Exo Mountain K4?

[dirtytough]

The 2200 is my favorite bag of the 4 they make. But if you actually use the side pockets you lose most of the volume in the main bag.

I have a ton of respect for Steve and crew at EXO. But dang imo they really the bed on bag design.

 

[Mountain_Life]

I've owned packs by at least 3 of the most popular company and I've owned a few of Exo's bags. The Exo bag design is by far my favorite. It must just be personal style/preference.

Features I like: stretch pocket on front, double stuff pocket on side pouches, roll top vs cinch top, laser cut moly locations, water bottle holder against pack, narrow bag design, angled compression straps to help keep load high and tight... There's just a lot of little details I really appreciate.

 

[mtnbound]

I didn’t list the annoyances which is why I responded with what I did. Somehow he knows the TT will fix them though?

This is where RS is going downhill. Without posters actually knowing the full story they recommend stuff their hero recommends. A lot of times without actually using it themselves. Or they have used that one item but not the other 7 competing items. It’s always “the best” though since they use it or their hero uses it.

I agree with people posting stuff with no actual hands on experience that being said what are you wanting in a bag?

 

[NDGuy]

I have a ton of respect for Steve and crew at EXO. But dang imo they really the bed on bag design.

Seen a few people not a fan of the bags. I was curious what you don't like about them.

 

[Drenalin]

Seen a few people not a fan of the bags. I was curious what you don't like about them.

For me it's mostly the side pockets. I hated the zippered version on the K4, versus the bellows style pockets on the K3. I didn't like the volume of the pockets themselves, and I didn't like them pushing into the main compartment. I do appreciate all the features @Mountain_Life pointed out above.

 

[dirtytough]

I agree with people posting stuff with no actual hands on experience that being said what are you wanting in a bag?

I want a lid that is easy to access when the bag is laying down. I want slot pockets, not zippered side pockets. Side pockets that don’t take up the room from your main bag. (Completely stupid!) I want the side compression straps to go over or through the slot pockets. A pocket or two on the center of the back.

Something like a timberline 2 with a few modifications.

Seen a few people not a fan of the bags. I was curious what you don't like about them.

The lid fits the bag well. But unless I have the pack standing up, access sucks. The side pockets take up the main bag space. I stop to glass and pull my spotter/tripod out. The stuff in the main pack fills in where the spotter and tripod go. Then it’s a pita to get the spotter back in. It was super annoying when I was scouting with camp on my back.

I have to unzip 2 pockets and 4 straps to get the spotter/tripod out.

The back pocket is fairly useless. It’s tall and narrow.

The double side stretch pockets are hard to access with the spotter in the zippered pocket.

 

[mtnbound]

I want a lid that is easy to access when the bag is laying down. I want slot pockets, not zippered side pockets. Side pockets that don’t take up the room from your main bag. (Completely stupid!) I want the side compression straps to go over or through the slot pockets. A pocket or two on the center of the back.

Something like a timberline 2 with a few modifications.

The lid fits the bag well. But unless I have the pack standing up, access sucks. The side pockets take up the main bag space. I stop to glass and pull my spotter/tripod out. The stuff in the main pack fills in where the spotter and tripod go. Then it’s a pita to get the spotter back in. It was super annoying when I was scouting with camp on my back.

I have to unzip 2 pockets and 4 straps to get the spotter/tripod out.

The back pocket is fairly useless. It’s tall and narrow.

The double side stretch pockets are hard to access with the spotter in the zippered pocket.

The Teratorn meets several of your needs. The lid does ride lower than my K45000, but I'm not sure if that would meet your needs. I can take any pictures or videos of it if you'd like to see something specific.