I know, I’m working on it. It’s tough right now because hunting season is here and my brother-in-law is using his pack. I will get it done as soon as possible!
Great review! I too have the 4000lt. Seems to be a good bag. I’m considering the pro6000 for my sheep hunting bag. It’s between the 6000 and 7800. The 7800 just seems too big. I’ve already got a barnys 7800 I’ve used in the past.
Hey Daryl, I am over here in Montana, I am just getting back into Steep and Deep Elk hunting trips. I am thinking no more than 4 days at a time and have gotten by with a Yukon 2900 all my life. I am wanting to do solo trips and need to carry all of my gear and something alot more comfortable. My style is to set up camp and then day hunt out of it. Which would you buy, Pro 6000 or Pro LT 4000. Horse Shoe zip is a must. I'm 5'8", About a 20 inch torso so long back, shorter legs.
For the sake of ensuring you can fit everything inside the pack, I would go with the PRO LT5500 or Pro 6000. They compress down and there is not much of a weight penalty when going with the larger bags. I also prefer the horse shoe zip. Having said that, it’s not very often I actually need to access the main compartment after dropping off spike camp gear. Good luck hunting!
Obviously, I misspoke when reviewing the lid. It's 800 Cubic Inches, not 8,000! I also replaced the lid buckles, on the frame side, with some normal tension lock ones which I like much better!
Great video and very in-depth review of all the parts of the pack! While you mentioned the meat storage ability do you think there are any big improvements from Kuiu vs others?
How heavy was the pack on your trip? How'd it handled the weight? Also I guess if you had issue with the lumbar, hip straps, or shoulder straps, you would have mentioned it.
Around 50 pounds. Handled the weight very well, stayed on the hips and no swaying. I’ve had no problem with the suspension system and still really like the pack.
@darylgiese Great rundown, I have a Pro 6000 bag I really like, looking to add a second smaller bag for shorter/lighter trips. Would you stick with the 4000LT or try the Pro 3600 if you had to do it over?
I would stick with the Pro LT 4000. I don’t like the fact that the Pro 3600 has a partitioned outer pocket and the additional zipper. I think the Pro bags are extremely good quality, but the Pro LT leaves me wanting for nothing. I’ve been very impressed with the Pro LT‘s simplicity, function, lightweight and convenience.
Great review there Daryl. If you get a chance I'd like to see this next to the 5500. Also in one of your 4000 reviews you bought a lid for it. How does the lid off the 6000 look on the 4000? Thanks
I’m hoping to do a comparison soon, just need to talk my brother-in-law into giving it up for a week or two. The 6000 lid would work on the 4000. It’s big and looks a bit funny but could do the job. The hard part is, KUIU doesn’t sell a strap set for their lids (or any straps for that matter) so it may take some research, or a call to KUIU, to get straps with the correct buckles.
@@darylgiese756 I like what you did with the 4000 and the exo lid. And you reviews on the bag look great. Apart from your reviews there's not much else out there. I was looking at buying the 5500 but most of my trips would be from 1 - 4 days and now I'm thinking I could probably get away with the 4000?
@@ianmelse6927 are you hiking or hunting? If you’re going to use it for up to 4 days of hunting, and you don’t have a light and compact gear setup, I would go with the 5500 (especially if you’re going late season when it’s cold). There is not much of a weight penalty and it can always be run lidless and compressed. I hate having to leave things behind because I have no room in my pack, and you don’t want things strapped all over the outside.
@@darylgiese756 mainly hunting. I'm still dialing my gear back but I'm heading in the ultra light direction. Sleep either in a hut or under a fly. Enlightened 10° quilt, toaks titanium cup and 25gram cooker, smaller than a jetboil. Etc.etc. I'm in New Zealand hunting the top end of the Southern Alps in the South Island. I've always had big packs to carry meat out in but with the Kuiu the meat stays on the outside so don't need all that extra room inside I'm thinking. I'll wait to see if they have a good sale come Black Friday so in no hurry
Hey once again thanks for the great video I just bought that pack the side straps for the wings are where you keep your tripod I don’t have the straps hooks in the back could you show me yours I have to clip in front but nothing to hook to .
