Kuiu vs exo k3

[ChrisAU]

There is no doubt that different packs fit different people. There's somebody that prefers Bushnell binos over Swaro too.

Yeah, what a great analogy. What if I put 14 rows of useless PALs on some Bushnells and threw them in my 7,900 CI pack for a 3 day hunt? Would that make them better? Overall I do agree, I'm all for other hunters carrying more weight than they need to...

 

[TravisIN]

I’m back and forth on these two packs also. I’m leaning heavily towards tthe Exo 4800. The new kuiu suspension looks a lot better than the prior suspension models. I’m coming from a MR metcalf on the guide lite frame. I’m strongly considering ordering the Exo 4800 and a kuiu icon pro suspension/frame/ and ultra 5500 bag after the first of the year and testing them side by side. I know the ultra bags aren’t as heavy as CORDURA as the icons or the Exo but that bag layout and size is appealing to me. I’ve done 7days multiple times in the metcalf so size wise they should both be plenty for me. I’m gonna have to check with both companies and see how much testing I can get away and how their return policies are with that.


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[swampthing]

The comfort level of the exo pack is just plain better. I found the kuiu pack was a bit "confusing" as well. I actually lost gear inside it! I never really had a complaint with my kuiu 5200 but when I got the exo it was a worthy upgrade for sure.

 

[zrodwyo]

The new waist belt kuiu came out with earlier this year fixed my complaints. The pack doesn’t sag with an elk hind quarter in it like it used to. I packed out two elk and a mule deer this year and I’m happy with it.


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[Outlaw99]

I think if your looking for comparisons on packs you can’t physically try out for yourself; it’s important to take everyone else’s suggestions/ opinions with a grain of salt. Consider the source.... I will say that different packs truly fit everyone different

 

[Cahunter805]

I have used the Kuiu Icon, Kuiu Icon Pro and just this season the Kuiu Pro. IMO the new suspension and waist belt with adjustable lumbar is MUCH better than the 2 previous models.
I had a EXO K2 and it wasn’t comfortable to me but haven’t tried a K3 yet.
Like stated different body shapes and back shapes for many people so test out a few different brands with some weight and see what fits YOU best.

 

[hikenhunt]

I don't think that's true, I think different packs fit different people. I packed a bull out last year with a Kifaru, and used the Kuiu Pro this year. I do want to try to an Exo some time though. I wish I could have them all and hunt enough to effectively compare them all apples to apples with heavy loads. Maybe one day ha.

I agree with this 100%. I did some heavy loads with a Kifaru, then bought an older model KUIU, tried it with some heavy loads and sold the Kifaru. I haven't tried an EXO but packed loads out with a buddy that was having trouble keeping his K2 up on his hips.

There isn't a magic pack out there that is perfect for everyone, yet...

 

[JJBuck]

I agree with this 100%. I did some heavy loads with a Kifaru, then bought an older model KUIU, tried it with some heavy loads and sold the Kifaru. I haven't tried an EXO but packed loads out with a buddy that was having trouble keeping his K2 up on his hips.

There isn't a magic pack out there that is perfect for everyone, yet...

I did a some "load testing" prior to purchasing a pack last year as well. I used a 60# sand bag and hiked a local hill, which is about a 3mile round trip with 800ft of elevation gain over the first mile. I tried an older Kifaru pack, a Exo K2 and a Kuiu Icon Pro (all borrowed from friends). I ended up with the Kuiu due to comfort and price. The Kifaru was just as comfortable, but scored much lower in the price and weight departments. I found the Exo that i tried uncomfortable with 60#s...but feel like it would have been worth testing one of the newest models if possible.

I packed out two mule deer (half a deer plus gear each time) and two elk this year with the Kuiu and have zero complaints.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I think if your looking for comparisons on packs you can’t physically try out for yourself; it’s important to take everyone else’s suggestions/ opinions with a grain of salt. Consider the source.... I will say that different packs truly fit everyone different

I agree. People don't typically like to say something negative about an item they just spent their hard-earned money on. Plus most people have no clue how to adjust/fit a pack IMO.

 

[Poser]

I think that many Rockslider’s history with Kuiu packs is not great. Could be that they have sufficiently improved their pack designs to be on the lower tier of the high end packs, but the fact remains that KUIU’s pack designs went to the market prematurely and were further improved over several years using the consumer rather than internal R&D. How many stories have we read of broken Kuiu frames? I don’t recall ever reading or hearing about complete pack failure of a Exo, SG, Kifaru etc.

With that in mind, Kuiu 2020 could have the best backpack in the world and I wouldn’t buy it because 5 years ago, they were pumping out $400 dog shit, wouldn’t admit it and handled the criticism and feedback like a spoiled baby. Exo came to the market with a top tier, generation 1 product. I am still using a gen 1 Exo pack 5 years later. I like and use Kuiu clothing, but they handled that pack debacle very poorly. The handled criticism from Rocksliders very poorly. They even pulled their sponsorship after a long thread discussing just how embarrassingly shitty their pack designs were flawed. For me as a consumer, that seals the deal.

 

[Griz34]

I've owned 4 different Kuiu packs, 2 Kifaru frames with various bags and an Exo K2. I have a new K3 on the way. As far as just hauling weight I'd probably put the earliest Kuiu Icon packs at the bottom of the list. I'd put the Icon Pro and K2 packs very close to each other. The newest Kuiu suspension hauled loads for me as well as the Kifaru. I really didn't like the way the K2 belt tightened. I really want to like Kifaru, I just can't force myself to get used to their bags. They just seem so clunky to me. I love the fact they are American made and the customer service is second to none, I just don't like the bags as much as the others. Next year I'll probably switch between the new Kuiu, K3, and maybe a Kifaru frame with a Kuiu bag.

 

[LukasHB]

I've owned 4 different Kuiu packs, 2 Kifaru frames with various bags and an Exo K2. I have a new K3 on the way. As far as just hauling weight I'd probably put the earliest Kuiu Icon packs at the bottom of the list. I'd put the Icon Pro and K2 packs very close to each other. The newest Kuiu suspension hauled loads for me as well as the Kifaru. I really didn't like the way the K2 belt tightened. I really want to like Kifaru, I just can't force myself to get used to their bags. They just seem so clunky to me. I love the fact they are American made and the customer service is second to none, I just don't like the bags as much as the others. Next year I'll probably switch between the new Kuiu, K3, and maybe a Kifaru frame with a Kuiu bag.

What do you not like about the kifaru bag vs other bags? Just wondering


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[Griz34]

I don't want you to think I'm bad mouthing Kifaru, they make great packs. I just have a hard time getting used to them. I really like the Exo and Kuiu bags that have integrated pockets inside the main bag and smaller quick access pockets on the outside. The stretchy front pocket on the Exo is pretty sweet. Maybe I'm just not creative enough with how I lay out my Kifaru pack. But with their modular system I end up with a bunch of pockets attached to the outside of the bag and I can't get it compressed and streamlined like I can the others. The last bag I tried was the 44 Mag, which is a pretty sweet bag. It was just to big for my style of hunting. I think the 22 Mag would have been perfect for me, maybe I'll try that one next. Again, Kifaru makes great stuff. I just like the layout of some of the other bags better.

 

[backcountrynative]

I would go the EXO all things being equal (i.e. comfort). Better built pack, more thought out layouts, more accessories, and awesome customer service.