Which pack?? SG, MR, Exo, Kifaru, Kuiu?

[hammer0419]

I am sorry but I found this kinda funny. I would say Google Kurt Racicot . Do not not get me wrong, Aron has done a lot for the industry. Kurt has done as much, if not more, just not beating his chest quite as loud. SG and Kifaru are awesome. I have used a SG the past 6 years without fail or discomfort. I am sure just as many can say the same thing about Kifaru.

I didn't say Kurt was clueless!! Quite the opposite!! He is very knowledgeable AND A GREAT GUY. But, Just like Patrick Smith of Kifaru. They seem to mostly make what they personally like. WHICH IS THEIR CHOICE because it's their company. HOWEVER, 99% the complaints about SG seem to be their bags. Would be nice to have some bags with pockets. There are a lot of us our there with vastly different tastes. Not that you can please everyone but a little variety would be great.

 

[realunlucky]

I'm honestly curious. I may end up disappointed in the end so I'm not stopping my research of all packs. I've hauled out more animals on my back to date than most people will ever do in a lifetime. I havent field dressed an animal in many years. All I do is bone or quarter depending on the size of the animal. They ALL go on my back. And been doing it with lesser name brand packs in some of the most steep and rugged country there is, yet never really complained. Just decided to lighten things up this year.

The person claimed the Kuiu is junk compared to the SG so I'm asking a simple question...

Was their bad experience with the Kuiu new gen Pro or a different or older model?

I apologise with so many great packs now very few can try them all. All a guy can do is tell people what they like and dislike about what they've tried. I did enjoy your review on the other thread you started

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[Steadman]

Was that the "new gen" Pro Kuiu suspension?

or the older ICON Pro or Ultra series suspensions?

The older. I have not tried the new one, but with the pack I have now I won't be. Spent enough finding the pack for me. Good luck! Hope you get to pack out a heavy load!!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

The older. I have not tried the new one, but with the pack I have now I won't be. Spent enough finding the pack for me. Good luck! Hope you get to pack out a heavy load!!

Yeah it's a lot of work digging through all the options. My son will need a good new pack before too long. Might have a look at the SG when the time comes just so I can see one in action. My son just turned 15 and plays high school football. Hes a big boy at 180 lbs already. Getting big enough to load him up with big hunting loads now.

 

[*zap*]

Personally I am trying a MR Guide Lite, SG x curve and old style SG krux that I put forward pulls on.
I have used packs with lots of organization but will be using the SG 6200, trying chaining 3 camp pockets and 3 swing out pockets(doubled one attachment tri glide with two pockets). That does give quite a bit of organization for smaller items. I will know in 4-6 weeks what I like....I have a mule for the MR but also a few bigger military packs that will fit that frame, no load shelf option that way thou.
There are certainly lots of good options if a person cares to find the frame system that will work best for them.

 

[Steadman]

Yeah it's a lot of work digging through all the options. My son will need a good new pack before too long. Might have a look at the SG when the time comes just so I can see one in action. My son just turned 15 and plays high school football. Hes a big boy at 180 lbs already. Getting big enough to load him up with big hunting loads now.

Haha mine is 21 now and over 6' 3". He too uses a Kifaru, but he learned from me. It's the one frame I've been able to use the load lifters on. You should be able to find someone around to try some different packs. Another thing to consider but you can't test is hauling those heavy weights for more than a five to ten minute test. I've found that I really start to feel the edge ya of those heavy loads after a mile or so. Just what I've seen. Good luck!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Totally agree that 5-10 minutes with load doesnt tell a person much. The last bull I shot a couple years ago, we packed out in one trip (boned meat and antlers). 3 guys including myself with a 4.5 mile hike ahead of us. Went in with about 30-35+ lbs of gear on my back to start. Pretty brutal pack out across big valleys with steep ridges and ravines in the Rocky's. My pack held up ok, but it wasnt the most comfortable to say the least. That's when I started looking at high end packs.

