exo mountain pack

[ElkNut1]

Yes sir, I'm an Exo fan, just picked two up on Friday! Best pack I've ever used, you cannot go wrong with it if you're a serious Elk or Deer hunter, great pack!

ElkNut1

 

[twall13]

I wanted to post a quick update on my 2015 3500 pack. As most of the posts/reviews on here seem to be centered around how well it carries a heavy load I thought I'd share my thoughts on a different area of focus. Based on my 2 night backpacking trip this past weekend I want to talk about how this works for packing gear. I won't get into the specifics of how it handles a heavy load as 2 days worth of backpacking gear isn't much of a test load but I almost seemed to forget the pack was on my back with that light load. More importantly for me on this trip, everything else just worked like I have always wanted a pack to work. There are just enough pockets without it becoming overwhelming to the point where I forget which pocket I put something in. The lid was great for some of the little items I might need access to quickly and i do look forward to one mesh pocket for in the lid but it worked fine without it. The stretchy pocket is phenomenal for storing a puffy jacket and raingear for quick access! I just can't say how amazing that works, it just swallows things up. Everything compressed really well so it was nice and tight to my back.

I read somewhere that someone was complaining the long pockets on the sides are too deep. I disagree, I cinched the bottom compression strap through the water bottle pocket (genius design!) so I could still put a water bottle in it and once the strap was cinched up, it essentially made the longer pockets shorter (which worked well for holding my tarp on one side). You can basically customize the depth of those pockets with the compression straps to fit whatever your needs are. Everything is so well thought out that it was just easy to find and access things. I've never had any pack, let alone a hunting pack, that worked so well for organizing things the way I pack. Granted, if I were hunting I'd have a few extra items to lug around that I don't need for just a backpacking trip but even so, I had tons of extra room for gear. I feel confident I could get a 5 day hunt out of this pack without using the meat shelf area. I'm very happy with this pack and look forward to getting it bloody, not just dirty!

 

[LostArra]

I wanted to post a quick update on my 2015 3500 pack. As most of the posts/reviews on here seem to be centered around how well it carries a heavy load I thought I'd share my thoughts on a different area of focus. Based on my 2 night backpacking trip this past weekend I want to talk about how this works for packing gear. I won't get into the specifics of how it handles a heavy load as 2 days worth of backpacking gear isn't much of a test load but I almost seemed to forget the pack was on my back with that light load. More importantly for me on this trip, everything else just worked like I have always wanted a pack to work. There are just enough pockets without it becoming overwhelming to the point where I forget which pocket I put something in. The lid was great for some of the little items I might need access to quickly and i do look forward to one mesh pocket for in the lid but it worked fine without it. The stretchy pocket is phenomenal for storing a puffy jacket and raingear for quick access! I just can't say how amazing that works, it just swallows things up. Everything compressed really well so it was nice and tight to my back.

I read somewhere that someone was complaining the long pockets on the sides are too deep. I disagree, I cinched the bottom compression strap through the water bottle pocket (genius design!) so I could still put a water bottle in it and once the strap was cinched up, it essentially made the longer pockets shorter (which worked well for holding my tarp on one side). You can basically customize the depth of those pockets with the compression straps to fit whatever your needs are. Everything is so well thought out that it was just easy to find and access things. I've never had any pack, let alone a hunting pack, that worked so well for organizing things the way I pack. Granted, if I were hunting I'd have a few extra items to lug around that I don't need for just a backpacking trip but even so, I had tons of extra room for gear. I feel confident I could get a 5 day hunt out of this pack without using the meat shelf area. I'm very happy with this pack and look forward to getting it bloody, not just dirty!

I saw on earlier post you were in between belt sizes. What size did you end up with?

 

[twall13]

I saw on earlier post you were in between belt sizes. What size did you end up with?

Based on the recommendation from Steve I went down to the Medium (I'm a 36" waist for pants). I was worried it wouldn't work but Steve said it's much better to get the smaller size if you are in between so you don't bottome the belt out. Now that I have the pack I'm glad I went with medium as I think I would bottom a large out when carrying a heavy load. With the medium I only have about an inch-inch and a half of webbing left on each side before I would run into problems when I have a heavy load on.

