Elk pack: Eberlestock j34 vs Kuiu 5200/7200

[swampdog112]

My buddy and I are planning our first Western hunt for October 2015. We will be going to Wyoming and doing pronghorn, cow elk, and mule deer. We have very little of the gear and are beginning to accumulate it now. We have narrowed down pretty much everything except for our packs.

The ones I like are the Eberlestock j34 (just one) and the Kuiu Icon 5200 and 7200. I have never done this type hunt before so I am not sure exactly how much space I need in a pack. We will be packing mostly ultralight gear and will be sharing the load on any animals we put down. I don't anticipate needing supplies for more than two nights at a time as we will have a base camp.

I have the Eberlestock gunrunner that I use for a predator hunting pack and I love it but I typically don't carry very much gear in it and don't wear it for more than a few hours at a time. I was hoping someone on here might have experience with at least one of these packs or several of them and might be able to lend me their opinions on which pack might be better for what I need it for.

Also, in the event I go with the Kuiu pack, I wasn't sure if the 5200 would be enough or if I should go with the 7200.

Thanks in advance for any tips you might have!

 

[Retterath]

from all the post i have read the kuiu would be a better pack, i have not used a kuiu before but have heard good things about them. If you decide to go with the j34 i have one for sale and like new with accessories if u go that route. good luck

 

[ssliger]

I have no experience with either of those packs. That said, if you're going to carry ultralight gear. You want a light pack. The eberlestock's are heavy, and no functional load lift. I also have a Eberlestock gun runner and its collecting dust in my garage. My vote out of the 2 would be Kuiu. But there are a lot of great packs out there.


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[go_deep]

I wouldn't rule out Eberlestock packs, but I wouldn't buy the just one pack. The cinch straps cross directly over all the zippers so you have to undo all the cinch straps emery time you want to get into the compartments.

 

[swampdog112]

I wouldn't rule out Eberlestock packs, but I wouldn't buy the just one pack. The cinch straps cross directly over all the zippers so you have to undo all the cinch straps emery time you want to get into the compartments.

Thanks for the heads up on that, I'd watched some of the pack reviews for the just one but never noticed that about the zippers. That would be a huge pain. Is there one you like better? I definitely liked the feature of the just one of using the main compartment for meat and zipping on the super spike.

I really like the scabbard feature of the Eberlestocks but I also saw some rifle mounting options for the Kuiu pack that would work so I'm not opposed to either.

 

[go_deep]

I just up graded to the team elk pack from a cheaper pack that was equal size and like it so far. I attach addition bags onto the molles on the outside with clothes and light items then I can use the main compartment that has the shelf under it for the meat.

 

[Iron Mike]

My buddy and I are planning our first Western hunt for October 2015. We will be going to Wyoming and doing pronghorn, cow elk, and mule deer. We have very little of the gear and are beginning to accumulate it now. We have narrowed down pretty much everything except for our packs.

The ones I like are the Eberlestock j34 (just one) and the Kuiu Icon 5200 and 7200. I have never done this type hunt before so I am not sure exactly how much space I need in a pack. We will be packing mostly ultralight gear and will be sharing the load on any animals we put down. I don't anticipate needing supplies for more than two nights at a time as we will have a base camp.

I have the Eberlestock gunrunner that I use for a predator hunting pack and I love it but I typically don't carry very much gear in it and don't wear it for more than a few hours at a time. I was hoping someone on here might have experience with at least one of these packs or several of them and might be able to lend me their opinions on which pack might be better for what I need it for.

Also, in the event I go with the Kuiu pack, I wasn't sure if the 5200 would be enough or if I should go with the 7200.

Thanks in advance for any tips you might have!

Swampdog
You cant go wrong with the Kuiu. I have the Pro 7200 and an ultra 3000. If you are only doing 2-3 day trips the 5200 is more then enough. If you think you may do some longer trips down the road take a look at the 7200. The pro Icons are a great pack. You can also buy the bags separate if you need to go bigger down the road or go smaller with a day pack like an 1850. The bag alone upgrade is very reasonable as the big cost is in the frame and suspension.

 

[CoHiCntry]

I've owned both. For day hunts you might consider the J34. If your going in over night I would say go for the kuiu. The J34 does good in day pack mode but isn't so great once you get a load in it. I personally love having the gun scabbard. The icon will ride much better with a load. Not having a place to put your rifle stinks though. Overall I think the kuiu is a better pa k depending on your needs. I've got an icon 5000 I'd let go for a fair price if you go that route.

