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

[JNDEER]

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

Would love to see a video or post on the best way to cut the stays and what exactly you have found works best or what you would recommend. My pack has been shipped and I am fairly sure I will need to trim it down some (.5”-1”) most likely.

 

[S&S ARCHERY]

Would love to see a video or post on the best way to cut the stays and what exactly you have found works best or what you would recommend. My pack has been shipped and I am fairly sure I will need to trim it down some (.5”-1”) most likely.

I’ll definitely get this done soon. We are all in the warehouse right now prioritizing getting the orders shipped out and as soon as we get caught up it’s on the short list to get done.

 

[sr80]

Would love to see a video or post on the best way to cut the stays and what exactly you have found works best or what you would recommend. My pack has been shipped and I am fairly sure I will need to trim it down some (.5”-1”) most likely.

Its super easy, if you have a hacksaw, measuring tape, sharpie, and a file. I held mine gently in a vise, measured half an inch from the top, marked it with a sharpie, the hacksaw cut through very easily. Didnt chip or fray the stay at all. Filed the squared off corners and slid er back in.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I recommend putting some miles on with weight in the pack before cutting your frames short.

 

[sr80]

I recommend putting some miles on with weight in the pack before cutting your frames short.

yes definitely

 

[Mxracer532]

just got my K4 yesterday.

 

[Justin Crossley]

View attachment 541072just got my K4 yesterday.

Let us know what you think after some use!

 

[Mxracer532]

Let us know what you think after some use!

Will do. I could have used it all last week turkey hunting with my daughter but I made due without.

 

[Citizen]

Needs color match hardware

 

[BRTreedogs]

Needs color match hardware

Tell me you're super vain and care what everyone else thinks without actually telling me.

 

[Blackcow]

I guess we’re all different. I don’t hate matching buckles, but I prefer them to be different from either the strap or the bag or both. I have bags and bags of ITW and duraflex buckles, and switch them out. I just like being able to find the stupid ends easily, especially on some of the strapier packs. My EMR2 drove me nuts.

 

[prm]

View attachment 541072just got my K4 yesterday.

Looks good! Anyone with Mx racer in the name must have good taste!

I’ll be curious how folks like the 5000/7200 when not filling it up with much. Day hunt kind of thing.

 

[Dioni A]

Looks good! Anyone with Mx racer in the name must have good taste!

I’ll be curious how folks like the 5000/7200 when not filling it up with much. Day hunt kind of thing.

I had both last year. The 7200 was manageable but it is much easier using the 5000 if you don't need all the space.

 

[prm]

I had both last year. The 7200 was manageable but it is much easier using the 5000 if you don't need all the space.

I went one step further and got the 3600! I need to load it up for 5 days to validate my plan! Though I feel confident that will be plenty.

 

[prm]

Confirmed. It all fits. Not going to suggest it fits easily because I used all the available space. I have the sleeping bag in a compression bag at the bottom, I would use the space better if I just stuffed it in the bottom without the compression bag. If necessary I can strap sleeping bag to bottom of pack freeing up quite a bit of space. Otherwise, I have a Seek BCS tent, a Ti stove, rain jacket, Kifaru LPP, extra base layer, socks, pack rain cover, pillow, sleeping pad, puffy gloves, extra socks, 10x ammo, Wyoming saw, charging pack, stove, fuel, spork, Ti pot, knife, kill kit, first aid, water purification, misc items bag, personal items bag, coffee cup, and 5 days of food. Only known missing item is my water bladder I carry in the event water is sparse.
I’m sure I’ll be able to pack it better with some fiddling around. I just tossed everything in.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

Confirmed. It all fits. Not going to suggest it fits easily because I used all the available space. I have the sleeping bag in a compression bag at the bottom, I would use the space better if I just stuffed it in the bottom without the compression bag. If necessary I can strap sleeping bag to bottom of pack freeing up quite a bit of space. Otherwise, I have a Seek BCS tent, a Ti stove, rain jacket, Kifaru LPP, extra base layer, socks, pack rain cover, pillow, sleeping pad, puffy gloves, extra socks, 10x ammo, Wyoming saw, charging pack, stove, fuel, spork, Ti pot, knife, kill kit, first aid, water purification, misc items bag, personal items bag, coffee cup, and 5 days of food. Only known missing item is my water bladder I carry in the event water is sparse.
I’m sure I’ll be able to pack it better with some fiddling around. I just tossed everything in.

View attachment 542402

Man I was going to go with 3600 and chickened out went with 5000. Main reason is I have at least one 7 night trip every year. I was worried 7 day trip would not fit in 3600.

 

[prm]

So, I decided to to go with my worst case scenario, it’s going to be really cold and I want my Woobie with me. That’s in addition to heated tent, Kifaru LPP jacket, Arc’teryx Atom, down gloves. Woobie is great for glassing, sitting, or wrapping around sleeping bag at night. Had to carry sleeping bag externally. I’ll play with those straps and perhaps add buckles. 36 pounds includes ammo but no rifle, water or clothes I’m wearing. The only missing item is my orange hat and light weight gloves which would go in lower pocket that is currently empty. I’ll take it for a 3.5mi hike this afternoon.
A 5000 would be easy but go against my preference to use the smallest viable pack. The initial hike in is the only time I need the full volume. If I really need more volume I also have an OR dry bag (~2oz) that I’ve used on the load shelf of other packs. Just put the heaviest items like tent, stove and some food in it and keep it close to frame. Easy!

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

So, I decided to to go with my worst case scenario, it’s going to be really cold and I want my Woobie with me. That’s in addition to heated tent, Kifaru LPP jacket, Arc’teryx Atom, down gloves. Woobie is great for glassing, sitting, or wrapping around sleeping bag at night. Had to carry sleeping bag externally. I’ll play with those straps and perhaps add buckles. 36 pounds includes ammo but no rifle, water or clothes I’m wearing. The only missing item is my orange hat and light weight gloves which would go in lower pocket that is currently empty. I’ll take it for a 3.5mi hike this afternoon.
A 5000 would be easy but go against my preference to use the smallest viable pack. The initial hike in is the only time I need the full volume. If I really need more volume I also have an OR dry bag (~2oz) that I’ve used on the load shelf of other packs. Just put the heaviest items like tent, stove and some food in it and keep it close to frame. Easy!
View attachment 542469View attachment 542470

When you had sleeping bag in pack did you put it in long ways or stuff it in the bottom across?

 

[prm]

When you had sleeping bag in pack did you put it in long ways or stuff it in the bottom across?

It was vertical with tent next to it.

The woobie was removed from its stuff sack and then stuffed into bottom of pack.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Great report @prm

Thanks for sharing!

Do you not use a spotter and tripod or am I missing it?