The Eberlestock, Tenzing, Kuiu... Coin-toss

[Huntinguy0120]

Time for an upgrade! I am looking at getting a larger pack for this upcoming fall. The options I am considering is the Eberlestock Dragonfly, the Tenzing TZ5000 or the Kuiu Icon 5200. I am hoping someone with some field experience on any of these could sway me in the right direction.

With the pack, I would like something that I can compress down to a day pack and haul out a good load. I would also the ability to stay out 2/3 nights and still have room to add meat if I'm fortunate enough to have the chance.

I have had quite a bit of experience with the Eberlestock, I've borrowed one for a few years but had to give it back, and it has suited me very well. I like its durability, and the ability to bring out a heck of a load with just a few zips. I like the rifle scabbard so I can carry a walking stick in there and then swap it out for the rifle after a successful trip and hauling out. The weight is noticeable but hasn't prevented me from using it multiple times. Probably because I don't have one to call my own, yet.

Here's the other factor. I live only 45 minutes away from the Tenzing pack at Bass Pro and 45 minutes away from the Kuiu Store in Dixon, CA.

They are almost all the same price and size so I was hoping someone with some recent experience could point me in the right direction in terms of comfort, durability and user friendliness. Any guidance is much appreciate and I'll be hoping for a successful fall for everyone! Thanks!

JB

 

[CrossCreeks]

Great thread, I am looking for a new pack also and was thinking about going the with Dragonfly or the " Just One Pack " from Eberlestock. Maybe someone can give some good info!

 

[westenvy]

I have an Eberlestock pack that I would sell you if you wanted??

 

[Huntinguy0120]

Which one? How much? What condition?

 

[woodtick]

I'd buy the Kuiu over the others, I've had several Eberlestocks, great packs but there heavy and most of them don't have the greatest load lifters. Tenzing haven't dealt with them but they are run of the mill stuff just like Eberlestock, Badlands etc.

Kuiu, MR, Kifaru etc are made for big mountain hunting and heavy loads and far more comfortable with 60+lbs than all the others in my opinion, good luck.

 

[floatwheeldrive]

I love my Eberlestock Just One. Purchased it new this year along with the Super Spike Duffle. Used it on a backcountry hunt this year where my Dad and I packed my deer out 8 miles between the two of us. At the heaviest I'll say I had probably 70-80lbs loaded down. I carried that for about 3 miles. Then we split the weight more evenly and I finished the 5 miles at about 50lbs I think. Those are estimates but either way the pack was always very comfortable. I also use it as a day pack and have been very happy with it there too. It's nice to know you have a pack that is comfortable enough and can get "compact" enough to day hunt with, carry everything you need, and then if you get and animal down, you can switch modes and start hauling meat.

I don't have experience with the other packs mentioned, but in my opinion the only think that might make heavy meat loads better is an actual external frame/meat hauler pack with a nice sturdy shelf on the bottom. Like the Main Frame from Eberlestock, or other similar designs by others.

 

[Fink]

For what it's worth.. I've had an Eberlestock Blue Widow for the last three years. It only gets about 2 weeks worth of hunting time a year, but I do fill it up with about 75 pounds and hike hills for 3 months before each hunt. This fall, the pack pretty much started falling apart on me. Stitching on the top lid came free, allowing small items to fall out, and one of the main compression straps tore free, good thing I just so happened to have an extra compression strap at the truck. And I've had a few buckles break.
Adding to the comments above: 8 pounds empty, ineffective load lifters, etc... I think a guy could do better, with just a little more money spent.

 

[woodtick]

Adding to the comments above: 8 pounds empty, ineffective load lifters, etc... I think a guy could do better, with just a little more money spent.

I couldn't agree more!
Kuiu's new Ultra series packs are actually cheaper than most of the Eberlestocks! After I bought all the accessories for the Blue Widow I had I could have gotten the flagship models from Mystery Ranch or Stone Glacier, so end result is I sold all my packs and bought one do it all pack.

 

[Orvar]

All those are great choices! I just finished up an Alpine Ibex hunt in Switzerland, and now not so sure on the Eberleestock pack, as while I love the integrated rifle scabbard, going down steep bit, the barrel was making contact with rocks and such, so not sure if that doesn't take them out of the search for me (depending on how much steep stuff you are looking at)

 

[Fink]

I couldn't agree more!
Kuiu's new Ultra series packs are actually cheaper than most of the Eberlestocks! After I bought all the accessories for the Blue Widow I had I could have gotten the flagship models from Mystery Ranch or Stone Glacier, so end result is I sold all my packs and bought one do it all pack.

Yeah, after adding on the bow bucket (a joke), and the spike camp duffel (necessary), I'm in over $400.

For 2-3 day trips, you wouldn't need the spike duffel, but if you wanted to carry out your camp, and a quarter, you'd probably want to add that to the list, just to be able to keep items separate from the quarters.

