New Kuiu Pro Suspension and Pro Bag Review

[RosinBag]

I personally think they are slightly better because of the contour and shape. I do see them at some point making the Apex in this contour for future use though. The Apex is essentially just more padding and slightly wider.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

Awesome, glad to see them come out with this! The hipbelt has been the major issue for a lot of guys, myself included. It’s great with lighter loads, but would roll under heavy loads, requiring you to really cinch down the hip belt to the point that the small lumbar pad would put a ton of pressure on the bottom of your spine. The Apex straps were a bandaid for the symptoms rather than solving the real problem IMO.

Will definitely be grabbing the new hip belt.

 

[JNDEER]

Really wish they would add a few more inches to their L/XL belt length. I bet as a guy with a 33" waist using the L/XL you cannot bottom it out. Which means a guy with a 36" waist will just barely get the belt to go over his hip bone. I know they have you test packs out Doug, maybe this feedback coming from you will have them change some things cause they sure have not listened to me, lol.

 

[A 4]

Rosin, I remember you doing a review on the Ultra bags about a year ago. I’m wondering what your opinion on those is now and compared to the new Pro bags. I’m really liking the new Pro suspension, but am looking for a bag size somewhere between the 3600 and 6000. The Ultra 4000 and 5500 caught my eye.

 

[RosinBag]

JNDEER, I will bring your feed back up to them. I would think making one more size belt is very doable. It comes down to is there enough demand for the production of this. Essentially every company that only makes two sizes runs int the same thing. And as for reference, my belt is about 1” from bottoming out when I cinch it down. I used to use the smaller one because I wanted it lighter and I just dealt with it being it a little small. I have come to figure out the ounce of belt is worth the comfort.

 

[RosinBag]

A 4, last year was the first year I ran the Ultra’s, as I didn’t like the layout of the first version. The first version I thought was to minimal for my OCD on how I want to pack my gear. The new Ultra’s that were released last year I felt were a combo of the Icon and Old Ultra in their layout. That was perfect for me and how I like to pack.

The new Pro series has nearly the same layout pocket wise, not exactly though, but the shape and size of those pockets make them more functional to me. I also like the sizes of the new packs.

I have the Ultra in 4000 and 5500 and the Pro Series in 3600 and 6000. I will honestly pick one of those packs that best meet my needs for a particular hunt. I would imagine the Ultra’s will get the nod on all scouting and fishing only trips, while the Pro’s will get the hunting trips.

 

[Beendare]

Q; Stitching; Did they beef it up over the older version at the top where the bag connects- a high stress point?

...

 

[RosinBag]

I am not a stitching expert, so I really can’t say. I have never had any trouble in this area of the pack though.

I presume this is the area you are talking about.

 

[renagde]

This tempts me to sell my Kifaru Lite/Muskeg setup. It would save me 2lbs going from a Muskeg 2800 to a 4000 Ultra bag setup.

 

[RosinBag]

Gross weight of your pack at the start is a consideration. There is nothing wrong with Kifaru, they make an awesome suspension and frame. They went away from the types of pack bags I prefer and their layout. I see people with many packs with all these extra pockets attached to get the pack layout they prefer. That adds more weight and I prefer my pack slick without extra stuff attached.

Kifaru, Aaron and the staff at Kifaru always treated me well are top notch people making great products

 

[renagde]

Gross weight of your pack at the start is a consideration. There is nothing wrong with Kifaru, they make an awesome suspension and frame. They went away from the types of pack bags I prefer and their layout. I see people with many packs with all these extra pockets attached to get the pack layout they prefer. That adds more weight and I prefer my pack slick without extra stuff attached.

Kifaru, Aaron and the staff at Kifaru always treated me well are top notch people making great products

Agreed. Kuiu does it best with all their built in organization while keeping bag weight low

 

[RosinBag]

I think so. The bags are a good mix of organization. I don’t like the bags that are just duffle bags with shoulder straps and I don’t like the bags with a ton of molle webbing and add ons. The very first Icon Pro’s has to many, there were pockets inside pockets and was a bit much.

 

[209hunter]

Do the Ultra bags ( specifically the 5500) have the same ability to run without a lid? Do they have the same connection points to fold over the snow collar and attach to the lid straps? Thanks for the review, the new suspension is very tempting.

 

[RosinBag]

I just looked at my Ultra 7000 and it has the connection points to run it lidless. The 5500 is identical other than size, so I presume ti does as well. I don't have a 5500 in front of me though.

 

[Ooops]

Excellent review, many thanks

 

[ericF]

The older Icon bags and suspension have now hit the Outlet page at Kuiu. Looks like around 25% off for most of them, but they are already out of L/Xl suspensions.

 

[DaveS]

This tempts me to sell my Kifaru Lite/Muskeg setup. It would save me 2lbs going from a Muskeg 2800 to a 4000 Ultra bag setup.

If the Kifaru Lite frame works for you then you can easily attach the Kuiu Ultra 4000 to a Kifaru frame. That's what I've done. The original Kuiu frame and suspension didn't fit my body. Kuiu appears to have improved the frame and suspension significantly since the first release but a Kifaru frame fits my body really well so I'm hesitant to get rid of it.

I really like the Ultra 4000 bag so I just attach it to my Kifaru frame. The 3/4 inch gate keepers used on the Ultra bag will attach to the 1 webbing loops on the Kifaru frame. You may need some additional compression straps from Kuiu to attach the bottom and top of the bag to the Kifaru frame. Using the Ultra 4000 will save you a pound or so over a Muskeg 2800.

On the other hand the Kuiu suspension may fit your body just fine.

 

[RosinBag]

I have ran a Kuiu bag on a Kifaru frame before as well. All the Kuiu bags for fairly easily.

 

[renagde]

If the Kifaru Lite frame works for you then you can easily attach the Kuiu Ultra 4000 to a Kifaru frame. That's what I've done. The original Kuiu frame and suspension didn't fit my body. Kuiu appears to have improved the frame and suspension significantly since the first release but a Kifaru frame fits my body really well so I'm hesitant to get rid of it.

I really like the Ultra 4000 bag so I just attach it to my Kifaru frame. The 3/4 inch gate keepers used on the Ultra bag will attach to the 1 webbing loops on the Kifaru frame. You may need some additional compression straps from Kuiu to attach the bottom and top of the bag to the Kifaru frame. Using the Ultra 4000 will save you a pound or so over a Muskeg 2800.

On the other hand the Kuiu suspension may fit your body just fine.

I did try attaching a Ultra 4000. I just wasn't real happy with the way it worked. I figured I might as well just stick with a "system".

 

[*zap*]

Thanks for the review!