Hi Everyone,
To get started on the development process please take the enclosed survey.
http://KuiuDayPackSurvey.questionpro.com
Happy Holidays,
Jason
For those of you recommending other gear for development, your comments are being collected. Thank you for your continued support and input.
Building KUIU 
Survey Complete! Hunting whitetails with usually less than a couple of miles to hike in I prefer a decent size bag and it can have a little weight to it since I’m only going so far and not staying overnight usually. Most of my weight comes from nonessential gear like my Canon EOS Rebel XSi. I just got a Bandlands Pursuit Daypack and it seems to be right on target for a day pack with plenty of storage in a small package that is light and comfortable to wear for longer hikes. I look forward to following a long as this comes together and I love how much the customer has input on your products! Keep up the GREAT work!
Thanks Will for your input and help. Happy Holidays.
Jason
The company Mystery Ranch uses a Y zipper that give you the option of a top load or a zipper this would give you the best of both worlds.
Thanks for the opportunity to help develop a line of packs. I think this is a really cool thing to do. I am always excited to get my blog emails to see what is next.
Any word on when the attack pants are arriving?
A shipment is leaving on Thursday another next Thursday and every week until we get caught up with the huge waiting list we have. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Jason
They are definitely worth the wait. Love mine, most comfortable pants I own.
Jason, I’m primarily a whitetail hunter, but I hike long distances on public land to get away from the crowds. I would love for the day pack to incorporate some type of system to carry a treestand. Right now I simply strap a pack to my climber and put the climber on my back, but after a while it kills my shoulders. I don’t know if you are planning on using the Icon frame, but I think it would be ideal to carry a stand. I am thinking of something similar a MR Load Sling with a pack attached. A “sling” would also be useful for packing out quarters.
Jason,
A couple comments about the survey. First, on the question that asks what Kuiu gear we already own, the Chugach jacket appears in the survey four times, but the Chugach pants aren’t listed at all. I’m assuming two of those four Chugach entries should have been for pants.
Second, you asked about top or zippered access. While I prefer zippered access, I don’t like all the noise that velcro or zippers make (given the choice, I choose zippers over velcro). Would be great if you could figure out some other way of securing the pack without using a zipper. Maybe some form of easy open buttons or some type of bungee-like arrangement. At the same time, I need my gear secure as I crawl through trees and dense brush, so it’s important that the pack doesn’t come open after getting snagged.
Thanks!
Jason,I’m looking forward to see what you come up with on the day pack, I use a Badlands day pack now but its squeeky with its wire type internal frame. I prefer an outside compartment for a spotting scope and havent seen anyone really accont for tripods. Seems like we either shove the tripods into the main compartment or lash them somewhere to the outside.Good Luck and thanks for all the great gear! Ken
ah, the infamous hypervent “squeak!”
Done and done
Cheers,
Mike P
I also use a small pack for hunting whitetails in the midwest when you are never over one mile from your pickup. Usually use to keep gear ready to go for a quick hunt after work. Bino’s, range finder, shells, knife, saw, pruning shears, gloves, lunch, water bottle. Just the basics. Small and light yet tough material. More smaller pockets works better instead of just throwing everything in middle of normal pack.
Survey complete. My dream pack would be a Mystery Ranch Dragon Slayer with these improvements…
-Made of lighter weight material without jeopardizing its strength and durability (shave a 16-24 oz).
-Vias Camo
I bet its really tricky designing packs that suite everyone’s needs just right. Good luck.
A lot to consider on a day pack. Do you want it for the treestand whitetail hunters? Do you want it for the western hunters, where they pack in and then can use the pack for the day hunts?
Hopefully the day pack will have room to accommodate a spotter and tripod!! I am also hoping it can at least get the first load of meat out when its needed!!!
Three words, “ultralight Mountain Hunting”. Let’s stick with this!! Isn’t that what KUIU is all about?
+1!!
+2!! LOTS of other stuff abounds. Keep the focus! Then if it suits needs of treestand whitetail hunters – good for them. But please please don’t go down the mossy blob road.
I know a lot of people want to keep this line just for mountain hunters but there is no reason Eastern hunters don’t need to be part of Kuiu. Everyone needs to be glad for the hunters that are passionate about hunting. The whitetail hunters on this site are the ones that are athletic, care deeply about hunting, and are trying to improve what they have now. Kuiu seems to be offering a way to improve things for all that want to be a part of something special.
Instead of not wanting Eastern hunters everyone needs to get rid of the people that are not passionate about hunting. The guys on this blog are the good guys.
+another
++. James Johson, all we are saying is that KUIU’s origin, it’s soul maybe, is in Ultra lite Mountain hunting. If the gear works for you, which is sounds like it does, that is great. But for KUIU to design a pack with main focus on carrying a tree stand it would be contrary to the mission of the company.
