(Another) EXO K4 or Stone Glacier?

[goldylocks333]

Hey guys!

I'm deciding between dropping my coin on an EXO K4 5000 or a Stone Glacier 5900/6900.

I'd love to hear from guys who've used both. What did you like about each? What did you dislike? If you had to only buy one, which would it be and why?

I've searched through the forum and found some old posts on this and learned some valuable things. But most results seemed to be a few years old, so I thought I'd start my own.

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[mtnbound]

Hey guys!

I'm deciding between dropping my coin on an EXO K4 5000 or a Stone Glacier 5900/6900.

I'd love to hear from guys who've used both. What did you like about each? What did you dislike? If you had to only buy one, which would it be and why?

I've searched through the forum and found some old posts on this and learned some valuable things. But most results seemed to be a few years old, so I thought I'd start my own.

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I have used both along with many others. I would go with the EXO. Great company, great customer service, comfortable with light and heavy loads, and has a better overall pack design. That being said, if possible, it's best to try them both with 50lbs or so and see what works best for your body.

 

[goldylocks333]

I have used both along with many others. I would go with the EXO. Great company, great customer service, comfortable with light and heavy loads, and has a better overall pack design. That being said, if possible, it's best to try them both with 50lbs or so and see what works best for your body.

I appreciate your response! I've been really considering this. It's a bummer I'm on the East coast, so it looks like I'd have to order both and return one. I'm not opposed, but it's a lot of coin

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[Jim Row]

Go Exo. The pack overall is so much better. I have a sky archer 6900 and a Exo k4 5000. I like the SG for light weights but when you compared build quality and fit the Exo shines. You would need to see both in person to understand. Good luck.

 

[goldylocks333]

Go Exo. The pack overall is so much better. I have a sky archer 6900 and a Exo k4 5000. I like the SG for light weights but when you compared build quality and fit the Exo shines. You would need to see both in person to understand. Good luck.

Wait, I'm confused do you have the Talus 6900 or the Archer 6400?

Also, do you find that the K4 5000 has comparable room to your SG? I forsee longer late season rifle hunts in the future, so I was considering the 6900. But I figure the roll top of the EXO should provide the extra room if I need it? Would be cool to hear from a guy who has one.

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[bow puller]

I fondled a stone glacier at sportsmans when I happened to walk by and noticed them. I'm sure they are a fine pack but the finish almost seemed like a prototype with the sewing on the belt and other areas. Exo is a great company to support and the build quality is top notch.

 

[Jim Row]

Wait, I'm confused do you have the Talus 6900 or the Archer 6400?

Also, do you find that the K4 5000 has comparable room to your SG? I forsee longer late season rifle hunts in the future, so I was considering the 6900. But I figure the roll top of the EXO should provide the extra room if I need it? Would be cool to hear from a guy who has one.

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Yes sorry the archer 6900. I think the room is somewhat comparable. The SG does expand more to give that extra room. But I always take the Exo when I’m hunting given the fit and how it carries weight.

 

[ryndxt]

I just went through the same process and ended up keeping the exo. I got a 3600.

I had question on sizing- emailed Exo, and over the course of 2 days with 2-3 emails back and forth, got my sizing dialed in. great customer service.

 

[goldylocks333]

I just went through the same process and ended up keeping the exo. I got a 3600.

I had question on sizing- emailed Exo, and over the course of 2 days with 2-3 emails back and forth, got my sizing dialed in. great customer service.

Dang, you bought both and liked the EXO more? Was it more comfortable under load? What were the deciding factors for you to keep it?

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[ResearchinStuff]

Multiple years and packouts with both the k4 and x curve. The good news is both get the job done well. K4 is my preference though, especially with the 5000 size bag and horseshoe zipper. Between an x curve with a sky archer bag and the k4 with the 7200, I prefer the x curve. Unfortunately the buckle and zipper arrangement on the exo 7200 is awful, if you need a bag that big and want a k4 frame, get the s2h terrahorn or whatever they call it bag.

 

[goldylocks333]

I'd never seen the S2H bag. That thing looks like a beast. I may have to look more into it.

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[Lawnboi]

Hard to beat the k4 right now imo. They are just doing so much right.

I’m not a huge fan of the 5000 bag, but it’s growing on me, and plenty usable. Having owned and packed animals with SG, and kifaru, I can say I’m happy with the k4. So much so I consider the exo a tier above either of the latter.

