Stone Glacier®
Solo 3300 w/Krux EVO Frame
$239, Solo; $335, Frame
KUIU®
ICON Pro 3200 $460 Kifaru International
Fulcrum w/Hunting Platform Frame
$386, Fulcrum; $376, Frame From day trips to extended adventures, the
ICON Pro 3200 from KUIU ® is sure to im-
press. Cordura ® 500D Rip-Stop nylon pro-
vides great durability and when matched with
the ICON Pro Carbon Fiber frame and sus-
pension, produced an overall weight under
five pounds. A huge U shaped zip flap allows
easy access to the internal compartment and
two large mesh organizer pockets on the flap
interior allow easy referencing of contents.
There are also two smaller internal mesh
pockets as well as a hydration bladder pouch.
The exterior of the access flap features a well
sized top pocket with interior mesh organiz-
er, and larger items such as spotting scopes
stow nicely in the large front pocket.
The comfort of the padded shoulder
straps and waist belt were a unanimous fa-
vorite of all who participated in the review.
Available in three sizes, the set up and cus-
tomization of fit on the ICON Pro Carbon
Fiber frame and suspension was also the
easiest of all models reviewed thanks to a
hook and loop system that allows adjustment
in seconds without disconnecting any com-
ponents of the pack. The ICON Pro Carbon
Fiber frame and suspension will fit any ICON
or ULTRA pack.
Performance with all tested loads was ex-
cellent. Meat can be loaded into the main bag
and secured internally with four compression
straps, or can be loaded tight to the frame
via an optional Pack Load Hauler. Utilization
of the Pack Load Hauler between the frame
and bag also adds 2,500 c.i. of cargo capacity.
A few more accessories such as lid packs
would increase storage and customization,
and areas of molle webbing would be nice for
accessory attachment.
kuiu.com CAPACITY: 1,800-7,800c.i.
WEIGHT: 7lb. 6oz. (bag and frame)
Construction VVVVV
Configuration VVVV+
Fit/Comfort VVVVV
Performance
Up to 40 lbs VVVVV
60 lbs VVVVV
80 lbs VVVVV
Overall VVVVV CAPACITY: 3,300-5,800c.i.
WEIGHT: 3lb. 15oz. (bag and frame)
Construction VVVV+
Configuration VVVV
Fit/Comfort VVVVV
Performance
Up to 40 lbs VVVVV
60 lbs VVVVV
80 lbs VVVVV
Overall VVVV+
With heavy duty construction, precise fit,
customizable options, excellent heavy load
performance and a huge range of capacity,
what’s not to like about the new Fulcrum
from Kifaru International.
Constructed of 500D Cordura® through-
out, a cavernous top load main bag will hold
a ton of gear or meat, and a full length front
zipper allows easy access. Two full length zip-
pered 900 c.i. wing bags are large enough
for 95mm spotters and large tripods. Addi-
tionally, the back of the wing bags are 4-way
stretch slot pockets that can hold tripods or
trekking poles. Compression straps on the
main bag run under the wings to prevent
impeding wing access, and the wings buckle
together to further act as compression to
the main bag. By compressing the Fulcrum’s
main bag down and using just the wing bags,
you create a compact, 1,800 c.i., day pack. Fill
the wings and main bag and you have enough
room for ten days in the backcountry. Acces-
sories such as the Guide Lid (1,200 c.i.) or belt
pouches (143 – 287 c.i.) can be easily added
for more space and customization.
The Fulcrum was tested with the Hunting
Platform Frame, which can be ordered to fit
your exact dimensions, and also has precise
adjustability. (Kifaru has tons of great You-
Tube videos that can walk you through the
process.) The suspension and lumbar sup-
port is well padded and the two inch forward
pull belt was excellent. Load handling with all
tested weights and terrain types was a breeze.
The only improvement I can see to the
Fulcrum would be making the wing bags de-
tachable to allow a bit more customizing to
particular applications.
kifaru.com Ruggedly built with Cordura ® 500 and Xpac
fabrics, the Solo 3300 from Stone Glacier
sports a streamlined design that helps to
shave ounces and produce a pack system
that can haul enough gear for a week in the
backcountry, while tipping the scales at less
than four pounds.
The Solo 3300 has one flush style exteri-
or pocket which is sizeable enough to keep
essential items within easy reach, producing
a sleek exterior that minimizes snags when
busting through brush. Aside from the zipper
on the pocket, there is no exposed stitching
on the main bag, preventing a snagged stitch
from turning into a blown seam miles into a
hell hole. The interior of the bag also has no
pockets or organizers, so pack items into sec-
ondary internal bags to avoid a jumbled free-
for-all. The bag is also easily compressed to
minimize bulk as a day pack.
The Krux EVO frame and suspension sys-
tem carries a 150+ pound load rating and
comfortably tackled everything in the review.
A hook and loop shoulder strap attachment
system allowed for easy customizing of tor-
so fit. A bicolor area on the strap serves as
a quick indicator for proper alignment with
your collarbone when configuring overall fit.
The bare Krux EVO frame can also serve as a
meat pack thanks to an integrated load shelf,
or can add around 2,500 c.i. or additional
storage area between the bag and frame for
longer adventures. It is also compatible with
all Stone Glacier bags.
Overall construction is great; all straps,
buckles, zippers and materials are heavy duty,
and the bag and frame easily disassemble for
cleaning.
stoneglacier.com
CAPACITY: 3,200-5,700c.i. WEIGHT: 4lb. 14oz.
Construction VVVVV
Configuration VVVV+
Fit/Comfort VVVVV
Performance
Up to 40 lbs VVVVV
60 lbs VVVVV
80 lbs VVVVV
Overall VVVVV
www.westernhuntingjournal.com
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