Exo K4 3600 or 5000

[TheHammer]

I have both… go with the 5000, you will not regret it.

 

[FDme]

Agree 5000. As small as they pack down I almost wish I’d got the 7k for the longer trips of 5+ days. My gear isn’t all the smallest lightest stuff.

 

[Seak_angler]

Just like everyone already stated, you can compress that 5000 down very very small and won’t even notice the extra space

 

[mtnbound]

I’m undecided between the k4 3600 and 5000. 90% of my hunting is day trips from a base camp or quick weekend backpack trips. So I know the 3600 would be plenty.

That being said I have a Montana mountain goat tag this year. That will require a longer backpack trip. And don’t want to be under gunned for this tag

I am fairly a minimalist, but far from ultralight. Most of my gear is bulky ish shelter/sleeping systems/clothing, compared to a lot of guys out there.

Any real world experience with the bags would be appreciated. If you think the 3600 will be plenty or if the 5000 would be safer. I’m mainly concerned that the 5000 will just be too big for most of my hunting outside this goat tag.




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I have used a K3 4800 for everything from hunting, scouting, hiking, SAR, and snowmobiling. That said, I dropped to the 3600 for the K4, and I do not feel that the 3600 is much smaller than the 4800.

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

If you are getting just one, get the 5000. I bought the 7200, and I then got a second, 3600 size bag for it used off this forum. It is very quick to swap. The 3600 is going with me in a couple weeks on on base camp hunt. I have been training with the pack with 40 lbs in it, and I love it. Much better than my old Osprey.

 

[ElkHunter75]

i am ordering the 5k soon... i would rather go bigger than strap stuff to pack

 

[TheHammer]

Just used my 5000 here for our white tail rifle season. Was reminded how much I love this pack and why! Cinches down nice n tight with very little in it. And handles weight away from the frame well! I hiked 6.1-12.8 miles each day of the 6 days I hunted. Unfortunately nothing mature to get it bloody. You guys will love the k4!

 

[Lock3]

I have used a K3 4800 for everything from hunting, scouting, hiking, SAR, and snowmobiling. That said, I dropped to the 3600 for the K4, and I do not feel that the 3600 is much smaller than the 4800.

I just ordered both the 3600 and the 5000. The 5000 is sloppy for day hikes, the middle of the pack buldges out when you don't have it fully expanded and it looks like a turtle shell (wide and short). I tried to use the side and bottom straps to keep it sleek but if you're using the side pouches for a tripod etc, you can't keep it skinny. While they do cinch down the same size when you have it empty, the second you put stuff into the 5000 for a day hike and it's not full, it looks like you're holding back a muffin top with the middle straps. Part of this is because the fabric is fairly stretchy. It definitely looks like an expedition pack that you're attempting to use for a short hunt.

If you're going 5 days probably worth it for the 5k, but most of my hunts are 1-3 days and the 3600 is plenty.

 

[Blackdog317]

Anyone with the K4 3600 that has done a 5 day, spike camp, cold weather hunt care to comment on how that bag worked out?

My old Mystery Ranch bag is 4700 cu in and has room to spare. I would like to downsize to the K4 3600 if it has room for a 5 day cold weather hunt. EXO lists the total volume at 4,268 cu in for the 3600 + lid.

Seems do-able. Or would the 5000 be required? My base weight is around 25 lbs after some recent upgrades to lighter, higher quality gear. Thanks for your input.

 

[judders87]

Anyone with the K4 3600 that has done a 5 day, spike camp, cold weather hunt care to comment on how that bag worked out?

My old Mystery Ranch bag is 4700 cu in and has room to spare. I would like to downsize to the K4 3600 if it has room for a 5 day cold weather hunt. EXO lists the total volume at 4,268 cu in for the 3600 + lid.

Seems do-able. Or would the 5000 be required? My base weight is around 25 lbs after some recent upgrades to lighter, higher quality gear. Thanks for your input.

I've done a 7 day archery elk hunt with a 3600. Really its about how you pack your bag.

 

[Blackdog317]

I've done a 7 day archery elk hunt with a 3600. Really its about how you pack your bag.

Agree. Archery season isn't a concern. More food would be the only extra stuff to make room for. The clothing layers needed during a cold weather hunt is what I'm curious about. I don't add much for that scenario, so I'm thinking the 3600 will probably work.

 

[Jtb.kfd]

Agree. Archery season isn't a concern. More food would be the only extra stuff to make room for. The clothing layers needed during a cold weather hunt is what I'm curious about. I don't add much for that scenario, so I'm thinking the 3600 will probably work.

I do a lot of backcountry hunts from summer to winter. I don’t use my 3600 for late fall/winter trips. Its not that I can’t get everything in the 3600, I could if I tried. Its more about ease of use meaning with more bulky items I can stuff them in the bag and not be as strategic. Also, when I get an animal down the quarters push out and make it harder to attach the smaller bag. I also remove my bino harness when packing meat and shove it in the bag along with my spotter (spotter goes on the outside while hunting). The bino harness takes up a lot more room than one would think. When I spike camp I want to be super mobile, ready to move camp quickly. I do not put anything in stuff sacks including my sleeping bag and pad. The larger bag makes this process go way faster. If one of those items are wet/damp its quick to yank it out the bag, let it dry and then stuff it back in. I use a tarp a lot as well and stuff that in the hydration bladder pocket of the pack to keep it from getting my other gear wet. The larger bag is easier to stuff the tarp in. Just some thoughts.