Anybody with experience with the Kuiu packs?
I’ve hauled an Ultra 6000 through the Maroon Bells of Colorado after elk. Light weight, heavy load capacity. Designed to morph into a meat hauler when necessary. My hunting partner was carrying a Sitka pack. After the first day he was dragging. The load lifters are not situated correctly on that pack and were not doing the job they are supposed to do, lifting the weight off your shoulders. He was hurting when the week was over. It didn’t help that his pack was several lbs heavier than mine- empty- and he was a bit less frugal about the total weigh of the pack as well. Irony being what it is, Kuiu was founded by the same guy that started Sitka.
That said, they are built to be light weight, and there are some trade offs. The zippers and seams are not waterproof- adds weight. The interior is one cavernous opening; no interior pockets, not even a hydration sleeve (adds weight). You can buy a waterproof pack cover, though an added expense and added weight. You can add a hydration bladder sleeve- again added expense and weight. You can purchase interior organizer pouches, with the additional expense and weight that entails.
Even given the trade offs, I love my pack. The frame fits me. Empty and set up how I’m going to carry it (added straps, hydration sleeve, etc), the pack and frame combined weigh less than 4.5 lbs- on my home scale. When you’re carrying everything you need for a week of hunting in the mountains, every ounce matters. My philosophy is that a pack is the vessel that carries the stuff you need. It should be as light as possible. Even with that light weight, it is rated to carry 150 lbs.
There are a lot of companies that make great packs. Ideally, you’d be able to try them before you buy them. Unfortunately, Kuiu has a direct to consumer online model- unless you live close enough to their store in California. I think Kifaru does as well, though they’re in a different state. I’m not sure about Mystery Ranch. If you can check your indignation at the door, a great place to try packs is REI. They tend to have staff that actually know what they are talking about. You can get measured there, try out a bunch of packs (with some weight in them) and decide what works for you. Then go online and buy a pack that matches those specs.
I’m with the poster that said you should avoid getting 2 packs. I considered getting a smaller day pack to put on the ultra frame, once we made camp. I decided against that as it was extra weight to pack in, and I’m already carrying a perfectly serviceable bag. The 6000 has straps and sinches to pull it down to a surprisingly small footprint. And, at 4.5 weight savings of going to a 1800 are pretty small.
Until my hunting partners bailed, I was planning an elk trip for this year. The Kuiu pack was the one item I did not consider replacing.
store.kifaru.net 
