Kuiu Vs Everyone Else

[cowboyarcher]

Hey Guys,

I'm a bit out of the backpacking game these days, but I don't see much love for the Kuiu Icon Pro's around here. Why is that? I had one for a brief time and everything seemed good to go. What was I missing?

Thanks and God bless!

Adam

 

[texag10]

The impression I've got is partially the packs being good, but not as good with weight as kifaru and peers, partially the actions of the owner pissing a bunch of people off.

 

[rodney482]

Great pack

 

[Muley15]

The consensus that I have found is that they are a "good" mid grade pack thats made overseas whereas there are a handful of other companies that make "great" packs that are high grade and made in USA. For me, spending more money to support a company that makes everything in the states is worth it. I also want to point out that when I first started looking for another pack I was considering KUIU and had a few questions about the Icon series. I called KUIU twice and they were unable to answer my questions in detail. I got told that I could order one and if I didnt like it, return it. I called 2 other companies after this and got extremely better support.

 

[PathFinder]

Tex nailed it. They aren't a bad pack, but Kifaru, Exo, and SG are on another level. I don't necessarily hate Kuiu but I won't buy their stuff and I'd much rather do business with any of the other companies I mentioned. They're all great people that will work with you one on one to get your pack dialed in. Kuiu won't.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Squirrels]

While I am a bit wet behind the ears on packs and such I recently ordered a Kuiu Icon 5200. I like the design and layout, as well as the features. I was having some fitment issues, I called Kuiu and they put me in touch with one of their pack specialist. He asked me some questions and then had me email some pictures and then he called me back and we discussed some things. They were very helpful but in the end something just didn't feel right. I called them and got a RA number and it is currently on it's way back to them. For me I think it was more of the fact that their pack didn't fit me. I called up Steve Speck and my Exo is on it's way. With that being said I found Kuiu more than willing to help get it right on their end. But I will also say that Steve was far more willing to help and awesome to deal with and answer questions. My 2 cents.

 

[Steve O]

The impression I've got is partially the packs being good, but not as good with weight as kifaru and peers, partially the actions of the owner pissing a bunch of people off.

Ding Ding Ding.

Lots of early frame failures as well, while the customers were doing the product testing that should have already been done before being released to the public, which were poorly handled by the Kuiu propaganda squad.

I see KUIU is now basically using a "go fund me" program to "allow" customers another avenue to pay for their product development. Shrewed--that should probably pay for a Desert Sheep hunt for the staff as Dall/Stone hunts must be becoming to common for the "hard core" crew...

 

[westrnwild]

Everyone is hitting the areas of concern. I have talked to some people that have Kuiu packs and basically as others have said they dont hold weight well at all. One person told me the frame snapped carrying out a mule deer.. made for a super crappy day. Alot of guys love their 1800 as a day pack.. but the as of late is if you want a true backpack for packing in and hauling meat you should probably start focusing on Kifaru, Exo Mountain, Stone Glacier and Mystery Ranch...

I agree with Steve O - Kuiu seemed to come up with concepts and through it out there, and then make edits after all the testing was done by customers who have spent a ton of money..not a position i wanna be in.

 

[chasewild]

Bought an Icon in 2011. Having upgraded from the Dwight Schuh PLASTIC frame pack and then before that my dads metal frame pack, the ICON was light years beyond what I was used to. Packed out two animals in it.

Killed a bull in 2014 and the frame snapped about a mile in to a 5 mile pack. It was $$cking brutal. Used my buddies kifaru to finish the job on that bull and then Snyder lent me a kifaru highcamp to finish the season.

Kuiu sent me a new frame. Killed another bull in 2015. After having used the Kifaru Highcamp in 2014, that Kuiu Icon was chopped liver. And after Kifaru saving my season in 2014, what do you think I bought as soon as I could get some funds?

 

[coues32]

I know of 4 frames that have broke from heavy loads and or having carbon frame exposed, they replaced frame but why chance failure over a couple hundred dollars...

 

[JP100]

I have used the kuiu ultra 6000 for 2 years as my go to pack for hunting and guiding. I had a good run but have had on going problems with shoulders straps.
The small plastic keepers are not good enough.
I have been sent new straps and have had the same twisting and unlocking issue after about 10 hours of use.
Got a kifaru in the mail a few days ago and it seems great. Have yet to test it.
The kuiu packs were light years ahead of what I was used to. But I think there are better options.
It's on the verge of being a great pack.
If the listened to the guided wrecking their gear and made a few simple adjustments it be a alot better

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[THBZN]

In my opinion, KUIU has not established itself as a premier pack builder. Fabric is too light, buckles a bit too dainty for long-term hard use/abuse, and the frame construction is suspect. Light weight for the sake of light weight is not the answer.

Additionally, take a good look at how the shoulder straps are attached to the frame of a KUIU pack -- I would not trust two small plastic covered bits of metal twist turned into a vertical slot in carbon fiber to a heavy load. The risk they take in that area is a red flag, and from conversations I have had at tradeshows with hunters (most recently at SHOT last week), is an area that is so critical to the pack working, and if/when it fails, you basically have a pack with no shoulder straps. What good is a great warranty when you are five miles deep with a dead bull at your feet? Is Hairston going to airdrop a new pack in there?

From a different point of view, I also dislike Hairston's negative view of retailers, and how they are basically worthless, hence his direct to consumer business model. There are very solid retailers with great staff who know their stuff and can fit, recommend and talk customers through a big purchase like a pack much better than a KUIU call center.

