What to get?!

Ikeepitcold · Jan 31, 2016

I have Kuiu and love it! Best thing is to try plenty of the ones on your considering and see what fit you the best. Most are very adjustable now and can pretty much fit any body type. I've gone to Sportsmans picked out some packs and asked the sales guy if I could load some heavy stuff in the pack to get a feel for the pack with weight in it. We put a few bags of shot in it, trailer hitches and a few other heavyweight items. Worked pretty good.

ElkTrout · Jan 31, 2016

I do not have any experience with the packs in question! I am a Sitka fan as well but I use the eberlestock j34 pack! I love it! For what it is worth. Maybe another option for you to check out. Good luck.

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tdcour · Jan 31, 2016

I just bought a Kuiu icon pro 5200 a couple months ago, but haven't been able to hunt with it yet. I have had the chance to put 70 pounds of sand and a dumbell in it and hike on the treadmill several miles and I can say that it carries the load well. Lots of adjustability in the harness. Just make sure you get the right size belt. I'm a 33 or 34 waist and got the bigger belt to start with and nearly ran out of adjustment to tighten it down enough. I exchanged the belt for the smaller size and I can cinch it down much better now.

ceby7 · Jan 31, 2016

Of the ones you mention, I've only used a Kuiu 1850, so I can't really compare it to there bigger bags. If I were you I'd also take a look at the offering from Kifaru, Stone Glacier, Mystery Ranch and Exo. These are all high end packs designed for hunting and hauling heavy loads. One word of caution: you will pay much more than either Kuiu or Sitka but trust me, it's worth it. I have been using Kifaru the last 2 years. I think the high end packs really start to shine when you begin to extend your hunts beyond about 3-4 days, which you said is your plan.

tundrakid · Jan 31, 2016

I have the kuiu icon pro. I have the 3200 bag and the 5200. The 3200 is my everyday bag and the 5200 for a longer overnight trip. This backpack is the most comfortable pack I have had and really like it! Another plus to this pack is it pulls away from the frame to store your quarter of meat or boned out meat. This way your other gear stays seperate from your load when hunting with it.
Only problem with kuiu is you can't try it on at a store unless you live in California. Hope this helps!

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mallardsx2 · Jan 31, 2016

For the money. This pack is unbeatable.

I modified mine a little bit and to say that I am pleased would be an understatement.

I for this for 75$....I spent the rest of the money (hundreds of dollars) on optics and god clothing ect ect.

Carried out a mule deer for 2 miles with it this season. Hiked in the mountains of Tenessee with 65 pounds in it in 80 degree weather and I love it.

http://www.amazon.com/ALPS-OutdoorZ-Commander-Freighter-Inches/dp/B004R7L7YU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1454258678&sr=8-2&keywords=pack+frame

ivorytip · Jan 31, 2016

mallardsx2 said:
For the money. This pack is unbeatable.

I modified mine a little bit and to say that I am pleased would be an understatement.

I for this for 75$....I spent the rest of the money (hundreds of dollars) on optics and god clothing ect ect.

Carried out a mule deer for 2 miles with it this season. Hiked in the mountains of Tenessee with 65 pounds in it in 80 degree weather and I love it.

http://www.amazon.com/ALPS-OutdoorZ-Commander-Freighter-Inches/dp/B004R7L7YU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1454258678&sr=8-2&keywords=pack+frame

dang, thanks for this post. 5200CI???? 500 reviews with nearly a 5 star rating is pretty solid. 2 mile pack out loaded with deer, was it a comfortable fit?

laxwyo · Jan 31, 2016

7 pounds 5 oz is heavy for a pack but the price is nice.

6-8 days will require at least 5200cc.

I have kuiu 3200 and I can do 3-4 day backcountry hunt on it. It'll be tight and I'll need to latch to outside

Retterath · Feb 1, 2016

i bought a kifaru this last year and by far the best pack i have ever used. they will custom fit these packs for you. they are expensive but to me well worth the money.