Can you send me a picture, I’m not sure exactly what you’re referring to. I fold the side pocket over the scope and use the side compression strap to secure it.
@@darylgiese756 thanks for getting back to me I realized the side compression straps in the front hock to the frame itself if am right . I would have thought the world hock to the bag it self .
Yes, but KUIU does not offer an accessory strap set for the lid for some reason. You would have to find some straps that work. Also, though the lid works, it is large for the 4,000.
You mentioned that you might go with a bigger bag for a 4-5 days trip. Is it because you think 6000ci is not enough for one person or you are taking into account the load for family members? I am still trying to decide between KUIU 5500LT, 6000 and 7000LT...
I believe when I said that I was referring to the 4000. The 6000 has more than enough room for 7 to 10 days worth of hunting/hiking gear for me. When I was in the boundary waters, I was carrying camp gear and 10 days worth of food ( mine and my daughters), a bunch of miscellaneous gear like a folding chair, two person hammock and frying pan, and still had about 1500 in.³ to spare. Should be noted that I had the tent strapped to the outside bottom of the bag, though. If you are looking at less than a week, and can deal with the lack of a horseshoe zipper, I would suggest the 5500. If you were stretching beyond seven days I would move up to the 6000. If you are going past 10 days you may want to look at the 7000. I am trying to talk my brother-in-law out of his 5500 so I can do a comparison between that and the 6000. It may be a couple months, though, because we’re both hiking with weight in our packs and hunting season is getting close.
I just got this bag and honestly, I thought it would feel more durable. But it feels very thin. It definitely does not feel Rugged. It's almost comical how delicate it feels... anyone have experience and thoughts on this...?
Used mine the last three or four falls, I can’t remember which. I use it for a 7 to 10 day elk hunt and 4 days to a week in the boundary waters in northern Minnesota every year and I’ve had zero durability issues. It’s been an excellent pack for me, using it 14-20 days per year. I have hauled out 2 elk and 1 deer with it and it’s still the most comfortable pack I’ve ever used. I bought a Stone Glacier Sky last year and have been trying to use it but I’m so comfortable with the KUIU pack that it usually gets the nod.
I noticed that your 4000LT was in "Valo" camouflage but the 6000Pro is in "Phantom". Is there any specific reason for not getting 6000Pro in Valo? KUIU are out of Valo and I wonder if Phantom color is suitable for hunting. Thanks.
Great, great review! Bloody honest and very fact driven. I have the pro LT 4000 and the pro LT 7000 I' am thinking of buying the pro 6000 as a good pack in between those two and as a little bit more robust version. After your review and according to your advice that the main compartment between the pro LT 4000 and the pro 6000 isnt that different i am not so sure that the 6000 is the right in between solution. What are you guys thinking? Thank you and greetings from Germany
To be honest, if you already have the 4000 and 7000, you should be set for everything. I don’t see any significant advantage to adding a 6,000. 90% of the time I find myself using the 4000. If I’m going for more than 3-4 days, the 6000-7000 work very well. I hauled half an elk (my buddy shot 😢) and an entire deer out last week with the 4000 bag on. I was very happy with the performance of the setup.
I have to say I watch a lot of reviews for backpacks and you win really well done appreciate you taking the time. Good luck with your hunts
What was the name of the chairs? Great videos
Thank you for your great reviews! It would be extremely helpful to see 6000 vs 5500LT side by side.
I know, I’m working on it. It’s tough right now because hunting season is here and my brother-in-law is using his pack. I will get it done as soon as possible!
Compression strap that seems in an odd place is there to hold a long gun.
You give a better review than kuiu does. Well done.
Love the boundary waters
Me too! We just booked our trip for this year!
Great review! I too have the 4000lt. Seems to be a good bag. I’m considering the pro6000 for my sheep hunting bag. It’s between the 6000 and 7800. The 7800 just seems too big. I’ve already got a barnys 7800 I’ve used in the past.
I’ve never used a pack bigger than a 6,500, and I hope I never need to! Good luck sheep hunting!
