Exo Mountain K4?

Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
707
Location
Boise, ID
Sorry for the lack of response on here to the questions lately, things have been exceptionally busy gearing up for the K4 launch. I've been pretty much living at our sew shop finalizing all the last details and QC'ing every new K4 part coming out of production.

The testing phase we put the packs through this fall went exceptionally well. Overall the frame had near unanimous positive feedback when comparing to K3. We ended up with about 130 packs out there being tested and I only had 1 tester prefer his K3 frame over the K4. To have those kind of results when talking about a backpack frame which is so heavily dependent on body shape, individual preferences on fit and packing style to me was extremely positive. I also received great constructive feedback on small design changes and I was able to make some final tweaks to the packs based off that. Most importantly we had zero issues with the packs (no durability issues, no squeaking, etc) and that gave me the final go ahead to start with production.

We are now in full production of K4 and things are looking great, to say I am excited to get these out there would be a massive understatement.

We will have K4 packs available to see, put on and pre- order at Sheep show here in a few weeks and also at Hunt Expo in early February. The website won't go live until late March for orders but when we do go live we'll have packs in inventory and ready to go for immediate shipping. We are using these two shows as trial runs / test samples to help us see how sales will break out between all the new options. Getting this data we'll then be able to adjust production so when the website goes live inventory will match as close as possible to how sales will break out. We will also be measuring customers waist sizes and torso lengths at the shows so we can get the fitting charts as accurate as possible for customers buying online.

Lots more info to come from us in the coming weeks and months. We have a massive list of content we've generated to cover every question we think our customers might ask about K4 that we'll be knocking out.

Here's a few updated photos of the K4 frame that I took last week. Ignore the Fusion harness on one side, I just shot this real quick so Mark could work on mock up's of the new pack cards we'll have at the shows. It was the only thing I had laying in my office at that moment.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and cheers to 2023!

Steve

K4 Front.png

K4 Back.png
 
Joined
Nov 25, 2017
Messages
34
Location
N Idaho
I was literally looking 10mins ago for an update. Thanks for the new information, unfortunately I won't be attending a show so I'll be waiting for the website launch.....looks like my boy will be training/spring bear hunting with my K3 this year!
 
Joined
Nov 4, 2019
Messages
384
It is going to be tough to decide between this and the Kifaru Hellbender but I will want to see more details on this pack.
 

md126

WKR
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Messages
698
Steve, Any plans for more info after the shows but before March through a YouTube video on the website (or similar platform) for those of us that can’t get to the shows? It would be very helpful.
Thanks
 
Joined
Mar 9, 2012
Messages
678
Location
Reno, NV
Sorry for the lack of response on here to the questions lately, things have been exceptionally busy gearing up for the K4 launch. I've been pretty much living at our sew shop finalizing all the last details and QC'ing every new K4 part coming out of production.

The testing phase we put the packs through this fall went exceptionally well. Overall the frame had near unanimous positive feedback when comparing to K3. We ended up with about 130 packs out there being tested and I only had 1 tester prefer his K3 frame over the K4. To have those kind of results when talking about a backpack frame which is so heavily dependent on body shape, individual preferences on fit and packing style to me was extremely positive. I also received great constructive feedback on small design changes and I was able to make some final tweaks to the packs based off that. Most importantly we had zero issues with the packs (no durability issues, no squeaking, etc) and that gave me the final go ahead to start with production.

We are now in full production of K4 and things are looking great, to say I am excited to get these out there would be a massive understatement.

We will have K4 packs available to see, put on and pre- order at Sheep show here in a few weeks and also at Hunt Expo in early February. The website won't go live until late March for orders but when we do go live we'll have packs in inventory and ready to go for immediate shipping. We are using these two shows as trial runs / test samples to help us see how sales will break out between all the new options. Getting this data we'll then be able to adjust production so when the website goes live inventory will match as close as possible to how sales will break out. We will also be measuring customers waist sizes and torso lengths at the shows so we can get the fitting charts as accurate as possible for customers buying online.

Lots more info to come from us in the coming weeks and months. We have a massive list of content we've generated to cover every question we think our customers might ask about K4 that we'll be knocking out.

Here's a few updated photos of the K4 frame that I took last week. Ignore the Fusion harness on one side, I just shot this real quick so Mark could work on mock up's of the new pack cards we'll have at the shows. It was the only thing I had laying in my office at that moment.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and cheers to 2023!

Steve

View attachment 492577

View attachment 492578
Glad to hear you guys will be at the Sheep Show!! Cant wait to put my hands on the new K4. I'm still running a K2 5500, also had your original 3500 when the company started. Might be time for another upgrade!!
 
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
707
Location
Boise, ID
Steve, Any plans for more info after the shows but before March through a YouTube video on the website (or similar platform) for those of us that can’t get to the shows? It would be very helpful.
Thanks

Absolutely, we'll be releasing info before it goes on the website. Probably not a lot in January but certainly in February as we get closer to the launch.
 

JNDEER

WKR
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
1,589
Absolutely, we'll be releasing info before it goes on the website. Probably not a lot in January but certainly in February as we get closer to the launch.
I appreciate and use the YouTube comparison videos going into detail about the frames and packs and how they compare to older generations.
 
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
707
Location
Boise, ID
Will the K2 & K3 bags be compatible with the K4 frame?

No, The K4 will not have any compatibility with older frames and bags. When I started working on the K4 design I didn't want to be limited to what we were thinking back in 2013. The bag dimensions, bag attachment to frame and buckles are all different than previous generations.

