exo mountain pack

[DmrbigEshotT]

I put in an order earlier today for a foliage 3500 with a small belt, hip pouch, and stash pocket and received a shipping confirmation email within 2 hours. The confirmation said the package weighed 6lbs which means everything shipped but the website says foliage everything for the 3500 is backordered.....hmmmm? Maybe it was just a standard prepaid label they always use and just change the destination address so they all say 6lbs even though just the non-back ordered stuff shipped?

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Pmn86]

Let me know if it actually ships. If it does I might put an order in as well, if not I'll probably just order some more camo instead.

 

[blackpowderhunter]

Just got my exo 3500 in coyote.
Loving it so far and can't wait to get it out and really play with it.
Im hoping I can just use this for my summer backpacking pack now and sell my osprey to recoup some funds.
I just wanted to say thanks to the roksliders that helped me determine what size I needed and for exomountain gear for the awesome customer service and FAST shipping.
Now just to start playing with gear organization

 

[Fireguy]

I too was a little concerned about where to carry my water at first. But once I received that pack I knew right where I wanted the water to go and got to work putting this little roll top "pouch" together. It hangs from the two loops on the frame panel, and then I run the compression straps over it to help keep it in place. This puts the water weight right against my back. Shown with the Camelbak Milspec Antidote 3L short, which I have to say is a perfect fit for this pack. I like that it's not long and narrow, as most bladders are.

I also added an Osprey quick disconnect, and this allows me to fill the bladder from my Sawyer Squeeze, without removing it from the pack at all... Saves a ton of time, and because of that, it allows me to carry less water at one time if I know sources are plentiful.

It also happens that the external compression straps across the back of the pack are spaced the same as the frame straps, so in "meat-hauling mode" I can strap the whole bladder pocket to the outside of the pack rather than smashing it under the meat or moving it to inside the bag. (shown here sandwiched underneath a extra pocket I made to mount there as well)

Did you make the black pouch for the bladder or buy it somewhere?

 

[Upcountry]

I made the black pouch specifically for this pack and setup. It's made from a 500D coated nylon(same weight as main material of bag).

On another note.... A little different meat packing was done this weekend with the Exo. Turns out the stretchy pocket holds a couple birds nicely.

 

[DmrbigEshotT]

Foliage 3500, small belt, and accessories arrived today. Can't wait to get home from work to check it out

 

[Pmn86]

Nice, looking forward to hearing what you think about the pack. I called over to Exo today just to double check to see if they had any foliages in stock. No such luck.

 

[Xtreme007]

Been using my exo 3500 for my daypack while hunting whitetails in KY. Love this pack

 

[mauidiver]

Has anyone taken their lumbar pad out after washing and when put it back it's not the same fit. I made sure i marked to put in the same, but feels a lot less pad/support for lumbar. Also, its separating the foam and sponge. Any other issues with you guys? Im loving this pack though...but since I've taken the pad out, it's just not the same.

 

[Pinewood]

Wow! I can't-believe-I read-the whole thing.....lol. Seriously though, hell of an effort from a committed group of outdoorsmen to compile an in-depth report on a backpack. I ordered one today, the 3500 in Foliage. It's on backorder and I was told 4 weeks or so. No biggie. But, what comes to mind immediately, is whether the 3500 is going to be big enough?. I'm sure it will be, but in the rare event that I do decide at some point to go on a 10 day hunt, does anybody know if it's possible to strap a smaller bag to the back? Thanks guys. I can't wait to join your ranks of happy pack owners!

 

[ndflatlander]

I had both the 3500 and the 5500 I sold the 3500 and kept the 5500. The extra room is great and it compresses down for day hunting just as well as the 3500 imo. Personally I would go bigger.

