EXO K4 Now or Wait for the EXO K4X

[Harvey_NW]

For whatever it’s worth I’m still running a k2 and have no issues with it. I have friends who upgraded to the k4 and after comparing to mine they have voiced that they would have been just as happy with the k2/3.

I have the opposite experience. My wife and I upgraded from K2's at the beginning of this year and after packing 2 deer out last week, I can say we agreed there is a noticeable improvement in feel and comfort of a loaded K4.

 

[Bobrobheimer]

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.

It seems that just because it’s not noticeable when you pick up or wear the pack doesn’t mean it doesn’t make a difference on your fatigue level when pushing the envelope a bit on what you can physically do - either by duration or speed. For instance I think your feet might feel a bit less or more tired at the end of a long day with a pack that was 2.5lbs+/- Maybe still subtle but cumulative over a week of hunting too.

 

[gtriple]

No, I use a 6,000 cu in pack.

View attachment 951658

This photo needs to make it onto Exo's homepage

 

[gtriple]

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

This is what I'm thinking too. I've got 2 K4s (one for wife and one for myself) and the 3600 and 7200 bags. I'm definitely going to keep my K4 frames and probably just one of the K4 bags, then get entirely new K4x frames and bags. I don't want to train in a K4x, so I don't put too many miles on the bag and the foam.

 

[Acorn]

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.

The weight may not be noticeable on your back in the moment, but how about after a week of hiking miles each day up and down serious terrain? That’s the way I think about it at least. Not, can I feel the difference now, but will I feel the difference on day 3,5,7, etc.?

However, I’ll admit it’s nearly impossible to actually quantify the impact due to a hundred other variables that come into play over a weeklong hunt.

Anyone else think like this? Thoughts?

 

[gtriple]

The weight may not be noticeable on your back in the moment, but how about after a week of hiking miles each day up and down serious terrain? That’s the way I think about it at least. Not, can I feel the difference now, but will I feel the difference on day 3,5,7, etc.?

However, I’ll admit it’s nearly impossible to actually quantify the impact due to a hundred other variables that come into play over a weeklong hunt.

Anyone else think like this? Thoughts?

Losing 2lbs in a pack is like a 30% weight reduction. If you can reduce everything by 30%, that's substantial. Or maybe having 2lbs less weight in your pack allows you to bring a slightly heavier sleeping pad and get better sleep because of it.

 

[tipsntails7]

The newest prototype frame is 2.5 lbs. my total pack weight with the 6,000 cu in. bag is 4 lbs 5 oz.

does the bag still separate from the frame? or is it going to be an internal frame at that weight?

 

[HighUintas]

I always try to keep my pack within a certain weight limit for my 7-9 day backpack hunt. If I'm able to reduce my pack weight by 1.5lb, I can add about 400cal of food a day. That's pretty helpful for me

 

[WCT3]

The weight may not be noticeable on your back in the moment, but how about after a week of hiking miles each day up and down serious terrain? That’s the way I think about it at least. Not, can I feel the difference now, but will I feel the difference on day 3,5,7, etc.?

However, I’ll admit it’s nearly impossible to actually quantify the impact due to a hundred other variables that come into play over a weeklong hunt.

Anyone else think like this? Thoughts?

Yeah this is my thought as well. That weight has a much bigger impact over time, I even notice the difference on early season vs late season day hunts.

I also think it makes sense to use a lighter pack but the same total weight if you add a heavier tripod or a set of 15s for example.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

does the bag still separate from the frame? or is it going to be an internal frame at that weight?

No, it’s no different than the K4 system.

 

[Seth5005]

I have my extra K4 3600 with a small hip belt and 25” stays I would sell to someone for a great deal. I’ll start using my main K4 as my training pack until the K4x comes out.

 

[yeti14]

Maybe I missed it, but what is the new bag material? I would love to see some "waterproof" bags