Exo Mountain K4?

[Movadius]

So... I placed my order for a frame on Monday. It arrived this morning. Shipping to Canada in less than 5 days from when it was ordered, for a package this size is pretty darn good, especially since I opted for the cheapest shipping option.

Even more impressive is it fit me pretty well right out of the box. I expected to at least have to make some adjustments for torso length but I simply attached a Kifaru Grab-it, filled a drybag with some pillows and kettlebells until I had around 40lbs in it, and threw it on.

First impression, I'm very impressed. Everything feels good, no real complaints at all. The shoulder straps are hands down the best I've ever worn. They fit me perfectly and I could probably make it even better with some adjustment.

If I could give any feedback at all, it would be that I hope they make some aluminum stays available in the future. The frame fits me better than any stock frame I've tried in the past, but I have an uncommon back shape with a pretty normal lumbar curve but a lot of curve in my upper back towards my neck.

Being able to tweak the frame shape a bit would make this a 10/10 for me. I don't know if that's possible with this frame design, but I'd pay good money for them if it was. As it stands I give it a 9/10 which is more than I can say for any other frame or pack I've tried.

 

[Movadius]

Pretty sure Steve said a while back that you can get aluminum stock from the hardware store to shape if you need. Just make sure to deburr it real good. I don’t remember the size he said but just measure your stays and that will tell you the thickness and width.

If this is the case, I change my initial impression to a 10/10

 

[Dioni A]

If this is the case, I change my initial impression to a 10/10

He addressed it in this thread. I would just search this thread for aluminum and it would probably pull up

 

[Dioni A]

Assuming other people will want to see it figured I'd save everyone the trouble.

 

[Movadius]

Thanks for that!

I'm very excited to get out tomorrow and try it out on a hike.

 

[JNDEER]

This is with 66#. What do you think…shorten the torso length a bit?

I get a little slippage with the belt. It may be partly a product of the clothing I’m wearing.
View attachment 547811

When carrying loads especially on uneven terrain I personally like a small gap (similar to yours when standing straight up) because as I twist and turn my shoulders go up and down and I am usually leaning forward while hiking. If it fits tighter over my shoulder (as most fitting video suggest) standing straight up- then I get pressure on my back carrying more weight when I lean more forward while hiking. This could just be me.

 

[PNW bow hunter]

Also, anyone running the K4 with less weight?

How does it feel with 30-50 lbs in it?

I have just been doing hikes with my almost 3 year old daughter. Strapped her kid carrier to the frame. Probably about 40 pounds with her, food and water.

5-7 mile hikes so far

So far it is still the most comfortable frame I have ever had.

Today heading out for a 7-8 mile hike with about 65lbs in the 5000 bag, no daughter with me today. I did this same hike with my other pack 3 weeks ago so I’ll have a pretty good comparison with more weight.

 

[fisherman983]

I have just been doing hikes with my almost 3 year old daughter. Strapped her kid carrier to the frame. Probably about 40 pounds with her, food and water.

5-7 mile hikes so far

So far it is still the most comfortable frame I have ever had.

Today heading out for a 7-8 mile hike with about 65lbs in the 5000 bag, no daughter with me today. I did this same hike with my other pack 3 weeks ago so I’ll have a pretty good comparison with more weight.

View attachment 548059

Looks like God's thumb or cascade head

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[PNW bow hunter]

Cascade head

No crowd early in the morning, and not the best weather

 

[fisherman983]

Cascade head

No crowd early in the morning, and not the best weather

Lincoln city native? I'm not far from you.. toledo

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[Movadius]

I didnt get out for a hike today but plan to first thing in the morning tomorrow.

I did however attach my Kifaru Woodsman to the K4 frame and load that up with 40lbs. It felt even better than the drybag + grabit did, I was able to pack the weight a bit more optimally I guess.

 

[Movadius]

Couldn't wait, took it out for a quick 1 hour hike with 40lbs in it. 40lbs has never felt so light in a pack for me. I think I need to tweak the torso length a tiny bit but overall its the comfiest and best fitting frame I've tried. The shoulder straps are just perfect.

Here it is with my Kifaru Woodsman mounted to it and a generic 16oz nalgene bottle holder on the belt. I will definitely be picking up the exo k4 bottle holder for a full size 32oz nalgene, but this one worked pretty well too.

 

[roosiebull]

Well, I got to test mine out good, it was 103# with the rifle, which is heavy for my skinny ass, and it was some brutal stuff for awhile, but the pack kicks ass… no pressure points or hot spots, seriously as comfortable as 100lbs can be… it was a rough trip out and I’m glad I was wearing the k4

 

[Average Dave]

@roosiebull I see no critter pics.

 

[roosiebull]

@roosiebull I see no critter pics.

 

[Average Dave]

Excellent. I haven’t even got to try mine out yet and you got critters in yours.

 

[DakotaBPNW]

Well, I got to test mine out good, it was 103# with the rifle, which is heavy for my skinny ass, and it was some brutal stuff for awhile, but the pack kicks ass… no pressure points or hot spots, seriously as comfortable as 100lbs can be… it was a rough trip out and I’m glad I was wearing the k4

Hell yeah man!

 

[GunsAreFun]

That looks about as bad as it gets there and it’s usually worse in person.

Reminds me of the time on our first trip that we had to send my friends 18 year old nephew up first with a climbing rope because we couldn’t find a path up this bluff that ringed the mountain.

 

[Marbles]

Well, I got to test mine out good, it was 103# with the rifle, which is heavy for my skinny ass, and it was some brutal stuff for awhile, but the pack kicks ass… no pressure points or hot spots, seriously as comfortable as 100lbs can be… it was a rough trip out and I’m glad I was wearing the k4

Not possible, ranger green never gets blood on it.

 

[sr80]

Well, I got to test mine out good, it was 103# with the rifle, which is heavy for my skinny ass, and it was some brutal stuff for awhile, but the pack kicks ass… no pressure points or hot spots, seriously as comfortable as 100lbs can be… it was a rough trip out and I’m glad I was wearing the k4

awesome man congrats!