EXO K4 Now or Wait for the EXO K4X

[backstrap billy]

Side Zip and Roll Top, but it's only a prototype and spec'd to my preferences. Will have to wait and see for final designs.


Does not saturate, atleast the materials I've used. The latest material I have not seen personally yet.

Does your prototype have a front stretch pocket similar to the k3 or is a zippered access like the k4 packs

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Does your prototype have a front stretch pocket similar to the k3 or is a zippered access like the k4 packs

Front stretch pocket. Definitely more versatile and able to stuff more into it if in a hurry.

 

[Colorsblend]

For me, it may depend on how good of a deal EXO may give on the k4 frame once the k4x has been released.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

For me, it may depend on how good of a deal EXO may give on the k4 frame once the k4x has been released.

It’s not a replacement for K4. It’s a specialized version for those that will see the value in the premium materials and light weight. Ie. K4 will not be obsolete or discounted, though I’m absolutely sure you’ll find some regular K4’s in the classifieds as people jump onto K4x

 

[Colorsblend]

It’s not a replacement for K4. It’s a specialized version for those that will see the value in the premium materials and light weight. Ie. K4 will not be obsolete or discounted, though I’m absolutely sure you’ll find some regular K4’s in the classifieds as people jump onto K4x

Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[sndmn11]

Socks or bare foot in the shoe?

There’s crocs under those gaiters.

Got it, socks it is.

The the belt less wide in the units you've tried?

 

[Bobrobheimer]

I like the look the these early prototype bags. Personally I am totally fine with only roll top access to the main bag as that’s basically how I use mine anyway 90% of the time. I also want larger low stretchy pockets on the sides so I can put a 1l filter bag like the befree in and out quickly with the pack on. Right now it works but is difficult. This all secondary to the lighter frame and foams carrying just as well as I am sure they will.

(As an aside I just replaced my lumbar foam with a new one - old foam was definitely getting broken down - and it’s grabbing very nicely again).

 

[Bobrobheimer]

Anyone else on the fence about buying a new K4 now or waiting for the new K4X to come out next year? I just sold my K3 that I absolutely loved but I was one of the few that was a victim of pack slip or I would’ve kept it. I can’t decide if I want to get the K4 during their Black Friday sale this year or just wait for the new K4X

I was also one of the few for whom the K3 didn’t stay up on my hips as much as I wanted. K4 definitely does for me.

 

[djacobs629]

I was also one of the few for whom the K3 didn’t stay up on my hips as much as I wanted. K4 definitely does for me.

This is great to hear. I haven’t heard of anyone with a K4 having slip issues so it gives me hope that it will fix my problem. My only other option would be to get ass implants. Lol

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

After my partner pats me dry. We have an understanding.

Because of the implication?

 

[Stache Attack]

Is the weight savings 80% in the frame 20% in bags? I’d like to see a breakdown. I’ll be buying another bag later on but will keep my k4 frame preferred.

 

[Bobrobheimer]

This is great to hear. I haven’t heard of anyone with a K4 having slip issues so it gives me hope that it will fix my problem. My only other option would be to get ass implants. Lol

I did find that the shim kit and two shims worked pretty well for me on the k3 but the K4 is still better. Also even un shimmed the K3 was still the best pack I ever used.

Also with the K3 and a load of say 60#s and up I could feel that the belt was rotating relative to the frame - the lumber would sag while the front of the belt stays put. This isn’t noticeable on the K4.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Ah.. you’re not versed in the Alaskan river crossing secret weapon. There’s crocs under those gaiters. Gaiters make sure they stay on and also give protection while bushwhacking through wet terrain.

I’ve been going with the zippered neoprene bootie with felt soles route sans gaiters but I’m only using them for crossing, not bushwhacking, and for sure heavier. I’ll have to give the crocs a shot. Badass sheep

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Is the weight savings 80% in the frame 20% in bags? I’d like to see a breakdown. I’ll be buying another bag later on but will keep my k4 frame preferred.

Curious as I have a brand new frame,cargo net&nalgene holder that needs a new bag.
May sell it and get the new setup or just a new bag.

 

[Stache Attack]

Curious as I have a brand new frame,cargo net&nalgene holder that needs a new bag.
May sell it and get the new setup or just a new bag.

Seems very valid for you and the other guy who is looking at buying new/Black Friday. If I was him I’d grab a k4 and cargo net then get the bag he wants later.

I’m looking forward to the x bag design. With my 3600 I use for guiding I’ll keep it then get a 6,000 if that goes into production for personal backpack trips or late season

 

[CMF]

I'd wait for the X. I love my Exo K3 4800, but the weight is the only downside. I also have a Kuiu Pro 4000 and it's more than 1lb. lighter. I started my sheep hunt in Aug wiht the Exo, but ended up switching to the Kuiu about midway through to cut my overall weight. I did miss my Exo when it came time to strap meat down and pack out. The side stretchy pouches on Exo are way better, but I do like the integrated lid of the Kuiu. Maybe the K4X lid will be light enough and worth running. I've rarely run the lid on my K3.