Hey Daryl, I am over here in Montana, I am just getting back into Steep and Deep Elk hunting trips. I am thinking no more than 4 days at a time and have gotten by with a Yukon 2900 all my life. I am wanting to do solo trips and need to carry all of my gear and something alot more comfortable. My style is to set up camp and then day hunt out of it. Which would you buy, Pro 6000 or Pro LT 4000. Horse Shoe zip is a must. I'm 5'8", About a 20 inch torso so long back, shorter legs.
For the sake of ensuring you can fit everything inside the pack, I would go with the PRO LT5500 or Pro 6000. They compress down and there is not much of a weight penalty when going with the larger bags. I also prefer the horse shoe zip. Having said that, it’s not very often I actually need to access the main compartment after dropping off spike camp gear. Good luck hunting!
Obviously, I misspoke when reviewing the lid. It's 800 Cubic Inches, not 8,000! I also replaced the lid buckles, on the frame side, with some normal tension lock ones which I like much better!
Great video and very in-depth review of all the parts of the pack! While you mentioned the meat storage ability do you think there are any big improvements from Kuiu vs others?
How heavy was the pack on your trip? How'd it handled the weight? Also I guess if you had issue with the lumbar, hip straps, or shoulder straps, you would have mentioned it.
Around 50 pounds. Handled the weight very well, stayed on the hips and no swaying. I’ve had no problem with the suspension system and still really like the pack.
@darylgiese Great rundown, I have a Pro 6000 bag I really like, looking to add a second smaller bag for shorter/lighter trips. Would you stick with the 4000LT or try the Pro 3600 if you had to do it over?
I would stick with the Pro LT 4000. I don’t like the fact that the Pro 3600 has a partitioned outer pocket and the additional zipper. I think the Pro bags are extremely good quality, but the Pro LT leaves me wanting for nothing. I’ve been very impressed with the Pro LT‘s simplicity, function, lightweight and convenience.
Great review there Daryl. If you get a chance I'd like to see this next to the 5500. Also in one of your 4000 reviews you bought a lid for it. How does the lid off the 6000 look on the 4000? Thanks
I’m hoping to do a comparison soon, just need to talk my brother-in-law into giving it up for a week or two. The 6000 lid would work on the 4000. It’s big and looks a bit funny but could do the job. The hard part is, KUIU doesn’t sell a strap set for their lids (or any straps for that matter) so it may take some research, or a call to KUIU, to get straps with the correct buckles.
@@darylgiese756 I like what you did with the 4000 and the exo lid. And you reviews on the bag look great. Apart from your reviews there's not much else out there. I was looking at buying the 5500 but most of my trips would be from 1 - 4 days and now I'm thinking I could probably get away with the 4000?
@@ianmelse6927 are you hiking or hunting? If you’re going to use it for up to 4 days of hunting, and you don’t have a light and compact gear setup, I would go with the 5500 (especially if you’re going late season when it’s cold). There is not much of a weight penalty and it can always be run lidless and compressed. I hate having to leave things behind because I have no room in my pack, and you don’t want things strapped all over the outside.
@@darylgiese756 mainly hunting. I'm still dialing my gear back but I'm heading in the ultra light direction. Sleep either in a hut or under a fly. Enlightened 10° quilt, toaks titanium cup and 25gram cooker, smaller than a jetboil. Etc.etc. I'm in New Zealand hunting the top end of the Southern Alps in the South Island. I've always had big packs to carry meat out in but with the Kuiu the meat stays on the outside so don't need all that extra room inside I'm thinking. I'll wait to see if they have a good sale come Black Friday so in no hurry
What size rain cover do you have? I’ve got the 4000lt and was looking at picking up 6000 or 7000lt for 6 day+ hunts. Good review, thank you!
I use the large for both bags and it works fine
If you’re going to be putting a tent on the bottom, and expanding the bag all the way up, you will likely need a larger one!
Hey once again thanks for the great video I just bought that pack the side straps for the wings are where you keep your tripod I don’t have the straps hooks in the back could you show me yours I have to clip in front but nothing to hook to .
