Kuiu owners, what pack did you go to next?

[camelcluch]

It’s one of those things you don’t know until you know. However, the shoulder straps, waist belt and comfort under load are all much better with the Kifaru, Exo and IA.
I will add in fairness, the last Kuiu pack I tried was about 5 years ago. Maybe it’s gotten better.

 

[BBob]

Kuiu to Kuiu. That is Kuiu Ultra to Kuiu Pro. The Pro carries heavier weight much better than the Ultra. The Pro tested well in one of the Rokslide pack tests not too long ago. I prefer the Ultra for lighter weights and still use it with a small bag as my run and gun elk pack. Out of all the packs I’ve looked at since and the one that would interest me the most if I were to change would be an Exo.

 

[TimberHunter]

Kuiu to Kuiu. That is Kuiu Ultra to Kuiu Pro. The Pro carries heavier weight much better than the Ultra. The Pro tested well in one of the Rokslide pack tests not too long ago. I prefer the Ultra for lighter weights and still use it with a small bag as my run and gun elk pack. Out of all the packs I’ve looked at since and the one that would interest me the most if I were to change would be an Exo.

How old is your ultra? I bought the pro about 6 years ago


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[BBob]

How old is your ultra?

I’m going to guess 10ish years? It’s been awhile. It was likely around 2015 mby earlier. Bought the Pro in 2020.

 

[PA farmboy]

I bought a IA 5k back in the spring, can't wait to try it out this fall packing deer, and hopefully my first bull. So far it seems to carry weight better than my kuiu pro, although I haven't had more than about 40-45lbs in it yet. Just seemed like hiking long distances with my kuiu in the 90-100lb range left you sore for quite a while after.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

I have no experience with the exo, IA, or stone glacier. I’ve owned multiple Kuiu packs. I currently own 2 Kifaru frames and a seek outside.


Hers my advice on Kifaru. If you know the laminated stays fit, you simply will not be disappointed. You must know which one to choose as well. And, when I say fit I mean like a glove. If that’s the case you can put the load anywhere you want. On the lite or duplex frame and it’s going to be comfy.

I’ve owned 5 Kifaru frames over the last 10 years. 3 of them had the aluminum stays and the rest had their laminated stays. I’ve sold every frame that didn’t have the aluminum stays. And kept all three that had aluminum. I give one to my brother and I still have a lite frame and a tactical frame with them installed.

I didn’t realize that till last year. And, I’ve packed quite a bit of meat on the laminated stays through that. But, neither the normal or curved fits perfect. It worked and was fine comfort wise but, paled in comparison to the frames with aluminum stays.


I tell you all that to tell you this. Kifaru no longer offers the aluminum stays. It took me a year to find a set for my lite frame. Had in it found a set I’d done sold it. So, don’t buy a Kifaru setup thinking you’ll just replace the stays if they aren’t the perfect fit. You are going to have a hard time finding them.

The seek outside is a phenomenal pack as well. I’ve let quite a few buddies borrow mine and across all the different bodies, it is without a doubt the easiest frame to get to work for everyone. It is ultra comfortable at all weights. It won’t pack as much as the Kifaru but, you won’t be packing more then it can handle by a long shot.

This would be a great choice if you can stomach giving money to a company owned by a leftist loon. Had I known that when I bought the pack I’d never bought it. But, it’s so good I can’t stomach selling it since i already gave them the money.

The problem you had with the Kuiu to make you want to try something else is it’s only so capable of adjusting to fit your back like a glove. You’ll have the same problem with a Kifaru if there stays aren't a perfect fit. Unless you find a set of aluminum stays. And, the seek outside belt might require a pad to keep from slipping at heavy weights.


Good luck on your search. I hope this info helps you out. It took a long time to type on my phone. lol

 

[plebe]

Listening to the latest gohunt podcast with initial ascent. They made a comment how the bottom of the load shelf or where the meat is supported, needs to be at the same elevation as the top of the hip belt or higher

Kuiu packs definitely don’t allow for that. Majority of the bottom support for game quarters is the two steps that go from the bottom of the frame to the bottom of the bag.

Stone glacier comes to mind on their location of the load shelf being at or above the top of the hip belt. Any others?

Seek Outside Revolution Frame has loop and ladder lock connections for adjusting shelf height, with an option for what you seek.

 

[strattonje2020]

I recently bought a kuiu divide pro setup. I had every intention of sending back but decided to keep it. Its about perfect for 35# loads and i have an initial ascent frame for heavies.

 

[Wprinkle]

My very first pack (after the dreaded Alice pack of the early 90's) was a Mountain Smith/Kifaru in 1997ish, had different kifaru packs, then tried KUIU and we did not jive AT ALL! Back to Kifaru Until 2-3 years ago and tried a Stone for a spring/summer and it hurt my hips, at the same time I tried a K3 as the K4 had just come out and the hip belt SUCKED on me. Now I have had the K4 for a few months and to me the frame fits and carries like a Kifaru with a much better (and lighter) bag layout, IMO a little better belt too. I did swap all the buckles to Kifaru buckles as they are stout AF..