I completed the survey but it didn’t have any spot to elaborate on a suspension system, so I’ll give my two cents. This sumer I was looking for a standard daypack for hiking around the 22-26L range for volume. After a lot of research and trying different packs, I realized that I love the trampoline style back panel. It’s comfortable on your back and allows your clothing to breath, the way it was made to. A spring steel frame is more than capable of hauling the loads a daypack should be able to while maintaining rigidity and weighing less than aluminum. The only downfall to this system is having an adjustable shoulder harness to fit different torso lengths. Most of the time the shoulder straps are sewn directly to the top of the tensioned mesh panel. If Kuiu could improve on this already good design it would be a knockout. Incorporate a bow/gun carrying system and I’d be all over it like flys on stink.
I am looking for a day pack that can carry an assortment of equipment.I mostly hunt whitetails in the Northeast but am expanding my horizons.I would like to see something with multiple lashing options on the outside as I usually carry heavier colthing into the woods and put on once there,heavy duty zippers, mesh type storage on the waistbelt currently I use Cabelas scout daypack which works ok.I can’t wait to see what you come up with if it is anything like what you already offer I am sure it will be awesome.
Currently im using a 40 L rock climbing bag i bought at MEC a few years back, (It leaves much to be desired) however its narrow and getting through the bush and drawing my bow while wearing it is never a problem. Something along those lines would be amazing
I also like the clean, simple, function-focused design of some of the MEC bags. (it has gotten worse in recent years though) If that group wasn’t so anti-hunter, they would have the mountain hunter market in Canada and the northwestern US cornered already. Kuiu has the potential to be the hunter’s version of MEC, which is why I love this company.
Keep the focus on function, (not features), and quality. Keep it simple. Kuiu has almost the perfect product line already, with only a few pieces missing.
When designing this pack, consider what it would be like to use in the dark. Many packs on the market are very complex in their design (straps, options, adjust points, etc) and are difficult in low light conditions or foul weather of one sort or another. A day pack needs to be able to hump out the elk back straps on the first load 🙂
I finished the survey. Live in Washington State, but own a family farm in Missouir where we hunt White Tails. Honestly, a white tail day pack isn’t to critical of a thing to me anyway. The distance and topography aren’t that harsh, and the weights carried aren’t that great. We typically hunt the farm or hunt public ground where we hike in (but midwest public ground is like 5,000 acres for a pretty big piece, and never that far from a parking lot). The thing that might be interesting in a whote tail daypack would be something that works as a tree stand carry system, something like the Lone Wolf “Wolf Pack”, with a more functional pack design. That pack works great as a carry system, but not as a pack.
I’m more interested in a daypack for trips in the west, where I need to take a spotting scope, tripod and lunch, etc…. hike in a couple miles, have a pack stiff enough to pack out game if needed. Not to big and bulky though, could be used in a tree stand in a crunch, or not take up to much space in a ground blind (but could pack/carry a gound blind in it).
Done! Glad this is an aspect being looked into. I’m sure all of us have those instances where we have hard-pressured public hunting areas that we day hunt and have to move fast and hard to get ahead. Kuiu has already kept us ahead and looks to keep us there with a great day pack. Keep us the great designs!
I would use a day pack primarily for scouting. Not for hunting. I am a hard core bivouac hunter and there is nothing worse than putting something down and no way to get it out. Thats what the 6000 is for. I can fit a whole deer and all my gear in it. And I love it! its super solid.
Is this new pack going to be compatible w/ KUIU’s Frame and Suspension
system?
Jason,
You’ll have to build a Western model and a Eastern model. Western needs a frame so you can pack out the first load of meat, as well as a spotting scope pocket, and a hydration system.
Eastern needs lots of pockets accessable once
you hang it in the tree, pockets need to soundless.
Goodluck with a your quest and have a Merry Christmas.
Larry
For people who want a pack to be able to haul a spotter/tripod and an elk quarter, the pack is already available…KUIU ICON. It’s perfect for that IMO. To me, a daypack is something small and light to carry only the essentials for a hard, fast-paced hunt: water, lunch, first aid, field dressing supplies, maps/gps, camera etc. And to be able to strap on the layers/jacket that you get too warm for. To me, a daypack would be used for scouting or for hunting in areas that have vehicle access, where being able to get your meat out is not as difficult.
Last fall I kept all of the essentials in the lid of my Icon 6000 and if I hunted an area that wouldn’t require the 6000 I would un-clip the lid and put it in my daypack. It would be cool if the new daypack would be compatible to clip on the hood from the 6000 so you don’t have to switch your gear over everytime you change packs.
I agree with your quarter hauling statement. I am a little confused why peole want a pack different than the icon to carry essential gear, spotting scope, tripod, and a load of meat. I don’t think that you could use a pack smaller than 3000 ci for that purpose.
