Thoughts on the KUIU Ultra 6000

[JCT]

May have been discussed before but I suk at finding info. Whats mosts impression ?
Missed one on classifieds rolling the marbles around in my cranium.
4-5 days out, meat packing capabilities and maybe use on a multi day AT hike.
Seams real basic which kinda appeals to me, I don't like lots of buckles, strings and such to deal with.
Price is right up my alley. Any other recomendations? Bad impressions ect ?
Fire away
JT

 

[Weekender]

IF you talk to someone in the know at Kuiu they might set you up with a 6000 bag with Pro suspension. A buddy of mine was able to do that last year but you might have to talk to some maybe a little higher up then CS. Pro suspension and 6000 bag is about all a person needs, it really covers the basics. Run without the lid for day trips, you can't find a much lighter volume pack that compresses to nothing. If you are lumbar sensitive it might not fit you well but if not you'll have a nice light pack for reasonable money. Goodluck

 

[Josh Wright]

I had the pack and liked it. However, I like buckles more than the quick release hardware. So I bought an icon pro. If you like the minimalist type stuff, you won't be disappointed. I've packed 3 elk, 4 muley with it. Some muleys with bone in was packed out in 1 trip.

 

[luke moffat]

I had one....liked it and wrote a fairly long review on it:

http://www.rokslide.com/2012-01-09-05-09-42/backpacks/293-kuiu-ultra-6000

I liked it so much that I just bought another one to replace it since I foolishly sold it after I reviewed it.

Works great for all my hiking and scouting trips.

 

[JCT]

Thanks Luke but Dam!
I read your review and think its perfect for me, BUT, those buckles ?
They may drive me nuts, hum?
Price really gets me, your observations on heavier (meat packing) loads with the belt doesnt really bother me as I
live in the east so packing out big animals larger than deer doesnt happen more than once or twice a year so maybe it is the right pack.
They do hold resale pretty good. Hum?
Thanks
JT

 

[JCT]

Thanks weekender and Josh too. I think the price is going to reel me in. I dont have alot to spend on a pack that will see
use only a few weeks a year so it may be what Im after. At least thats my impressions so far.
Thanks
JT

 

[Cant hit em]

I used my 6000 this year on a few hunts and also bought a 1800 bag to swap for day hunts. I had no issues on suspension comfort and the bag cinched nicely. When your hands are cold the snaps they have are a biatch. Its a pretty simple pack , i aslo have been using it on the elliptical with 20 lbs in it during the off season no issues. Get belt pouches if you order one because there is not a lot of pockets on the bag with the lid removed

 

[Arrowslinger]

I've owned this pack for 2 years now and have packed out 2 deer and two bear with it -3 of the 4 being 5+ miles out. I use the 3000 bag on it more than the 6k, but solid bag, frame and weight.

 

[JDZ]

Thanks Luke but Dam!
I read your review and think its perfect for me, BUT, those buckles ?
They may drive me nuts, hum?
Price really gets me, your observations on heavier (meat packing) loads with the belt doesnt really bother me as I
live in the east so packing out big animals larger than deer doesnt happen more than once or twice a year so maybe it is the right pack.
They do hold resale pretty good. Hum?
Thanks
JT

The quick releases are one of my favorite features of the Ultra. They make me wonder why I'd never seen them before. I find myself configuring the pack in all sorts of ways that really wouldn't be possible with conventional buckles.

I also like the lightweight bag with nearly the perfect amount of pockets and organization. I'd add a second water bottle pocket to make it better.

 

[209hunter]

Ive been running my ultra 6000 for 2 seasons now and I thinks its a great pack especially if you're only going to be packing out 1-2 animals a year like I am. Plus its a perfect backpacking pack. Here is a pic of my buddy with his deer this year. All the meat in the load shelf and 5 days of gear in the bag. We had about a 4 mile packout on this trip and the packs worked great. I'm guessing he had around 85-90 lbs in the pack in this pic.

 

[JP100]

Great pack!
I have had a 6000 for 2 seasons guiding in BC and 2 seasons guiding in NZ. Also have the 3000 that I use abit but not much point as the 6000 is so light and compresses down.
The clips seem annoying at first but you kinda get over it. The new Pro Icon frame with the Ultra bag would be a wikid set up(I might steal the wife's frame ahaha).
Has just the right size and pockets for me.
The spotting scope pocket is kinda small when the pack is full. good for 65mm scopes but pretty small for a big 80mm scope.
you wont be disappointed, lots of room and light as.

 

[Jcberg]

Having owned both the Ultra and the Pro I would definitely steer you towards the Pro. Such a better belt with the internal sheeting for stiffness and the power pulls are great. My favorite bag (I have all 3) is the 5200. Just my two cents!

 

[luke moffat]

The pro harness and ultra bag is nice combo. So nice that I recently picked up another after selling the one I did my review on shortly after the review. I regretted selling it almost the instant I shipped it. Inexpensive, lightweight, and packs decently heavy loads of 80 pounds or less great.

 

[JCT]

Thanks everyone. I found a good deal for an Ultra 3000 from a member here in the classifieds. should be here next week.
I originally figured to get a 6000 and a 1800 but this one came up and I figured I can get the other bags as I see fit and let the one/ones I dont
use go on the classifieds after trying them out. I certainly appreciate every ones help, I will try and remember to post my thoughts
after I get some time with it.
JT

 

[Dos Perros]

The main belt buckle on my 6000 broke this weekend while I was trying to tighten it. It doesn't tighten very easily once it's buckled. It was cold, but not that cold. Anyone else have this issue?

Also, can anyone recommend a buckle they do like? Might just retrofit. Thanks.

 

[16Bore]

Mine never made it out of the house. Hated it. Went with an Outdoorsmans Optic Hunter, much better pack IMHO

 

[G5Archer]

I just ordered the Icon Pro 1850 and a Ultra 6000 bag.. I had a gift card and also used the coupon so I got off pretty cheap! We shall see how this goes...

 

[luke moffat]

Nice! Just swap the suspensions from the icon pro bag to the ultra frame.

 

[TxTrapper]

So what are the differences between the ultra frame and the pro frame?
I see the power pulls, what else?

 

[BruinPoint]

The main belt buckle on my 6000 broke this weekend while I was trying to tighten it. It doesn't tighten very easily once it's buckled. It was cold, but not that cold. Anyone else have this issue?

Also, can anyone recommend a buckle they do like? Might just retrofit. Thanks.

I broke the waist belt buckle on my Ultra 2 miles from the truck last November on the way in for a 3 nighter. It was fairly cold that morning but not ridiculous. Fortunately, if I was careful I could get it to hold, but when I got back I found a replacement at REI. It looked almost identical other than color but seemed to be a better suited plastic for the role. I sold the pack, so I don't know how the replacement is holding up.