All that being said, as grand master so kindly pointed out, I am build like a Neanderthal and have great booty so that probably played into why I could get along with the other packs.

Most guys built like you lean K4 or Stone... no clue about the AI.

 

[TimberHunter]

My very first pack (after the dreaded Alice pack of the early 90's) was a Mountain Smith/Kifaru in 1997ish, had different kifaru packs, then tried KUIU and we did not jive AT ALL! Back to Kifaru Until 2-3 years ago and tried a Stone for a spring/summer and it hurt my hips, at the same time I tried a K3 as the K4 had just come out and the hip belt SUCKED on me. Now I have had the K4 for a few months and to me the frame fits and carries like a Kifaru with a much better (and lighter) bag layout, IMO a little better belt too. I did swap all the buckles to Kifaru buckles as they are stout AF..

All that being said, as grand master so kindly pointed out, I am build like a Neanderthal and have great booty so that probably played into why I could get along with the other packs.

Most guys built like you lean K4 or Stone... no clue about the AI.

First real pack at 1997, I didn’t know you were that old beefcake??


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[Wprinkle]

First real pack at 1997, I didn’t know you were that old beefcake??


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I was like 14

 

[rootacres]

I went MR, then KUIU Pro, then SG. I like the SG the best, KUIU was 2nd and MR was last. I wouldn’t say any were bad I just ended up preferring the fit of the SG. Haven’t gone crazy heavy with any. Packed out a few elk, not crazy distance. I like running the approach 2800 for NRL matches and day rips. I use a modified solo 3600 for the bulk of everything else.

 

[BluMtn]

I started with KUIU and tried the MR. Never could get the MR to fit right and even stopped by the Bozeman shop and spent about an hour there with the guys fitting it to me. So I went back to KUIU and ungraded to the Pro with the 2800 pack for day trips and if I need to pack out the first load. But I got the Apex shoulder straps and that made the difference for me. I can wear that pack all day and not make my shoulders sore by the end of the day.

 

[Jeremy Schaad]

I’ve had the Kuiu pro system for 6 or 7 years. Likely packed out 20 ish animals over those years. The pack has worked but the padding has compressed and the bags are getting a bit hammered. Frame still in good shape

When packing I’ve gotten up to 99lbs (weight on scale) but that’s about my top end. I do much better with 60/70 lbs so I don’t necessarily need a pack that can do the 150+ lbs because I don’t/can’t

Hoping to hear from the Kuiu backpack guys why they went to a different brand and how their experience has been?


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K4. Meets or exceeds my needs/expectations for sheep, elk, deer. Excellent customer service.
6'2", 180lbs--it is the best fitting and most comfortable for me with heavy loads. Also love the way it compresses down to go minimalistic. I like the rifle sling, and use theirs but also run the universal Kifaru gunbearer on the K4. Love the setup.

 

[Jimss]

I’ve used and abused kifaru for years mostly in Alaska, Wyo, and Colo. I have 2 kifaru bags that can be swapped between frames. I use a smaller bag for shorter duration hunts with pockets and features for daily use. I use an ultra large bag for extended hunts and for packing out hefty, bulky loads with life sized capes, elk/moose sized game, etc.

I was seriously narrowed down to sg or kuiu. The sg was a bit lighter weight but didn’t come in camo so I picked kifaru. If you plan on hefty loads with kifaru I would recommend the longest frame available so the load lifters are higher.

 

[Braaap]

First real pack at 1997, I didn’t know you were that old beefcake??


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Did you end up getting a new pack? I ended up getting a K4 and the Teratorn and the K4 is the most comfortable frame I’ve tried. We’re built pretty similar. I’ve had SG, MR, IA frames in the past. Teratorn bag is also fantastic. So far it’s handled day hunts and a couple backpack trips equally well.

 

[24valve]

Started with my dad's old frame pack with a bag attached to it, then an older kuiu pack, upgraded the suspension to pro a couple years ago for better weight handling, and now have an exo k4 that is far better than any of them with weight.

 

[TimberHunter]

Did you end up getting a new pack? I ended up getting a K4 and the Teratorn and the K4 is the most comfortable frame I’ve tried. We’re built pretty similar. I’ve had SG, MR, IA frames in the past. Teratorn bag is also fantastic. So far it’s handled day hunts and a couple backpack trips equally well.

Ended up finding a great deal on an SG. Not sure it carries weight any better than Kuiu but it’s built better. May try a K4 in the future


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[accountantsanonymous]

I had a few versions of the KUIU pack since 2019, starting with the ICON Pro and eventually moving to the Pro Pack. Used the same frame across systems.

I moved to the K4 this year and I’m really impressed on how well it handles weight over a period of time. I am much less fatigued after a heavy pack out than I was with the KUIU setup.

I’ll say the bags are a little lacking in features compared to the KUIU, but I’m organized enough to work with it.

 

[Idaboy]

If you go to any trade shows, (since many of these are DTC/online), get fitted at their booth...Alot packs (sg, kif, exo) probably all are great, but based on body type might not work well. (I can't speak to others but just Exo, when fitted properly I can't see going to another pack, I've had 3 different Exo)