EXO K4 3600 Finishing Detail

[huntfishsmoke]

Hello,

I just recieved my K4 3600 backpack from EXO Mtn Gear and I had a question for other owners on the finishing quality of the frame. I have a big stitching gap on one area of the velco where the shoulder pad connects. You can see it when the pack is on and it just looks second rate like a missed detail. I sent photos to the company and they said it's normal to have stitching gaps in that area. I just think it looks like a poor finishing job especially considering this is supposed to be a high end backpack and all the other similar spots on the frame are finished really clean. Maybe I'm just being picky but I thought I would check in with other owners and see if anyone else has come across this. Pics attached of the gap and the clean finishing of a similar spot....

 

[mtnbound]

Hello,

I just recieved my K4 3600 backpack from EXO Mtn Gear and I had a question for other owners on the finishing quality of the frame. I have a big stitching gap on one area of the velco where the shoulder pad connects. You can see it when the pack is on and it just looks second rate like a missed detail. I sent photos to the company and they said it's normal to have stitching gaps in that area. I just think it looks like a poor finishing job especially considering this is supposed to be a high end backpack and all the other similar spots on the frame are finished really clean. Maybe I'm just being picky but I thought I would check in with other owners and see if anyone else has come across this. Pics attached of the gap and the clean finishing of a similar spot....

View attachment 799104View attachment 799105View attachment 799106View attachment 799107

I believe there is horizontal carbon stays in those spots.

 

[mtnbound]

Yeah, there is a carbon stay for sure but the other spots where this transition takes place look really clean and finished. The one with the gap looks sloppy, the velcro is wavy and the 1 1/2" gap sticks up. For the price, it would be nice if those transition spots were all finished nice and clean. I showed it to my neighbor who has a K$ 3600 as well and he agreed it looked off. He had a good point when he said "you shouldn't have to hot glue a new $650+ backpack".

Okay, it's tough to tell in the pics. I sent my pack back to them to look at what appeared to be some missing stitching, and then they called me to go over what they found. I'm very happy with their CS.

 

[huntfishsmoke]

I believe there is horizontal carbon stays in those spots.

Yeah, there is a carbon stay for sure but the other spots where this transition takes place look really clean and finished. The one with the gap looks sloppy, the velcro is wavy and the 1 1/2" gap sticks up. For the price, it would be nice if those transition spots were all finished nice and clean. I showed it to my neighbor who has a K4 3600 as well and he agreed it looked off. He had a good point when he said "you shouldn't have to hot glue a new $650+ backpack".

 

[huntfishsmoke]

Okay, it's tough to tell in the pics. I sent my pack back to them to look at what appeared to be some missing stitching, and then they called me to go over what they found. I'm very happy with their CS.

Did they finish the stitching and pay for shipping? I'd be happy with that....and maybe a Richardson 112 for the trouble.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I just checked my frame since you posted to ask other owners what theirs looks like. My frame has packed out a goat, elk and deer this year, along with weight training may-September. That little gap you have a photo of is the same on my left side looks like, stitching just isn’t as close as it is on the other side where it tacks down next to the horizontal stay. I couldn’t say why it is that way.

Yours looks exactly the same as mine - would not be concerned with it at all, I’ve had no performance issues.

Build quality on the Exo packs is quite high, I haven’t seen a better constructed pack, ever.

 

[huntfishsmoke]

Why don’t you just send the photos to exo and ask them? I’m sure they’ll take care of any issues with the construction. I absolutely cannot stand threads where CS issues are aired before a company gets a chance to actually take care of something, but I understand your frustration.

I just checked my frame since you posted to ask other owners what theirs looks like. My frame has packed out a goat, elk and deer this year, along with weight training may-September. That little gap you have a photo of is the same on my left side looks like, stitching just isn’t as close as it is on the other side where it tacks down next to the horizontal stay. I couldn’t say why it is that way.

Yours looks exactly the same as mine - would not be concerned with it at all, I’ve had no performance issues. But if you do contact them, you should follow-up on this thread and reply with the resolution offered, if any at all is needed, just for others’ reference.

Build quality on the Exo packs is quite high, I haven’t seen a better constructed pack, ever.

