Exo Mountain K4?

[sr80]

I am fully expecting a handful of initial reviews like this and that's why I mentioned in the fitting video that the pack requires some break in.

I personally fall into the camp of a brand new K4 feels a little too stiff to me at first. Some guys are going to love how that feels and others will feel like it's too firm. Put 50-60lbs in the pack and do some training hikes, after about 10 miles of use the foams will start to soften up and mold to you.

I am using much firmer, and also longer lasting, foams in the K4. A K3 feels as good as it's ever going to feel right out of the box where as peak K4 performance is probably after 20+ days in the field. It will just keep getting better and better for you.

I want guys to give the more dense lumbar pad a good test run and if after some break in they still feel like there is too much pressure we have a handful of softer foams where can send out to try. They will feel significantly different (less pressure) than the current foam. Out of all the testers we had of K4 prototypes I only had 1 guy request that softer foam though.

Also don't be shy to play with the torso adjustment in small increments during a hike. I would hike for 1-2 miles with 60lbs and then stop and move the harness up or down 1/2", then repeat. There is a sweet spot in there where it's going to feel really good. The K4 harness is a little bit more finicky on getting the torso set just right, it has to do with the rigidity of the harness connection to the frame panel. Even if you're happy with how it feels I encourage guys to play with it during that initial break in period.

Steve

I like the micro adjustments of the torso adjustment, how you can put the straps in a higher slot, and then micro adjust it down. And or put it in the slot one lower and micro adjust the straps fully up, which overlaps the higher slot micro adjusted down. Playing with that one can really dial in the fit.

 

[S&S ARCHERY]

Your review is identical to my initial review.

A little stiff, and torso adjustment is definitely finicky. My initial hike I straight up didn’t like it, but I went back and tweaked a few things and it felt better (shoulder strap wise).

I have some more testing to do, verdict is still out.

That said, it’s an insanely high quality pack! The frame, materials and construction blow everything else on the market out of the water.

Yeah just give it 3-4 good hikes under weight (50+ lbs) and it will start to feel great for you.

Also here in the next few weeks I am going to shoot some more in depth fitting tips and tricks videos as well.

 

[S&S ARCHERY]

I like the micro adjustments of the torso adjustment, how you can put the straps in a higher slot, and then micro adjust it down. And or put it in the slot one lower and micro adjust the straps fully up, which overlaps the higher slot micro adjusted down. Playing with that one can really dial in the fit.

Yeah I was really happy with how that turned out, it makes it incredibly easy to dial in that fit.

90% of guys should fall into the 3rd or 4th adjustment slot up from the bottom and then from there you can just slide that micro adjustment up and down to get it perfect.

 

[TheViking]

Yeah I was really happy with how that turned out, it makes it incredibly easy to dial in that fit.

90% of guys should fall into the 3rd or 4th adjustment slot up from the bottom and then from there you can just slide that micro adjustment up and down to get it perfect.

Longer torso higher, shorter torso lower? typically...

 

[sr80]

How are you guys cutting down the stays? Hack saw? Zip disc? Are you cutting from the top or bottom?

i used a hacksaw, i placed the stay in a vise. Measured half inch off the top and then cut it off, used a flat file to round the edges of the stay. From start to finish it took me no more than 5 minutes to do. I would recommend a hacksaw VS a cut off wheel unless you wear a N95 mask and eye protection. You're not going to want to breath that dust coming off those stays when cutting them.

 

[S&S ARCHERY]

Longer torso higher, shorter torso lower? typically...

100% correct. The shorter the person's torso the lower the harness will be on the frame.

Between the 3 trade shows we took K4's to earlier this year and the 1000+ people we put weighted packs on there was maybe 25 people where we had to adjust the harness outside of those middle two slots though. I see people messing with that way too much by going from one adjustment extreme to the other. Assuming you started with the correct frame height the vast majority of people will land in that 3 or 4 slot.

 

[COH]

100% correct. The shorter the person's torso the lower the harness will be on the frame.

Between the 3 trade shows we took K4's to earlier this year and the 1000+ people we put weighted packs on there was maybe 25 people where we had to adjust the harness outside of those middle two slots though. I see people messing with that way too much by going from one adjustment extreme to the other. Assuming you started with the correct frame height the vast majority of people will land in that 3 or 4 slot.

After watching every video and playing with it for a while I have found it seems to be best in the second slot but this makes me second guess that. Should I be putting weight in the pack before trying to get fitment right?

 

[S&S ARCHERY]

After watching every video and playing with it for a while I have found it seems to be best in the second slot but this makes me second guess that. Should I be putting weight in the pack before trying to get fitment right?

Yes, definitely want 30-40lbs in there.

 

[Marbles]

I'm sure how each company measures frame height varies, we have always measured the overall height of the frame once installed into the pack and start from the bottom of the lumbar pad. Photo attached for reference.

K4 does sit higher on the body than K3 and because under weight any slipping is drastically reduced it's going to be 1-1.5" taller.

View attachment 540304

The difference between K4 and K3 is notable. I liked my tall K3 frame on the longest setting for over 60 pounds and found it quite acceptable at lighter loads, though I preferred the shorter setting. I found K2 was a little shorter than I liked. So, I got the 26.5 stays on K4. At 65 pounds, they feel linger than I need.

Once the crib is out, I will be getting 25 inch stays when I order a crib. I will see how they feel running heavy at 120 pounds then decided if I want to keep the 26.5s in the truck/boat for making multiple heavy trips with on a moose.

At 5'10" I knew I was probably pushing it based on your sizing information to go with the 26.5 inch. So, I have no complaints.