 

[Upcountry]

Wow! I can't-believe-I read-the whole thing.....lol. Seriously though, hell of an effort from a committed group of outdoorsmen to compile an in-depth report on a backpack. I ordered one today, the 3500 in Foliage. It's on backorder and I was told 4 weeks or so. No biggie. But, what comes to mind immediately, is whether the 3500 is going to be big enough?. I'm sure it will be, but in the rare event that I do decide at some point to go on a 10 day hunt, does anybody know if it's possible to strap a smaller bag to the back? Thanks guys. I can't wait to join your ranks of happy pack owners!

It's definitely possible to add some volume to the pack, although you lose some efficiency. I've played around with a large 35L OR Pack Liner dry bag, and it fits nicely in the "meat shelf" area. I also made a small(8L) bag that straps to the outside of the pack very nicely- scroll up a few posts for pictures of that.
With that said, part of me wishes I'd have gone for the 5500 just for that "some day" situation. But you kind of have to pick your battle and go with what will suit you best most of the time. And for me, the longest I've lived out of my pack is 5 days on a hunting trip, and I can make that work with this pack, in fact I'll be pushing 7 days out of it in two weeks. If anything it makes you a little "wiser" and more selective with what you're lugging around the mountain. Extra underwear? nah... a mountain house for breakfast?, nah...

 

[twall13]

I'm of the same opinion. Most all of my trips will be around 5 days. If I pack smart I should be able to get about 7 days out of my 3500 so that's what went with. There may be some future hunt where I regret that but I figure I can either put a dry bag in the meat shelf or add a small kifaru pod to the bottom. That won't be as ideal as the 5500 for that situation but, for me, that will be a rarity. So I went with the slightly smaller/lighter and less expensive option. Having saidthat, if I ever found a 5500 bag only for the right deal I'd probably pick it up so I cod run either one depending on the trip.

 

[parshal]

I've had both. Go with the 5500.

 

[ChattNFHunter]

I'm not 100% positive, but I think you can buy just the 5500 bag and can swap it out on the frame your 3500 is currently on for a longer hunt. The 5500 bag is on the website for $270.

 

[ssliger]

I'm not 100% positive, but I think you can buy just the 5500 bag and can swap it out on the frame your 3500 is currently on for a longer hunt. The 5500 bag is on the website for $270.

This is true, I bought the 3500 last year, then just the 5500 bag this year.

 

[Upcountry]

I actually kicked around that idea but wasn't sure that was an option! Does anyone know if the new 5500 bags work on the 2014 version frame??

 

[hammer0419]

The problem I had was I felt the weight from the pack was going to pop the bladder when I had it between bag. I'll just keep playing around. I'm loving this bag though.

I actually kicked around that idea but wasn't sure that was an option! Does anyone know if the new 5500 bags work on the 2014 version frame??

yes not a problem

 

[Pinewood]

Well I got the 5500 coming my way after talking with Steve this am. It helped that he had one last one so lucky me! I should have it shortly and can't wait to get it loaded up. Now I'll get to use it for the rest of the season which is a big bonus, I'm sure I won't regret the 5500. Thanks guys for all the input and the great thread.

 

[blackpowderhunter]

my quick review..
i received my pack a little over a week before my muzzy elk hunt with some buddies.
received the pack and threw some weight in it and started to get familiar with it. I am an avid backpacker and immediately noticed how much more vertically rigid the pack was.
anyways. I packed it up with my day hunting type gear, and it compressed down great. the way it fits compressed down allows me to shoot with my bow, or muzzy while wearing it.
back to the hunt...about 3 days in by buddy connected with a great cow! not only was i excited for the steaks and burgers soon to be hitting the table, but I was STOKED for the pack out!
I have packed out a few elk quarters with regular pack frames...hated it.... i packed a BIG rear quarter, along with all of my normal gear, and it was....comfortable!
I think i sold 2 of the guys on this hunt on a pack as they were wimpering about their loads the entire way..and when they saw me loading mine up on the pack they were quite skeptical of how itd work.
anyways..here are a few pictures from the hunt and pack out.
cliff notes.. i do not regret a single cent spent on the pack, love it!
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