Eberlestock modframe vs K4?

[Luke Acquistapace]

Thank you!

 

[dgfavor]

I’ve had problems with the lumbar pad on previous eberlestocks hurting my back. How would you compare this lumbar pad and belt to others?

I noticed when I first got the Mod frame the lumbar pad bugged me and felt like it was pushing down on my pants belt. I decided I would take it out and bevel the lower edge so it would ride better. So I took it out and, lo and behold, it already had a beveled edge but the bevel was on the top. So I just reversed it so the bevel was "skin side" on the bottom and it's been money for me - I do use the K4 belt because they offer multiple sizes and the OE Eberlestock just didn't fit me well.
The lumbar pad with bevel edge down:


You can kind of see in this orientation it "softens" the lumbar pad bottom edge so it doesn't ride on my belt:

*If you look close I cut out about an inch from the bottom center of the K4 belt so I could move the hip belt down an inch...effectively making the pack ride higher - I'm 6'5" and felt I needed the pack up just a bit. Works for me.

I was debating MOD vs K4 frame (and using all my modular Eberlestock bags). The big difference for me because of how I wanted to set it up was the molle on the frame - I wanted full length molle so I could set it up to at a minimum always be like this - hydration top/kill kit bottom:


The Exo only had upper molle:

 

[Luke Acquistapace]

Thanks for the info

 

[Backwoods_wanderer]

I noticed when I first got the Mod frame the lumbar pad bugged me and felt like it was pushing down on my pants belt. I decided I would take it out and bevel the lower edge so it would ride better. So I took it out and, lo and behold, it already had a beveled edge but the bevel was on the top. So I just reversed it so the bevel was "skin side" on the bottom and it's been money for me - I do use the K4 belt because they offer multiple sizes and the OE Eberlestock just didn't fit me well.
The lumbar pad with bevel edge down:
View attachment 962205

You can kind of see in this orientation it "softens" the lumbar pad bottom edge so it doesn't ride on my belt:
View attachment 962206
*If you look close I cut out about an inch from the bottom center of the K4 belt so I could move the hip belt down an inch...effectively making the pack ride higher - I'm 6'5" and felt I needed the pack up just a bit. Works for me.

I was debating MOD vs K4 frame (and using all my modular Eberlestock bags). The big difference for me because of how I wanted to set it up was the molle on the frame - I wanted full length molle so I could set it up to at a minimum always be like this - hydration top/kill kit bottom:
View attachment 962207

The Exo only had upper molle:
View attachment 962208This is super helpful. That’s a nice way to setup the pack for a simple hunt.

 

[Tradbeau]

This is good info. I was seriously going down the Exo K4 path. Now I have another pack system to obsess over.

 

[bbbirddog]

My son, & I ran the Generation 1 Mainframe for years. I talked to Eberlestock @ Western Conservation Expo in February 2025 & they had Modframe Prototype. We sold the Mainframes for close to what we paid. We kept scabbard, batwings, & dry bag. We both bought Modframe. As a comparison depending on type of hunt we are doing, I run a Stone Glacier 5900 for backpack hunts, a KUIU Icon Pro 1850 for dayhikes or horseback hunts, but the Modrame is the workhorse day hunt pack when it comes to use. I like the rifle in center scabbard vs on my Kifaru Gun Sling used on other packs. I like less cleanup of Eberlestock packing quarters. We took my daughter in law for her 1st Bull Elk hunt this fall & I used the Modframe packing the 1/4's. The 1st pack out in pictures I did not set the meat sling low enough so the 1/4 was not ideal balance in this photo, 2nd trip quick fix lowered center of gravity issue solved. For the $'s the Modrame with new hip belt, load lifters, is really hard to beat in my book. I would rate it a best value for the $. I use off brand hip belt pockets, keep scabbard on pack, use dry bag or bat wings, and sometimes nothing to save even more weight on your back. My 2 cents if this helps!