Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting KU 5200

Keep looking at these, and like the lightweight, but I'd like to get some opinions now that they've been around for awhile by some folks who've driven them.

How are they working for you? Are they worth the $$$ or not in your opinion.

I don't have any time in one, but I can tell you that they will not be around much longer, so you will need to make up your mind soon. Patrick says the KU's are getting phased out.

I've got one and like it allot
Tim

I sure like my 3700 and will never get rid of it. I have 2 KU long pockets and a grab it and it is a very versatile pack for lots of situations. My Longhunter stayed at home last year and I used the 3700 exclusively, no issues.

That is unfortunate !

I have a 3700. It carries like a dream. I would have preferred a ULA style roll top, but that is a minor issue. I tried running a KU E&E on the back and that really didn't work well for me. I plan to get some KU long pockets and I think it'll make a great hiking pack. For packing out meat, I think I'd prefer something else, but the suspension is up to the task, IMO. It is about the size of a ULA Catalyst, weighs less, and will carry twice the weight, it that is necessary. One mod I plan to do is attatch some fastex loops to the top of the stay pockets to secure a small KU pod on top. I hate the way the pod flops around only attatched on that sil lid.

Got a T2 in 5200 size. I went that route as it seemed way more durable to me. Only a bit heavier really.

Looking at the 5200 to house my cold weather bag as its somewhat bulky. Im just wondering how well the fabric is holding up under general wear and tear. Is it easily punctured by bush and tree stone sticking out and such. Wear issues are primarily what im curious about.

I'd go T2 without a doubt if you are worried about the fabric.

The fabric was why I passed on the KU line, just don't trust silnylon as a pack material for my uses. My pack usually gets the $h!t kicked out of it during hunting season.

However having said that I have only heard of a handful of issues with the fabric so maybe my fears were unfounded. Regardless I ended up with a very nice McHale custom pack. It weighs a couple pounds more but is extremely durable and carries very comfortably.

No problem with mine
Tim

I had one, and never really liked how the UL fabric and compression system packed stuff. After trying out a Stone Glacier Solo, I sold the KU5200 and kept the Stone Glacier. I prefer it SIGNIFICANTLY.

It IS very light, and I couldn't bring myself to consider going back to a 10lb pack afterwards.

What Carl said... My only real gripe with the KU5200 I have is the compression kind of sucks. If you load it more than 2/3rds full, it Muffintops pretty bad. You can fix that with a trip to REI's hardware section though.

The fabric is much tougher than people give it credit for.

Also, they like to shoot the stays out the bottom after enough use. When it happens, mail it to Kifaru, and do like I did. Have them replace that section with Cordura.

That said, right now, the suspension and stays on the KU's and Timberlines is my favorite on internals. I know you've had 100 Lbs in one... You know what I'm talking about.

I wouldn't trade mine for anything else. I can't believe Patrick and Co. were able to make something so light carry heavy loads so well!

What Scott said, Plus its way more quiet than you would think

That is unfortunate !
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I like mine a lot. There's really only one way to find out, but like Ken999 said, you better move fast:

http://www.kifaruforums.net/showthread.php?t=32785

Hmmm.... Too many warranty issues. Can't say I'm surprised. Before I passed on the KU I did some very crude and informal testing on their silnylon fabric and just couldn't get comfortable with it for my uses. As noted above, many have found it perfectly satisfactory.

Got to give Patrick props, his products have really improved the hunting pack market.

I bought the first KU3700 and KU2200 that came out. Love them both, zero issues. phil