Umlindi vs spike camp

[Take-a-knee]

Strange thing about the Ute, to me, is the lack of product reviews. How well does it haul a load?

I've only done training walks with mine so far but I find it quite comfortable. The belt is pretty much a Kifaru. Their "single point" shoulder harness is quite comfortable, IMO. All but the tallest guys, with the 24in stays, will get shoulder lift, and the weight that is on your shoulders is spread across your upper chest AND upper back, instead of just digging into one spot on your traps.

The only "downside" to the Ute is the top-loading single-compartment. That is what I prefer however. I store items needed during the day in the compression panel, in small roll-top bags if needed. Insulation is in the bottom 2/3's of main pack(inside a Hefty Compactor bag) with stove and food bag on top. My puffy and my raingear are each in their own rolltop bag and can be inside the compactor bag (on top) or outside of it, as I deem necessary. This is how I live out of all of my packs. Works for me.

I bought the Ute to replace my KU 3700 as a hunting pack, as I don't think it will hold up to a lot of abuse and I plan to just keep it for hiking.

 

[mtluckydan]

I have carried the spike camp for hundreds of miles shed hunting and hunting. It is an awesome pack. It would not be my first choice for packing any heavy loads. I also have a late season and my wife has claimed that for her hunting pack. The late season is a better choice for colder weather when more clothing is necessary or if you carry more rather than less gear on day trips. It also has more lift for packing heavier loads as mentioned above. I would not be without either of these packs in my pack collection. If I had to choose one I would go with the late season but luckily I don't have to have just one pack.