 

[tipsntails7]

Have someone else load your pack so you do not know whether it is 40 or 42 pounds, put it on, and try to tell the difference. Unless you have a strict weight limit like for air transport, 2 pounds will not make or break your hunt.

Buy the K4 at the BF sale.

While I understand your point, it’s in the same vein as “ you can probably lose 2 pounds off your gut instead” which is not untrue, but.

It’s all additive, if you make conscious gear decisions that’s a single item in a list of items you’ve dropped weight from. 2 pounds turns to 3 to 5 to 7. I don’t know anyone that you put a pack on then add a 10 pound dumbbell to their bag and they don’t notice it.

Let’s say it’s the only item you’re dropping weight from… it’s still two pounds. People pay thousands of dollars on gear to drop two pounds.

That means you can keep your base pack weight, and add two pounds of food, two pounds of a 4 season tent instead of a 3 for late hunts. Maybe take a bigger tripod, and bigger glass in certain hunts. Synthetic instead of down bag in certain areas.

In the world of backpacking hunting 2 pounds is massive for a singular item.

 

[ljalberta]

I like the looks of this. I’ve been enjoying K4, but still always take the Terminus sheep hunting for the weight savings. I’d be keen on getting back to being a single pack guy, having the Exo Frame and Bag with the Terminus weight.

 

[CMF]

It’s all additive, if you make conscious gear decisions that’s a single item in a list of items you’ve dropped weight from. 2 pounds turns to 3 to 5 to 7. I don’t know anyone that you put a pack on then add a 10 pound dumbbell to their bag and they don’t notice it.

In the world of backpacking hunting 2 pounds is massive for a singular item.

This is a very good point. I dropped from a 50lb pack to 37lb pack on a recent sheep hunt, and man what a difference.
went from exo 4800 to kuiu 4000
xmid 2 tent to tarp and bivy
7 days food to 5 days
dropped spare headlight battery, a top layer, cut down my kill kit, extra jetboil fuel
dropped inflatable pillow and used puffy
It all adds up... and nothing like a 6-hour hikes up a mountain to contemplate what you really need, lol.

 

[mtnbound]

While I understand your point, it’s in the same vein as “ you can probably lose 2 pounds off your gut instead” which is not untrue, but.

It’s all additive, if you make conscious gear decisions that’s a single item in a list of items you’ve dropped weight from. 2 pounds turns to 3 to 5 to 7. I don’t know anyone that you put a pack on then add a 10 pound dumbbell to their bag and they don’t notice it.

Let’s say it’s the only item you’re dropping weight from… it’s still two pounds. People pay thousands of dollars on gear to drop two pounds.

That means you can keep your base pack weight, and add two pounds of food, two pounds of a 4 season tent instead of a 3 for late hunts. Maybe take a bigger tripod, and bigger glass in certain hunts. Synthetic instead of down bag in certain areas.

In the world of backpacking hunting 2 pounds is massive for a singular item.

I did the following experiment on myself many years ago, and have done it with a dozen or so others, with the same outcome.

I started with a base pack weight of 22.5 pounds. This weight included some hunting gear and 2-2.5lbs of weights from a vest. I also had an additional 2.5lb weight that I gave my wife. I asked her to either add the additional 2.5lb weight (25lb total), remove one of the existing 2.5lb weights (20 lb total), or do nothing to the pack at all (22.5lb total). I left the room while she was adjusting things, so I had no clue what she did. My goal was to see if I could physically tell the difference between each of these adjustments. I lifted the pack by the grab handle with one hand. I lifted the pack with both hands on the sides, as if loading it into my rig, and put it on, as if I was going for a hike. I repeated the process in 10-pound increments up to 80lbs.

Results I have seen indicate that a 2.5-pound variance in pack weight was most accurately detected at a base weight of 22.5 pounds, but it could not be accurately detected at loads above that.

I agree that a whole bunch of slight gear weight reductions can add up. If you are new to backpack hunting, you may be able to get enough reductions to add up to 4-5lbs — or more—that's noticeable—but most dedicated backpack hunters are already fairly dialed in and will not be able to find an additional 2-3 lbs of gear reduction to make a physically noticeable difference. To your point, they will likely add more gear to make up for any weight loss. Yes, people spend ridiculous amounts of money to lighten their pack load, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're getting any physical benefit from that expense; it just means their bank account is lighter.

My point is that adding or subtracting 2 pounds to your pack load will not make or break a hunt because it's not noticeable on your back; it's only noticeable on a scale.