In response to the Daypack vs Full size pack…
I pack a day pack with the idea that I can hunt and shoot an arrow when hunting with it, and have enough room for gear so if I have to emergency bivouac I can. I also don’t like the idea of taking an extra trip because my day pack can’t handle some meat.
I’ve never had the opportunity to hunt where you can bring up a vehicle… Horse yes… but even you are limited to the amount of gear you can haul into base camp (if it’s remote).
In short…. needs to handle 2 liters water, hold enough gear for overnight… comfortable with 30-35 lbs. quiet and able to shoot a bow with it on, and not break if I strap on the Head-n-horns (WA state requirement), or the Backstraps. imho
If the daypack also has a quick connect for attaching to your carbon frame, everyone wins. The guys who hate the frame get a light daypack, and guys who insist on being able to pack a quarter can attach it to your current frame.
Jason,
Filled out the Survey, and listed functionality etc. above weight, but weight is a big issue!
Hunted two years with the Badlands 2200 great pack, love the access through the back etc. but a little heavy, hot on a warm day, and too tall so it gets caught up when ducking under things. Purchased a Eberlestock X2, not sure I like how it rides and I miss the back panel access that the 2200 has. If need be I think I could strap an Elk quarter to it to carry out.
(On the survey I put max weight for normal usage, but it would be nice for even a day pack to take out something on the trip to get the meat packs).
(imho)
On the day pack max load question, I put 80+ for the simple reason that I typically want to make my first trip out with meat. So, while I may strive for a 15-25# max for most hunting, I want the pack to provide a means to lash on an elk quarter. That’s how I do it today, and I think there’s opportunity to enable this capability with a more pointed solution. I have to rely on aftermarket webbing, S-biners, etc.
How about a 2000ci top loading pack. I would like the pack to be a combination of your Icon 6500 pack and the North Face Terra 30 pack. The North Face pack has a zipper access for the lower portion of the pack. No need for a spotting scope pocket unless it can fit a large pair of bino’s. It would be nice to be able to haul out your first load as well.
Jason,
I completed the survey, thanks for providing a way for folks out in the field to provide their input – most don’t bother to ask.
I tend to carry a larger pack (5200 ci or larger) that I compress down as small as possible. This works for me for a couple of reasons: First, I have the capacity to start hauling out meat and such right off of the bat. The second, and in my opinion equally important is that the larger packs are long enough from hip belt to shoulder straps to allow me to carry the weight on my hips rather than my shoulders. So, with your goal of designing smaller packs I’d like to suggest that you consider making them narrow from side to side but at least one with stays that are tall enough (22″-24″) to allow the hip belt to do its job for someone that is 6 feet tall or more. Your stuff is great and while the waiting sucks, I’d rather wait than to buy something else.
Thanks for the opportunity to give input Jason!
I’m currently using an early generation Golite Jam pack as my primary hunting pack. It’s basically a sack with shoulder straps. The top closure may be something to look at, simple, light and expandable. The Jam is ~3000 ci, a bit on the large size for day hunts, so a pack <= 2500 ci would great. This year I ended up sewing up my own simple rucksack for day hunts.
I was torn between the quiet and lightweight option on the survey. While quiet is important, I think light is REALLY important. Please keep the Ultralight in Kuiu, it's one of the most appealing aspects of your gear to me.
Alot of people in the midwest and east are also carrying camera gear on their hunts. Although they do not use tripods and spotters the same need is there for the camera gear.
Also, Larry Fischers comment about two designs for the two types of hunting makes a lot of sense. A large lumbar pack design might make more sense for the eastern version as most folks this side of the big muddy drag their deer out instead of cutting it up and packing it out.
Larry S.
i currently own a teton from bison gear but it’s too heavy, too big , and way too over engineered! i think most pack makers try to put too many features into one pack, in the same way that they do for hunting jackets.
good luck in trying to please overyone!
merry christmas!!!
I am with JR on the pack recommendation ” Mystery Ranch Dragon Slayer with these improvements…
-Made of lighter weight material without jeopardizing its strength and durability (shave a 16-24 oz).
-Vias Camo”
That would be sweet with the gun & bow attachment also added to the pack.
Couple additional things…
A pocket for the water bag with hole for hose. Putting the water in the main compartment is an invitation for disaster. Also not too many pockets,
but it’s nice to have a couple. Used to make my own nylon sacks to compartmentalize things… would be nice to figure something out here.
I as well put a high max weight in the survey-mainly for carrying out quarters on the first trip. Normally i would carry around 20 pounds of gear/water/rifle. I currently use the j107 but feel it could be improved upon greatly. getting the rifle in and out is hardly easy-and getting the rifle out is anything but stealthy. Zippers seem to be the way to go, but i do find the compression straps very handy at times. There’s a better way out there somewhere-good luck finding it!
