EXO K3 4800 as a day pack

[Tater86]

I am strictly an eastern whitetail, black bear, turkey hunter and I currently use the K2000 for my pack. I love it for its versatility and ability to carry my stand and sticks in the meat shelf area. The only downside of the pack is that during late season hunts, where I hunt about 8-10 days, I can literally have the pack stuffed to brim with gear because I carry everything with me to my stand and get dressed at the stand (Yes I walk through the woods in my underwear in 10 degree weather )

My question for those that have the 4800 or have seen it in person, do you think I would be able to replace the 2000 with the 4800 and still have the range from early season where my pack is almost empty to late season where it is stuffed full. My concern is more towards early season and I don't want it to be extremely bulky and cumbersome.

 

[tdhanses]

I see no reason it wouldn’t work fine, I also have a 2k and ordered a 4800. I’ll be keeping the 2k for day hunts etc but really probably wouldn’t need to.

 

[rawask]

Same here. Ordered a 4800 bag for my K2 frame.


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[Tater86]

I see no reason it wouldn’t work fine, I also have a 2k and ordered a 4800. I’ll be keeping the 2k for day hunts etc but really probably wouldn’t need to.

Did you buy the new frame or just going to continue to use the K2 frame?

 

[tdhanses]

Actually I use a Kifaru frame but I ordered the bag only.

 

[Harpie5959]

I actually am planning on this exact setup. I just ordered the new K3 4800 and am now searching for a 2000 bag for early season. I hunt upstate NY and OH both early and late season and carry all of my heavy layers in also in the late seasons so I don't sweat and then freeze. I am very excited about this setup. I also read a bunch that the 4800 should be good for a week long elk trip if you don't over pack. I have done 2nd season rifle elk in Colorado a couple times and hope this setup will be solid for all. If not, the interchangeable bags will make it easier to just buy the bag for longer trips if needed.

 

[Harpie5959]

Did you buy the new frame or just going to continue to use the K2 frame?

How do you like the 2000 for day trips? Do you use it with a lid? What about other bag accessories?
Thanks,
Kyle

 

[Harpie5959]

I am strictly an eastern whitetail, black bear, turkey hunter and I currently use the K2000 for my pack. I love it for its versatility and ability to carry my stand and sticks in the meat shelf area. The only downside of the pack is that during late season hunts, where I hunt about 8-10 days, I can literally have the pack stuffed to brim with gear because I carry everything with me to my stand and get dressed at the stand (Yes I walk through the woods in my underwear in 10 degree weather )

My question for those that have the 4800 or have seen it in person, do you think I would be able to replace the 2000 with the 4800 and still have the range from early season where my pack is almost empty to late season where it is stuffed full. My concern is more towards early season and I don't want it to be extremely bulky and cumbersome.

What stand and sticks do you like to carry with this setup? How far are you typically hiking before you set up?

 

[eltaco]

Absolutely, I just received my 4800 and sold my 2000. The weight difference is almost nil between the two bags, and you can compress the 4800 to about the same size. There’s truly no penalty for going larger.

Though I also hung out west, I use my pack here in KS for whitetail and 2000 is simply not enough volume for a late season hunt. The 4800 should be perfect! I’ll also strap my lone wolf to it for packing back into more remote areas.

The 4800 gains a lot of vertical volume but holds less to the sides, it’s definitely a more narrow bag than my 5500 was. I’m finding it rides quite nicely by keeping weight in close to the body.

 

[Wilderlife]

Mate, for what it's worth, I've been using my Exo 5500 as a day pack for the last 12-18 months. What I mean by that is, I've been hunting with it, but never packed into an area and stayed for a few days. Having said that, I have been regularly stuffing it full of gear to make my life difficult so I increase my fitness as I'm doing a big hike in September.

The point I'm making is, while 5500CI is a huge amount of space, the bag cinches down very nicely. It's not 100% ideal, but I haven't really found I am wanting for something much smaller on a regular basis. If you know how to tighten it down and stuff the side pockets in, you really can get it very small.

Having said that, I'm hanging out for the new 1800 as a day pack and I also want a Kifaru Door Gunner soon, too. Mainly for super light and fast summer scouting/bowhunting, but that's another story.

