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