Exo Mountain K4?

[blackdog]

Thanks guys. Unless I saw a few folks saying 'you definitely could fit all that comfortably in a 2200' I was leaning towards the 3600. Bigger is better, right? Or at least usually? My tripod does usually live with its feet in a side pouch and strapped to the side of the pack, but my rain gear definitely isn't the 'packable' sort so feels like 3600 will be a great fit.

 

[bowhunthard88]

Thanks guys. Unless I saw a few folks saying 'you definitely could fit all that comfortably in a 2200' I was leaning towards the 3600. Bigger is better, right? Or at least usually? My tripod does usually live with its feet in a side pouch and strapped to the side of the pack, but my rain gear definitely isn't the 'packable' sort so feels like 3600 will be a great fit.

2200 would be borderline, regardless...

 

[roosiebull]

Potential Oregon K4 buyer. Would want space for water bladder, rain gear, spotter and tripod, kill kit, lunch, and maybe a puffy. And would prefer to not have to use add-on pouches or strap rain gear to the outside. Think that spells 2200 or 3600?

You won’t regret getting the 3600 imo, if you go lidless, it’s lower profile than the 2200 as well (clearance above you)

I like my 2200 and use it a lot, but I certainly wouldn’t trade my 3600 for it

I plan on getting a dedicated 26.5” frame for hauling meat (mostly helping others pack meat to keep my primary pack clean besides what I kill) and will get a load crib for it, and the 2200 might just live on that for carrying necessities when helping others pack meat

A dedicated freighter would be nice to have

 

[ztc92]

Elk hunting with a buddy this week and he got a bull so I finally got to put the K4 to the test with something other than sandbags and backpacking.

I was SO IMPRESSED with how well it handled the front and rear quarters. With the front I had all my day hunting gear and rifle, with the rear I had a barebones pack with just rifle and water. I’d guess both packs weighed about 60-70 pounds because my rifle is 10 pounds on its own. Using the straps on the frame the quarters didn’t shift at all and the load was extremely solid. The hip belt locked in well and made it easy to keep the weight off my shoulders. It was truly night and day compared to packing out a cow elk 2 years ago with a MR Metcalf. I love this pack.

 

[Zbo93]

Elk hunting with a buddy this week and he got a bull so I finally got to put the K4 to the test with something other than sandbags and backpacking.

I was SO IMPRESSED with how well it handled the front and rear quarters. With the front I had all my day hunting gear and rifle, with the rear I had a barebones pack with just rifle and water. I’d guess both packs weighed about 60-70 pounds because my rifle is 10 pounds on its own. Using the straps on the frame the quarters didn’t shift at all and the load was extremely solid. The hip belt locked in well and made it easy to keep the weight off my shoulders. It was truly night and day compared to packing out a cow elk 2 years ago with a MR Metcalf. I love this pack.

What size did you have with ya?

 

[ztc92]

What size did you have with ya?

I have a 5000 with the 25” stays. Love everything about the frame and using it, just wish the bag was a little more functional as the 5000 gets pretty cramped when bringing a warm sleep system and extra layers. I like the horseshoe zipper so may try and add the SG side bags for my next hunt.

 

[woods89]

Well, I'm in..........

I've used Kifaru, and then a Seek Outside Lanner for the last few years. Both have been good packs, but I've really liked the bag design of my buddies K3 that he has used in past years. He got a K4 this summer, and just got to pack elk quarters last week with it. It gets his stamp of approval, which is a fairly high bar!

I ordered a K4 5000 RG, nalgene pocket, and 1 hip pocket. I'll try to break it in on some whitetails.

My choice was affected in no small way by the relentless commitment Exo has shown to getting things right, as is well documented on this thread.

 

[ztc92]

For anyone wondering, I just picked up a set of the SG R3 side bags. I have some plastic tri-glides inbound and hope to get them attached to test out chasing elk later this week. I’ll try to provide some more info/photos once I get the bag all set up.

So far I’m really impressed with the SG side bags. They’re surprisingly light but add a lot of volume and seem very well made. Should be a great addition for easy access to puffy suits and other essentials and I suspect it will make the side pockets on the K4 bag nearly obsolete.

 

[ztc92]

Update: Side bags fit perfectly with the top 3 straps and are easy to install. Excited to test them out chasing elk this weekend!

For anyone wondering, I bought a 10-pack of these 1” Tri-Glides and they fit perfectly:

Amazon.com

 

[Theringworm]

Thanks guys. Unless I saw a few folks saying 'you definitely could fit all that comfortably in a 2200' I was leaning towards the 3600. Bigger is better, right? Or at least usually? My tripod does usually live with its feet in a side pouch and strapped to the side of the pack, but my rain gear definitely isn't the 'packable' sort so feels like 3600 will be a great fit.

Just got back from an abruptly ended elk hunt due to electrical issues on my truck. I have the 2200. The bag itself is bombproof, well-constructed and has a streamlined slim contour to it. I love the bag.

The one negative, which I have seen mentioned many a time before but hadn't experienced until this hunt was the design of the side zips. Why they were built to expand and rob space from the inside of the main compartment instead of expanding externally, not taking up any additional internal space is beyond me. I had my puffy pant jacket on one side, rain gear on the other. There might have been a 4" side to side opening to try and stuff down into the bottom of the bag below where the sides pockets terminated however the middle and upper third of the bag where the side bags encroached robbed me of valuable space.

I would 100% move up to a 3600. I didn't think I would need to for basecamp/truck hunting, but I would rather have more room and not need it, and cinch down the bag nice a small, than not have an option for more space.

The K4 frame.........AMAZING. So comfortable and stable. The side pockets on the 2200 are my only complaint.

 

[Ethan g]

Been seeing some guys test out the prototype K4 5000 in Coyote tan. I know I can’t be the only one waiting to hear about these lol they look slick. Anybody have any clue on when they will be done designing and when they will drop them? Lol

best pack on the market IMO. love Exo

 

[Seak_angler]

best pack on the market IMO. love Exo

Agreed

 

[ztc92]

Had a chance to chase elk with the K4 5000 and use the SG side bags some more. It takes some getting used to but once you get the hang of using side bags instead of compression straps to secure things, they work great. One added benefit I really appreciated was how much the side bags shield the rifle/scope in the event of a fall or when setting the pack down.

A few days later I went out elk hunting again but stumbled into a mule deer buck that I killed instead. The K4 handled the load like a champ, got him out in two trips with ease!

 

[huntnful]

This was my 20th animal in the K4. A solo elk hunt this time.

This was a hind quarter, both sets of backstraps and neck meat, as well as the head. It was just over 120lbs (weighed it when I got home)

I’ve packed several loads like this and haven’t had a single failure or issue.