I'm not concerned with weight. They're both light packs. I am concerned with quality and sourcing. Kifaru has Kuiu beat in both areas. Kifaru also has hunting freaks that work for them, and severe outdoor enthusiasts.
So does KUIU - weight is a factor for me. Kifaru weighs significantly more I think.
Kifaru just makes a higher quality bag. In the end I'll put up with 8 extra ounces for a better bag, with better customer service, and a belief system that more closely aligns with my own. That being said I love my Kuiu 7000. HMU if you wanna buy it. Its the pro suspension, 2 hip pouches, and the ultra 7000, all told I think I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $450-500. I'd sell it for $375. I gotta look up prices though and make sure that aligns with what a 18 month old pack is worth. It's got blood from 3 whitetails cause I'm a terrible elk hunter.
My complete 5500 kuiu weighs the same as kifarus frame. Pounds lighter, not oz. I’m not saying the kuiu is better, but it is much lighter. Lots of options for people looking for different things.
This is exactly right. I am not saying weight is a factor for everybody, but ounces turn into lbs at 10k feet in the Rockies.
I haven't used Kuiu's frame so I can't comment on how well they haul. I do like their clothes even if some of their items feel like what I would imagine skinny jeans fitting but there is always a tradeoff between lightweight and durability and each person's allowances are different. I would also wager that heavier duty packs haul better but because, as you correctly point out, everyone is different the ability to prove that is fleeting.
