Exo Mountain K4?

Joined
Aug 23, 2014
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oregon coast
I’m 5’8” and have both the 23.5” and 25” frame. If I could only have one I’d get the 25” for the long trips and heavy loads. That being said, I actually use the 23.5” more often such as on short trips and day hunts.
I’m 6’ long legs, not very long torso, and I have the 25” and head clearance seems as good as the 24” kifaru, of course that changes regardless with a full bag and lid, but the frame itself has really good head clearance for 25”

I’m going to get the longer stays to use after archery elk season, because I think I will appreciate them for rifle blacktail when I’m not in the brush as much and am covering more miles on logging roads, and pack outs that are generally 4-7 miles with a whole deer and my gear
 
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
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I’m very similar except shorter torso and use a 23.5” which works, but what Mark is saying about the 7200 makes a lot of sense. I’ve actually been thinking of testing the 25 in the off season.

The 26” SG is excessive on me, so I steered towards shorter. I can get plenty of lift with my harness. K4 rides high on the body though too.
@MT_Wyatt
How does the k4 compare to Stone glacier with heavy loads? I’ve need to get a new pack and it will probably be one of those. My Kuiu icon pro about killed me with 100 pound loads last year.
 

MT_Wyatt

WKR
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Messages
2,227
Location
Montana
@MT_Wyatt
How does the k4 compare to Stone glacier with heavy loads? I’ve need to get a new pack and it will probably be one of those. My Kuiu icon pro about killed me with 100 pound loads last year.
It’s simply really, really good - I used SG packs for a long time and was not easily swayed to try one. But once I did, it didn’t take long to keep the K4. One of my worries was losing the ability to hold loads up high but that’s really a non-issue, the dedicated frame straps help secure meat bags and distribute weight across the frame.

The other things that stand out are the hip belt shape, width and material, which one combined with the lumbar ride very well and do not migrate down your hips under heavy weight. It also doesn’t give me pressure points on the front of my hips which happened sometimes with the SG. The frame rides very close to my back like it did with the SG, but it’s much more comfortable. I would also say the harness part of the frame is padded a bit better than the SG, and over longer periods, I just get sore less under weight.

I just spent most of Friday packing a Bull out with a friend, 2nd animal with k4. We shuttled, and I loaded and unloaded aboit a dozen times over the course of the day. It’s a really easy frame to pack meat with.

One caveat. I’m not a large guy, so I keep loads fairly reasonable. Not big on the 110+ loads.
 

Caseknife

WKR
Joined
Feb 22, 2020
Messages
324
I modified my Load Shelf with the K4 Lid Strap set and the extra buckles to mate together. The way it works now is buckles at the top of the Load Shelf rather than trying to get the "G" hooks connected. Easier for an old guy in the dark.
May have to order the Orange Lid and the Nalgene holder to go with what I already have, K4 5000 and then the 2200 bag. Love the pack has already packed out a Mtn Goat and 2 elk this fall.IMG_1753.jpg
 
Last edited:
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
5,396
Location
oregon coast
Have accessory straps been released to allow use of the meatshelf when not using a lid?
I’m not following

What are your concerns about hauling meat without a lid? I have put my lid in my main bag when hauling meat when I just wanted to get going, having a lid isn’t necessary for hauling meat

Are you talking about attaching a head to the pack?
 

spearo

FNG
Joined
Oct 8, 2024
Messages
4
I’m not following

What are your concerns about hauling meat without a lid? I have put my lid in my main bag when hauling meat when I just wanted to get going, having a lid isn’t necessary for hauling meat

Are you talking about attaching a head to the pack?
I may be miss informed but I thought straps were required to go from frame to bag (at the top).

If you are saying the side compression straps are enough to hold pack to frame then that is great news. Thanks.

I plan on running without a lid the majority of the time.
 

ljalberta

WKR
Joined
Dec 7, 2015
Messages
1,689
I may be miss informed but I thought straps were required to go from frame to bag (at the top).

If you are saying the side compression straps are enough to hold pack to frame then that is great news. Thanks.

I plan on running without a lid the majority of the time.
Correct. The side compression straps are enough.
 
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
5,396
Location
oregon coast
I may be miss informed but I thought straps were required to go from frame to bag (at the top).

If you are saying the side compression straps are enough to hold pack to frame then that is great news. Thanks.

I plan on running without a lid the majority of the time.
No worries leaving the lid, unless I’m strapping a head to my pack, I don’t even use the lid. You are good to go leaving the lid
 
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
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Location
oregon coast
@spearo

A lidless 3600 will give you the best head/brush clearance too, when I’m not using the 2200 elk hunting, it’s a 3600 with no lid, and that will likely be all I use for elk going forward for that reason

I put the lid in the bag sometimes when I just want more organization than the main bag, but it had a lower profile than the 2200
 
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