Kuiu Pro 6000 first impressions

[Idahohntr88]

Just got my Kuiu Icon Pro. First impressions are that the pack is made from durable material, very light weight, very comfortable, and plenty of individual storage compartments to keep your equipment separated. I have owned other brands with similar durable materials and no pack frame that were much heavier and not near as comfortable. So far very impressed.

 

[trophyhill]

When you say comfortable, is that with a heavy load and hiking for a few miles?

 

[Idahohntr88]

When you say comfortable, is that with a heavy load and hiking for a few miles?

Yes, should have been specific. Kuiu redesigned their packs and harness system and they pack weight really well.

 

[trophyhill]

Yes, should have been specific. Kuiu redesigned their packs and harness system and they pack weight really well.

How much weight and how far did you pack it? And what kind of terrain? A lot of factors play into ones comfort

 

[ChrisAU]

Is it the Icon Pro or the new Pro? Two different lines.

 

[hikenhunt]

I don't think the Icon Pro had a 6000 bag, so I'm assuming he meant the new Pro 6000.

 

[Idahohntr88]

I don't think the Icon Pro had a 6000 bag, so I'm assuming he meant the new Pro 6000.

Pro 6000, sorry getting the old and new mixed up. Only about 5 miles with 40lbs.

 

[dnjat]

nice review

 

[38Gcaddy]

How are the Kuiu packs compared to the Mystery Ranch packs?

 

[Idahohntr88]

I have not used a Mystery Ranch but have put my hands on a few and I am prettier sure the Kuiu is lighter. I think the thing that I like the most about the new Kuiu Pro is that the main compartment can be accessed from the top or you can lay the pack down and the pack opens like a duffel bag so easy to access the bottom of the pack. Kuiu is more in the league of EXO and Stone Glacier. To be honest, you will be happy with any of the top brands; go with the pack with the camp pattern you like the most.

 

[Kotaman]

I have owned every version of KUIU pack ever made, along with several Stone Glaciers, EXO, Kifaru and Mystery Ranch. I will give KUIu some credit in that each version is an improvement over the prior, HOWEVER, they have a ways to go to get to SG, Kifaru level.

KUIU makes a decent priced “production” pack for a guy that goes on a hunt or two a year. I’ve seen a lot of reviews/impressions on here lately with no field use. At least this was not a ”review” post without a day in the field. “First Impression” reports are ok, but need to be taken with a grain of salt.

I won’t take KUIU packs seriously for the mountains until they change their carbon frame. I broke one on a hunt, and have heard of several others that have as well. I want to like them, as their bags are layed out very nice.

Also, your general statement about ”being happy” with any of the top brands is a misnomer as well. Packs are very personal with regards to fit. For example I absolutely cannot wear a SG Krux frame. The XCurve on the other hand feels like it was made for me. Two high end systems where one works for me and one doesn’t. One really needs to attempt to try a high end pack before buying to make sure it fits your body shape.

My intent here is not to “bash” your first impression, as it is what it is. In fact I totally agree with your “first impression” of the KUIU bag in your first post. Your second post is more a victim of circumstance for me as I’m tired of reading reviews of products on here with no actual field use or reviews on products not being used for their intended use. Your last statement put me over the edge.... “go with the pack with the camo pattern you like the most”??????

 

[38Gcaddy]

I have owned every version of KUIU pack ever made, along with several Stone Glaciers, EXO, Kifaru and Mystery Ranch. I will give KUIu some credit in that each version is an improvement over the prior, HOWEVER, they have a ways to go to get to SG, Kifaru level.

KUIU makes a decent priced “production” pack for a guy that goes on a hunt or two a year. I’ve seen a lot of reviews/impressions on here lately with no field use. At least this was not a ”review” post without a day in the field. “First Impression” reports are ok, but need to be taken with a grain of salt.

I won’t take KUIU packs seriously for the mountains until they change their carbon frame. I broke one on a hunt, and have heard of several others that have as well. I want to like them, as their bags are layed out very nice.

Also, your general statement about ”being happy” with any of the top brands is a misnomer as well. Packs are very personal with regards to fit. For example I absolutely cannot wear a SG Krux frame. The XCurve on the other hand feels like it was made for me. Two high end systems where one works for me and one doesn’t. One really needs to attempt to try a high end pack before buying to make sure it fits your body shape.

My intent here is not to “bash” your first impression, as it is what it is. In fact I totally agree with your “first impression” of the KUIU bag in your first post. Your second post is more a victim of circumstance for me as I’m tired of reading reviews of products on here with no actual field use or reviews on products not being used for their intended use. Your last statement put me over the edge.... “go with the pack with the camo pattern you like the most”??????

Which pack are you using? I'm looking at the Stone Glacier and EXO. The guides I used this year were all on EXO. I'm currently using the Outdoorsman pack and it's no where near the comfort of the EXO, just from trying on their packs.

 

[Idahohntr88]

I have owned every version of KUIU pack ever made, along with several Stone Glaciers, EXO, Kifaru and Mystery Ranch. I will give KUIu some credit in that each version is an improvement over the prior, HOWEVER, they have a ways to go to get to SG, Kifaru level.

KUIU makes a decent priced “production” pack for a guy that goes on a hunt or two a year. I’ve seen a lot of reviews/impressions on here lately with no field use. At least this was not a ”review” post without a day in the field. “First Impression” reports are ok, but need to be taken with a grain of salt.

I won’t take KUIU packs seriously for the mountains until they change their carbon frame. I broke one on a hunt, and have heard of several others that have as well. I want to like them, as their bags are layed out very nice.

