Need advice - Backpack upgrade
- Thread starter wilkup
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A couple years ago I bought mystery ranch mt, kuiu, exo k3 and kifaru.
Im 5'11" 180lb no hips or *** build, my .02,
kuiu- lightest, nice bag layouts but was the least comfortable with heavy load, my wife loves her kuiu, everytime I put meat on it I'm afraid the lightweight build is going to break something
mystery ranch gl mt- did everything OK, cheapest
exo k3- best bag layout, also like how frame is setup but would give pressure points on my hip bones under heavy load
Kifaru- heaviest, most expensive but was by far the most comfortable under heavy load. bombproof construction gives me confidence, not worried about breaking anything
Im 5'11" 180lb no hips or *** build, my .02,
kuiu- lightest, nice bag layouts but was the least comfortable with heavy load, my wife loves her kuiu, everytime I put meat on it I'm afraid the lightweight build is going to break something
mystery ranch gl mt- did everything OK, cheapest
exo k3- best bag layout, also like how frame is setup but would give pressure points on my hip bones under heavy load
Kifaru- heaviest, most expensive but was by far the most comfortable under heavy load. bombproof construction gives me confidence, not worried about breaking anything
Foundation
Member
I have a kifaru now and had an eberlestock F1 I sold two years ago. I like the kifaru setup more but you mentioned weight savings as a goal. I don't remember the F1 being overly heavy weight two batwings and I'm guessing my kifaru probably weighs a little more.
I have and do still at times use my mystery ranch pack… it's ok. I had a sitka 6200… it was not ok with any sort of weight and now I'm primarily using stone glacier x curve with either a solo or 5900 bag attached. There is no comparison… SG frame and packs are a cut above. I get excited thinking about using them lol. Manages loads with ease and comfort
IdahoLRhunting
Member
I've used Kuiu, mystery ranch, badlands, kifaru and Initial Ascent. My favorite is the Initial Ascent after using it the last four years. Had 100+ pound loads multiple times. Carries weight very well,
Curious how you selected Initial Ascent? I've searched this thread and only found one post (#76) commenting on the Initial Ascent pack... You have another source of positive feedback on the Initial Ascent backpacks?Gonna try the Initial Ascent pack out
Exo is second in line, followed by the Kuiu Pro.
I'm reviewing the those packs now on the companies website. They do look nice. $721 for the large size IA6K pack system! More than I expected. They better be nice!
I been running ultra light kuiu ultra 1800.But I usually have a pack set up for bow and another for rifle.Used nimrod,but they dont pack weight to well with out the frame,which I also have and just leave,set up for meat pack only.Picked up a k2 exo 3500,bare it is a 2# gain,but also has 2x the storage,which I wanted for rifle,puffy and more gear.I also have hard time getting my muley,full rears and boned front all on my kuiu,for one trip.Perfect for day would be the exo 1800 bag at 1# less.But for the pound its not worth the money.Also you can loose the lid on the 3500 and rolls down small,or use it for biv hunts because it has way more room.The build on the exo is twice as heavy as kuiu.
I gotta say, the NEW Kuiu Pro packs check all the boxes for me. I have the 3200 and the 6000 Pros. So comfortable and functional. I am really loving them. I have over 130 miles hunting with them, elk and mule deer this year.
Exo 4800 has been my go too pack the past couple years. The frame is adjustable and comfortable with a heavy pack out. Just added an 1800 as a daypack in order save some weight (minimal pack alone, but smaller space= carry less) and also to still have the frame for heavy loads out 
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.IdahoLRhunting
Member
Unfortunately they are expensive but are made completely in the USA. That was part of my choice, made in USA.
However, to select a pack, I gathered as many packs as I could (friends packs, my own, demo packs) and did 2hr treadmill walks with 50lbs and 100lbs (1hr. Each).
I hunted in the field with Kuiu, Kifaru, and Mystery Ranch, Badlands, IA)
While there are many reasons people select different packs, for me it came down to how it carries weight. I focused less on organization, overall weight, or access. The IA4 pack does several of those things well but it really carries weight better for me. The hip belt and load distribution are excellent for me. I'm 5'10" and 185lbs and it fits amazing.
Initial Ascent is an Idaho based pack company so I know several other hunters here in Idaho using them. I've only heard positive feedback from the other users.
IdahoLRhunting
Member
I use the IA4 for up to 5 day backpacking hunts. The 6k is huge