 

[ryndxt]

Dang, you bought both and liked the EXO more? Was it more comfortable under load? What were the deciding factors for you to keep it?

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Comfort w/ 45lb ruck plate. Fit my gear. accessories. company as a whole- love the podcasts and so much info on youtube.

 

[Tradchef]

Ive had both and went back to SG. I use the Krux and 6900. I was a long time user of SG being local here in town and the frame always fit well. I wanted to try EXO mainly for my lady. She has the EXS with the 5000 bag and really likes it and it fits her very well. I bought a 25" frame with the 5000 bag and used that last season. I packed out our deer and elk last season. Here are my thoughts. As far as hauling for me side by side It was splitting hairs. Both frames handle weight very well. EXO has a lot more padding on the belt and lumbar pad which is quite a bit bigger than the SG. If you like that style you will find it very comfortable. It's super plush. For me this was the down side. I would get pinch on my hip flexors and glutes from the larger belt. It was never bad but it was never right. That was where the SG on my personal frame does really well. The harness on the EXO is outstanding. Id like a smidge less padding but I think SG could use a little more. So maybe a hybrid between the two would be outstanding. Once you dial the K4 harness in it is really amazing. The SG harness is really solid too. I think the EXO harness is built a good bit beefier. It's a blend of Kifaru and SG and those are both amazing qualities. The company is great. Outstanding customer service and the ethics are spot on. SG is pretty on point in customer service and will help anytime. I prefer the pack bag design on the SG better but thats personal preference. Durability is a wash. Both you can beat the crap out of and they function amazing. I would give the sewing and feel of material to EXO. They do a really nice job. I routinely pack 6 to 8 animals a year and like I said to me it was splitting hairs. I like the way SG rides higher on my back while I felt the EXO was lower. It felt that way with weight but the extra padding is where that mitigates that for most people. You can't go wrong with either one. They are both great packs and both great companies with outstanding customer service. Get both and use them and send one back once you see what fits and feels better. They are very similar in the hauling department so it's going to depend on your body type. Most people will tell you to get one over the other but get the one that works best for you and fits your needs the best.

 

[rafiki]

i have the SG 5900 and a K4. i was on a 7-day late rifle hunt a couple year ago with my SG pack and my buddy had a K4. it was my first time seeing a K4 in person and just looking at it you could tell it was a tier above in terms of craftmanship. we had 80ish lb packs on the packout with snow and microspikes...my pack did fine but it wasn't comfortable at all. i shouldered my buddy's K4 and immediately decided to get my own. i still have the SG 5900 but rarely use it unless its with a light load. the exo packs just carry weight sooo much better. as others have said, their CS it top notch and a company who puts so much thought/care into their product is worth supporting imo.

 

[skipper907]

I find the exo is way more comfortable than the stone glacier. I have been using the SG for some training. The only thing I like about the SG is the built in load shelf

 

[goldylocks333]

I find the exo is way more comfortable than the stone glacier. I have been using the SG for some training. The only thing I like about the SG is the built in load shelf

This is actually something I was concerned about. I really like the SG cradle that's built in. Do you find that the EXO meat system is inconvenient or slips at all?

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[skipper907]

This is actually something I was concerned about. I really like the SG cradle that's built in. Do you find that the EXO meat system is inconvenient or slips at all?

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No with the exo I just always use the crib panel when hunting, however I can have the option to drop the bags and just use the frame and panel to haul loads.
I personally would not consider getting a SG pack they are a shell of the company they used to be. you will be far more happy with an exo

 

[Pramo]

Going through this myself, used Stone Glacier XCurve for 6 or 7 years, two sets of shoulder straps and my bow wore a hole in the 3600 (not the bags fault just sharp part of sight rubbing) . I'm gonna replace with an EXO the pack seems way better laid out and nothing new from SG since they sold.

SG can continue to be my training pack and treestand hauler

 

[goldylocks333]

It seems like nearly everyone has had the verdict of EXO so far with the obvious disclaimer of buying both and testing is still the optimal solution.

For the guys with the 5000 size bag, do you think it is enough you could do more than 7-10 days out of it?

I'm stationed on the East coast, so getting back home out West isn't always the easiest thing. When I do go, I try to make it for as long as possible. I'd like to know the bag is capable of a 7-10 day late season rifle hunt if I decided to do that. It looks like the roll top would give me the extra space for the cold weather gear, but without seeing it in person I'm not sure.

I was originally attracted to the SG 6900 for this reason.

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