 

[mtnwrunner]

I wanted to post a quick update on my 2015 3500 pack. As most of the posts/reviews on here seem to be centered around how well it carries a heavy load I thought I'd share my thoughts on a different area of focus. Based on my 2 night backpacking trip this past weekend I want to talk about how this works for packing gear. I won't get into the specifics of how it handles a heavy load as 2 days worth of backpacking gear isn't much of a test load but I almost seemed to forget the pack was on my back with that light load. More importantly for me on this trip, everything else just worked like I have always wanted a pack to work. There are just enough pockets without it becoming overwhelming to the point where I forget which pocket I put something in. The lid was great for some of the little items I might need access to quickly and i do look forward to one mesh pocket for in the lid but it worked fine without it. The stretchy pocket is phenomenal for storing a puffy jacket and raingear for quick access! I just can't say how amazing that works, it just swallows things up. Everything compressed really well so it was nice and tight to my back.

I read somewhere that someone was complaining the long pockets on the sides are too deep. I disagree, I cinched the bottom compression strap through the water bottle pocket (genius design!) so I could still put a water bottle in it and once the strap was cinched up, it essentially made the longer pockets shorter (which worked well for holding my tarp on one side). You can basically customize the depth of those pockets with the compression straps to fit whatever your needs are. Everything is so well thought out that it was just easy to find and access things. I've never had any pack, let alone a hunting pack, that worked so well for organizing things the way I pack. Granted, if I were hunting I'd have a few extra items to lug around that I don't need for just a backpacking trip but even so, I had tons of extra room for gear. I feel confident I could get a 5 day hunt out of this pack without using the meat shelf area. I'm very happy with this pack and look forward to getting it bloody, not just dirty!

Well, that's why they made it---to get it bloody.........You'll really enjoy the pack.

Randy

 

[couesbitten]

I received my 5500 on Saturday, and wanted to give a quick update and my first impressions. I won my EXO on the contest held on Rokslide, so I was pretty excited to be getting the pack and I'll start out by saying that the past two years I've been using a Kifaru Bikini/Highcamp combo, which I've been very happy with. Pulled the pack out of the box and gave it a thorough inspection, checking out all of the buckles, zippers, pockets, and other nooks and crannies, trying to educate myself on how it was all supposed to work in use. My impression was that the pack design was well though out and very well built. I then sent pictures to my buddies to make them jealous! Sunday morning, I loaded up 50 lbs of sand and headed for the trail head. Pack carried great, no pain, hot spots, or other issues, and after 4.5 miles, felt fantastic! I'm hoping to head out on my first 10+ mile backpacking trip in the mountains in 2 weeks, and will give an update when I get back from that trip. My first impression is that my son may have just inherited a Kifaru!

A huge thank you to Steve, Lenny, and everyone else at EXO, for making a great pack and giving one away here. Also, a big thank you to everyone here at Rokslide for having such a great site.

 

[jwatts]

Well, since everyone is giving reviews I will too. I got one of the first Multicam 3500s that shipped. Around that time we were redoing my son's play area in the yard and I had some pea gravel to get rid of. I made up some sand bags in different weights to pack around. Since I got the pack I have logged around 40 miles with at least 40lbs total pack weight, sometimes up to 70lb. I may end up getting one size smaller on the belt since once I have over 40lb in it and it is cinched down I am close to running out of belt. I figure during hunting season I may be wearing a little more clothing and won't have that issue. I plan to give that a shot pretty soon. I have no complaints about the pack. It is very well built and comfortable. I haven't had the slightest bit of discomfort that I have had carrying similar loads repeatedly with my old pack.

 

[ArrowForester]

Question for all EXO pack owners - how is the durability of the stretch panel pocket on the back? It seems like a great pocket for convenience and function but I am interested in the long term stretch. Will it be deformed and lose its stretch/rebound after being overstuffed one or two times? What about 50 times? After four or five trips of 7 days or more with consistent use is that pocket still compressing against the items inside or is the stretch wearing out? Is the material any good for moderately "sharp" objects (not really sharp or pointed but hard and angular more than a soft shell jacket)?

I like the EXO packs, and I see this stretch pocket on popular backpacks in the hiking realm, but was hoping to hear from some folks that have been putting it through its paces in the stretch department.

All opinions and experiences appreciated. Thank you.

 

[PathFinder]

I've only had my Exo for a few months, but the stretch pocket has been great. I haven't overstuffed it but I've carried some ugly loads of antler up against it and it still looks new.