TimberJunkie · Feb 1, 2016

Watch camofire.com. They often have good deals on packs. I saw an Eberlestock Dragonfly last week for around $200. I have a few eberlestocks. They aren't the lightest pack, but for the money, they last forever. I also have the Kuiu Icon pro system with the 3200 and 5200. I packed about 120 lbs out last season and it worked great. Nothing is comfortable with that much weight, but it didn't rub me raw anywhere and leave sore areas.

The other companies are awesome, such as Stone Glacier, Tenzing, badlands, etc. But the price tag on some are goo high for me.

Try on some packs if you can, and read some reviews on rokslide.com.

TimberJunkie · Feb 1, 2016

Watch camofire.com. They often have good deals on packs. I saw an Eberlestock Dragonfly last week for around $200. I have a few eberlestocks. They aren't the lightest pack, but for the money, they last forever. I also have the Kuiu Icon pro system with the 3200 and 5200. I packed about 120 lbs out last season and it worked great. Nothing is comfortable with that much weight, but it didn't rub me raw anywhere and leave sore areas.

The other companies are awesome, such as Stone Glacier, Tenzing, badlands, etc. But the price tag on some are goo high for me.

Try on some packs if you can, and read some reviews on rokslide.com.

Iron Mike · Feb 1, 2016

Icon Pro for me also - I have the 7200, 3200 and 1850 bags to go with it.

This is a subject that has been gone over on this forum many times over. Do a search and you should find dozens of threads on this subject. What ever brand you decide, and I believe all the top brands would probably work well, a good one is not cheap but worth every penny. Pay once - Cry once. Good Luck!

mallardsx2 · Feb 2, 2016

ivorytip said:
dang, thanks for this post. 5200CI???? 500 reviews with nearly a 5 star rating is pretty solid. 2 mile pack out loaded with deer, was it a comfortable fit?

I adjusted it to fit my torso length. It fits me quite well. I had no issues with it.

It may have 5200 CI of storage but with all of the pockets and places to attach stuff you could really haul more stuff than you can imagine with this pack.

I combined the "Packing part" and the "Backpacking part". I just fold the "Backpacking part flay and pack the meat up against it. See attached picture. I replaced those stupid ring clips with aluminum bolts and lock nuts.

Im just a skinny 160 pound 5'9" guy so I was a little concerned about how this pack would fit. But I was able to adjust it to exactly what I needed it to go to.

Like I said, for the money its the best pack I've ever seen. Cabelas sells literally just the frame for more money than I paid for this entire pack....

Would I use this pack if I hunted from my back for a month of the year? The answer would be yes.

Another option if you didnt want all of the weight of the buckles and clips and pack would be to just buy this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004R7L17I/ref=s9_simh_gw_g200_i2_r?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0STK88KWT8XB819V6PTN&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

Its the same thing minus the backpack portion just comes with the meat buckles...

Then put your stuff in dry bags and lash it to the pack.... Hey...wait a minute....Thats actually a great idea....

Any way you skin it....I would watch the price on these as they fluctuate and like I said I got mine with everything included for 75$ with free 2 day shipping...

Oh I forgot to mention....after I got my first one I too one look at it and bought 2 more.... one for my fiance' and one for my hunting partner. (They love theirs too...)

88man · Feb 3, 2016

I am not a gear junky. I purchased a KUIU ultra last season before my elk hunt. I am very happy with the pack and the value. Handled quarters well and was very comfortable.

hferrin701 · Apr 17, 2016

I have the outdoorsman pack and its awesome. I packed in 6 days in the Colorado high country and it was perfect for my needs, I carried an entire quartered deer, cap and horns out in one trip and the pack was comfortable, help up great.

Slugz · Apr 17, 2016

"Then put your stuff in dry bags and lash it to the pack.... Hey...wait a minute....That's actually a great idea" Partial quote from mallards x 2.

That's what I do. I'm always hunting from a base camp though and have a spike with a tent/sleeping bags set up if I cant make it back in a reasonable amount of time and or just chasing animals and want to be on them before first lite.

As others have said you just gotta go try em on. Packs, optics, bullets.....the list could go on.....the amount of very good stuff and options out there is sometimes too much.....good for us though as we have options now at all price points.

What to get?!

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