinking real hard about pulling the trigger on this bag. Thanks for the write up

 

[Kotaman]

I too ordered a Icon Pro 5200 to mess around with. I've always loved the functionality of the KUIU Bags, but after owning every generation of KUIU pack made, I said I'd never own another KUIU pack because I just couldn't get the frame and suspension to work for me. Plus, Kifaru ALWAYS works for me. With that said, I'm thinking KUIU hit a homerun with the Icon Pro. I love the new 500 d material, and the new suspension. The chest straps have great padding and the waist belt is just right. The ONLY thing I would like to seem them do is put on a beefier waist belt and buckle, like Kifaru/MR etc.

This pack is not going to kick my T1 out of the stable, but for half the money of a Kifaru it is one heck of a pack. This is the first KUIU pack I've owned that a heavier load doesn't sag down on my tailbone. Is this pack a Kifaru? No, but at 1/2 the money, it sure gives them a run for their money. For someone who wants a great pack but doesn't want to spend upwards of a grand this pack is the real deal.

 

[Jake Leibke]

Is this pack a Kifaru? No, but at 1/2 the money, it sure gives them a run for their money. For someone who wants a great pack but doesn't want to spend upwards of a grand this pack is the real deal

This is the reason I went this route instead of another Kifaru. And I only pack out 3 or 4 animals a year and am not living out of it all fall like some are able to do. Lucky buggers.

 

[Jake Leibke]

The first pick is of the bottom when carrying something between the frame and bag. There are 2 straps that hold the bag to the frame and help keep things from sliding down. Right now I have my Cabelas Alaskan Outfitter 6 man tent between.


The next is the top view of how things are held in when loaded between frame and bag.


These are the straps I was talking about when the top kid is removed. All they would need is a female buckle that you could add when using without lid.


Here's an over all view. Not much in the pack itself just sandwiched between frame and bag. The coloration of the bag was a bit darker than I was expecting.

 

[209hunter]

Thanks for the pics! Theres a good chance the gear junkie in me grabs this pack before my rifle hunt lol

 

[doverpack12]

Jake,

I can't remember but I think there is at least one buckle the correct size in the $10 parts kit they sell for the pack. If you ask them specifically for another buckle they may give you a second one if you buy a kit.

 

[huntinhoyt]

I just received the Icon Pro 1850 friday, I was torn between it and the 5200. I will admit I was concerned at first having read some write ups about the previous series of frames/packs. In short, I so like the pack, it is easy to remove the bag and put a different one on if you need. It is easy to put it into "load sling" mode. I like the material and I agree that it was a bit darker that I had thought it would be, not a big deal. It is very easy to adjust. I am 6'2" and got the small/med belt and tall frame. I loaded it up with 75 pounds and took it out for a short test run. The belt felt great and did a fantastic job, no slipping. The load lifters also did a great job. The frame seems stiff enough to haul loads and I felt that I could move freely while holding / drawing my bow. One thing I would like to see is a icon pro bag in the 3000 ci range as I don't need 5200. I hope to load it down with over 100 pounds during archery elk season and I will do a full review after the season. A friend of mine was over and he has a MR longbow with frame. He looked at the icon pro and the waist belt and felt that it was built to haul heavy loads and he liked what he saw. Thanks for doing the eval on the 5200

 

[doverpack12]

Huntinhoyt

You can buy the ultra 3000 bag only and put it on the pro frame and harness

 

[MuleyFever]

I really liked my first gen Icon 3000. I wish I would not have sold it. The Icon Pro packs really have my attention and I may try one out. Thanks for the reviews and hopefully a few more come in.

 

[huntinhoyt]

Good idea, backpack in with the 3000 ultra, then switch to my 1850 pro. Really like the pro material. Thanks,

 

[xXlojackXx]

I'm packing in this year with the Icon pro 7200 and stuffing in the 1850 with the rest of my gear until I get to spike camp. Then it'll be a quick bag change and running with the 1850 for 13 days. These bags are legit. I like it way more than my mystery ranch 6500 and for the money it beats out a kifaru IMO. Kuiu hit a home run on this generation of packs.

 

[Jake Leibke]

You guys have some pics of the 1850? I was thinking on getting that one also.

 

[Kotaman]

Good idea, backpack in with the 3000 ultra, then switch to my 1850 pro. Really like the pro material. Thanks,

Why bother? The 3000 packs down to nothing in daypack mode. To be honest, I pack in with a 7000ci pack and just cinch it down for daypack use. With today's lightweight packs, I see no reason to ever pack 2 packs in on a hunt.

 

[LaHunter]

I have the Icon Pro 5200. I only have 1 training hike of about 1 hour and 45 minutes with it loaded to 69# as per scale. I would have a lot more time with it but I have been dealing with some training program 'setbacks', but that is another story.
My initial impression of the pack is as follows:
The Belt IMO is rock solid and well padded. I had zero slip even when I was drenched with sweat in 95 degree / high humidity conditions. I had zero hot spots and the lumbar pad was comfortable as well. With the power pull setup, you can crank this belt as tight as you can tolerate.
The shoulder straps are very well padded and super easy to adjust to your torso length and preference.
The load lifters seemed to function well and the stays appeared to be plenty stiff and ridged, as I tightened the load lifter straps.
The load in the bag rode well for me, with no shifting or sagging at all. You can really secure the load in this bag well with all of the compression straps that it has.

I have the rifle attachment ordered and I am interested to see how well it will secure my rifle.

Overall, initial impressions are very good.

 

[Kotaman]

Rifle is very secure, whether you use the rifle accessory sling or the pockets on the pack. I prefer the sling as it moves the rifle "down" a bit. But either way, the rifle stays put, is very secure and comfortable to carry. I just wish the rifle was just a little more accessible while hunting.