kuiu suspensions

[jwp011]

Does anyone have any experience with the Kuiu icon pro and ultra suspensions. That can explain the differences. In your opinion is the ultra pro suspension worth the extra money. Only thing I can find on them is that the ultra pro is more beefy. Thanks for the help

 

[PathFinder]

The ultra is awful. Any load over 30-40 pounds got uncomfortable and wouldn't stay put. Not having power pulls sucked too. I lived the shoulder straps OK but the waist belt and lumbar pad were horrible. It made for a good light day pack but was really bad with any kind of weight in it

 

[cgippe]

Spend the money on the icon pro it is more padding and will be more comfortable...you dont loose that mush weight. Then you can add an ultra bag if you want.

 

[Shrek]

Spend the money on a great pack like a Kifaru , Stone Glacier , or Exo. It's much cheaper to cry once.

 

[AK Troutbum]

^^^^ this, with a heavy emphasis on SG. Man, I love the packs that Kurt is putting out.

 

[Jcberg]

I'll go ahead and get roasted for the comments I'm about to make but that's ok, I'm a big boy I can take the abuse haha. I have owned, hunted, and hauled with the Kuiu Ultra, Stone Glacier Sky 5100, and the Kuiu Icon Pro 5200. I can say without question the Kuiu Ultra is the worst of the three but I'm not saying it is a terrible pack. If you are doing a day trip and not hauling more than 40lbs you will be fine. It falls short in shoulder padding, the bag is thin, and the waist belt with no power pulls will leave you wanting something better.
My next pack was the Kuiu Icon Pro 5200 and this is night and day better than the Ultra and really shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence. Shoulder padding is plush, power pulls on the waist are awesome, and the interior sheet that wraps the belt really adds to the rigidity. The bag on the Pro is also extremely impressive. The material is durable, the zippers are smooth, and the interior pockets are well laid out. The interior cross straps allow heavy loads to be compressed to your back and they do NOT MOVE. I love everything about this pack.
The latest pack in my arsenal is the Stone Glacier Sky 5100 that I bought from a fellow Rokslider. I really expected this pack to blow the Kuiu away based on everything I have read about Stone Glacier. I love the simplicity of the bag but it probably isn't for everybody. I found myself desiring just a couple pockets but that was the intent of the bag and I fully understand that. The material on the Stone Glacier is top notch and I really loved the bigger straps and large buckles. It is a no nonsense pack with one zipper and a lid. The frame is very rigid and super stiff. The waist belt is nothing special and actually disappointed me to some degree. It is the same thickness approximately as the Kuiu but not nearly as comfortable in the padding department. It also lacked the interior rigidity and overall didn't feel as comfortable and supportive as the Kuiu IN MY OPINION. I'm NOT saying the Stone Glacier isn't a great pack because the quality and workmanship are obviously extremely high. I can tell Kurt takes a lot of pride in what he builds and it was very "purpose" built. What I am saying is that I liked the Kuiu Icon Pro more due to the waist belt, bag compartments, and overall functionality required on a 7 day elk hunt. Don't necessarily think that just because you spend more money that you are gonna get the best pack for YOU. Final grades..........KUIU ULTRA 6/10. Stone Glacier Sky 5100 8.5/10. Kuiu Icon Pro 9/10. One final note, my buddy has an Exo and I would call it a tie with the Icon Pro. It is very comfortable and has the right mix of simplicity and compartments for me. One guy's humble opinion.

 

[7stw]

Spend the money on a great pack like a Kifaru , Stone Glacier , or Exo. It's much cheaper to cry once.

I wish I'd have heeded that advice when I upgraded to a Kuiu I have an icon and it's a good pack but with my long torso it doesn't comfortably carry heavy loads. I've ordered a kifaru. Wish I would've went that route to begin with.

