Kuiu Icon Pro 1850 vs. Mystery Ranch Longbow

[dirkcsu]

Looking for a new day pack that can haul elk qtrs off the Mtn. I like the meat shelf on the Kuiu pack, concerned about the durability of the carbon frame. The Longbow looks bullet proof, but concerned with no meat shelf and having to create a "X" with buckle straps for a make shift shelf. Any suggestions from guys who have used these packs would be appreciated.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

You don't have to X the nice frame straps at the bottom, ive done it, didnt think you gained too much. Just have to tighten the bottom more to make a V at the bottom. Works well, but you'd want something to keep the blood seepage to a min (kifaru meat baggie, etc), otherwise you'll get blood butt. They actually sew a hard piece of plastic at the bag bottom to strengthen that area on the metcalf, hopefully someone chimes in to confirm the same on the longbow. Overall works pretty well; I wouldn't make the meat shelf the primary decision factor. Unless you're under 5'8" or so, you're gonna want the lift kit, otherwise forget the nice frame entirely.

I haven't hauled anything using the kuiu load shelf so I can't comment on its effectiveness. Hard to ignore how much lighter it is......but you'd be hard pressed to find someone that would say the KUIU hauls quarters better than a nice frame (with the lift kit!)

If you get the kuiu pri suspension let us know how it feels with 80 lbs.

 

[orionsbrother]

I had come to the unfortunate realization that I needed a new backpack. My limited discretionary income led me to take a chance on a 2012 KUIU Icon. It was the peak of the turmoil about frames breaking. They were available for a song.

I just figured that I'd have to just recognize that I'd have to limit the weight that I'd carry as a precaution.

That was fine until my buddies and I had two elk down the same morning. Time, distance and temperature combined to convince me to push the pack. I ended up loading it with two completely full Kifaru meat bags and a 14" TAG bag that was about two-thirds full. There was some creaking going on, but it held together and rode fine. I used the meat shelf and the bag.

Because I ended up stressing the frame, I have cut a couple of my damaged arrows and slipped them up through the tri-glide loops and into the stay pockets for some additional support and peace of mind. It seems to be working fine.

I am working towards a pack upgrade for my future and will utilize the Icon when it won't run the risk of a massive load.

I know that this doesn't address your question, but thought I'd throw it out there in case you stumble across a ridiculous deal.

 

[dirkcsu]

Thanks for replying, any and all real life situations are helpful.

 

[AZ Ron]

I used a MR Longbow (and crew cab and metcalf) exclusively from 2011 until about Jan 2014. A buddy of mine owned a 2013 KUIU Icon 1850 that he'd used the entire 2013 season. Right before January 2014 archery javelina and deer season I sold my crew cab bag and bought a 2013 icon after seeing how well my buddies pack performed(and how light it was) . I used that on most of my 2014 hunts, Jan 2014-July 2015. This past July (2015), I upgraded to the 3200 Icon Pro. (I like the 3200 more for a general purpose size bag). The only hunt I didn't use my 1850 on in the year and a half I owned it was on my southern az coues deer hunt. I used my metcalf on that coues hunt for 2 reasons; mainly pack bag size and secondly overall durability.

I carried my icon 1850 on my 2014 archery javelina and deer (packed out my javelina), spring/summer archery bear hunt (packed out a portion of my bear), aug/sept archery deer, a buddy's archery elk hunt, a buddy's bull elk hunt (packed out portion of his bull), a buddy's daughter's cow elk hunt (packed out part of her cow), my wife's cow elk hunt (got the truck to the cow elk, so no pack out), my buddy's coues deer hunt (packed out some of his coues), 2015 archery javelina and deer, a buddy's spring buffalo hunt, and another buddy's archery spring bear hunt.

I've still been regularly using my icon 1850 for training hikes on weekends with loads of ~40 lbs.

I haven't gotten rid of my MR Longbow and Metcalf packs, but they don't get used near as much. The biggest thing for me is the pack weight loss of using the KUIU packs. I drop about 4 lbs off my pack weight when switching from my longbow to the 1850 (now 3200). For carrying around all day, on multiple trips, the weight loss is noticed.

I really like the Longbow bag layout, I feel like it was designed just for me, but carrying a 7+ lb bag all day takes its toll over multiple days.

