Kuiu Venture 1800 Gear Review

Large enough to do an overnight in the Whites, yet small and light enough to pack for a quick day of bear hunting in Erving State Forest, the Kuiu Venture 1800 has traveled all over the Northeast with me the past several months. Now my go-to pack, I’ve used it backpacking 20+ miles on Kilkenny Ridge Traverse with Doug and Tim, summer hiking in Vermont and Western Mass. with Ashley, every weekend for my Sunday 3D archery shoots, and on all my September bear hunts.

What’s to Love About the Venture 1800?

I love so many things about the Venture 1800. One is how its many pockets help me stay super-organized in the field. For example, one lower internal pocket carries all my first aid and emergency gear. Another pocket is filled with bow repair equipment (tools, line, lighter, pliers). A third is just for food, while a fourth holds things I may need in a hurry, like a bow cover and gloves. There’s also an internal sleeve for my hydration bladder. With all these pockets I can easily open up the pack and grab exactly what I need quickly, without having to dig through things. Additionally, when I need to carry extra gear, the strap tie downs are very customizable, allowing me to strap lots of gear to the outside of my pack. 

Smooth Carry 

I love how the pack carries so smoothly. When the load is heavier—like on that Kilkenny Trip—the hip belt takes all the weight and my shoulders stay nice and comfy. And when the load is light, the hip belt is removable and the Venture 1800’s internal frame (a mix of aluminum and polycarbonate) distributes the weight super-well on my shoulders, allowing me to get away with carrying a bit more, remain balanced, and still not need the hip belt. 

Robust Construction 

You can’t beat the pack’s durability. Made of 330D Cordura Ripstop, this pack doesn’t mind getting thrown on the ground, dragged against rocks, or pulled through downed trees. I’ve put it through the grinder on my recent hunts and it still looks as good as new. 

Adaptable 

One of the primary reasons this pack has become my go-to is how compatible it is with my bow hunting set-up. So many guys at the local 3D shoots have commented how cool it is that I can strap my arrows to the side of my pack using the side pocket and the movable straps. This eliminates the need for a quiver, something that is nice in the summer months. And it’s even more advantageous when I’m hunting and trying to move quietly off trail. 

Options Abound

The final reason I love this pack—the color options. The Venture comes in a variety of camo options and also, for 2021, a sweet tannish color that Kuiu calls “Ash.” I, of course, bought mine in Vias Camo because it's the best color for the terrain that I hunt. 

Who Should Buy the Venture 1800?

The Kuiu Venture 1800 is perfect for the hunter that wants to carry a day’s worth of gear but not a huge pack. The pack is the perfect capacity for day hunts in the Northeast and is nimble enough that it doesn’t interfere with your progress while stalking off trail. 

The Venture 1800 is also ideal for those that engage in a variety of outdoor pursuits, including hunting. For example, it’s the perfect crossover pack for hunters that are also looking to snag some peaks in the Whites. 

So there you have it—the skinny on the Kuiu Venture 1800, my go-to pack for hunting, day hiking, and overnighters. With all these features and a price comparable to most hiking and hunting packs, you should definitely check it out. 

By: Mickey Spades. If you found Mickey’s post useful, consider sending him a few bucks. (Venmo: @michael-spadea-4)