Exo K4 Pack Issue

[moewells100]

Morning all, just wanted to share a recent issue I had with an Exo K4 pack. Fortunately I was just out for a short camping trip and was only a few miles from the trailhead, so it wasn't a big deal. However the pocket where the vertical stave of the frame connects to the top of the bag ripped. This caused the stave to come out of place, and resulted in me waddling back to the truck quite awkwardly.

Pack is 6 months old and i've never had more than 50 lbs in it.

To their credit, Exo offered to repair for free and have been super responsive. I just wanted to share with the community as this could really effect people if deep in the backcountry.

Anyone had a similar issue?

Thanks

 

[hoosierhunter11]

Same thing happened to me! They have been great in saying they'll take care of it. I just need to send it in.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Anything can fail, customer service sets the best companies above the rest.

 

[flyfisher117]

Shit happens.

 

[doc holiday13]

I really wish we had a section dedicated to backpacks and the issues that come with them

 

[7mm-08]

What I will say is this: it has been my experience that Exo, Stone Glacier and Kifaru all have exceptional customer service (especially with repair issues like the OP mentioned). I know the Exo guys personally from our shared geography and they are exceptional when it comes to standing behind their products.

As doc holiday13 suggested, this thread belongs in the Backpacks section of the forum.

 

[Ten Bears]

I really don't understand why people feel inclined to make a post about a pack ripping. Literally could be a million things that caused it and they took care of it immediately.

 

[Taudisio]

Sewing Repair Kit

Zpacks Offers the Best Lightweight Backpacking Gear: The Ultralight Sewing Repair Kit is perfect for repairing your backpack, clothing, or any other gear items that need a touch up while on trail.

zpacks.com

 

[moewells100]

I really wish we had a section dedicated to backpacks and the issues that come with them

Sorry didn’t realize. My bad

 

[gil_wy]

Sounds like EXO stepped up. The best of the best will have issues but this CS seems exceptional

 

[BRTreedogs]

What the rest of the story?

I highly doubt this ripped with nothing more then a water bottle and a sandwich in it.

 

[BRTreedogs]

And this is on the bag?

What exactly made you have to waddle back to the truck?

What about all the other straps?

This is how you would haul meat. It doesn’t look like it effects the frame or ability to carry weight at all.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Sorry didn’t realize. My bad

Pack was designed to not be attached when using load self area. Even when not used in stay pocket, and empty load self area bag attachment points allows it suck up pretty high still.

I’ve gotten lazy after pack outs, or meat shuttles just, and Took top straps over the top of pack around stay and back down, and it kept load area pretty high still. I’m sure that’s not a preferred EXO usage but it’s works very well but does put stress on areas probably not designed, but it works. Packs pretty robust, There is really only two connection points for true failure and thats Strap to hip belt

 

[moewells100]

Thanks all, I realize now this rip was not “catastrophic” as I described previously. I could have modified as Cuerro above mentioned, and been just fine. Appreciate everyone’s input and patience

 

[BRTreedogs]

Thanks all, I realize now this rip was not “catastrophic” as I described previously. I could have modified as Cuerro above mentioned, and been just fine. Appreciate everyone’s input and patience

Were you pulling on it trying to get it up over the top of the frame?

If so you need to loosen the straps on the very bottom to get some slack in the bag

 

[cuerro viejo]

Thanks all, I realize now this rip was not “catastrophic” as I described previously. I could have modified as Cuerro above mentioned, and been just fine. Appreciate everyone’s input and patience

Nothing more aggravating than something that expensive breaking. I get it, Good news is Exo’s CS is second to none, and what’s even better is you learned a trick on how to be lazy with it.

Welcome to the backcountry

 

[isleofGough]

The narrow carbon fiber attachments to the pack was one of the reasons I switched to a Kifaru Ark frame.

 

[moewells100]

Were you pulling on it trying to get it up over the top of the frame?

If so you need to loosen the straps on the very bottom to get some slack in the bag

Not at all. Rip occurred an hour into a hike

 

[moewells100]

What the rest of the story?

I highly doubt this ripped with nothing more then a water bottle and a sandwich in it.

No story or reason to BS. It ripped an hour into a hike. Was just camping so weight was probably 30 to 40 lbs max.

Sounds like someone else had similar issue FWIW.

That said, I could have adjusted strap configuration in field and been just fine

 

[BRTreedogs]

Not at all. Rip occurred an hour into a hike

Strange

Imo that doesn’t really even hold weight really.
That just keeps the bag taught on the frame and gives it structure.
All the load bearing should be on the straps.