 

[swampdog112]

Swampdog
You cant go wrong with the Kuiu. I have the Pro 7200 and an ultra 3000. If you are only doing 2-3 day trips the 5200 is more then enough. If you think you may do some longer trips down the road take a look at the 7200. The pro Icons are a great pack. You can also buy the bags separate if you need to go bigger down the road or go smaller with a day pack like an 1850. The bag alone upgrade is very reasonable as the big cost is in the frame and suspension.

That's great info mike! I didn't realize that the two sized bags were both compatible with the same frame... Or that they sold the bag separate. After reading all these I'm leaning more towards the Kuiu bag.

 

[swampdog112]

I've owned both. For day hunts you might consider the J34. If your going in over night I would say go for the kuiu. The J34 does good in day pack mode but isn't so great once you get a load in it. I personally love having the gun scabbard. The icon will ride much better with a load. Not having a place to put your rifle stinks though. Overall I think the kuiu is a better pa k depending on your needs. I've got an icon 5000 I'd let go for a fair price if you go that route.

It sounds like I may go the route of the Kuiu. I like the scabbard in the Eberlestock but in the end, I'd rather go with whats going to ride better with a heavy load in it.Is the 5000 you're talking about actually the 5200 or is the 5000 a different pack they make? Either way I may be interested in it. Feel free to PM me with the details on it.

Thanks!

 

[CoHiCntry]

PM sent...

 

[tim]

I have the just one and a gunrunner. I have packed a lot of elk and such with my j34. I wouldn't buy a new pack just for this hunt. If you where doing a 5 day backpack hunt, I would get another pack. But for what you are describing. use what you got. learn for next time and than decide what pack to use. your just one and gunrunner will work just fine.

this was a bushwach backpack hunt in the selway bitterroot wilderness area.

packing elk out of a hole

mulie in the frank.


These where taken this season, your just one will work.

 

[Work2hunt]

Go Kuiu. It is lighter and better at carrying weight. I liked the eberlestock also (until I tried the Kifaru, stone glacier, and Kuiu packs)for the pockets, scaboard, and ability to add a spike duffel bag. But put 80 lbs in it and you will feel it.

 

[laxwyo]

I think I could do a 3 day hunt on the icon pro 1850 no problem latching a couple of things to the outside

 

[swampdog112]

I have the just one and a gunrunner. I have packed a lot of elk and such with my j34. I wouldn't buy a new pack just for this hunt. If you where doing a 5 day backpack hunt, I would get another pack. But for what you are describing. use what you got. learn for next time and than decide what pack to use. your just one and gunrunner will work just fine.

this was a bushwach backpack hunt in the selway bitterroot wilderness area.
View attachment 12061
packing elk out of a hole
View attachment 12062
mulie in the frank.
View attachment 12063

These where taken this season, your just one will work.

I don't have the Just One, only the gunrunner

 

[sodaksooner]

I've had them both. Kuiu hands down for all the reasons mentioned.

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[tim]

my bad, I was thinking you already had a just one and was thinking of upgrading for the hunt.
I don't know how much the kuui pack cost, but the j34 has been a good pack. I have packed a lot of game with it. But it is not a multi day pack.

 

[swampdog112]

my bad, I was thinking you already had a just one and was thinking of upgrading for the hunt.
I don't know how much the kuui pack cost, but the j34 has been a good pack. I have packed a lot of game with it. But it is not a multi day pack.

I have the gunrunner for predator hunting but I don't have a large multiday pack. Kuiu has last years 5200 CI pack for 380 and the new model for $425. I can get into a just one for around 275 but I would want the superspike to go with it so by that time I would be almost to the price of last years 5200 pack. I'm just trying to figure out which one is going to fit my needs the best and carry the weight best

 

[Iron Mike]

The load slings on Kuiu are hard to beat. They add an additional 2000 + ci to the total size for packing meat OR maybe additional gear. There are a lot of other great packs on the market. I own a smaller Eberlestock pack for day hunts and it has been great - a little heavy - but packing large amounts of meat has not been its forte.

 

[MWScott72]

I agree with the comments on the Eberlestocks. Great for day packs, but load them past about 50 lbs (I have a J-107) and it feels like it's trying to pull you oVer backwards. The scabbard feature is nice but that also causes weight to be centered further back and this is especially apparent on those heavy loads.