Can you send me a picture, I’m not sure exactly what you’re referring to. I fold the side pocket over the scope and use the side compression strap to secure it.
@@darylgiese756 thanks for getting back to me I realized the side compression straps in the front hock to the frame itself if am right . I would have thought the world hock to the bag it self .
Are you able to attach the lid from this pack to your Pro LT 4000? Great reviews on both packs.
Yes, but KUIU does not offer an accessory strap set for the lid for some reason. You would have to find some straps that work. Also, though the lid works, it is large for the 4,000.
@@darylgiese756 thanks
You mentioned that you might go with a bigger bag for a 4-5 days trip. Is it because you think 6000ci is not enough for one person or you are taking into account the load for family members?
I am still trying to decide between KUIU 5500LT, 6000 and 7000LT...
I believe when I said that I was referring to the 4000. The 6000 has more than enough room for 7 to 10 days worth of hunting/hiking gear for me. When I was in the boundary waters, I was carrying camp gear and 10 days worth of food ( mine and my daughters), a bunch of miscellaneous gear like a folding chair, two person hammock and frying pan, and still had about 1500 in.³ to spare. Should be noted that I had the tent strapped to the outside bottom of the bag, though.
If you are looking at less than a week, and can deal with the lack of a horseshoe zipper, I would suggest the 5500. If you were stretching beyond seven days I would move up to the 6000. If you are going past 10 days you may want to look at the 7000.
I am trying to talk my brother-in-law out of his 5500 so I can do a comparison between that and the 6000. It may be a couple months, though, because we’re both hiking with weight in our packs and hunting season is getting close.
@@darylgiese756 Thanks! In mean time, do you if it is possible to install 3L mil issued bladder in 5500LT?
@@EugeneSan yes
Did you try that lid on your 4000??!!! I know you had to buy a thrid party for the 4000!
I did, it was large but you can make it work with the correct buckles.
Can the side pouch hold your rifle?
What are the approximate dimensions of the side pockets where you store your spotting scope?
I would say it is roughly 15 x 7 x 4 1/2. Obviously those dimensions could be stretched different directions depending on what you put in there.
I just got this bag and honestly, I thought it would feel more durable. But it feels very thin. It definitely does not feel Rugged. It's almost comical how delicate it feels... anyone have experience and thoughts on this...?
I’ve used mine for four years now, typically the pro LT, and I’ve yet to break a single component!
I haven't used mine yet. How does it feel with heavy loads?
Used mine the last three or four falls, I can’t remember which. I use it for a 7 to 10 day elk hunt and 4 days to a week in the boundary waters in northern Minnesota every year and I’ve had zero durability issues. It’s been an excellent pack for me, using it 14-20 days per year. I have hauled out 2 elk and 1 deer with it and it’s still the most comfortable pack I’ve ever used. I bought a Stone Glacier Sky last year and have been trying to use it but I’m so comfortable with the KUIU pack that it usually gets the nod.
I noticed that your 4000LT was in "Valo" camouflage but the 6000Pro is in "Phantom". Is there any specific reason for not getting 6000Pro in Valo? KUIU are out of Valo and I wonder if Phantom color is suitable for hunting. Thanks.
Honestly, I just wanted to try a different color. I like the Valo but would not hesitate to hunt with the phantom bag.
Great, great review! Bloody honest and very fact driven.
I have the pro LT 4000 and the pro LT 7000
I' am thinking of buying the pro 6000 as a good pack in between those two and as a little bit more robust version.
After your review and according to your advice that the main compartment between the pro LT 4000 and the pro 6000 isnt that different i am not so sure that the 6000 is the right in between solution. What are you guys thinking?
Thank you and greetings from Germany
To be honest, if you already have the 4000 and 7000, you should be set for everything. I don’t see any significant advantage to adding a 6,000. 90% of the time I find myself using the 4000. If I’m going for more than 3-4 days, the 6000-7000 work very well. I hauled half an elk (my buddy shot 😢) and an entire deer out last week with the 4000 bag on. I was very happy with the performance of the setup.