 

[Krieg Hetzen]

You could also look at Eberlestock. I ran a Dragonfly 107 for moose this year. Had about a 1000 yard walk sidehilling to the SxS to drop the loads. 2 trips were burger bags so heavy I needed to put my pack on while it was on the ground and have my two hunting partners help me to stand. The padding on the hips were amazing, shoulders and back felt great. Woke up the next day and I didnt have the normal red marks where the straps or belt sat. I was definitely the best off in the party (one used a large ALICE frame and the other used the newest Army ruck, whatever its called).

 

[hammer0419]

Kuiu has some train wrecks with their carbon frames early on. To what issues currently exist I am unaware.

 

[MattB]

Man for not trying any other of the "big" name packs and not packing any animals in your pack your NEW kuiu your pumping this kuiu pretty hard.

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And he hasn't heard of any kuiu packs breaking. That used to be what they were known best for.

Hopefully times have changed. I really like Kuiu camo and own quite a of it, just would never own one of their packs. Similar sentiment for their tents and bags.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah I must have missed those reviews and posts.

I saw a couple posts where a Kuiu frame broke but they occurred early on due manufacturing defects. That can happen to the best of them I suppose. Im sure they have addressed the issue because that wouldnt be good for business. Hopefully I wont have any issues. If I do, it has a lifetime warranty.

To make me feel better about the customer service, I just had a good experience with their warranty department. Not that having to make a claim is ever good, but their service was excellent. I purchased a clothing care kit through Kuiu when ordering everything. The water repellent spray bottle cap came loose in the box during shipping and leaked out 3/4 of the contents. Emailed them photos and they promptly replied saying they would get another bottle shipped out to me right away.

 

[IdahoGoat]

Didn't know exo is out of Boise, may have to pay them a visit. So my current pack that I'm dealing with fit issues is a Badlands. Those guys are awesome and I appreciate everything they do. They have helped me a bunch and I'm about to send in the medium vario frame to try a large. The load lifters dont help because I've maxed them out so hoping the taller frame will fix that issue. The waist belt is maxed out on my skinny frame and they've said there isn't much they can do about that without risking the integrity of the frame. Curious to see how the taller frame affects everything. I think the vario is a great step forward for them as a company but now they have me looking at other high end packs because of the fit issue.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Didn't know exo is out of Boise, may have to pay them a visit. So my current pack that I'm dealing with fit issues is a Badlands. Those guys are awesome and I appreciate everything they do. They have helped me a bunch and I'm about to send in the medium vario frame to try a large. The load lifters dont help because I've maxed them out so hoping the taller frame will fix that issue. The waist belt is maxed out on my skinny frame and they've said there isn't much they can do about that without risking the integrity of the frame. Curious to see how the taller frame affects everything. I think the vario is a great step forward for them as a company but now they have me looking at other high end packs because of the fit issue.

The Vario was my initial plan. But after seeing the price and comparing the Vario options to what other high end packs offered, I decided against it.

 

[wodje96]

I just finished a hunt with the SG EVO, Very light very comfortable. the side pocket thing and lack or pockets takes a little getting use to, but overall I wouldn't hesitate to recommend SG, good stuff for sure! you can also add a bunch of compartments to is if you like, but that adds weight.

 

[cvanman]

I had a Kuiu and sold it to buy an EXO K2. I have been very happy with it.

 

[IdahoGoat]

Thanks for all the help guys. Good food for thought. I think I am going to try to get through this season then probably sell my Badlands or keep it as a spare to whatever I end up getting. To set the record straight Badlands has had awesome customer service through all this and I do like a lot of the Vario features. It's just a fit issue for my skinny frame.

 

[sheephunt]

My Kuiu Icon Pro squeaks from time to time. Annoying. Think I’m going to try SG after reading this..

 

[brsnow]

Extremely light, versatile, extend length for heavier loads, adjustable belt height, waterproof, great service, and comfort while hunting or with a load. Seek Outside

 

[Benjblt]

And he hasn't heard of any kuiu packs breaking. That used to be what they were known best for.

Hopefully times have changed. I really like Kuiu camo and own quite a of it, just would never own one of their packs. Similar sentiment for their tents and bags.

Why wouldn't you own one of their bags?

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[MuleDeerMike]

If you tried an Initial Ascent pack and really liked it, why not go with that?