 

[7stwluver]

I'd go with the Kuiu. I have the icon 7200 it's nearly perfect for my needs. Compresses into daypack mode well for me. Comfortable and lighter than the other options. Sold my eberlestock's bought the Kuiu and haven't looked back. The 5200 & 7200 13 models are on clearance right now as well. I love the pockets for organization and the spotting scope pocket fits my vortex and tripod really well.


Sent from NSA wire tapped device.

 

[LaHunter]

I had a J34 last year that I used on my mule deer hunt. I sold it and now have the Kuiu Icon Pro 5200. In my opinion, the Kuiu Icon Pro is a much better pack. The J34 tends to sag and slip with any weight in it. Based on training hikes with 70#, the Icon Pro carries weight much better with no sway or sag.

Good Luck

 

[AzCamoLife]

Personally, I would go with the Kuiu. Those packs are made for sheep hunting in the backcountry, which is some of the most brutal hunting out there. Kuiu is the real deal. On another note, I own the eberlestock j34. Pretty much the same thing as the dragonfly, just smaller. So far it has worked fine for me and will do for now. I will say that the load lifters are crap. I actually haven't had the pleasure of loading it down with meat yet. I picked it up earlier in the year. I am about $500 deep in it. I acquired a bunch of the accessories. I will be switching to the Kuiu icon eventually. I also, just like how the Kuiu packs look. They seem like more of a backpacking pack with how streamlined they are. The eberlestock is a pretty wide pack when opened up and when you attach the duffel bag. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[vince]

I looked at all the packs you mentioned and went with an Icon.
I like it's features best and it seems to be a well made piece of kit.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[vince]

FYI: Kuiu Icon 5200 and 7200 are on clearance right now with significant savings.
I suspect they are eliminating this pack from the line in favor of the Icon Pro.
Good way to get a great pack at a reduced cost.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[woodtick]

I think they are just updating the pack to the new slimmer frame they are using. That old frame wasn't much heavier and is still bullet proof and an extremely well built!!

 

[Huntinguy0120]

To add to the excitement. I did make the drive to Kuiu last week and they really exceeded all expectation. Staff was beyond friendly and you can tell they really know their stuff when they talk about their packs. I'll give you a quick snapshot of my experience with the Icon Pro 5200.

I'm 6'3" so they told me to get the tall frame for a flusher fit. It's nice to buy tall sized gear but I never knew a feature existed in packs. They also made the switch to a full 500 denier cordurra all the way around. It has the ability to load the pack externally with meat so no more mixing candy bars and clothes with bloody meat sacks, something my wife will appreciate. The pack weighs next to nothing and when loaded down with a 50lb sand bag I practically forgot I was carrying a load. Extreme comfortability!

When I asked about the bags on clearance, I was reminded that the new bags with their extended features were only $424.99. More competitively priced for a lot more load carrying comfort built in. Both the camo patterns rock and it made the search for a new pack a lot easier, now just have to decide which one I want! Pay check Friday is almost here...

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

I agree with you HuntingGuy, if you are going to go with the Kuiu spend the small amount extra and go with the new Icon Pro as opposed to the clearance Icons. There is a reason they released a new line and the price difference isn't much at all. Not saying there was much wrong with the Icon but from what I have seen the things that people complained about with the Icon were all addressed with the Pro. I just picked up the Ultra 6000 and am pumped on it. Won't have it field tested for another couple weeks but the hikes I have taken with 50lbs have been awesome. I still wonder if I should have gone with the Pro but I am still very happy. It's really hard to beat the technology, quality, and especially the external meat shelf system on the Kuiu bags for the price. Are there better bags out there? Yes, but you will spend twice as much. The Kuiu in my opinion is the best bang for your buck out there. I used to be an Eberlestock guy but as people have said, the way it feels with a big load is bad and once you get all the accessories it isn't really a cheap option.

 

[bigrack]

I have a kuiu ultra 6000 it is pretty good and have pack allot of meat this year with it and a just one pack. The kuiu is a few pounds lighter but under a load you can't tell. The Eberlestock handles the weight much better. I think the difference in weight is in the Scabord that the Eberlestock has and it is second to none when it comes to packing your gun hands free. The material of the kuiu is very loud and when below freezing sounds like it will crack to pieces but it never did. The last pack we made this year was on an late elk hunt when my buddy went to find his elk he had an Eberlestock x1 loaded for a day hunt in below zero weather I headed back to bring extra packs (kuiu and just 1) I met him at the elk we took half out and head back for the rest. We loaded the kuiu with around 100lbs and we still had one bag of meat, the x1, gun and rack we loaded the bag of meat in the just 1 along with the ultra mag, strapped the x1 and horns on the outside of the just 1 with the stabilizing straps and headed for th rig with no issues. I'm keeping my 6000 but also picking me up a Dragonfly or Just one this summer. If I had to have one or the other I would choose the Eberlestock.

 

[Screaming Bulls]

Have yoy checked out the hornhunter full curl ?