Kuiu Pro LT Expereince?

[Alpine4x4]

Looking at picking up a Kuiu Pro LT 4000 with the frame and their suspension system. Has anyone ran the new Pro LT 4000? Is it durable. I know its a thinner material than the standard pro line. Also how does the KUIU frame and suspension compare to Kifaru, Exo, Mystery Ranch, etc? I currently have a Badlands Superday and a 2200 and the 2200 just isnt working for me so time to upgrade. The KUIU is coming in at the right price with the right features which is why I'm leaning that way vs something like a Kifaru. Mostly a weekend warrior doing one day hunts, but looking at doing some multi day excursions in the future. I figure if I need bigger I can always just buy a bigger bag for the frame.

 

[Red33]

I have a pro 3600 and LT 5000 that I still run occasionally. The only problem I had with them is that over about 30 lbs it just didnt carry right for me; it seemed to wobble a bit. I liked the bag setup/ pockets way better on the 3600 pro than the LT. I got an Exo K4 3600 and I almost exclusively run that now, except for early season day-scouting trips where I really want to minimize weight, and I really miss the pockets on the 3600 when I run the Exo. One of my buddies still runs his 5500 every year when we pack out for several days and doesn't like the feel of my Exo, but I keep telling him that my frame size is different from what he needs. You really gotta try both with weight to see which works best for your body.

 

[Drenalin]

The frame and suspension fit is individual, but I personally like it. I didn't at first though - I actually hated the first one I had and got rid of it pretty quick. Then I found out there are two short straps that connect the bottom of the frame to the belt; once I made loosening those and retightening them each time I shouldered the pack, fit dramatically improved for me.

I've used the Pro 3600, LT 4000, and LT 5500 and didn't have any durability issues with any of them. I'm the reverse of the other poster; I greatly prefer the bag layout of the LT 4000 over the Pro 3600. I didn't care a lot for the lid on the 5500, but it was otherwise a good bag. Kuiu might have the best bag layouts (for me) of any pack company I've tried.

If you're not in a hurry to buy, they have a 30% off sale on packs at least once per year.

 

[BBob]

I've been using the Ultra 4000 bag for years now. I also have Ultra bags in 6000, 3000 and 1800. They are 160D fabric and have held up well down here in the Desert. I spend way more time Coues deer hunting than anything and the 4000 gets run through the brush far more than say elk hunting. The Pro LT looks to be 330D fabric so I wouldn't think you'd have any trouble durability wise there. I use the old Ultra suspension with the 1800 and the Pro suspension for the larger bags. The Pro is much improved for carrying weight and fits me well. The Ultra is perfect for a lighter elk run and gun pack and will still pack a game bag full of meat just fine.

 

[Alpine4x4]

I have a pro 3600 and LT 5000 that I still run occasionally. The only problem I had with them is that over about 30 lbs it just didnt carry right for me; it seemed to wobble a bit. I liked the bag setup/ pockets way better on the 3600 pro than the LT. I got an Exo K4 3600 and I almost exclusively run that now, except for early season day-scouting trips where I really want to minimize weight, and I really miss the pockets on the 3600 when I run the Exo. One of my buddies still runs his 5500 every year when we pack out for several days and doesn't like the feel of my Exo, but I keep telling him that my frame size is different from what he needs. You really gotta try both with weight to see which works best for your body.

I believe the new LT bag added a lot of the same pockets as the pro bag. At least in the videos and the description of the Pro 3600 vs the 4000LT they share a lot of the same pockets now. I get the fit thing. If I get one I'll load it down and wander around a bit, if its not right I'll send it back.

The frame and suspension fit is individual, but I personally like it. I didn't at first though - I actually hated the first one I had and got rid of it pretty quick. Then I found out there are two short straps that connect the bottom of the frame to the belt; once I made loosening those and retightening them each time I shouldered the pack, fit dramatically improved for me.

I've used the Pro 3600, LT 4000, and LT 5500 and didn't have any durability issues with any of them. I'm the reverse of the other poster; I greatly prefer the bag layout of the LT 4000 over the Pro 3600. I didn't care a lot for the lid on the 5500, but it was otherwise a good bag. Kuiu might have the best bag layouts (for me) of any pack company I've tried.

If you're not in a hurry to buy, they have a 30% off sale on packs at least once per year.

Good to hear, I'll pay attention to those straps for adjustment. I will be waiting for a sale, no big rush. Hopefully they put them on sale for Black Friday.

