Packs (Kuiu vs Kifaru vs EXO Mtn vs Tenzing)

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aeasley10

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Hey guys from all I read and hear, these are some of the top packs. I'm trying to help a buddy decide on a pack. While I use a Kuiu Icon 7200 and like it, I don't want to be one of those guys saying just get what I have.

I'm hoping for feedback from guys who have used 2 or more of these packs to give pros & cons of each. Just good unbiased feedback please!

Comfort under load, durability, functionality & arrangement of pockets & straps.


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Well you highlighted 4 so it's tough to know which three you're talking about. That said I'd scrap tensing from the discussion of the other 3... like eberlestock the loadlifters pretty much didn't work for me. The other three are all great packs in their respective price ranges. If you're truly looking for the best add Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier and Barneys to your quest.

Kuiu can be had for less than 400$ on sale, EXO is going to BE 450ish-550... depending on size and kifaru will be a small mortgage but well worth it. These are 3 very different packs.

Disclaimer I don't have an EXO. They have a fantastic reputation though. As always the best pack is the one that fits you.
 
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I would recommend figuring out your buddy's back profile - certain packs work better for curved vs flat backs. Durability wise, I don't think you're going to see a huge difference between Kifaru, SG, MR, or Exo....I'd base the majority of the purchase decision on the frame system that will work best for your buddy, but in the end, there's something to be said for having a bag you like as well.

You're talking different worlds budget wise for those brands, Kifaru and SG being at the top, then Exo and MR. Good luck buying an MR pack right now, I'm pretty sure their supply chain hasn't been ironed out still.

Kuiu is your best bet for under 450 bucks. Kuiu is definitely nice, but they are built with lighter duty straps, a fixed frame shape (curved, adjustable a bit with lumbar padding), in some models lighter fabric. Really thick padding and good foam. Lots of pockets on the Pro models, so feature rich for sure. No "load shelf" if that's important to you (it works fine without one). I have no idea if they use really good milspec UV resistant threads like some of the other higher end brands.

You can always buy used on these high-end packs to get into the game......


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Of those It's a Kifaru or Exo choice. I liked the EXO better for day hunting but the Kifaru for load hauling.

I still like Kuiu bags the most. .02

I personally run a Kuiu bag on a Kifaru for pack in stuff and a Kuiu 3200 for day hunts.
 
Of those It's a Kifaru or Exo choice. I liked the EXO better for day hunting but the Kifaru for load hauling.

I still like Kuiu bags the most. .02

I personally run a Kuiu bag on a Kifaru for pack in stuff and a Kuiu 3200 for day hunts.

I wouldn't think a Kuiu pack would work with a Kifaru frame and Susp?

What makes a Kifaru or MR frame and suspension better than a Kuiu or Exo?


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There are a lot of bags that will work on different frames.
Kifaru's waist belt is widely regarded as one of, if not the best out there, and they come with functional load lifters. I found the Mystery Ranch packs to be quite a bit heavier, with non functioning load lifters (until I got into the very large packs), and I didn't care for their waist belt. I have only tried the first and second generation KUIU packs, and did not get either to carry weight comfortably. I have no real experience with Exo packs.
 
I wouldn't think a Kuiu pack would work with a Kifaru frame and Susp?

What makes a Kifaru or MR frame and suspension better than a Kuiu or Exo?


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It works pretty well but take a little outside the box thinking. EXO bags fit a Kifaru frame like they were made for it but I do recommend updating the Exo buckles to the itw nexus Kifaru uses.

I'm not even going to go into what makes the frames better, plenty of good threads out there but I bet you'll never find a broken Kifaru frame. If you like Kuiu and think it's a top class pack who are we to argue, I say run what you like and believe in.
 
Tenzing is not on the same level as the other two. I use a kifaru and my best friend that i hunt with has a exo. Both are great. I prefer the kifaru.
 
It works pretty well but take a little outside the box thinking. EXO bags fit a Kifaru frame like they were made for it but I do recommend updating the Exo buckles to the itw nexus Kifaru uses.

I'm not even going to go into what makes the frames better, plenty of good threads out there but I bet you'll never find a broken Kifaru frame. If you like Kuiu and think it's a top class pack who are we to argue, I say run what you like and believe in.

Well I like Kuiu fine, but haven't used the others, and the reason for starting this thread is to get opinions on what makes each better or worse. Asking opinions, not facts


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Go to the Backpack forum and look around in there. There's plenty of reading on "which pack?" Discussion on USA vs China made, UL vs bomber, service vs not as good service, features vs value, etc...

To say the "best" pack is like saying the "best" vehicle. It all depends on the person and the use. I run Kifaru because of quality, features, design, service, comfort, strength and last but not least, made in USA.
 
Figure out what you want in a pack, function wise then look at the packs that are offered by the companies you're interested in. Call them and talk to them, let them help you out as well as the keyboard commandos.
 
I guess I just need to look up YouTube reviews, a couple responses are good feedback, but many here are not very helpful at all. I was hoping guys would give comparing reviews of the packs listed above they have owned.

What I would want in a pack is the same everyone wants.....something lightweight & comfortable to haul gear/weight with functional pockets & straps. Obviously this differs from person to person but opinion reviews are helpful non the less.

Like: my Kifaru belt and shoulder harness is more comfortable than my Kuiu, but the Kuiu bag seems to have more useful pockets. My Exo frame seems tougher than my Kuiu Etc. MR & SG packs weren't listed in the title, thus aren't being considered in this. When someone asks if u like your Ford or Toyota truck better, it's seems pointless to say well Chevy or Dodge blah blah blah.


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I guess I just need to look up YouTube reviews, a couple responses are good feedback, but many here are not very helpful at all. I was hoping guys would give comparing reviews of the packs listed above they have owned.

