More than ever, hunters are traveling throughout the world to hunt big game. And let’s face it, there are many challenges that come with traveling to hunt — one of them is transporting gear. Whether you are traveling to Wyoming to hunt elk or the Yukon to hunt sheep or Argentina to hunt stag, you are likely hauling a lot of gear, and it is critical that nothing goes wrong en route.
As many hunters know, the potential for things going wrong with traveling with gear is high. I once watched a bag sit on the luggage cart outside the plane get poured on in a rain storm. As expected, all of the contents were wet, and some were ruined. From that point on, waterproof was the only way. In other cases, weak straps that fail can be a pain and slow you down for an entire trip. Even uncomfortable straps can bring aches and pains that last for days if you’re carrying a heavy bag great distances.
After many years of travel, I am very picky about bags, and the team at KUIU is no different. And you can easily tell that many years of experience went into the design of the TAKU bags from KUIU.
I travel a lot and have gear bags from everyone from Patagonia to NRS, and these are just as good as my best bags, if not better. Let’s break it down:
Materials
KUIU uses a durable “TPU-coated 420D Nylon double ripstop fabric” and also utilizes waterproof seams. These bags feel like they can take a beating and keep the contents protected from weather. Yet they also feel lightweight.
Because the zippers aren’t fully-sealed against water, KUIU can’t claim these bags are fully waterproof. They instead state they are “weatherproof,” but this is not a deterring factor in my book. The zippers they use are high quality and cut down on weight and open and close easily. They also have a piece of material that covers the zippers and protects the zippers a good bit. On my most recent trip, I drove from Montana to California and encountered some serious winter weather. I made sure the opening to the zipper area was pointing downward and had no issues with moisture, even though all three KUIU bags were exposed in the bed of a pickup truck.
Comfort and Design
Hunters are often tough people. But that doesn’t mean lugging a bad bag around can’t bring about aches and pains that could ruin a trip. From heavy duty handles well-placed throughout the bag to comfortable shoulder straps that are well-padded, these bags are meant to go the distance. When worn as a backpack, my hands are free to carry cases, and even the larger bags feel pretty comfortable and easy to carry as a backpack.
Price
The TAKU bags from KUIU come in three sizes (3000, 5500, and 9000) and three colors (Olive, Gunmetal, and Blaze Orange). The prices are $119 (for the 3000), $139 (for the 5500), and $159 (for the 9000). Sure, you can always get a decent bag for $40, but at the end of the day, I want to trust my bag, trust all is well inside with my gear, and be able to get from point A to point B with my luggage being of minimal concern. Additionally, I truly believe these bags will last the entirety of my hunting career.
To learn more about the TAKU bags from KUIU, please click here.
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Disclosure: KUIU is in a professional relationship with Rack Camp. Though potentially benefiting from this relationship, we do not post what we do not believe to be true. To read more, click here.
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