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KUIU Icon 6 3500 Backpack Review

KUIU went back to the drawing board with the new Icon 6—and the result is a major step forward in heavy-load performance.

Rokslide’s Matt Cashell put the Icon 6 3500 through the paces with both normal day-hunting gear and a roughly 92-lb total load to simulate hauling an elk quarter. The redesigned carbon frame, wider hip belt, improved suspension, and simple load-sling system delivered excellent stability and comfort under weight.

At 5 lbs. 12.5 oz. in Matt’s hunting configuration, the 3500 offers plenty of organization while keeping the system relatively light. The complete system also includes two hip-belt pockets, a rifle holder, an accessory strap, and a Pack Load Hauler.

Matt found the Icon 6 dramatically more comfortable under heavy loads than previous Icon frames and said its load-carrying performance now competes with some of the best hunting packs available.

There are a few drawbacks—including no backward compatibility with older Icon systems and a couple accessories that could be refined—but overall, the Icon 6 is a big leap forward for KUIU’s pack lineup.

👉 Read Matt Cashell’s full review on Rokslide. LINK IN BIO

#Rokslide #KUIU #KUIUIcon6 #BackcountryHunting #ElkHunting

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NEW REVIEW: Swarovski AT Endura 21-65x75

Swarovski’s new AT Endura looks to hit the sweet spot for backcountry hunters wanting full-size glass without full-size weight.

Matt Cashell put the new 21-65x75 through resolution, low-light, and real-world field testing. At just 3 lbs. 5.5 oz., the Endura combines a 75mm objective with impressive optical performance and a versatile 21-65x magnification range.

The biggest takeaway? The Endura delivered top-tier resolution, hanging right with much more expensive premium spotters while providing a bright, high-contrast image and excellent chromatic aberration control.

There are some tradeoffs—namely a narrower field of view, reduced eye relief at higher magnification, and no removable eyepiece—but for hunters trying to balance weight, objective size, and optical performance, the AT Endura is a very compelling option.

👉 Read Matt’s complete review and see how the new Endura performed in the field on Rokslide. LINK IN BIO

#Rokslide #SwarovskiOptik #SwarovskiEndura #SpottingScope #HuntingOptics

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🚫Don’t Pollute the Root!

What’s at stake:
💧Clean water
🦌Tourism livelihood
🚜Working lands
🎣Blue-ribbon fisheries
🤝Local way of life

Submit a comment to the Forest Service at the link in our bio.

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🏔️ Garmin Xero L60i Rangefinder Review

The Garmin Xero L60i packs a serious amount of technology into one rangefinder—high-quality optics, GPS mapping, Applied Ballistics Elite, and integration with compatible Garmin watches and handhelds.

But with a $2,500 price tag, does all that technology actually make a difference in the field?

@bitterroot_bulls put the Xero L60i through extensive field testing to find out.

👉 Read the full review on Rokslide.com LINK IN BIO

#Rokslide #Garmin #GarminXero #Rangefinder

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The fight over the West Fork Bitterroot is a version of a conflict playing out on public land watersheds across the West: resource extraction proposed at the headwaters of fisheries that anglers have spent generations protecting. What makes this one worth watching is scale—an 11.3-square-mile mine claim above a river known for salmonflies and 20-to-40 fish days is not a minor disturbance.

The outfitters, conservation groups, and local residents pushing back here represent the same constituency that has defended trout water from Idaho to New Mexico. Their opposition matters, and so does the outcome.

Drop a “MINE” comment and we’ll DM the full story by Travis Hall @travishallmedia

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In talking to locals who live and work here since this proposal was made public in 2023, one thing is clear: The West Fork of the Bitterroot River cannot support an 11-square mile mining operation in its #publicland headwaters. It would fundamentally alter, and ruin, the wild experience that currently exists there—not to mention the very lifeblood (the clean water) that sustains the entire Bitterroot Valley. Here’s my latest reporting on the proposed Sheep Creek mine for @fieldandstream with insight from the Bitterroot Water Partnership, local fly fishing guide Jenny West, and Matt Cashell of the Ravalli County Fish & Wildlife Association.

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Graduated BTW + Idaho and MT fishing thanks dad for going and shoutout big dawg Aura?

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Zeiss is attacking the heart of the market with the Conquest Apia 65mm scope. It offers solid optics, great build quality, expanding accessory options, compact form, light weight, and great value at retail pricing. The Apia’s optical performance is competitive with in-class spotters' performance while keeping the low 20x magnification for low light and going all the way up to 50x for maximum detail. But perhaps the Apia’s biggest attraction is that it does this at a really impressive weight and size. For backpack hunters wanting full-size 65mm spotter performance without full-size bulk and weight, the Zeiss Conquest Apia 65 hits the mark. Read bitterroot_bulls full review at link in bio.

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The writing is on the wall.
Electro-optics are the future of hunting, especially in the West. Factors such as increased interest in extended-range shooting and digiscoping have accelerated the trend. It should be no surprise that innovations in other optic markets are making their way into the hunting space. ~Matt Cashell Read the full review on Rokslide!

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Best Gear of 2025 | Rokcast

The Rokslide staff is back with their Best Gear of 2025, breaking down the standout pieces that earned a permanent spot in their kits this season. From hard-earned hunts to unforgettable trophies hitting the ground, this is gear that was actually used, tested, and trusted.

Every pick is unique, which means there’s something here for everyone—whether you’re dialing in your system or looking for that one piece of gear you didn’t even know you needed.

Tune in, take notes, and see what rose to the top in 2025.

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“With the stabilization electronics and sturdy build, I was expecting a corresponding weight penalty. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when the scope weighed in at 3 pounds 7.4 ounces. That is less than the competing non-stabilized Maven S3 20-40X67 at 3 pounds 11.2 ounces”. -Matt Cashell, Optical Editor

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BIG Late Summer Episode 🌄

Robby is back with a packed show you won’t want to miss:

🔭 Matt’s Optics Deep-Dive – bino harness, spotters, tripods, rangefinders & more must-have accessories.

🎙️ Robby x Weston Homa (Run the Rack Outdoors Podcast) – early season mule deer tactics, vampire bucks, hunting with sun, and plenty more. Like the vibe? Go subscribe to Run the Rack Outdoors Podcast.

🎒 Tried, Tested & Trusted Gear:
🏕️ Stone Glacier Skyscraper 2P Tent
🎯 Sitka Apex Day Pack
🛌 Exped Mega Mat

👀 Fresh Glassing Tips from the Mountain
📏 ELR glassing beyond 1 mile (out to 5+)
✅ Pros: cover way more country
⚠️ Cons: tough to pick out details on bucks
⛰️ From below: more coverage, but harder angles
🔝 From above: best views—when it’s possible

🎧 Tune in now. Season’s almost here. Are you ready? #LinkInBio

#Rokslide #TipsyTuesday #MuleDeerHunting #BackcountryHunting #WesternHunting #Glassing #RunTheRackOutdoors #HuntingPodcast

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