Kuiu Packs - How do they compare? Best of the Best Pack Review

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Kuiu makes a killer pack but how does it hold up to other premium packs built specifically for the backcountry hunter?
After years of using traditional internal and external frame recreational packs, I finally decided to invest in a pack system designed for backcountry hunters. At the time I thought the $400+ dollars I paid was absurd. I didn't even know backpacks could cost that much.
A lot has changed over the past few years. There are now several new pack companies entering the market and it's common to see prices in the $600, $700, $800 plus range! Kuiu's prices have changed very little during this time and they have made minimal changes to their packs overall design.
In this series of pack tests, we look at 6 premium pack companies ($500+) and rate them across 19 different categories. Kuiu is at the top of the list for simplicity/versatility, load lifters, and pack lay out but there are certainly packs that carry heavy loads more comfortably. Yet for some reason, when I start packing, like an old faithful friend that Kuiu pack often heads out the door with me.
With so many pack companies now being direct to consumer it can be difficult to know which pack you really want to spend the money on. There is not a bad pack in this bunch. Packs fit every body type a little different so you may have a different perspective based on your experience. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
The goal is not to knock any of the packs in the video but rather provide honest comparative feedback to backcountry hunters looking to make their first/next pack purchase.
Want to WIN one of these incredible packs. Download the HuntLeague app: onelink.to/6ftnv6. Log and share stories from your hunting season in leagues like the Western Hunter and On Point Experience for your shot at the title and incredible prize packages. The app works as a digital hunting journal in the field capturing the story of your hunt.
@initialascentpacks @akek8328 @ExoMtnGear @Kifarutube @kuiuultralight @mysteryranch

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Опубликовано:

24 апр 2023

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Комментарии : 23

@ikemac Год назад

Thanks for reviewing these! Super helpful.

@ramos208 10 месяцев назад

I love my kuiu pack.

@robertnevarez7599 10 месяцев назад

Quality pack, to a well outfitted design. 🤙🏼

@madman432000 5 месяцев назад

I have an 1850 pro and a 3000Ultra(?), it's the lighter stripped down one with no inner pockets. I got that bladder holder for it. The load lifter stays seem too short for me, haven't figured out how to configure the shoulder straps yet. Always seem to have daylight at top by load lifters and they rub my neck. Tried angling them out a bit, moved up and down. maybe I need a longer or shorter frame.

@jabooee 10 месяцев назад

Great review. I really appreciate the deep dive into KUIU packs. One feature than no one seems to mention is the lack of an internal bladder holder on the larger packs. I have the 6000 and it seems you are supposed to insert the bladder into one of the side pockets and run the tube out the top. For a bag that’s already a little wobbly, this design mistake makes it even more so. I still can’t believe they made this mistake on the design. If you have a hack for this let me know.

@huntleague 10 месяцев назад

Great feedback. I had to go to their website to look for an accessory I bought a few years back that is a waterproof bladder holder that clips right into the center of the pack. I was surprised to see they don't sell it anymore as it fixes the issue you just discussed. When the pack is fully loaded for me using the water bladder out of the side panels doesn't really seem to bother me. It is carrying the lighter loads that it is more noticeable.

@Sg16- 9 месяцев назад

Going to purchase a pack what do you recommend kuiu or exo ?

@huntleague 9 месяцев назад

Short answer: EXO with the horseshoe zipper. If you want to dive into your specific needs, budget, and whether the extra cost is worth it we can talk more.

@Sg16- 9 месяцев назад

@@huntleague thank you brother was also considering the initial ascent but for the price the exo beats it. Exo has a much better design than the initial ascent.

@jaronhoda 9 месяцев назад

What size are you? Height weight waist etc

@huntleague 9 месяцев назад

That is a great question and definitely something I should have stated in the video as body type does make a difference on pack fit. I am 6'3" and weigh 195lbs. Waste is typically 32-34" and inseam is 34-36". I own two of the pro suspensions and the original ultra suspension from Kuiu and found the larger hip belt fit me much better than the one they recommended based on my waste size. I also found with the larger hip belt it was easier to access the hip belt pockets or accessories. I have the tall and the extra tall frame which both work great because of the position of the load lifters. I primarily bow hunt but have used their new rifle sling accessory and it works pretty well. The accessory feels like a cheap 3D printed piece of plastic but so far it has held up and has made carrying a rifle with a pack on easier. Thanks for watching the video. Hit me up if you have any other questions.