Photos were sent to exo and response received prior to thread. I wrote that in my original post. You must have missed that? I still think it looks unfinished. The other (3) spots where the velcro crosses the stitched webbing is finished nice and clean like I would expect including the upper spot on the same side.

Congrats on your successful hunts.

 

[Brewski]

Photos were sent to exo and response received prior to thread. I wrote that in my original post. You must have missed that? I still think it looks unfinished. The other (3) spots where the velcro crosses the stitched webbing is finished nice and clean like I would expect including the upper spot on the same side.

Congrats on your successful hunts.

So what is the point of your original post? Are you unhappy with Exos response? Are you asking if other's packs have the same stitching?
To me your coming off as whining over a minor stitch detail that you don't like but Exo says is fine and they are the one that warranties the pack for life and has proven great customer service especially for defects.
If it bothers you use their 30 day return and go with another manufacturer, no need to be a whiner.

 

[bmart2622]

Want to sell it?

 

[huntfishsmoke]

Yeah, I was unhappy with that answer. It's not a clean finish. I'll hear more on Monday. If it's a design feature, great. If it's not, I'd like it finished up proper. No need to start naming calling.

 

[prm]

Did you all read his first post? He asked a pretty simple question.

 

[waspocrew]

If Exo says it’s fine, I think you have a few options:
- Return for a refund
- Live with it and if it fails, I’m sure you’d be covered by the warranty
- Find someone to stitch it for you

 

[waspocrew]

I bought a K4 5000 last week and will check it out when it arrives.

 

[mtnbound]

Did they finish the stitching and pay for shipping? I'd be happy with that....and maybe a Richardson 112 for the trouble.

My stitching issue was in a different area and they addressed my concerns, they did cover shipping and gave me a t shirt.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Photos were sent to exo and response received prior to thread. I wrote that in my original post. You must have missed that? I still think it looks unfinished. The other (3) spots where the velcro crosses the stitched webbing is finished nice and clean like I would expect including the upper spot on the same side.

Congrats on your successful hunts.

Totally missed that 4th sentence and have edited my response to reflect that, my apologies. I appreciate that you reached out to them first, so few seem to do so. Getting feedback from others makes perfect sense in this case.

I’d say if it were of serious concern I would have wrecked that frame upper already - with their warranty I wouldn’t be concerned at all with performance but understand it appears unfinished compared to the closer tacked spots.

You might be able to mail that upper to them to touch up like the other crossing spots? I’m betting they’d fix it.

 

[TaperPin]

With outrageous shipping costs, folks sure ask a lot of companies, expecting them to eat the cost of shipping for very minor things and returning stuff like it’s nothing. The world isn’t perfect, never has been - look under a $100k truck and it’s not perfect. I could pick apart the sides of high end furniture and find minor stitching inconsistencies. The world isn’t perfect.

 

[flyfisher117]

One spot on my 5k is the same way. I would have never noticed had I not looked for it. time with it loaded will tell if it's an issue.

 

[huntfishsmoke]

Totally missed that 4th sentence and have edited my response to reflect that, my apologies. I appreciate that you reached out to them first, so few seem to do so. Getting feedback from others makes perfect sense in this case.

I’d say if it were of serious concern I would have wrecked that frame upper already - with their warranty I wouldn’t be concerned at all with performance but understand it appears unfinished compared to the closer tacked spots.

You might be able to mail that upper to them to touch up like the other crossing spots? I’m betting they’d fix it.

Yeah, I'll let you all know what transpires on Monday. I'm hoping I can send it in if it's not correct. I really like the pack so far. It's a work of art in all other areas. I loaded it up with 40# yesterday and walked our fence line. We have a couple hills and I actually forgot I was testing out a new pack.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Mine isn’t stitched over the cross stay, but it’s stitched rite up to it then stitched across.
Yours would probably be fine but it would raise my eyebrows as well.
I’m sure they would swap you upper panels and that would save on shipping across the board.

@Mark at EXO chime in Ole Buddy

 

[Mark at EXO]

Thanks for tagging @BRTreedogs. Have already been exchanging emails with @huntfishsmoke over the weekend and will get him taken care of.