KUIU PRO Pack System: Suspension Overview

KUIU's Brendan Burns and Shaun Ayers give an in-depth look at the new features and enhancements built into the redesigned PRO suspension.
Compatible with all PRO, Icon Pro, and ULTRA bags, this suspension allows a more adjustable fit to accommodate more body types, and provides better weight distribution for more comfort.

[@bendrixbailey1430]

There are few companies that will invest in significant incremental improvement to an already great product. I think this is one of the principal differences between a company run by passionate participants, and one run by hedge fund bean counters. The bean counters would invest in something that would bring in additional unrelated revenue. Kuiu invested in improving an already great product that was not lacking in customer satisfaction or sales. That’s one of the reasons I’m a Kuiu customer. Every morning I strap on an Icon Pro 1850 with 40lb in it and go for a 2.5 mile hike. Here in SE Massachusetts its pretty flat, but I take advantage of every small hill, walking up and down them several times. That’s every day, rain, shine, sleet or snow. It is one of the best forms of overall fitness exercise I’ve ever used, and wish I’d discovered it years ago. If you plan to hunt backcountry I recommend it. Plus, its just plain fun! After watching this product explanation I ordered a new full kit, 3600, to try out the new suspension features and to have a larger sack to haul gear in. Wow! As soon as I put it on and got it all adjusted I noticed the difference. The best and most prominent change was in the location of the lumbar pad and its design. Really, the design of the entire hip belt and lumbar pad together. With the prior Icon Pro suspension the lumbar pad always migrated to the tops of my gluteus. Not uncomfortable or a hinderance, but still, I always wanted the weight a bit higher I could cinch up to start out that way, but after a mile or so it would be on my gluteus. With the new suspension the lumbar pad and the belt stayed right on the iliac crest and in the small of my back above my butt. That makes a noticeable difference in fatigue, in just a 2.5 mile hike. Thank you Kuiu. The warm weather is past so I can’t attest to the improved ventilation from the gap between the shoulder harness mounts and from the new material. It’s too cold to sweat now, but I have to say it does feel cooler. I’ll find out for sure in January in AZ on a 7 day deer hunt. My shoulders are a typical width for my size, (5’11” 165 lb 30” waist 40” chest) so positioned the mounts straight and apart. That should help with the ventilation. I did notice a difference in the padding. I have no complaint with the older Icon Pro padding but I do feel a difference with the new Icon Pro. A longer trip with more weight might truly showcase the improvement. I’ve very happy with this purchase and with Kuiu customer service. A few days after my new Icon Pro arrived, they went on sale. My color, size, exact kit... Darn! I called Kuiu and explained. Without a blink they graciously credited me the difference between what I paid and the sale price. That kind of service ensures I’ll be spending that, and more money at Kuiu. It’s another sign this company is run by passionate participants who cater to customers. In a bean counter company I’d of been SOL. Great product improvement Kuiu, and for anyone out there interested in strong legs with killer endurance, put on one of these packs. Go hike for 40 minutes every morning before breakfast. Get out of bed early and go! You’ll be shocked at the improvement in your fitness, reduction in body fat and attitude. You can purchase sand tubes from Home Depot and empty them to suit, or go fancy and purchase green canvas 20 lb sand bags from Rogue Fitness. Strapping in a sand bag is a good way to position the load. And that brings up something not in this video that I noticed on my 3600. There is a very useful set of straps internal to the bag that greatly aid in securing the load inside. Much better than the 1850. I’ve got a use for those the next time I gear up.

[@TreF68]

That lumbar pad is what made me buy this pack system. I have lower back issues and I think this will help that a lot. Bought the 3600 pro

[@ddawg9450]

Can you do a detailed video on how to setup the whole thing with the bag and stuff

[@SquatSimp]

Brilliant product-- thank you

[@alex-craft]

Looks awesome! and the weight, only 1.2kg... good job!

[@boydhill780]

Nice that is what i need. you guys should make a youth Frame and youth boots . I would buy it in a second.

[@Fawkerout]

As a thruhiking addict, this system intrigues the shit out of me.

[@kuiuultralight]

Our packs aren't as light as some of the really hardcore ultralight backpacks from mountaineering companies, but they carry weight much more comfortably--since they can take up to 150 lbs, it makes lighter loads very comfortable and stable. The ULTRA bags in particular would be great for thruhiking, and you could choose either the comfort of the PRO suspension or lighter weight ULTRA suspension.

[@kman7381]

Great looking system. Is there a detachable ridged load shelf IE Jerry can , tree stands, seed bags, etc. In the pipeline? C&H Kman

[@kuiuultralight]

No load shelf, but check out the pack load hauler: www.kuiu.com/pack-load-hauler/86005.html You can see how it carries stuff at the very beginning of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ml7WY61tqptkZ5Y

[@tiberiumnp8030]

I wonder if that hip belt also takes in basic molle pouches.

[@servantofyhvh8952]

Is there a way one could attach this to a deer stand (Lonewolf / Hunting beast stand)?

[@marcialp93]

So I noticed you mention in the video there is a conversion kit...I have a 2016 ultra 6000 bag that I would like to use on this frame and suspension. I noticed that the older suspension system 2016 uses the gate keeper clips for attaching the older Ultra. Does the conversion kit come with all the necessary attachments for using my old ultra bag on this new suspension?

[@kuiuultralight]

Yes, there is a conversion kit specifically for this; contact our customer service team when you're ready to pull the trigger, and they'll make sure you get the right conversion kit.

[@marcialp93]

@@kuiuultralight thanks!👍🏽👍🏽

[@Canadian_Craftsman]

Can this possibly fit an alice pack frame?? Or other pack frames 🤔

[@kuiuultralight]

They are designed specifically to fit KUIU's carbon fiber frame.

[@Canadian_Craftsman]

@@kuiuultralight thanks for the response!!

[@BelowAverageRazzleDazzle]

What's that thing weigh? 20 pounds? It looks heavier than my stand...

[@kuiuultralight]

The frame itself weighs 11 oz, since it's made of molded carbon fiber. The suspension in the L/XL size weighs 14.4 oz, for a total weight of 1 lb, 9.4 oz. Our heaviest pack setup, which holds 7800 cubic inches, weighs 6 lbs 1 oz in total (including the frame, suspension, and bag.

[@drilldoctor13]

Are the shoulder pads/straps comparable to the Apex upgrade for the previous packs?

[@kuiuultralight]

At least for now, the Apex Shoulder Harness will stay in our product line as an upgrade option. The padding on the new PRO suspension is more comfortable than the previous Icon Pro suspension, but the Apex is still our most padded strap.

[@dajahvue]

What is that rubber ring on the shoulder strap for?

[@kuiuultralight]

You loop it over the hose for your hydration bladder to keep it from swinging around.

[@pahuntnut]

man i am having a hard time finding a video showing how to seperate the pack from the frame? do you have to undo the load lifters?

[@kuiuultralight]

This video on putting the pack into its Load Sling configuration shows how to separate it from the frame--I'll post more related videos as I think of them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJW0dnt_rs2EpNE

[@kuiuultralight]

This one, too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYm0fqVvmpuofdk

[@lbechdel]

Do you have to purchase the frame or can the harness fasten directly to the bag?

[@kuiuultralight]

The frame is required.