@sage4947 9 месяцев назад

Only issue I have is, I hunt with people with a kuiu or stone glacier etc. that just don't need it. We shoot and go to pack something and watching them mess with the straps and pack the extra weight is just comedy to me. We're not even on a backpack hunt. We get back to the wheeler, then they're dumping all their sh!t out in my wheeler or theirs so they don't have to pack it back up the mountain. Even if we don't pack a first load out, still dumping it out all over, and maybe at least need a place to put it, especially when it's raining. Constantly reworking their pack in camp. These packs IMO are good for 1 load in 1 load out, or 2 if your doing a 20+ mile sheep hunt. Very few hunts it seems you don't need a separate naked pack frame. Strictly a backpack hunt setup. And if you can use a naked frame, then you can use a base camp bag/duffle. So a small cubic inch pack is enough, but still I love my bullpac. It'll pack a moose hind quarter and a rack. Or 4 quarters of a caribou.

@Alberta_MTN_Bear 10 месяцев назад

You needed to do about another hour of review to have it really show how trash Kuiu packs are

@huntleague 10 месяцев назад

I understand you don't like Kuiu packs but what specifically don't you like about them? How did the Kuiu pack let you down? Poor fit, didn't like the way it carried weight, etc. They are not my favorite for packing out heavy loads but they have been extremely durable, organization and versatility are at the top, love the load lifters, and reasonably priced compared to other premium packs (still super expensive if all you have ever owned is a wal-mart or bass pro pack).

@Alberta_MTN_Bear 10 месяцев назад

@@huntleague hey! So my comment did come across as rather ignorant but to clarify. I was on an elk hunt in 2021 with a Kuiu pro. The frame had snapped during a pack out of roughly 91 pounds of load. Unfortunately this is unacceptable considering the premium price tag attached. The worst part was warranty being out of the question and being told I will have to purchase a new frame out of pocket. I have used mystery ranch and now ultimately have decided to go with the far far superior Exo K4. Durability, relatively lightweight (I would consider ultralight) for what the bag’s performance is. A company making hunting apparel should stay strictly in the apparel market and not try to compete with pack experts. To clarify, I have hunted in the Alberta foothills and Rockies for sheep, elk , deer, bear and moose. I would have to consider any other pack before purchasing a Kuiu bag, or apparel for that matter, my two cents though so take it for what it’s worth! Thanks for the response and for the review

@huntleague 10 месяцев назад

@@Alberta_MTN_Bear Excellent response! That is real hunting feedback that I think will be really helpful for others to make a decision. What an awful experience to have something like that happen in the field and then to get back from a trip and Kuiu not send you out a new frame is a bit of a surprise. You made a great choice in the EXO K4 and don't have any reason to look back. The winner of the On Point Experience league inside the HuntLeague app received the new K4 and I got to finally see it in person. He loved it and showed me everything he likes about it even over the previous generation that he already owned. We were able to pack out a bear on that trip and everything about it passed with flying colors.

@Alberta_MTN_Bear 10 месяцев назад

@@huntleague thank you! I hope you were not offended by my first comment, looking at it, quite ignorant sounding. Nothing on you, or your review, more so on the specifics of the pack Kuiu puts out. I have to be directly honest and say a lot of my opinions are from multiple resources and while I don’t believe in confirmation bias, I do have some biases towards Exo and my personal enjoyment I get from them, superficially and practically. There is a particular review I found from Mindful Hunter on RU-vid with a pack show down that supported my claims as well. I also must add that I do have a lot of love for mystery ranch even though it wasn’t very high ranked in the hunting community. I have spent a lot of time “living” out of a metcalf and have to credit the durability of that bag for carrying my ass through thick and thin. I hope my EXO is the exact same!

@huntleague 10 месяцев назад

@@Alberta_MTN_Bear Your all good. I was hoping your first comment had something to back it up; which you did. I am glad I followed up with a question as I bet several other hunters will find it helpful as they look at different packs. What hunts do you have lined up this fall? Would love to have you take a look at the HuntLeague app and run it this fall on some of your hunts. Hit me up if you have any questions about it but it sounds like you are going to get out on a few good hunts this year.

@joeg4372 Год назад

Blacks creek packs.🤫 #1

@huntleague Год назад

I have only seen two things on their packs. I saw a converted lumbar pack which I used to elk hunt with all the time that could actually somewhat carry a load which was interesting. Then I have seen one of their packs that you had to zip off the frame. I can't comment at all on how the pack carries a load but the one I saw didn't look like it would fit my height very well. I am a constant student of the game though and the next time I see one of those packs I will have to pay more attention to it. Thanks for the comment though and bringing Black Creek into the conversation.