We will still support K3 for the next few years though. We'll continue to make accessories and bags for K3 for at least 2 years from now.

Steve
 

janibabar

FNG
Joined
Dec 25, 2022
Messages
6
No, The K4 will not have any compatibility with older frames and bags. When I started working on the K4 design I didn't want to be limited to what we were thinking back in 2013. The bag dimensions, bag attachment to frame and buckles are all different than previous generations.

We will still support K3 for the next few years though. We'll continue to make accessories and bags for K3 for at least 2 years from now.

Steve
means k3 still good for new start
 

sr80

WKR
Joined
Feb 19, 2014
Messages
1,400
Location
British Columbia
Looks like adjustable load lifter angles on that frame? I really like the looks of the horizontal support on this frame, nothing worse than a frame that barrels with awkward loads. Looks great Steve!
 

svivian

WKR
Joined
Mar 16, 2016
Messages
3,232
Location
Colorado
Sorry for the lack of response on here to the questions lately, things have been exceptionally busy gearing up for the K4 launch. I've been pretty much living at our sew shop finalizing all the last details and QC'ing every new K4 part coming out of production.

The testing phase we put the packs through this fall went exceptionally well. Overall the frame had near unanimous positive feedback when comparing to K3. We ended up with about 130 packs out there being tested and I only had 1 tester prefer his K3 frame over the K4. To have those kind of results when talking about a backpack frame which is so heavily dependent on body shape, individual preferences on fit and packing style to me was extremely positive. I also received great constructive feedback on small design changes and I was able to make some final tweaks to the packs based off that. Most importantly we had zero issues with the packs (no durability issues, no squeaking, etc) and that gave me the final go ahead to start with production.

We are now in full production of K4 and things are looking great, to say I am excited to get these out there would be a massive understatement.

We will have K4 packs available to see, put on and pre- order at Sheep show here in a few weeks and also at Hunt Expo in early February. The website won't go live until late March for orders but when we do go live we'll have packs in inventory and ready to go for immediate shipping. We are using these two shows as trial runs / test samples to help us see how sales will break out between all the new options. Getting this data we'll then be able to adjust production so when the website goes live inventory will match as close as possible to how sales will break out. We will also be measuring customers waist sizes and torso lengths at the shows so we can get the fitting charts as accurate as possible for customers buying online.

Lots more info to come from us in the coming weeks and months. We have a massive list of content we've generated to cover every question we think our customers might ask about K4 that we'll be knocking out.

Here's a few updated photos of the K4 frame that I took last week. Ignore the Fusion harness on one side, I just shot this real quick so Mark could work on mock up's of the new pack cards we'll have at the shows. It was the only thing I had laying in my office at that moment.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and cheers to 2023!

Steve

View attachment 492577

View attachment 492578
Steve, with all the molle you have on there I can't help but wonder what accessories and weapon carrier designs you have coming out as well...
 

Dioni A

Basque Assassin
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Mar 29, 2016
Messages
1,791
Location
Nampa, Idaho
Steve, with all the molle you have on there I can't help but wonder what accessories and weapon carrier designs you have coming out as well...
As a guy who has one of these, this is one of the best reasons to upgrade to the K4.
 
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
707
Location
Boise, ID
Looks like adjustable load lifter angles on that frame? I really like the looks of the horizontal support on this frame, nothing worse than a frame that barrels with awkward loads. Looks great Steve!

No, the load lifter connection to the frame isn't adjustable but I can see how it looks that way. What you are seeing is the system I came up with to attach the bag to the frame as well as contain the lid straps to help keep the lid in place on top of the bag. I'll post up some photos of how that works here soon.

To change the load lifter angle you'll need to swap out different stay lengths or you can cut down your existing stays to get a custom fit. We'll have frame heights from 22 to 26.5" and you can pretty much get any size in between there if you want something custom.

100% agreed on that there is nothing worse than a frame that barrels under heavy / awkward loads. To me that is absolutely essential in the design of the frame to prevent.
 
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
707
Location
Boise, ID
Any chance you'll have any for sale at the Portland oregon sportsman show?

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

We aren't 100% sure if we'll be at Portland or not right now. We have a booth space planned but it just depends on how busy we are. Worst case I'll send some packs over to the guys at Born and Raised outdoors and they'll have some on display for people to check out.
 
Joined
Dec 30, 2022
Messages
28
We aren't 100% sure if we'll be at Portland or not right now. We have a booth space planned but it just depends on how busy we are. Worst case I'll send some packs over to the guys at Born and Raised outdoors and they'll have some on display for people to check out.
Will there be any sales on old K3 inventory when this pack goes live? Also if you don’t mind sharing what do you think the discounted rates would be.

I’d love to get a pack, but the current rates are way too high for my budget.
 
Joined
Nov 16, 2017
Messages
8,760
Location
Central Oregon
Will there be any sales on old K3 inventory when this pack goes live? Also if you don’t mind sharing what do you think the discounted rates would be.

I’d love to get a pack, but the current rates are way too high for my budget.
They just did the biggest sale they have ever done in Nov.
And black Friday is really the only sale they do.
 

500000KV

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 20, 2017
Messages
291
Location
OR, CT
Will there be any sales on old K3 inventory when this pack goes live? Also if you don’t mind sharing what do you think the discounted rates would be.

I’d love to get a pack, but the current rates are way too high for my budget.
Look at the classifieds. Matter of fact I have a K3 3200 Im gonna let go of.
 
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