I've read several posts and seen pictures of broken kuiu frames, but so far my 1850 frame has held up well, and I expect the same from my icon pro 3200 frame. I'm not one who babies or takes it easy on gear.

As far as packouts, I haven't had the opportunity (or need) to pack out super heavy loads in my 1850. I've carried elk quarters and other (pieces) of animals, and it has performed well. For a first load out pack, it has done great. Even when used with multiple loads.

I've used my MR pack on a lot more packouts, and have carried heavier weights. (Heaviest confirmed/weighed load was my wife's 2012 bull where I had 90 lbs of meat in the longbow bag and also sandwiched between the frame and bag (front and rear quarter, bone in). It has always rode well, especially after the lift kit was added to the NICE frame.

I would say that I feel the MR pack is more capable of heavy loads and more comfortable, but the Icon performs very well for being a lighter weight pack.

In regards to needing an actual meat shelf, I normally carry bone in (elk) quarters, but the times I've carried loose meat in between frame and bag on my MR pack, the straps have been fine.

Not that this was asked, but the only MR pack bag I've tried I couldn't get to work well for me was the crew cab. It seemed a jack of all, master of none bag. I found I prefer a more traditional pack bag, and also the weight was carried too low on the crew cab. The lift kit helped some, but for the times I wanted to use the crew cab, it seemed way too heavy. I bought the icon 1850 to basically replace my crew cab use. Oh, I did rig the meat shelf on the 1850 to ride higher than originally placed also to help lift the load up higher.

Hope this helps some and wasn't too much info...

 

[dirkcsu]

Thanks for the insight Ron

 

[hammer0419]

The Longbow is an awesome pack!! Just not on a MR frame. I used one on a Kifaru frame. By far my favorite pack I have owned. I did sell it and to this day regret it. I really like KUIU clothing but would never be caught in the wilderness with an unreliable frame they make.

 

[dotman]

I used a MR Longbow (and crew cab and metcalf) exclusively from 2011 until about Jan 2014. A buddy of mine owned a 2013 KUIU Icon 1850 that he'd used the entire 2013 season. Right before January 2014 archery javelina and deer season I sold my crew cab bag and bought a 2013 icon after seeing how well my buddies pack performed(and how light it was) . I used that on most of my 2014 hunts, Jan 2014-July 2015. This past July (2015), I upgraded to the 3200 Icon Pro. (I like the 3200 more for a general purpose size bag). The only hunt I didn't use my 1850 on in the year and a half I owned it was on my southern az coues deer hunt. I used my metcalf on that coues hunt for 2 reasons; mainly pack bag size and secondly overall durability.

I carried my icon 1850 on my 2014 archery javelina and deer (packed out my javelina), spring/summer archery bear hunt (packed out a portion of my bear), aug/sept archery deer, a buddy's archery elk hunt, a buddy's bull elk hunt (packed out portion of his bull), a buddy's daughter's cow elk hunt (packed out part of her cow), my wife's cow elk hunt (got the truck to the cow elk, so no pack out), my buddy's coues deer hunt (packed out some of his coues), 2015 archery javelina and deer, a buddy's spring buffalo hunt, and another buddy's archery spring bear hunt.

I've still been regularly using my icon 1850 for training hikes on weekends with loads of ~40 lbs.

I haven't gotten rid of my MR Longbow and Metcalf packs, but they don't get used near as much. The biggest thing for me is the pack weight loss of using the KUIU packs. I drop about 4 lbs off my pack weight when switching from my longbow to the 1850 (now 3200). For carrying around all day, on multiple trips, the weight loss is noticed.

I really like the Longbow bag layout, I feel like it was designed just for me, but carrying a 7+ lb bag all day takes its toll over multiple days.

I've read several posts and seen pictures of broken kuiu frames, but so far my 1850 frame has held up well, and I expect the same from my icon pro 3200 frame. I'm not one who babies or takes it easy on gear.

As far as packouts, I haven't had the opportunity (or need) to pack out super heavy loads in my 1850. I've carried elk quarters and other (pieces) of animals, and it has performed well. For a first load out pack, it has done great. Even when used with multiple loads.

I've used my MR pack on a lot more packouts, and have carried heavier weights. (Heaviest confirmed/weighed load was my wife's 2012 bull where I had 90 lbs of meat in the longbow bag and also sandwiched between the frame and bag (front and rear quarter, bone in). It has always rode well, especially after the lift kit was added to the NICE frame.