What I would want in a pack is the same everyone wants.....something lightweight & comfortable to haul gear/weight with functional pockets & straps. Obviously this differs from person to person but opinion reviews are helpful non the less.

Like: my Kifaru belt and shoulder harness is more comfortable than my Kuiu, but the Kuiu bag seems to have more useful pockets. My Exo frame seems tougher than my Kuiu Etc. MR & SG packs weren't listed in the title, thus aren't being considered in this. When someone asks if u like your Ford or Toyota truck better, it's seems pointless to say well Chevy or Dodge blah blah blah.


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You say that "many here are not helpful at all." That comment is not warranted whatsoever-----rokslide is the most helpful forum on the internet period especially when it involves backcountry hunting. Most guys here will go out of their way to help out one another, even giving up hunting spots.
It sounds like you want what everyone else wants--"the best pack" and you'll have to figure that out for yourself just like everyone else does.
As someone else mentioned there is a shitload of info here on packs and you can do the searches and find them along with other internet avenues.
I have owned and used Kifaru, Exo, Stone Glacier, Barneys, Tenzing, Badlands, Mystery Ranch, etc. and all of them have some features that are good and some that are not so good. In my opinion, the best pack is the one on my back..............

Randy
 
When the Kuiu Icon Pro was first released, Rosin Bag did an extensive review on it, based on his experience and opinion. He compared the Icon Pro to the Kifaru Duplex. I think he is/was a guide maybe and has lots of time in both set ups. In his opinion, the Icon Pro was a very good setup. The thread eventually turned into a personal attack /argument thread. You can try to do a search but the thread may have been deleted. Since then I don't think I've seen many/any posts from him on Rokslide.
Ironically, I think it was Rosin Bag that did an extensive review of the new Kifaru frames as they were being released and was also involved in some of the field testing.

Personally, I have an Icon Pro 5200 set up and have been completely happy with it. I got it when they first came out and it has worked great for me. I have hauled 2 mule deer out in my pack for about a mile, each. I have tons of training hikes with 70ish lbs in my pack with perfect function as well. I have no experience with the other packs you mentioned, so I can't compare.

When you ask for opinions from people that have REAL LIFE experience with the packs you mentioned, it probably reduces the amount of people that qualify.

Good Luck
 
I guess I just need to look up YouTube reviews, a couple responses are good feedback, but many here are not very helpful at all. I was hoping guys would give comparing reviews of the packs listed above they have owned.

What I would want in a pack is the same everyone wants.....something lightweight & comfortable to haul gear/weight with functional pockets & straps. Obviously this differs from person to person but opinion reviews are helpful non the less.

Like: my Kifaru belt and shoulder harness is more comfortable than my Kuiu, but the Kuiu bag seems to have more useful pockets. My Exo frame seems tougher than my Kuiu Etc. MR & SG packs weren't listed in the title, thus aren't being considered in this. When someone asks if u like your Ford or Toyota truck better, it's seems pointless to say well Chevy or Dodge blah blah blah.


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Well heck man, sorry we failed to be helpful.

And you say this is for a buddy...let him do the research or come on here and ask us. Maybe we can help him.
 
Well I like Kuiu fine, but haven't used the others, and the reason for starting this thread is to get opinions on what makes each better or worse. Asking opinions, not facts


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I was just saying if you like Kuiu don't worry about opinions as you'll not get many good opinions of Kuiu packs here is all.
 
I've used an Exo 3500 (2104 and 2015), MR crewcab, and almost every Kifaru pack with both frames. I've also used a Kuiu and stone glacier. I've used them on hunts, hikes, snowshoeing, and for training. They are al good and they are all bad.
 
I guess I just need to look up YouTube reviews, a couple responses are good feedback, but many here are not very helpful at all. I was hoping guys would give comparing reviews of the packs listed above they have owned.

What I would want in a pack is the same everyone wants.....something lightweight & comfortable to haul gear/weight with functional pockets & straps. Obviously this differs from person to person but opinion reviews are helpful non the less.

Like: my Kifaru belt and shoulder harness is more comfortable than my Kuiu, but the Kuiu bag seems to have more useful pockets. My Exo frame seems tougher than my Kuiu Etc. MR & SG packs weren't listed in the title, thus aren't being considered in this. When someone asks if u like your Ford or Toyota truck better, it's seems pointless to say well Chevy or Dodge blah blah blah.


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Well since you're happy with doing your search on YouTube, I won't bother your already made up mind with my opinion but thanks for asking and then telling me that my way of expressing what I know is of no value to you.


Enjoy YouTube but please don't bother the knowledgeable folks here on the best backcountry/hunting forum with your demeaning comments.
 
When the Kuiu Icon Pro was first released, Rosin Bag did an extensive review on it, based on his experience and opinion. He compared the Icon Pro to the Kifaru Duplex. I think he is/was a guide maybe and has lots of time in both set ups. In his opinion, the Icon Pro was a very good setup. The thread eventually turned into a personal attack /argument thread. You can try to do a search but the thread may have been deleted. Since then I don't think I've seen many/any posts from him on Rokslide.
Ironically, I think it was Rosin Bag that did an extensive review of the new Kifaru frames as they were being released and was also involved in some of the field testing.

Personally, I have an Icon Pro 5200 set up and have been completely happy with it. I got it when they first came out and it has worked great for me. I have hauled 2 mule deer out in my pack for about a mile, each. I have tons of training hikes with 70ish lbs in my pack with perfect function as well. I have no experience with the other packs you mentioned, so I can't compare.

When you ask for opinions from people that have REAL LIFE experience with the packs you mentioned, it probably reduces the amount of people that qualify.

Good Luck

Doug or Rosinbag, I don't think has left the forum, he is part of a swat team in CA so he may be busy and he hunts a shit load.
 
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