Exo Mountain Gear K4 Pack Review ***Updated 3/28/23***

[BRTreedogs]

Maybe…I am on the record on this site with Mark stating it was a mistake to switch from titanium to aluminum. I was super bummed when they did it and was glad they switched back. Reality is they went to carbon fiber because it was cheaper. I hope it works out for them. Their titanium frames were awesome. Whether or not somebody adds value is subjective. I have experience with their packs, I should be allowed to state my opinion whether you like it or not.

So you're opinion is that the k1 and k2 frames had failures? Because that simply is not true.

You also attempt to state as fact they are switching to carbon to save money.

Even if that was true how the heck would you know?

 

[ResearchinStuff]

the design of the k4 carbon stays is, to the eyeball, significantly more robust than the SG x-curve stays, which have an overall solid reputation. I managed to break an x-curve stay (maybe 2 actually), but they replaced them in time for my season.

 

[Ten Bears]

damn, Exo really has leveled up with this release.
already a couple jabs and irrational comments on each K4 thread.
next step is the dreaded label of having.....fanboys

 

[prm]

Maybe…I am on the record on this site with Mark stating it was a mistake to switch from titanium to aluminum. I was super bummed when they did it and was glad they switched back. Reality is they went to carbon fiber because it was cheaper. I hope it works out for them. Their titanium frames were awesome. Whether or not somebody adds value is subjective. I have experience with their packs, I should be allowed to state my opinion whether you like it or not.

You're confusing opinion with conjecture.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

So you're opinion is that the k1 and k2 frames had failures? Because that simply is not true.

You also attempt to state as fact they are switching to carbon to save money.

Even if that was true how the heck would you know?

Because we went through this same thing when they switched from titanium to aluminum. Same sales pitch, it had nothing to do with cost and it was just a better product according to them. That was a cluster mess and is well documented and they went back to titanium. Look, I am not opposed to trying a K4 out…and maybe the CF isn’t cheaper than titanium, although if I was betting man, I would bet it is. They can say cost has nothing to do with it, but if you have any sort of business savvy at all, you would know that likely isn’t true. I’ll bow out and reserve any further comments until after I have a chance to try one of the K4s.

 

[thunderchicken21]

Because we went through this same thing when they switched from titanium to aluminum. Same sales pitch, it had nothing to do with cost and it was just a better product according to them. That was a cluster mess and is well documented and they went back to titanium. Look, I am not opposed to trying a K4 out…and maybe the CF isn’t cheaper than titanium, although if I was betting man, I would bet it is. They can say cost has nothing to do with it, but if you have any sort of business savvy at all, you would know that likely isn’t true. I’ll bow out and reserve any further comments until after I have a chance to try one of the K4s.

Exo Mountain Gear K4 Pack Review ***Updated 3/28/23***

The K4 bags will not work well on a Kifaru frame. I don't see a good way to attach the top since the Exo will not go over the Kifaru frame. On the flip side, if anyone decided they wanted to put a Kifaru bag on the K4 frame, that looks like it will work just fine. Thanks for the info. I...

rokslide.com

Mark specifically says it wasn't driven by cost...

 

[Justin Crossley]

Every time these guys change frames there are issues. The K4 is starting to look a whole lot like the KUIU carbon fiber frame…

Not only are you incorrect, you're also not adding value with this comment.

Maybe…I am on the record on this site with Mark stating it was a mistake to switch from titanium to aluminum. I was super bummed when they did it and was glad they switched back. Reality is they went to carbon fiber because it was cheaper. I hope it works out for them. Their titanium frames were awesome. Whether or not somebody adds value is subjective. I have experience with their packs, I should be allowed to state my opinion whether you like it or not.

It's not a matter of me "liking" your opinion. You stated that every time they switched frames, there were issues. As far as I know, that is not factual.

You also stated that the K4 looks like a Kuiu carbon frame, which is very far from the truth. You know that or you've never seen them.

Also, one really big difference between Kuiu and Exo is how they handled the situation when they had a problem with their frames. Kuiu waited for customers to have an issue and replaced frames some of the frames after they broke. Exo found out they had an issue, contacted all the owners they could, and sent them a replacement frame before they even had a warranty claim.

It sounds like you had a bad experience, and that's fine. We welcome people to post their personal experiences with gear, good or bad. Trash-talking on a review thread is not the same thing, which is why I stated your post wasn't adding value to the discussion.

 

[JDbon]

I'm a fan of Exo and Kuiu. Got thousands of dollars worth of clothing and accessories from them but never bought their packs. Because of their frames breaking...Not from experience but from a friend and others online. That's why I went Exo and got their k2 years ago. Never looked back or at any other pack system. I Also have their k3. Convinced a few friends of mine and we all have Exo now.

@PredatorSlayer try the k4 and if you don't like I'll take it off your hands.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Because we went through this same thing when they switched from titanium to aluminum. Same sales pitch, it had nothing to do with cost and it was just a better product according to them. That was a cluster mess and is well documented and they went back to titanium. Look, I am not opposed to trying a K4 out…and maybe the CF isn’t cheaper than titanium, although if I was betting man, I would bet it is. They can say cost has nothing to do with it, but if you have any sort of business savvy at all, you would know that likely isn’t true. I’ll bow out and reserve any further comments until after I have a chance to try one of the K4s.

