Why no love for Kuiu packs?

[cnelk]

There’s nothing wrong with having a designated meat pack. Sure the hell beats hauling around all that daily shit when you’re just hauling meat.

Especially when a typical day pack weighs 20lbs +

 

[bsnedeker]

There’s nothing wrong with having a designated meat pack. Sure the hell beats hauling around all that daily shit when you’re just hauling meat.

Especially when a typical day pack weighs 20lbs +

Well there's nothing wrong with it of course...whatever works for you. I have one actually, but the only thing I've used it for is weight training. After you drop your first load you drop all your day hunting gear as well so your pack should weigh about the same as load hauler on the second trip...probably less since most dedicated frame packs are pretty dang heavy.

 

[cnelk]

Another reason to have a designated meat pack is you can call a friend and have them show up and they can use it. Haha!

 

[rootacres]

I've been researching for a pack purchase coming up for Elk trips in the future. I'm looking for a daypack/overnighter with good potential to haul meat. The most revered bags on Rokslide seem to be #1 Kifaru after that Stone Glacier, Exo, Seek Outside, and then MR is up there but always stated they are heavy for their capacity. Why no love on here for Kuiu? They seem like they have a nice layout/design, well padded suspension, are reasonably priced, and are also lightweight. What gives?

First impression can be a rough thing to overcome. I think at first people weren't a fan of how the ultra and icon suspension felt under load and they had some frame failures that were well documented on here. The new pro suspension IMO is a big improvement. There is a compromise with everything and if you look at what Jason was trying to accomplish with those pack systems I think he did very well. He was a die hard sheep hunter first and foremost everything else was secondary. He needed an ultralight pack that would handle intermediate weight. The shortcomings of the KUIU have been exposed by those carrying extreme weight. For many of us, the KUIU will do just fine. Mine served me well packing a muley out in WY this last fall. Ive also tried MR and plan on buying a Kifaru or SG for this fall. Nothing is perfect.

Also, Jason was unapologetically transparent with his intentions and business model, that rubbed some the wrong way. He also didn't hide the fact that he was friends with the Trumps and was pretty close with Donald Jr. In todays political climate that will automatically cause animosity that some can't look past.

 

[MuleyFever]

I had a KUIU and then got a Kifaru. I liked the KUIU better. Then I got a different KUIU but I decided to sell it to try a different Kifaru. Now I have the Kifaru frame and I put a KUIU bag on it. Best of both as I love the KUIU bags.

 

[unclericco]

I have a Kuiu Pro 3600 and it's a sweet pack!

 

[trophyhill]

just make sure to stay on your meds regardless of where they were made;-)

Great segway. Thanks. Guess you should be educated their as well. America must take back it's individualism and jobs, manufacturing and self sufficiency among a whole lot of other things. There. You're welcome

 

[Northpark]

I got a kuiu icon pro 2200 and 5200 last year. I really like being able to switch out the bags. Packed an elk out last fall. An Aoudad in west Texas this winter. Lots of ruck hiking with anywhere from 40-80 lbs. really find the icon pro suspension comfy. Really like how it rides. I really won’t carry over 100 lbs anymore so no comment on that.

 

[YotehunterNV]

As a newbie here! Great forum by the way. My son has the icon pro 1850 while the bag lay out is not bad, the frame is just not on pair with my current 2013 SG frame and solo bag. Especially with heavier loads. Kuiu still seems to be a great pack for the price point. Dropping $650-850 is alot for most people. If the Kuiu bag is what falls into a guys budget and gets you out in the hills go for it!

 

[brsnow]

Great segway. Thanks. Guess you should be educated their as well. America must take back it's individualism and jobs, manufacturing and self sufficiency among a whole lot of other things. There. You're welcome

lol

 

[Nate_Beres]

I had a KUIU and then got a Kifaru. I liked the KUIU better. Then I got a different KUIU but I decided to sell it to try a different Kifaru. Now I have the Kifaru frame and I put a KUIU bag on it. Best of both as I love the KUIU bags.