 

[TNHunter]

I bought the Kuiu ultra 6000 and suspension. Was very pleased with it until I started preparing for elk hunt. The shoulder strap tore away from the frame and the bag developed a hole in the bag bottom. I had only packed some spike camp equipment in it and hiked in the neighborhood with the pack, with no more than 40 pounds. Pack didn't see any woods, only hiked on the asphalt to condition. I just bought it in June 2015. So it's going back. I have no experience with Kuiu pro icon or other brands (other than badlands). So now I'm trying to decide on Kuiu icon pro, stone glacier, Kifaru or Exo. Running out of time since we leave Oct 15, but can't find new Kifaru frame in time. I won't buy another Kuiu ultra tho. Just my 2 cents worth

 

[Manosteel]

I'll go ahead and get roasted for the comments I'm about to make but that's ok, I'm a big boy I can take the abuse haha. I have owned, hunted, and hauled with the Kuiu Ultra, Stone Glacier Sky 5100, and the Kuiu Icon Pro 5200. I can say without question the Kuiu Ultra is the worst of the three but I'm not saying it is a terrible pack. If you are doing a day trip and not hauling more than 40lbs you will be fine. It falls short in shoulder padding, the bag is thin, and the waist belt with no power pulls will leave you wanting something better.
My next pack was the Kuiu Icon Pro 5200 and this is night and day better than the Ultra and really shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence. Shoulder padding is plush, power pulls on the waist are awesome, and the interior sheet that wraps the belt really adds to the rigidity. The bag on the Pro is also extremely impressive. The material is durable, the zippers are smooth, and the interior pockets are well laid out. The interior cross straps allow heavy loads to be compressed to your back and they do NOT MOVE. I love everything about this pack.
The latest pack in my arsenal is the Stone Glacier Sky 5100 that I bought from a fellow Rokslider. I really expected this pack to blow the Kuiu away based on everything I have read about Stone Glacier. I love the simplicity of the bag but it probably isn't for everybody. I found myself desiring just a couple pockets but that was the intent of the bag and I fully understand that. The material on the Stone Glacier is top notch and I really loved the bigger straps and large buckles. It is a no nonsense pack with one zipper and a lid. The frame is very rigid and super stiff. The waist belt is nothing special and actually disappointed me to some degree. It is the same thickness approximately as the Kuiu but not nearly as comfortable in the padding department. It also lacked the interior rigidity and overall didn't feel as comfortable and supportive as the Kuiu IN MY OPINION. I'm NOT saying the Stone Glacier isn't a great pack because the quality and workmanship are obviously extremely high. I can tell Kurt takes a lot of pride in what he builds and it was very "purpose" built. What I am saying is that I liked the Kuiu Icon Pro more due to the waist belt, bag compartments, and overall functionality required on a 7 day elk hunt. Don't necessarily think that just because you spend more money that you are gonna get the best pack for YOU. Final grades..........KUIU ULTRA 6/10. Stone Glacier Sky 5100 8.5/10. Kuiu Icon Pro 9/10. One final note, my buddy has an Exo and I would call it a tie with the Icon Pro. It is very comfortable and has the right mix of simplicity and compartments for me. One guy's humble opinion.

Just Curious but did you pack out any animals with any of these packs? Most packs are great with less than 50lbs but the rubber really "meats" the road at 80+.

 

[Jcberg]

I packed out 4 elk with my Kuiu Icon Pro 5200. I did not with the Ultra and I know it would have been miserable. The Icon Pro handled 90 lbs extremely well.

 

[yak]

I have an Icon 3k that pre-dates the ultra/Icon pro. I've hauled out several animals including a bull 2 weeks ago and it carried the heavy load fine (80+lbs). Granted, I train with sandbags all year and possibly I don't know what I am missing out with a more expensive pack.

I like the pack overall, but absolutely can't stand how noisy/creaky my pack is. Even when using as a daypack with a small load. Kuiu may have fixed this problem in later versions of the icon. For this reason alone, I am likely going to upgrade because of the noise. I can't speak to any of the other packs mentioned. Hope this helps.

 

[jwp011]

Thanks for all the input guys keep it coming.