 

[Blackcow]

It didn’t take 10 miles to start breaking the pad in for me. I could feel the top edge right off the bat, and could fit 2 fingers between me and the bottom of the pad. I got everything close, put 50 lbs in it and hit the treadmill. I could still feel the pressure, and the gap was still there. In less than a lap I could tell the load lifters were a little high so I jumped off and adjusted the shoulder straps to the top of the adjustment for that slot and angled the pads out a bit. Got back on, load lifters were right on, and by the time I quit at 2 miles the pressure at the top was gone, and the pad sat flush top to bottom.
The next morning I pulled 25lbs out and added a 3L bladder. Barely noticed any top pressure and went away right after I started, and now, it’s not there at all and tomorrow will be a week I’ve had it, close to 30 miles. I’ve been a SG guy since the xcurve came out in 17, at least for my bigger bags. Kifaru mostly before that pretty much since Patrick started it. I won’t say 100%, but I’ve always liked Exo bags, and this frame is looking like it’s a winner. Only a couple small things, and bag related only.
Roll tops on anything other than 100% WP dry bag are weird to me. That’s mostly because I’m used to making a pocket for my 15’s by closing a drawstring top and pushing it down inside the bag. Sits right under the lid protected, with a beanie and my gloves. I can do the same with the roll top too but it’s not as much room.
Purely on principle, but a two way zip on side pockets. I know I have a melted snickers that fell down near the bottom. Make me unzip the whole thing to get down there after it. Go ahead. In reality it makes no difference, the top will most likely be unzipped with stuff sticking out the top anyway.
A pleat on the front pocket of the 5000 would be great, maybe fit a bit more in it. Aesthetically it would probably look like shit, and not work as well as you’d think it would.
Well done, EXO.

 

[shax2lex]

I did a 1.5mi hike with 50lbs and a full Nalgene in the holster. All I had time for was 1.5mi. The bottom half of the pack felt amazing. I had no slipping. I was so happy.

The holster holds the bottle perfect. I did put a 1.5L bottle in it and I hit my elbow on it. I’m fine going with the 1L size.

I do think I am going to play with the shoulder straps. I was getting some pressure at the end of the shoulder strap on my rib cage. I may need to raise them to get the strap to go down my ribs farther. I may have tightened my sternum strap too much. I’m going to watch the fit video again to check.

Overall, I’m super happy. I’ll figure out the shoulder strap and I love the waist belt.

Good job EXO!

 

[Blackcow]

One more thing! I’m 6’5”, 22” torso and the 26.5” stays are higher than I’ve ever seen, other than maybe SO with the long frame extenders(4” I think)! Not going to cut these, but I’ll probably get some 25’s for some hunts. It sticks up there for sure!

 

[Dioni A]

It was pretty cool to see where this thing started and how much refinement and change has happened over the last 2 years. I'll echo Steve's excitement to see all of your continued input throughout this season. I hope this thread keeps going and everybody shares their pack out pictures this spring and fall.

 

[S&S ARCHERY]

I did a 1.5mi hike with 50lbs and a full Nalgene in the holster. All I had time for was 1.5mi. The bottom half of the pack felt amazing. I had no slipping. I was so happy.

The holster holds the bottle perfect. I did put a 1.5L bottle in it and I hit my elbow on it. I’m fine going with the 1L size.

I do think I am going to play with the shoulder straps. I was getting some pressure at the end of the shoulder strap on my rib cage. I may need to raise them to get the strap to go down my ribs farther. I may have tightened my sternum strap too much. I’m going to watch the fit video again to check.

Overall, I’m super happy. I’ll figure out the shoulder strap and I love the waist belt.

Good job EXO!

Definitely avoid cinching down the shoulder harness too tight, that goes for all the straps associated with the harness (sternum, main straps and load lifters) It's definitely something I see people make a mistake on often.

Put all the weight on the hips and then just have the harness "float" on the shoulders / chest to where everything is stabilized but not actually carrying any real weight.

You shouldn't have any significant weight on the shoulders until you get in the 70+ lb range. If you do, revisit where the torso is set and how tight you have the straps cinched down for the harness.

 

[svivian]

It was pretty cool to see where this thing started and how much refinement and change has happened over the last 2 years. I'll echo Steve's excitement to see all of your continued input throughout this season. I hope this thread keeps going and everybody shares their pack out pictures this spring and fall.

View attachment 540401

 

[Jac]

I really love the hip belt pockets , 1 hand operation, no question the best pockets I have owned yet.

The lumbar pad is stiff in the house but hiking up the hill felt pretty good.

 

[Ice-kub]

I really love the hip belt pockets , 1 hand operation, no question the best pockets I have owned yet.

The lumbar pad is stiff in the house but hiking up the hill felt pretty good.

I was dumb and ordered only one hip belt pouch... Guess il. Get the second one along with the rifle sling and day pack haha

 

[4090Sharps]

Roll tops on anything other than 100% WP dry bag are weird to me. That’s mostly because I’m used to making a pocket for my 15’s by closing a drawstring top and pushing it down inside the bag. Sits right under the lid protected, with a beanie and my gloves. I can do the same with the roll top too but it’s not as much room.

Good trick! Thanks for sharing!

 

[tanker]

Got my 5000 in earlier this week. Impressed by it so far. Did my first 50 lb hike with it today. Hip belt/lumbar pad is awesome. Zero slip. Shoulder straps/torso still needs some fine tuning on my part. Nice work Exo!

 

[PNW bow hunter]

Strapped my kid carrier to the frame last night. I took my daughter on a 7.5 mile hike this morning.

Very impressed with this pack/frame so far. I also really like how everything on the pack functions. Extremely well thought out to be simple fast , and easy to use. I think it took under a minute to remove everything from the frame so I could strap it to the kid carrier.