I've been using the Ultra 4000 bag for years now. I also have Ultra bags in 6000, 3000 and 1800. They are 160D fabric and have held up well down here in the Desert. I spend way more time Coues deer hunting than anything and the 4000 gets run through the brush far more than say elk hunting. The Pro LT looks to be 330D fabric so I wouldn't think you'd have any trouble durability wise there. I use the old Ultra suspension with the 1800 and the Pro suspension for the larger bags. The Pro is much improved for carrying weight and fits me well. The Ultra is perfect for a lighter elk run and gun pack and will still pack a game bag full of meat just fine.

Good to hear about the durability. Thanks for your input.

 

[180ls1]

Its held up well and I like it. I see no reason to get the heavier pro stuff.

My only consideration would be the 5500LT which has more space and a removable lid if you do week long or cold weather trips. My 4000 works great for day use and 1-3 night trips.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Its held up well and I like it. I see no reason to get the heavier pro stuff.

My only consideration would be the 5500LT which has more space and a removable lid if you do week long or cold weather trips. My 4000 works great for day use and 1-3 night trips.

Day use and 1-3 day trips are exactly what my plans are.

 

[BBob]

Day use and 1-3 day trips are exactly what my plans are.

I've done 8 days (had 10 days worth of food and fuel) in early season CO elk out of my 4000 with a little room to spare. Perfect size big optics Coues day pack for me. The 3000 works with a spotting scope but too small for BTX or Twins. All of the packs suck up nicely though when empty or near empty. A buddy uses the ginormous 7K for everything.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I’m taking my LT4000 with me to MT next week. Have it packed out for 5 days. It’s snug and I’m using a kuiu lid (from a 7000) to hold the food. I’ve packed out 4x 75+ lb trips. It sucks. But I think all bags suck that heavy. It does what it needs to. This is my 2nd longer backcountry trip with it and probably 20 1-2 day trips. If I could do it over again I’d snag the 5500 but that’s just my preference for the longer trips.

 

[Urbs]

Been running the LT 5500. It’s great setup for me personally. I don’t baby it by any means and it has never failed me. No tears or damage of 5 years hunting lopes,deer,and elk. I do wish the top lid was different

 

[HuntingGriff907]

These are great packs that are incredibly durable for the weight. I stuff my lid into the main bag and use a nite ize S carabiner to close the main pouch securely. This will dramatically decrease the size of the pack and tighten everything up into a "day pack" mode. There are plenty of compression straps around the pack to cinch everything down. I would recommend skipping the 4000 and looking at a 5500 or 7000 if you have any lengthy backpacking plans. I purchased my wife a 5500 several years ago, but we have needed more capacity on several trips. The 7000 is the perfect size pack in my opinion.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Thanks for all the input guys. Looks like I'll probably grab the 4000 for my day pack short trip bag and grab the 7000 for the longer stuff. Much appreciated.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Looking at the Divide 4500 and the 7000 combo now. The divide looks to offer a lot of modularity for day packing and long weekend hauls.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I have a KUIU 4000 LT and an EXO K4 5000 and have also had a K2 with K3 suspension.

The K2/K3 and KUIU are comparable, and I’d take the KUIU due to weight savings.

That said, the K4 is substantially better at carrying heavy weight. The KUIU loses comfortability at 55-60#. I’ve had 118 pounds in the K4 and had no comfort issues.

 

[brancher147]

I been using the pro lt 4000 for a couple months for whitetail hunts in the mountains as a daypack. It’s my first real hunting pack but I really like it. I have not used the load shelf and have only packed a small deboned doe a few hundred yards. I think the material is plenty tough even though it’s thinner cordura. If I was going overnight I would probably want a bigger pack, but like I said I have not used the load shelf. I looked at packs all summer and that is where I landed and I have no regrets so far. I am not crazy about the pocket layout but I wasn’t crazy about any bags pocket layout that I looked at and I am sure I will get used to it.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I have a KUIU 4000 LT and an EXO K4 5000 and have also had a K2 with K3 suspension.

The K2/K3 and KUIU are comparable, and I’d take the KUIU due to weight savings.

That said, the K4 is substantially better at carrying heavy weight. The KUIU loses comfortability at 55-60#. I’ve had 118 pounds in the K4 and had no comfort issues.

I’m interested in the K4 for a future rig. Just did 3x 80+ lb elk loads this weekend with the LT4000. This was my second good size bull with it. I must have learned something with the first one it was better this time. Still sucked but wasn’t nearly as bad. The comments on the EXO do make me wonder though. Some day.