Another vote for the MR Dragonslayer (the new X frame version) in Vias camo.
Thats what im saying… The new DS with KUIU improvements would be unreal. Maybe the tri zip is protected with patents though? I love how it gives the beneifts of both a top loader and a zipper access pack. Some inovative improvements could make this pack the best ever day pack (with overnight/pack potential) thats on the market.
How about some sage and or vias merino brimmed radar beanies? I’m waiting for the day pack!! How about a spindrift vest? Just some brainstorming before bed. Goodnight.
The pack needs to stay frameless. I would suggest an internal removable spine,not an actual frame. As for the east west dispute,treestand or no treestand, a day pack is just that a daypack. Camelback compatible, built in rain cover, adjustable shoulder and waist, and small enough to carry a days worth of gear and grub without the need of a frame. There is a system used On some packs to carry avi shovels that could possibly prove useful for the transport of a harvested trophy with some design change. An integrated meat storage bag,or a bag of some type that cohesively attches to the pack for meat transport. Maybe even some type of recco technology built ointo the pack. Again, a daypack is just that, a DAYpack.
I have used a foam cushion/seat stuffed along the back of a frameless pack bag to give it some rigidity and support. It works like a soft framesheet.
It is also a great way to carry the cushion for later use in a ground blind or when glassing. Something to think about from a design perspective.
Seems like most of the things a lot of you are asking for can be found in the Icon 3000. Would be interesting to know how many of you guys have one, and if you have one why you would like another pack.
Shon
shon,
A good observation, which I have also been thinking about.
I wonder if Jason/we should be thinking about the day pack as something that we would NOT plan to use to carry out a load of meat with, using the 3000 or 6000 for that scenario instead.
Hi Jason, I love the Kuiu design philosophy.and look forward to purchasing more of your products. If only I could fit into more of your gear… (I’m 5′ 6″).
An ideal day pack for me would have these qualities:
1. Silence – (A) pockets should be closed with buttons/roll tops/something else silent that isn’t zippers or velcro and have (B) minimal things on the outside- few straps slapping around, “iceaxe” loops, etc. which are noisy and catch on brush when sneaking around.
2.Accessibility – not just a lightweight sack – there should be exterior pockets for snacks/shells/calls at least
3. Visibility/usability in the dark – another user posted this – some sort of visibility tape on exterior pocket buttons would be neat
4. Meat carry in a pinch – for moose hunting I like a sleek/quiet daypack that I can sneak up and down a moose while wearing, then butcher it with whats in the daypack and expand the bag to carry the backstraps & burger meat or a small front quarter (~50 lbs or so) with me back to camp and get the noisy packframe for the rest. Also, one could carry a few waterfowl/hare/ptarmigan out of the field. A neat touch would be to line this meat compartment with an antimicrobial/blood resistant lining.
5. Close fitting/sleek shape – if the pack fits well up against the back then one wouldn’t notice an extra pound or so of weight.
6. Lined/Waterproof camera & valuables pocket – This interior pocket should be lined with some sort of felt or something and be able to safely carry things one doesn’t need to access easily- it wouldn’t matter if this pocket was zippered.
I would use this pack for moose, waterfowl, hare, ptarmigan, and grouse, and probably for dayhikes as well – probably more than my packframe!
I completed the survey too but wanted to add a few points. One suggestion I have is to add a butt/tailbone pad to the belt. The Sitka 2000 has one and so do the Eberlestock packs. I tend to carry a lot of weight in my packs, and this feature helps immensely with comfort. It loads up your hip bones and tailbone with the weight rather than your butt muscles, which fatigue you carrying a heavy load in a standard belt. I would really suggest you consider adding a tailbone pad to the belt on the ICON packs. In my experience I can haul 50% more weight with the same comfort on packs with this pad.
Since my daypacks typically weigh 30+ pounds loaded anyway, weight isn’t important on a daypack. I want comfort, quality, and organizational features. Also, some of the daypacks skimp on the water bladder space. I would like to see space enough for a 1 liter bag.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with Jason.
Hi Jason,
Thanks for soliciting our input. A day pack is always my go to when working out of spike camps or quick runs.
Forward pockets on the sides that have easy zipper access is a must. Elk call reeds, flashlight, headlamp, wind checking dust, are always wanted to quick and easy access. Big and sound dampered zippersippers are a must. Small zippers are tough to work with gloves.
A water bladder and hooks to secure the water tube down the shoulder straps is very helpful. MOLE attachment points allow us to customize/expand for our hunt too.
A rain cover that is reversible (maybe hunter orange on the backside) always is nice. Never thought I’d use mine, but found it very helpful last September in BC on a Grizz hunt.