A lightweight 2,200 cubic-inch daypack that’s uber comfortable and can haul a load, KUIU’s Ranger 2200 is excellent.
by Jace Bauserman
A western hunter, I’ve gone through more packs than a professional trap shooter goes through Winchester AAs. OK, not that many, but you get the drift. Outside of my weapon and the accessories that I put on that weapon, I prioritize my gear choices in the order of boots, optics, and packs. Yes, other gear items are essential, but these three gear choices are critical. If your boots kill your feet, cause blisters, and are generally uncomfortable, you can’t go like you need to go. If they aren’t waterproof, your feet will get wet and you’ll be miserable.
Concerning optics, you can’t kill what you can’t see. Rarely do I spy animals with my naked eye. I purchase the best optics—binos and spotting scope—I can afford and use those devices to find the animals I plan to hunt.
My pack is what carries all of my gear, and if I punch a tag, it will tote that animal out of the backcountry. Packs come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. There are packs with external frames and those with internal frames; some have no frame at all. Some have adjustable torso and load-bearing settings; others don’t. Some, like those in the 2,200 to 3,200 cubic-inch range, are best suited for day hunting or a single overnight adventure. Packs with a cubic-inch rating north of 3,800 cubic inches are excellent for multi-day hunts.
My current multi-day pack of choice is ALPS’ 3,800 Elite Frame +3800 Pack. I’ve used this pack across the West. It’s ultra-durable, comfortable, customizable, and checks all of my boxes.
To Read More About ALPS’s 3,800 Elite Frame +3800 Pack, CLICK HERE!
My day pack choice fluctuates between the ALPS Hybrid Extreme and a few other models. Currently, I’m testing KUIU’s all-new Ranger 2200. I’ve used KUIU packs in the past. They are bulletproof, but my one complaint with them has always been stability when toting a heavy load. My larger KUIU packs shift and lack the necessary lumbar support to allow me to haul a large load. However, those were older models. I haven’t tested any of KUIU’s larger cubic-inch backpack models lately.
The KUIU Ranger 2200 is light, and I love the padded lumbar and mid-back supports. KUIU refers to these padded supports as Dual-Density Air Suspension. The waist belt (removable) is fully adjustable and has waist-belt pockets, which are a must for me. A pack without waist-belt pockets means you don’t have immediate access to gear you need right now.
The pack features a rugged, internal frame for added support, and the main bag pulls away from the frame as you fill the pack with contents. The pack’s main compartment may measure 2,200 cubic inches, but when you start loading gear, it feels like more. This backpack holds a lot of gear.
I like the design of the Tubular Frame. Though I haven’t packed meat with the Ranger 2200 yet. However, I did fill it with a 45-pound sandbag, and it felt great. The pack hugged hips and the adjustable load-bearing straps allowed me to get the weight off my shoulders and on my hips.
The top zipper pocket is one of my favorite features. The pocket is roomy and has plenty of space for my wallet, game bags, battery charger, and a few other items. All of the zippers are well-built, don’t stick, and come with rubber-loop pulls for easy access. I hate fighting with zippers. The good news: if you run the Ranger 2200, you’ll never have to worry about a broken zipper or a difficult zip or unzip.
The pack has dual-sided (stretchable) water bottle pockets. I use one for my Yeti bottle and the other for my Tricer tripod. Dual side buckles—top and bottom—are on the sides, and a pair of buckles run across the back of the pack.
Straps and buckles are essential for securing gear and for lashing items to the outside of the pack. The front of the pack also has Molle webbing—right side and left—running vertically. The front pack straps insert into the Molle webbing with metal stays, which can be adjusted up or down. The buckles on the front outside straps have a tab-pull open/close cam-lock design to ensure a tight fit that won’t move or slide. I toted my bow around the prairie during the first weekend of Colorado’s archery pronghorn opener, and these Cam-Lock Compression Straps don’t budge.
The bottom of the pack has removable lower straps for attaching gear like a tent, sleeping pad, or sleeping bag. The straps, like all the straps on the Ranger 2200, are adjustable. They do fit snugly in the loops and require some effort to attach and reattach. A vertical side zipper allows immediate access to a front pocket. This is where I keep my food, kill kit, and first-aid. The main compartment sports a zipper that runs three-quarters of the length of the pack in a horseshoe design. The main compartment is spacious, and there is a slot for a hydration bladder and a top slot for running the tube.
The fabric is ultra-durable and water-resistant, and I appreciate that all the straps can be rolled up and kept in a bundle with Velcro tabs. I’ve been using the pack for a week, setting trail cameras over pronghorn waterholes and doing some pronghorn hunting. It rides comfortably, provides easy access, and with all the adjustability, I can easily tailor it to fit me. The pack has not rubbed me wrong anywhere, and I appreciate the adjustable load lifters and cross-chest strap.
I will be using the Ranger 2200 throughout pronghorn season, and will add important notes to this article as the field test continues.
KUIU Ranger Packs Specs
- 2 lbs. 15.9 oz
- 2,200 cu. in.
- 22″x11″x10″
- $229
- Multiple KUIU camo and Solid options
KUIU Ranger Features
- Lightweight Aluminum Tubular Frame: The aluminum Tubular Frame lets the pack remain light but haul a load without breaking down.
- Dual-Density Air Mesh Suspension: The top and bottom of the pack that ride against your pack feature raised, ported panels that boost airflow and increase overall comfort.
- Cam-Lock Compression Straps: Two straps—one upper and one lower—in the pack’s middle with metal stays allow for up/down adjustability via the Molle webbing. The Cam-Lock Compression Straps are ideal for lashing a bow, rifle, etc. to your Ranger 2200.
- Removable Padded Waist Belt: Complete with waist-belt pockets, the Padded Waist Belt provides comfortable support when hauling gear. If you want to go ultra-light, you can remove the waist belt.
- Functional Pocketing: Deep main compartment pairs with internal mesh and external quick-access pockets for purposeful organization. I love that KUIU didn’t add pockets just to add pockets. Every pocket has a purpose.