What frame/pack combo? I've got a icon pro with 2200 to boot. It's better than anything I've had do it's great to me.
I've put 100# in it and it wasn't super comfy as anything would be.
Front country hunting and not killing anything yet so all is good.
If I start having success or go Backcountry a pack upgrade would have to be gradual.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[roosiebull]

Goes to show, we all have different tastes, needs, and ideas of ideal. I hunted a kuiu pack and didn't like much about it.

That frame design is terrible for getting tangled in the brush, it was hot, squeaked, are load lifters like crazy, and the belt for shredded from packing a slung rifle, and didn't haul weight well for me (relatively)

All of that said, they have improved, I just put a new suspension on mine, and the updated version is better. I was gonna keep it and use it, but don't have a good niche for it, so it's on the chopping block.

I think those who say they are great are telling the truth, can't argue with success, if it works it works.

 

[ghostrider272]

I looked at the MR, Kuiu, Kifaru, SG and EXO packs. No local vendors where I am at, but took a chance with the Kuiu Ultra 2200 setup. I swapped out the Ultra bag for a Pro 2200. For me the fit and application for what I am looking for is really good so I didn't bother looking further. I always like to try new gear and have been tempted by the others. Then I wear my Kuiu pack out and remember why I chose it. Picked up a 3600 bag to go with it as well. Everyone will find something that works for them.

 

[Elkangle]

We broke every peace of the kuiu's out in the field when they 1st came out...so it's hard to try them out again

 

[SkunkCabbage]

Happy Kuiu user here. Just recently wore out the older hip belt and was upgraded to the new pro series suspension. Hip belt was a big improvement.

Ultra 2200, Ultra 4000, Pro 7800 (haven't tested it on a trip yet)
I'll say I like the bags but I do think the ultra material could still be used while finishing the seams like the pro series would make the best packs. I do wish the 7800 had a better system for the lid and running it lidless or a bivy mode. It works but I think the design could be cleaned up a little. Kuiu if you are reading this I am happy to give you insight on how this improvement could be made.

Hauled out a few bucks and trained with 85lbs without a hitch. I'm confident it would haul moose or elk quarters out.

I see myself continuing to run this system for years to come not to mention they took care of me when I did have an issue. That is what I happily pay for.

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

I own a couple Kuiu bags the Ultra 3000, and 6000, i have a Kifaru Fulcrum, and 3 Eberlestock Packs. It really depends on the hunting situation. I would say all have their good and their "bad" if you want to call it that. If you use the packs and dont Ridiculously abuse them they will all work very well and last a long time. Use what works for you and your hunting style/situation.

 

[Dioni A]

I love all the people who talk about the 10 day unsuccessful hunt and say it's a great pack. Take advice from people who pack out 4,5,6 animals a year and do carry out 100 plus pounds. Kuiu packs are ok but there's much better out there. I'm an exo fan boy but I would be a liar if I didn't say kifaru and a few others were solid also. Buy a pack from a pack company!

 

[16Bore]

Bag ok, frame sucks.

 

[trophyhill]

First impression can be a rough thing to overcome. I think at first people weren't a fan of how the ultra and icon suspension felt under load and they had some frame failures that were well documented on here. The new pro suspension IMO is a big improvement. There is a compromise with everything and if you look at what Jason was trying to accomplish with those pack systems I think he did very well. He was a die hard sheep hunter first and foremost everything else was secondary. He needed an ultralight pack that would handle intermediate weight. The shortcomings of the KUIU have been exposed by those carrying extreme weight. For many of us, the KUIU will do just fine. Mine served me well packing a muley out in WY this last fall. Ive also tried MR and plan on buying a Kifaru or SG for this fall. Nothing is perfect.

Also, Jason was unapologetically transparent with his intentions and business model, that rubbed some the wrong way. He also didn't hide the fact that he was friends with the Trumps and was pretty close with Donald Jr. In todays political climate that will automatically cause animosity that some can't look past.

Not sure I agree with that. Hunters don't vote for liberals. Or do they? Shame on you if you do. Remember, there is no such thing as a democrat anymore. Only liberals and socialists........

 

[DangerRanger]

I helped pack a bull out of a hell hole with one, I was impressed