Kifaru's laminated carbon stays are pretty well proven.

I'm not saying you're not you don't have the rite to voice your opinion.
But you are making sweeping statements, stating them as facts and they are simply not true.

A more true statement would have been the k3 frame had some problems, etc.

But when you say they all hard problems as far as I know that is an absolute lie.

Have you heard of or have any k1 or k2 problems?
Do you have any proof of k1 or k2 problems?

I'm fine with you making a statement. If it has some semblance of truth

 

[Josh Boyd]

I’ve owned and reviewed packs from most of the major players in the hunting market. Currently I own 2-3 each of Stone Glacier, Mystery Ranch, Sitka, Seek Outside, and Kifaru. All make a decent pack and do what is intended of them.

I’ve never used an Exo and am incredibly impressed. The new K4 has raised the bar on comfort! It’s only been a limited amount of weighted pack hikes but it carries heavy loads more comfortably than anything else I’ve used.

@S&S ARCHERY @Mark at EXO and the Exo crew have really done an incredible job with the design and execution of the K4. I can’t wait to use it for it intended purpose instead of packing weight plates.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[roosiebull]

Because we went through this same thing when they switched from titanium to aluminum. Same sales pitch, it had nothing to do with cost and it was just a better product according to them. That was a cluster mess and is well documented and they went back to titanium. Look, I am not opposed to trying a K4 out…and maybe the CF isn’t cheaper than titanium, although if I was betting man, I would bet it is. They can say cost has nothing to do with it, but if you have any sort of business savvy at all, you would know that likely isn’t true. I’ll bow out and reserve any further comments until after I have a chance to try one of the K4s.

You really should try to check one out, there is absolutely nothing kuiu-like about it, and if you had one in hand, there would be no concern about durability, and their carbon stays are extremely beefy. The k4 is a badass pack, and I like the new frame design a lot, i have always liked exo packs, but they really did over deliver with the k4. I expect it to be every bit as durable as the duplex lite. The new design gives a little better head clearance than previous exo designs as well, which is nice… try to check one out in person and your concerns will go away. The stays are more robust than kifaru stays.

There isn’t a single nitpick or concern I can find on the k4, and is crazy comfortable. Every little detail well thought out. Closest thing to a perfect hunting pack I’ve seen.

 

[Backwoodsbandit]

I was debating on selling my kuiu pack and getting the k3 but now I’m even more interest in the k4

 

[Phil87]

I was debating on selling my kuiu pack and getting the k3 but now I’m even more interest in the k4

Do it. I just went from a Kuiu pack and my k4 5000 just showed up today. Super stoked.

 

[roosiebull]

I was debating on selling my kuiu pack and getting the k3 but now I’m even more interest in the k4

You would be pretty happy with that decision.

 

[sr80]

My first trip out with the pack landed me a fresh one. I need to cut my stays down and inch though. Has anyone done it yet? I remember hearing taking equal length off from the top and the bottom of the stay. So half inch each. Sound correct?

 

[S&S ARCHERY]

My first trip out with the pack landed me a fresh one. I need to cut my stays down and inch though. Has anyone done it yet? I remember hearing taking equal length off from the top and the bottom of the stay. So half inch each. Sound correct?

Yeah that’s what I would recommend. If you just wanted to do something less, like 1/2”, I would go from the top but anymore than that I’d do equally top and bottom.

 

[sr80]

Yeah that’s what I would recommend. If you just wanted to do something less, like 1/2”, I would go from the top but anymore than that I’d do equally too and bottom.

Thanks! I just trimmed off half an inch from the top. Used a hacksaw and then filed the corners of the stay off to round them nicely. The half inch actually made a lot of difference. Hiking tomorrow again and will test that out. Can’t believe how easy the frame stays came out and went back in. All and all it probably took me 5 minutes to remove , trim and install.

 

[S&S ARCHERY]

Thanks! I just trimmed off half an inch from the top. Used a hacksaw and then filed the corners of the stay off to round them nicely. The half inch actually made a lot of difference. Hiking tomorrow again and will test that out. Can’t believe how easy the frame stays came out and went back in. All and all it probably took me 5 minutes to remove , trim and install.

Yeah a little goes a long ways on frame height. 1/2” doesn’t sound like much but that can significantly increase head clearance.

 

[wnelson14]

Yeah a little goes a long ways on frame height. 1/2” doesn’t sound like much but that can significantly increase head clearance.

If I understand correct, 25” stays cannot be trimmed down on a 25” frame?

 

[S&S ARCHERY]

If I understand correct, 25” stays cannot be trimmed down on a 25” frame?

Yes and no. It can be done but requires modifying the frame panel. If you’re willing to take some scissors to the frame sleeves on the fabric upper you can trim them to make room for the shorter frame.

I’ll do a video on this in the coming weeks. It’s very easily done.