I would say that I feel the MR pack is more capable of heavy loads and more comfortable, but the Icon performs very well for being a lighter weight pack.

In regards to needing an actual meat shelf, I normally carry bone in (elk) quarters, but the times I've carried loose meat in between frame and bag on my MR pack, the straps have been fine.

Not that this was asked, but the only MR pack bag I've tried I couldn't get to work well for me was the crew cab. It seemed a jack of all, master of none bag. I found I prefer a more traditional pack bag, and also the weight was carried too low on the crew cab. The lift kit helped some, but for the times I wanted to use the crew cab, it seemed way too heavy. I bought the icon 1850 to basically replace my crew cab use. Oh, I did rig the meat shelf on the 1850 to ride higher than originally placed also to help lift the load up higher.

Hope this helps some and wasn't too much info...

Your longbow bag will fit on a kifaru bikini frame which is a few oz lighter then the kuiu.

 

[MUDDYCRICK]

SG Serac

 

[WABowhuntr]

SG Approach

 

[sojourner]

I wouldn't get the mystery ranch now mainly because they no longer sell bags without frames- meaning if you get a smaller bag now like the longbow and then later decide you want to get a bigger bag for longer trips, you have to buy a whole new frame too. Pretty stupid policy if you ask me. Yea their bags are interchangeable but if you can't buy a different bag for the frame you already have what's the point. My guess is that they realize a lot of people have been buying their bags and running them on other better frames so this is how they are trying to put a stop to it. I can only imagine it will hurt their bottom line and cause loyal costumers to go elsewhere.

 

[Ozzymodel70]

I wouldn't get the mystery ranch now mainly because they no longer sell bags without frames- meaning if you get a smaller bag now like the longbow and then later decide you want to get a bigger bag for longer trips, you have to buy a whole new frame too. Pretty stupid policy if you ask me. Yea their bags are interchangeable but if you can't buy a different bag for the frame you already have what's the point. My guess is that they realize a lot of people have been buying their bags and running them on other better frames so this is how they are trying to put a stop to it. I can only imagine it will hurt their bottom line and cause loyal costumers to go elsewhere.

This is only true with the new Marshall any other of their hunting packs you can buy just the bag. Spoke to them personally so its not just another rumor.

 

[tipsntails7]

This is only true with the new Marshall any other of their hunting packs you can buy just the bag. Spoke to them personally so its not just another rumor.

Well that's not what the website lets you do.

 

[Browtinemt]

This is only true with the new Marshall any other of their hunting packs you can buy just the bag. Spoke to them personally so its not just another rumor.

I tried to buy a load sling last week, but was told I could only do so if I bought a frame along with it...same story with the Marshall. I really like their packs and frame, but MR's new rules suck my balls.

 

[sojourner]

Well that's not what the website lets you do.

True- website won't let you buy just a pack bag (any pack) and in the FAQ it spells it out that they won't be selling bags without frames anymore

 

[jaysoda]

From the MR FAQ:

"Is it possible to purchase a NICE Frame pack without a frame?

We're moving to a kitted system so that we can design and build packs and frames that are optimized for integration based on the function of the product. There are some cool new things in the works. In the mean time, we may be able to accommodate pack only orders based on available inventory - contact MR Customer Service or call 406-585-1428"

 

[Shrek]

I hear they are going to Asia for production and third party order fulfillment. I don't know if they are keeping any USA production.

 

[tipsntails7]

I hear they are going to Asia for production and third party order fulfillment. I don't know if they are keeping any USA production.

They have always had some production in Asia, but if they want their bags to continue to be used in the us armed forces that will have to keep something here. I know the mil and hunting line is made here.

 

[dirkcsu]

True- website won't let you buy just a pack bag (any pack) and in the FAQ it spells it out that they won't be selling bags without frames anymore

I called MR the other day and this was confirmed by their CS, starts Jan 1.

 

[ezmorningrebel]

When I heard about the move to this "kitted system" approach I sold my Metcalf. Seems like a big screw you to the people that already bought in thinking they would be able to buy just bags in the future. I'm curious to see what changes they make to the frames as it relates to the bag it goes with.