Kuiu Gear Bags

Looking for reviews on the TAKU 5500 or 9000. Can't decide which one to get as the 5500 seems a little small and the 9000 feels like overkill. Always nice to have all of your stuff in one bag but i don't want it to be so big and heavy it is a pain to load and unload.

I have two of the 9000s. Only reason I have them is to stuff my 7800cu in loaded down pack inside when flying. They worked flawlessly on my recent hunt in Alaska. Here is a pic of the 9000 loaded down.




For comparison sake the other bag is a Patagonia 55L Black whole duffel. What is your intended use for the bag? To put all of your gear to go to the lease in. Or all of your gear to get on a flight? Or something else?

Mainly just go to the lease and put it in the back of the truck if i have the wife and kid with me. I dont usually go for more than about 3-4 days but i do like to pack for every weather scenario. I can keep some stuff in the truck like my jacket but might need to pack boots and pillow along with clothes. Leaning on getting the 9000 as it is always better to have more room than not as long it is not obnoxiously big/heavy.

Is it obnoxiously big.....YES. It’s huge. IMO, overkill for a trip to the lease unless you were sticking EVERYTHING (boots, pillow, clothes etc) inside it so that there was no others bags needed on the trip. It is massive.

Is it obnoxiously heavy......Not even close. It’s almost so light that you will find yourself questioning its durability. Don’t, get me wrong, it is very durable. However it’s wall thickness is not like that of a Yeti Panga or some heavy duty PVC/rubberized material (I.e the heavy duty old school North Face Basecamp duffels)

I guess i would like the option to stick everything in there if i had to so i can put the food and such inside when i have a crew with me. It is not like i have to haul it that far once i get to the lease so thinking the 9000 is the way to go. Or better yet get a 5500 for solo trips and 9000 for trips with the family!

Used the Taku 9000 on my AK hunt (16 days total). Plenty of room for everything. I have a Kryptek Aegean that I use for my week long hunts in the lower 48. Plenty of room for everything as well. For shorter hunts I just use a smaller duffel bag.

Have you considered a tote or a store-brand duffel? Both will work to transport your gear and potentially offer better protection (tote) that a Taku. While neither are as "sexy", you still come out ahead to the tune of $100 or more.

I looked at the Cabelas waterproof bag but did not like it did not have a zipper and was a fold up and then buckles. I thought about the Tote as well but decided to buy the 9000 today. If it turns out to be too big i can always return it and get the 5500.

The Sitka version is heavily discounted on camp Fire right now

Go to an Army surplus store, about $30 for a used duffle bag, about the same thing, Then you have $85 dollar to buy beer to fill it. Or buy a couple of surplus laundry bag and fill one with beer and ice and the other with your stuff.

But in my opinion, if you are taking that much crap, you over analyzing your needs. I carry a 3 day hunts worth of clothes in 2 helmet bag.





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Used the bags this weekend and they worked great. They are big but for this trip worked out well as i have the whole family with me. One bag for the sleeping bags and random crap and one for the clothes. When it is just me all of my clothes, boots, sleeping bag, and whatever else will fit in one an much easier to have it all in one place.

I use Action Packers for exactly what you are wanting to do. I got them at Lowes or Home Deport for about 40 a piece. They have different sizes but work great!