Need help buying first pack (Exo Mountain or Kuiu)

[dotman]

This might help, here is a pic of the new kuiu frame

 

[hammer0419]

Like I said. You want KUIU? Buy their cloths. Their packs are proven junk!! If a full carbon frame was the answer. Patrick Smith would have had it! Exo, Kifaru, or Stone Glacier. Three great packs to last you many many years!!

 

[Jcberg]

I own a Kuiu Icon Pro 5200 and have packed out 4 elk with it. My buddy owns an Exo 5500 and it also appears to be a great pack. I don't think you will regret buying either. I've never owned a Kifaru or Stone Glacier but I'm sure the extra money gets you a great pack. I'm extremely happy with my Kuiu and that's all I can speak to. Good luck in your search that's half the fun!

 

[Xtreme007]

Go with the Exo 3500. You won't be sorry

 

[cowboy300]

I have a Kuiu Icon 5200 and just got a 2015 Exo 3500. The Exo is as big as the Kuiu. Kuiu has a shit ton of pockets, zipper compartments and straps all over the place. Kuiu also has a huge floppy lid that I normally dont run on the pack. I have had a chance to put some miles on the Exo and I like it better. The hip belt on the Exo is more comfortable and I like the simplicity of the pack layout. I also prefer the load sling of the Exo, its alot faster than the Kuiu. The Exo pack material feels more durable. Kuiu pack frames also have a reputation of breaking under abuse (although mine and a couple of buddies packs have held up to rough handling and 80lb loads fine).

 

[LJ Buck]

I have had both packs plus a stone glacier. I own only the stone glacier. The exo is far better then the kuiu pack IMO. I also believe that Stone glacier is in a league of its own out of these 3 exo is not far behind. But the kuiu set up just doesn't do it.

 

[Jumpalot]

Thanks for all the input!!!! After going back and forth for a few weeks and trying to read as much as I could, I made a decision. An Exo Mountain 3500 is on the way. I added the meat shelf, hip pocket and a mesh pocket. I'll start there and see if I need to add anything else. Looking forward to getting it and trying it out.

 

[dirkcsu]

Cant go wrong with the Exo, have had mine for a month and love it.

 

[Jumpalot]

Pack showed up. Working on getting it adjusted to fit. Never had a pack before so I've watched the video and doing a little experimenting. Finding out that it needs to sit quite a bit higher then I thought. First impressions are that I don't feel like I wasted my money. Seems to be very high quality. I've been messing around with about 40 lbs. in it. I even practiced shooting my bow with it on. I will try some hiking with it this weekend. I'll be heading up to try for elk on the weekend of the 18th.

 

[good2eat]

Good choice. Took mine out over Monday and Tuesday. Did about 20 miles in the mountains carrying 55lbs. Very pleased with the comfort.

 

[rp59az]

Last month I did just what muleyfever suggested. I ordered the Exo 5500, Kuiu icon pro 5200, and Evolution 4800 from seekoutside. I loaded them all up with the exact same gear including my rifle, about 42 lbs. the results was surprising. I really wanted the kuiu to be the one because of the pockets (im an organizer) and price range. The evolution fit me like a glove and the frame/pack was incredibly snug on my back. No sway at all. I could never get the kuiu or exo to fit as well. the evolution lacks external pockets like the kuiu but Im thinking about some simple mods to fix that. So I took it with me to the brooks range for my sheep hunt and the pack was incredible. 2 years ago I used the outdoormans optics pack and the hip belt broke while packing out my ram at about 85 lbs. They promptly replaced it but the fit still was not comparable to the evolution. I really like this evolution pack!

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Personally I could not get along at all with the kuiu, hated the shoulder straps and waist belt. The Exo was slightly better for me, but neither worked as good as the kifaru and stone glacier, both are in a league of their own imho!

^^^THIS^^^ Buy once-cry once. Nobody regrets buying a Kifaru.

 

[power54]

To be redundant, buy them and try them. In the past year I've tried a Kuiu Ultra, Stone Glacier Solo and Mystery Ranch Metcalf. I too wanted to like the Kuiu (cheaper and light) and then the Stone Glacier (light and made in American) but the Mystery Ranch fit ME like I needed it to and will be accompanying me on my hunts this year. So far, I've only had the Metcalf about 3 weeks but I've done 2 backpacking trips and one day of hunting (70ish miles total) and I don't regret my decision. Everybody is different, just got to try them out which I will admit is a PITA and ends up costing you money. But, if you're dumping good money into a pack it needs to fit right.

 

[IdahoElk]

This might help, here is a pic of the new kuiu frame

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