Also, your general statement about ”being happy” with any of the top brands is a misnomer as well. Packs are very personal with regards to fit. For example I absolutely cannot wear a SG Krux frame. The XCurve on the other hand feels like it was made for me. Two high end systems where one works for me and one doesn’t. One really needs to attempt to try a high end pack before buying to make sure it fits your body shape.

My intent here is not to “bash” your first impression, as it is what it is. In fact I totally agree with your “first impression” of the KUIU bag in your first post. Your second post is more a victim of circumstance for me as I’m tired of reading reviews of products on here with no actual field use or reviews on products not being used for their intended use. Your last statement put me over the edge.... “go with the pack with the camo pattern you like the most”??????

First of all, are you married? Second, if you are, tell me your secret to stay married spending the money you have spent on all those packs.

In my defense, I am speaking as a hunter that only has time to go on one big hunt a year and can’t afford to pay $2000 for multiple pack to check fit. You are speaking about a level most of us aspire to be on but don’t have the time or finances to hunt as much as we would like. I should have mentioned fit but my thoughts on fit is that it is hard to get your hands on many of these packs prior to a purchase and would expect that people know that fit is important. I am lucky enough to live in EXO home base city and Kuiu came through town with their mobile showroom so I was able to get my hand on them. I felt for me, they were close with as the pro is greatly improved over the older system.

I have never heard of the frame breaking on the Kuiu pack. How did it happen? Asking so I can avoid doing the same.

 

[Kotaman]

Which pack are you using? I'm looking at the Stone Glacier and EXO. The guides I used this year were all on EXO. I'm currently using the Outdoorsman pack and it's no where near the comfort of the EXO, just from trying on their packs.

I have gone back to the SG X Curve with the Talus 6900 for the third time! For extreme mountain hunting, I haven’t found anything better in terms of being lightweight, hauling as big a load as I’m capable of and goes into daypack mode like you’re using a 3000 ci pack. I also own a Kifaru 44 Mag on an Ultra Lite Frame, which I really like and a SG 5900 on the original XCurve. I don’t love EXO, but in their defense, I have not tried the K3 yet. I used an Outdoorsman pack for one hunt before it went down the road. Their load lifters are useless with a load. I’m done messing with other brands of packs as SG and Kifaru work so well for me.

 

[38Gcaddy]

I have gone back to the SG X Curve with the Talus 6900 for the third time! For extreme mountain hunting, I haven’t found anything better in terms of being lightweight, hauling as big a load as I’m capable of and goes into daypack mode like you’re using a 3000 ci pack. I also own a Kifaru 44 Mag on an Ultra Lite Frame, which I really like and a SG 5900 on the original XCurve. I don’t love EXO, but in their defense, I have not tried the K3 yet. I used an Outdoorsman pack for one hunt before it went down the road. Their load lifters are useless with a load. I’m done messing with other brands of packs as SG and Kifaru work so well for me.

Thanks for the input. Gonna take a hard look into SG.


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[Kotaman]

First of all, are you married? Second, if you are, tell me your secret to stay married spending the money you have spent on all those packs.

In my defense, I am speaking as a hunter that only has time to go on one big hunt a year and can’t afford to pay $2000 for multiple pack to check fit. You are speaking about a level most of us aspire to be on but don’t have the time or finances to hunt as much as we would like. I should have mentioned fit but my thoughts on fit is that it is hard to get your hands on many of these packs prior to a purchase and would expect that people know that fit is important. I am lucky enough to live in EXO home base city and Kuiu came through town with their mobile showroom so I was able to get my hand on them. I felt for me, they were close with as the pro is greatly improved over the older system.

I have never heard of the frame breaking on the Kuiu pack. How did it happen? Asking so I can avoid doing the same.

Happily married for 26 years. When you factor in my “other gear purchases”, and hunts, packs are inconsequential. I am a gear junky. I try everything I want to try in field conditions, and decide what works best for me. I have tried over 30 puffy jackets, 20+ pair of mountain boots. Heck, I’ve owned 6 different bows this year! I sell what I don’t like, use the heck out of what works. I hunt over 100 days a year.

You are correct in saying the Pro is greatly improved over the old system, but to put them in the same class as a SG or a Kifaru is a stretch. I cracked my KUIU frame while hauling a whole Caribou. I believe it happened after a sit and rest while trying to get back up. Luckily it was only a 1/4 mile from the boat. So, if you want to avoid a break, avoid super heavy loads. There’s a reason you don’t see many guides wearing a KUIU pack. Quite simply, it can’t withstand the rigors of a whole season. But as far as “production” packs go, it’s one of the best. Put it this way, IMO, they are a notch above Badlands, Eberlestock, Tenzing etc. Like I said, for a guy that goes on a hunt or two a year, they’re fine. In fact, if you catch a sale, they are a good inexpensive option for the right use. Nothing Wrong with that pack for the way your gonna use it.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

.......as I’m tired of reading reviews of products on here with no actual field use or reviews on products not being used for their intended use. Your last statement put me over the edge.... “go with the pack with the camo pattern you like the most”??????

Agreed. I do notice that when is happens, people get called out pretty dang quick. I think it just reinforces why when something is “reviewed” the field conditions that experience is based from are necessary background. I like the staff reviews for that very reason.

Kota really nailed it - that packs are personal cannot be over stressed. I have used the earlier Kuiu packs and generally liked them. But their frame system simply can’t take the abuse that the SG frames can, and I don’t think they really are products that are on the same level or belong in the same classification. Price point reflects that, which is part of what makes Kuiu compelling.