No More KU Packs, Now What? Any Other Options?

[MAT]

Just as I was about to order a KU pack Kifaru discontinued them. Accord to Heath they were discontinued because they just didn’t hold up to their durability standards. But that was the compromise when you have a pack ½ the weight of any other! So now what? I REALLY need to cut weight for my hunt this fall, what other ultra-lite pack options are there? I need a pack 3500-4500 ci to haul in camp, not to hunt with or haul out game.

It seems the KU line was replaced with the Bikini/Highcamp combo which weights almost 2# more than the KU 3700. That’s significant. The Bikini/Highcamp is only 5 oz less than my Cabelas 3700 ci aluminum frame pack, so for me the justification for spending $600 to save 5 oz isn’t there. Will there ever be a lighter bag for the Bikini frame?

The best option I can think of is the Bikini Frame with my 1# 5 oz Cabela’s bag if I can get it to work, that would save me about 1# for $376. That would give me a 3# 10 oz pack, 1# more than the KU.

Are there any other ultra-lite pack options to consider? A 1# bag for the Bikini frame would be ideal, that would weigh 3# 5 oz. Any extra pack weight is just dead weight!

Thanks.

 

[Tim M]

try out the bikini frame with a silnylon S25 bag on it (7 oz just about 3000 ci) from Hill People Gear and add two ku long pockets to the sides, then two small ku pockets to the waist belt. i use a t1 bag trimmed down on mine but have this setup for some of my summer goat scouting trips and it weighs in less than 3 1/2 lbs for approx 4800 ci.

 

[Becca]

You may be able to find a used KU if you watch the classifieds, both here and on the kifaru forums...I would do it soon though as my guess is there will be fewer of them available. I know I am keeping mine forever!

 

[RosinBag]

Mat, why not get a pack to be multi functional, instead of picking a pack that will just haul your camp in and out?

Nothing out there is comparable to what the Bikini / Highcamp weighs compared to what it can do functionally.

 

[MAT]

I weigh 140# and every ounce counts a lot more for me that some of you bigger guys. I do not consider a ~5# pack to be exceptionally light. The KU packs were VERY light, but apparently not so durable? I would think there is a middle ground. I still have the Cabelas pack for hauling meat, but don't think one should have to carry extra weight for that use, especially if it limits where I can go (the real issue with weight). The Bikini is a good design, they just need a lighter bag. How do you attach HPG bag to it?

 

[Shrek]

Get the Bikini and then modify your bag or sew a dyneema bag for it. It carries weight so well that the extra weight is not as noticeable. But this is coming from the guy who is too big for a bikini and is getting a custom duplex made big enough.

 

[justin davis]

There's a couple KU packs in the classifieds on kifaru

 

[Racethesunset]

What about Stone Glacier Solo and Kuiu? Are these options too heavy or expensive? The SG is widely acclaimed around here. The ICON packs have internal pockets to boot.

 

[MAT]

Webster’s dictionary should sue KUIU for using the term “ultralight”. They make a damn nice pack, but light it is NOT. The Icon 5000 is 6.25#!

 

[HellsCanyon]

I think the reason that many people buy Kifaru isn't to save weight so much as it is to be able to haul weight... It's too bad the KU series is discontinued but instead of looking at Kifaru as $600 per lb of weight saved, look at it as $600 spent to have you end all do all pack. The Stone Glacier is another option to consider as well and they are exceptionally light!

Mike

 

[Tim M]

Mat
It has two compression straps that attatch to the frame the same way the T1 bag does. then it has a flap that comes over the top of the frame and straps on. if i get a hance tonight after work i will swap out the bag on mine and post some pucs.

 

[Hardstalk]

There is a ku 5200 in the classifieds right now. If the belt were my size I may be sold.

 

[Califhuntn]

I love both my KU packs. I find that the 3700 serves my needs more for a 2-4 hunt which is 90% of my hunts. I am planning a week long hunt in either UT, CO or WY this year depending on the draw and my 5200 will be the pack. I really love the comfort of my 5200 loaded. Very lightweight.

 

[RosinBag]

MAT I respectively disagree. I know many 140 pounders who do just fine.

I would bet if you ran a 5 pound Kifaru loaded up with 45 pounds for a total of 50 pounds, then ran another pack that weighed 3 pounds loaded with 45 pounds for a total of 48 pounds, you couldn't feel the difference. I would also bet that 2-3 miles of packing each of those packs the Kifaru would feel more comfortable with the weight.

2 pounds difference in pack gross weight isn't that big of a deal if they carry the weight well.

And if you really want a KU pack you can buy them every week on the Kifaru Message Boards or here in the classifieds. You could make your own thread of want to buy and you would get several offers.

Just my two cents....but I have ran about every pack out there at one time or another that is designed for hunting and have had many do the above test and routinely tell me the Kifaru felt better even when heavier.

 

[MAT]

Tim M, do you have those pcitures? I would be interested in knowing the width between the frame rails of a Bikini too, I might be able to use the Cableas bag on it.

And I am looking for more comfort thus my interest in a Kifaru pack, but when you solve that weight is another factor. If not then why are we here?

 

[RockChucker30]

MAT,

What kind of loads do you need the pack to carry?

 

[twintips16]

If your still looking a used ku3700 just popped up on Kifaru.net.

 

[Tim M]

Tim M, do you have those pcitures? I would be interested in knowing the width between the frame rails of a Bikini too, I might be able to use the Cableas bag on it.

And I am looking for more comfort thus my interest in a Kifaru pack, but when you solve that weight is another factor. If not then why are we here?

i agree, comfort to me is the most important when i am carrying heavy loads. i would not be afraid to try the cabelas bag on a bikini frame, most of the time i run a trimmed down timberline 1 bag on my bikini frame and i am playing with some othes slight modifications / customizations that are making it fit me better as well as making it lighter. i already have the frame itself down to 1 lb 13 oz... View attachment 7906View attachment 7907View attachment 7908View attachment 7909

 

[MAT]

Tim - For some reason the attachments don't work. I'd be REALLY interested how you got the weight down that far too.

My max load to pack in a camp would be around 50# (on level ground), but I hope to get it down to 35# total for a week solo w/food. I plan to call in horses to pack out any elk that I kill. My odds are not that good though, I'm cured on those damn things.

 

[MAT]

I think I solved my delema, I just ordered a Bikini frame. Expected ship date is first week of July. Hope that's right as I might need some time for modifications to get a bag to fit...