Long story short, put your hard earned $$$ towards a pack from a company that truly understands pack-building. I am partial to Mystery Ranch. Tough to beat 40 years of pack building, and with the recent SPEAR award for MR, all Special Forces now carry their packs.

 

[GKPrice]

Tex nailed it. They aren't a bad pack, but Kifaru, Exo, and SG are on another level. I don't necessarily hate Kuiu but I won't buy their stuff and I'd much rather do business with any of the other companies I mentioned. They're all great people that will work with you one on one to get your pack dialed in. Kuiu won't.

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KUIU's that way with all their stuff - They just "think" they're cool .....

 

[PathFinder]

KUIU's that way with all their stuff - They just "think" they're cool .....

That's exactly the perception that keeps me from ever owning their products.

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[Frito]

In my opinion, KUIU has not established itself as a premier pack builder. Fabric is too light, buckles a bit too dainty for long-term hard use/abuse, and the frame construction is suspect. Light weight for the sake of light weight is not the answer.

Additionally, take a good look at how the shoulder straps are attached to the frame of a KUIU pack -- I would not trust two small plastic covered bits of metal twist turned into a vertical slot in carbon fiber to a heavy load. The risk they take in that area is a red flag, and from conversations I have had at tradeshows with hunters (most recently at SHOT last week), is an area that is so critical to the pack working, and if/when it fails, you basically have a pack with no shoulder straps. What good is a great warranty when you are five miles deep with a dead bull at your feet? Is Hairston going to airdrop a new pack in there?

From a different point of view, I also dislike Hairston's negative view of retailers, and how they are basically worthless, hence his direct to consumer business model. There are very solid retailers with great staff who know their stuff and can fit, recommend and talk customers through a big purchase like a pack much better than a KUIU call center.

Long story short, put your hard earned $$$ towards a pack from a company that truly understands pack-building. I am partial to Mystery Ranch. Tough to beat 40 years of pack building, and with the recent SPEAR award for MR, all Special Forces now carry their packs.

Not trying to get the thread off track, but Mystery Ranch is going to have their hands pretty full for the next few years going into a whole new govt. contract. I'm sure that's a great opportunity for them and a huge commitment that really speaks for their quality, durability and design. I can see why they do what they do, but i just really wish they had their hunting line built in the USA like before...If they did you wouldn't see them left out of the Kifaru, SG, and EXO threads.

I don't know much about KUIU, I was late enough to the game to see the red flags when I came on the field.

 

[justin davis]

Sitka!!

 

[Frito]

Sitka!!

Sitka makes some decent looking packs but on their website media, they have several of their sponsored hunters/testers or whatever you want to call em', wearing Mystery Ranch packs.

 

[Steve O]

Sitka!!

I've got a Bivy 45 Tall. Great organization and feels fantastic till you go over 40#

No way I'm hauling any heavy loads with that one.

Every pack maker has a great warranty--even Badlands. I DON'T EVER want to use my pack warranty.


I have tried a ton of packs. I was just about to order a Stone Glacier to try when I realized I always comepare and come back to my Mystery Ranch. The new SG frame may make me come out of my pack testing semi retirement, until then I will take the weight penalty (and comfort) of my MRs.

 

[JP100]

In my opinion, KUIU has not established itself as a premier pack builder. Fabric is too light, buckles a bit too dainty for long-term hard use/abuse, and the frame construction is suspect. Light weight for the sake of light weight is not the answer.

Additionally, take a good look at how the shoulder straps are attached to the frame of a KUIU pack -- I would not trust two small plastic covered bits of metal twist turned into a vertical slot in carbon fiber to a heavy load. The risk they take in that area is a red flag, and from conversations I have had at tradeshows with hunters (most recently at SHOT last week), is an area that is so critical to the pack working, and if/when it fails, you basically have a pack with no shoulder straps. What good is a great warranty when you are five miles deep with a dead bull at your feet? Is Hairston going to airdrop a new pack in there?

From a different point of view, I also dislike Hairston's negative view of retailers, and how they are basically worthless, hence his direct to consumer business model. There are very solid retailers with great staff who know their stuff and can fit, recommend and talk customers through a big purchase like a pack much better than a KUIU call center.

Long story short, put your hard earned $$$ towards a pack from a company that truly understands pack-building. I am partial to Mystery Ranch. Tough to beat 40 years of pack building, and with the recent SPEAR award for MR, all Special Forces now carry their packs.

Ain't no metal in em. She's all plastic

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Frito]

I've got a Bivy 45 Tall. Great organization and feels fantastic till you go over 40#

No way I'm hauling any heavy loads with that one.

Every pack maker has a great warranty--even Badlands. I DON'T EVER want to use my pack warranty.


I have tried a ton of packs. I was just about to order a Stone Glacier to try when I realized I always comepare and come back to my Mystery Ranch. The new SG frame may make me come out of my pack testing semi retirement, until then I will take the weight penalty (and comfort) of my MRs.

You're right about warranties. Some of the best companies only have a "manufacturer's defect" warranty, which is fine. If something happens to a pack after a couple years of abuse it's most likely not a manufacture's defect anyway. I don't get too sold on the "no questions guarantee's" like that of Badlands. I'm mostly interested in companies that will gladly take your pack and put some thread on it if needed, even if it's for a fee.