I'm in the market for a new pack. Any of you own or used the Kuiu icon 5200? Looking for a 5-10 day pack.
Kuiu icon 5200
- Thread starter MileHigh
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squirrelduster
Active Member
Have the new 1850 and had the 3000.
Great pack and very comfortable.
Packs a pretty good load too.
Great pack and very comfortable.
Packs a pretty good load too.
I have the Icon 5200. I just got it this past November/December. I have not hunted with it yet, so can't give you any info there. I have loaded it up to around 60-65 lbs and worn it around the house and it feels great. I can keep the load on my hips and the weight does not seem to sag or sway at all. I previously had an Eberlestock J34 which is a very good pack for the price, but the Icon 5200 appears to be WAY better at carrying a load than the J34, that is all I have to compare it to.
The Icon has lots of pockets, which I like, for organizing gear. I also like how you can access the main bag from the top, and by the "U" shaped zipper in the pack. It seems to compress down very flat for daypack mode too.
Hope this helps
The Icon has lots of pockets, which I like, for organizing gear. I also like how you can access the main bag from the top, and by the "U" shaped zipper in the pack. It seems to compress down very flat for daypack mode too.
Hope this helps
extreme minnesotan
Member
I know I have been a member for a while on here, but I only have had time to go through some of these forums. I can't believe how much some of you know on game units in different states! This is my first reply but wanted to mention EXO Mountain Gear. New company that I think is coming out with a pretty cool pack. I have only seen their video and read their specs but I think its worth looking at.
http://exo-hunting.com
http://exo-hunting.com
Gents, thanks for the help. By no means am I in any rush to get the new pack as long as I have it by this spring. I want to try it out on some 14ers here in Colorado prior to the archery season. All suggestions are welcome.
Grantbvfd
Active Member
Have you considered any other companies? Kuiu has had multiple problems with their carbon fiber frames breaking under a heavy load.
You may want to look at other options like kifaru, stone glacier or mystery ranch.
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You may want to look at other options like kifaru, stone glacier or mystery ranch.
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CoHiCntry
Veteran member
I've been doing some pack research myself and there seems to be a lot of issues with what Grantbvfd noted. Look on some other forums where there's more backpack hunters to read about this issue. That being said you can pick up an Icon 5200 off KUIU web site right now for $299. I think it has the 2013 frame with the 2012 bag. There in the close out section with no returns and no warranties though. That's way cheaper than some of the other top of the line hunting packs. Is the savings worth the risk? I don't know...
Grantbvfd
Active Member
Kifaru and Paradox are both made in Co. so you could probably get a first hand look at them. Stone Glacier is out of Bozeman, Mt. I'm sure theres some guys around you that you could meet up with to see them first hand. Kifaru and Stone Glacier seem to have the best reputations, Paradox is new on the scene but definitely worth looking at. Pack fit, as well as likes and dislikes, is pretty individual so I'd be leery about buying without seeing unless your willing to eat shipping costs on returns. Good luck, it gets to be a tough decision. If you want it by spring you better get right on it as most, if not all, those companies have a fairly long lead time.
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CRIT'R GIT'R
Member
I used the first pack of KUIU'S (6000) on a ten day backpack hunt for dall sheep in the NWT in 2011. I had a few problems as far as material thickness, fitment and the pack was on the small side for carrying ten days of gear. We were packing 60 lbs plus and then we added a boned out dall sheep on top of that by day 10. I talked to the guys at KUIU when I was done hunting for the season and told them my concerns, and they asked me to return the pack so they could see it. They checked it out and gave it the most used pack award and asked me to wait until they recieved in there 2012 Icon 7200. There service was so great that I was good with waiting. The new pack and suspension have worked great and Im sure they have improved them even more. I gutted my pack and carried an entire quartered out deer plus cape and horns in one load divided between the main compartment and the load sling. The pack felt good even with that much weight (cant say the same for my knees). I have also packed boned out elk and have had no durability issues with the carbon frame or material on the new pack.The pack also sucks down pretty small for day use and is very light. The only problem I have personally had is getting some creaking noise when I get alot of dust on the frame and webbing touching the frame. Other than that it has been the most comfortable pack I have ever had. A friend of mine is using the Kifaru T2 Timberline. It is also a great pack and would not be hesitant to go that way either. Kifaru builds some heavy duty packs without getting to heavy. Anyway I didnt mean to ramble on but have had the KUIU on my back for many miles.
Maineboy
Member
CRIT'R GIT'R I had the creaking noise and the solution that others have told me to try is cleaning debris out of the frame rubbing points and putting a little graphite on these spots. I have not put it to the test yet. I do like the pack. Its seen a good bit of hunting and scouting time with on heavy pack out and no problems yet.
CRIT'R GIT'R
Member
Thanks, Good info. I did the cleaning end and even used some electrical tape at the rub points but had no tried graphite. Hunting the desert your always fighting dust so maybe the graphite will do the trick. Thank you
tdub24
Veteran member
I too had the creaking noise on my first year Icon 6000. All I did was cinch down the straps that connect the belt to the bag. Pretty much just tightened things up and haven't had a problem since. I imagine at some point I should clean certain points out and lubricate, but just don't see a reason to until it does start making noise.