 

[Sleeperls]

I can stuff my 3500 full with ease. Wish i had a 5500

 

[Tater86]

Absolutely, I just received my 4800 and sold my 2000. The weight difference is almost nil between the two bags, and you can compress the 4800 to about the same size. There’s truly no penalty for going larger.

Though I also hung out west, I use my pack here in KS for whitetail and 2000 is simply not enough volume for a late season hunt. The 4800 should be perfect! I’ll also strap my lone wolf to it for packing back into more remote areas.

The 4800 gains a lot of vertical volume but holds less to the sides, it’s definitely a more narrow bag than my 5500 was. I’m finding it rides quite nicely by keeping weight in close to the body.

Awesome! That is what I was looking to hear. Sounds like it switching might be the ticket. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Tater86]

What stand and sticks do you like to carry with this setup? How far are you typically hiking before you set up?

I carry Hawk Helium Sticks and the Hawk Helium XL stand. Set up is around 20ish lbs with the rope mod to the sticks. The meat shelf works perfectly for carry stands, which is one reason I am looking at the K3 because you don't have to remove the load lifters to utilize the meat shelf.

As for a day pack, it works perfectly except for as I mentioned in the late season when I haul bigger gear into the woods. I use the lid in late season to give me some additional room. I mainly use that for quick access stuff such as food, binos, headlamp, gloves and extra beanie.

 

[87TT]

I'm still wrapping my head around walking in your underwear in 10 degrees

 

[Harpie5959]

Great, thanks! I can't wait to get my 4800 in.
Now I just need to find a 2000 in Fusion!
Or wait until the 1800 comes out, but I don't love the idea of an even smaller pack than the 2000... we will see what it looks like when they give more details. I was using a stone glacier approach 2200 and it was pretty small for my needs.

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[87TT]

Great, thanks! I can't wait to get my 4800 in.
Now I just need to find a 2000 in Fusion!
Or wait until the 1800 comes out, but I don't love the idea of an even smaller pack than the 2000... we will see what it looks like when they give more details. I was using a stone glacier approach 2200 and it was pretty small for my needs.

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You just put the lid off the 4800 on the 1800

 

[Wilderlife]

I'm still wrapping my head around walking in your underwear in 10 degrees

Yeh, that's messed up! Assuming he means 10 degrees F and not C, that is.

Great, thanks! I can't wait to get my 4800 in.
Now I just need to find a 2000 in Fusion!
Or wait until the 1800 comes out, but I don't love the idea of an even smaller pack than the 2000... we will see what it looks like when they give more details. I was using a stone glacier approach 2200 and it was pretty small for my needs.

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My feeling for me personally...

Keep my 5500 for hauling a lot of gear around (especially photography gear when on hunts with friends).
Get the 1800 so I have a small day pack that's good for carrying big loads of meat.
Get a Kifaru Door Gunner (or similar) to be my proper light scouting pack over summer.

 

[Tater86]

Yeh, that's messed up! Assuming he means 10 degrees F and not C, that is.


My feeling for me personally...

Keep my 5500 for hauling a lot of gear around (especially photography gear when on hunts with friends).
Get the 1800 so I have a small day pack that's good for carrying big loads of meat.
Get a Kifaru Door Gunner (or similar) to be my proper light scouting pack over summer.

10 degrees F . Its a good tatic to get others from your hunting spot when they see you head out from the trail head in your underwear, haha

 

[22Jdub]

I am.the opposite of most. I recieved my 3200 this week. My original plan was to use for whitetail in mi and on western hunts. After getting it, I don't think I'll use it for whitetail unless it's a late season hunt packing extra clothes or maybe if I'm hanging and hunting with a stand and sticks.

I attempt to film and even with the camera and arm, I'll most likely stick to a smaller lumbar pack for most of the season. It's definitely possible to do.it just seems like overkill for me.

On another note, the pack is fantastic. Put 60lb on it last night and it carries great.

 

[fellas2]

Great, thanks! I can't wait to get my 4800 in.
Now I just need to find a 2000 in Fusion!
Or wait until the 1800 comes out, but I don't love the idea of an even smaller pack than the 2000... we will see what it looks like when they give more details. I was using a stone glacier approach 2200 and it was pretty small for my needs.

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Harpie5959, please pm me.