Exo 5500 or 3500

This is easy, go for the 5500.

The only thing i disagree with Exo and their website, is their statement that the 3500 is the do it all pack. This pack is tight with 5 days of gear. For 0.3 lbs more you can get the 5500 and it compresses down just as small as the 3500. Actually I don't think you would notice the difference between the 3500 and 5500 in compressed mode.
 
In agreement with the majority go 5500 no real weight penalty and you have the extra room. I have the 5500 and it will pack down to about 2" deep and most of that is the frame thickness.
 
So I just laid everything out for a September 7 day backcountry elk hunt excluding food, water, meat bags, and the pants I’ll be wearing(fl obsidian). One pic is everything that will go in/on my pack, and the other is everything that will be worn/carried. I fit everything into a badlands 2200 with enough room left for about 2 liters water and some snacks. Total weight of packed items is just under 14 lb and carried/worn 17 lb. So with this info does everyone still think I need a 5500? I haven’t actually laid out 7 day (roughly 10lb) food yet to see how much volume that will add. I plan on a few mountain house meals but mainly instant mashed, spam, tuna wraps, ramen, etc.
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I was in the same boat as you and went 5500. I do some 3-4 day trips throughout the year and the 5500 compresses down just fine without feeling like theres excess bag hanging everywhere. My long trip is 10 days once a year in september and theres no way i could do that with the 3500 and my gear is pretty minimalist/small/light.
Food will end up taking up a lot of space in your pack (figure about 1.5#/day) I always think I'm doing great on space until i load my 10 days of food in there!
 
I was in the same boat as you and went 5500. I do some 3-4 day trips throughout the year and the 5500 compresses down just fine without feeling like theres excess bag hanging everywhere. My long trip is 10 days once a year in september and theres no way i could do that with the 3500 and my gear is pretty minimalist/small/light.
Food will end up taking up a lot of space in your pack (figure about 1.5#/day) I always think I'm doing great on space until i load my 10 days of food in there!
I would go with the 5500
 
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