 

[twall13]

Question for all EXO pack owners - how is the durability of the stretch panel pocket on the back? It seems like a great pocket for convenience and function but I am interested in the long term stretch. Will it be deformed and lose its stretch/rebound after being overstuffed one or two times? What about 50 times? After four or five trips of 7 days or more with consistent use is that pocket still compressing against the items inside or is the stretch wearing out? Is the material any good for moderately "sharp" objects (not really sharp or pointed but hard and angular more than a soft shell jacket)?

I like the EXO packs, and I see this stretch pocket on popular backpacks in the hiking realm, but was hoping to hear from some folks that have been putting it through its paces in the stretch department.

All opinions and experiences appreciated. Thank you.

I haven't had it long enough to really know that it will retain it's stretch but I was pleasantly surprised by the feel of the material. It appears to be more durable than any other stretch material I've come across. I think it should hold up well. I'm sure others who have had their packs longer could comment more on its longevity.

 

[S&S ARCHERY]

Question for all EXO pack owners - how is the durability of the stretch panel pocket on the back? It seems like a great pocket for convenience and function but I am interested in the long term stretch. Will it be deformed and lose its stretch/rebound after being overstuffed one or two times? What about 50 times? After four or five trips of 7 days or more with consistent use is that pocket still compressing against the items inside or is the stretch wearing out? Is the material any good for moderately "sharp" objects (not really sharp or pointed but hard and angular more than a soft shell jacket)?

I like the EXO packs, and I see this stretch pocket on popular backpacks in the hiking realm, but was hoping to hear from some folks that have been putting it through its paces in the stretch department.

All opinions and experiences appreciated. Thank you.

The stretch material we use is pretty bombproof stuff, actually the same material that NFL teams use in their pants so its designed to take some abuse and always comes back to its original shape. We have yet to have a single warranty issue on it.

Love seeing everyone's reviews, keep em' coming!

Steve

 

[hammer0419]

The stretch pocket is VERY durable and very useful.

 

[TMan84]

I will say this about Exo and Steve.
I have seen couple of posts where folks were complaining about CS, etc... I just got my pack, I've had a few fitment issues...my chest size, nothing wrong with the pack, but Steve has emailed back and forth with me many times. I called and talked to him today and he spent about 20 minutes on the phone running through some options to try. I love the pack from top to bottom. I think I may have a fitment issue that I can't get resolved, but it won't be from lack of effort on Steve's end. I'm gonna try a couple more things with the pack, hopefully I can get it to fit me. Definitely my loss if I can't. I put 75lbs in it this afternoon and hiked 2 miles. Even with the straps not fitting my chest correctly, this pack still handled the weight like a champ.

 

[mauidiver]

What size are you that it gives you issues? Just curious as to how it does not fit you. Steve has ALWAYS BEEN THERE MAN. I can't tell you how many emails, phone calls, canceled order(financial), then order again, and he's always been cool. At least on the phone that is . I'm diggin the pack so far, and still discovering straps and adjustments that make the pack even better to me. Come on Steve! Fitting video!!! Ha

 

[TMan84]

About a 54" chest is the problem. It fits great everywhere else. Plus big shoulders, it makes the shoulder straps short. Steve came up with the idea to run it for a longer torso and that would in theory make it like having longer shoulder straps. I did that this evening. It helped, but still quite uncomfortable, after a mile with 75lbs.

I agree mauidiver, Steve seems intelligent and always ready to help. I think Steve and Lenny have really come up with an amazing design. I just wish they currently had a larger shoulder harness. Hint, hint....

 

[Art Vandeley]

I just ordered a 5500 today. The wait is going to brutal, I can't wait !

 

[rileybassman]

Agree about CS... Steve has always emailed back within a half hour anytime I have had a question. Very helpful and willing to go the extra mile.

 

[parshal]

I've purchased broadheads and archery sights from Steve and he's spent just as much time on the phone with me for those as he has for the Exo packs I've purchased. There's no way he's got time to hunt given how much time he spends on the phone with customers!

 

[Colberjs]

Just received my "Ready to ship" email!! I've never been so excited to spend a chunk of money in my life that I recall.

 

[gauge]

My pack is ready to ship!
Quick question that may have been answered through these 64 pages, but has anyone packed without the meat shelf? I assume that you can still cinch up your load without the meat shelf? This is not to make a decision about the extra $20 on an investment. This is just a question on what the pack is capable of.