Exo Mountain Water Bladder and Organization

[BloodyRedArrow]

I own the Exo Mountain 3500. One season with it so far. Great pack for me. However I struggle with where to put my water bladder. I don't like putting it in the side sleeves because that space is so valuable for things like my spotter, etc. After a search, I saw no threads on this specific topic.

Where do you all put your bladder in your Exo? What do you find most convenient?

In addition feel free to share how you have your pack organized. What is in your lid? What do you keep in the sleeves? Etc. What works best for you?

 

[mntnguide]

On my last scouting trip i put it in the stretch sleeve on the front of the pack. .and it worked great for me, instant access to it to refill without having to even open my pack. .otherwise I keep my spotter and tripod in the sides along with my trekking poles usually. Extra water bottle on the side, and small things that are handy and lite go in my top pouch

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[DWinVA]

I hang my bladder between the frame & bag. I have quick connects so I can pump into the bladder without removing it. I don't use a spotting scope or tripod so I use the side pockets for water pump, kill kit and hiking poles. I put lights, snacks, gloves, beanie, etc. in the lid. Extra clothes, rain gear and such goes in the main bag with my sit pad and tp in the stretchy pocket. I also have 2 hip belts that carry my range finder, wind checker and a head lamp.

God Bless.

 

[sojourner]

This is where I keep mine and I fill it with my Sawyer squeeze filter use quick connects

 

[geriggs]

Do u leave it there if packing out meat?

 

[7-Pointers]

I sewed a little bladder sleeve that connects with G-hooks either inside the pack or between pack and frame (would just buy one next time). I actually prefer it between the pack and frame now because it's easier to access outside than when inside the bag half buried by gear, but that's only because I cut off the ends of the load lifter straps so that they are super easy to take in and out of the ladder locks when I want to access area between bag and frame. I like a nice balanced pack so side pockets wouldn't work, though they are super tempting.

 

[dotman]

Get the 2k . It has a bladder sleeve sewn inside of it.

 

[JNDEER]

I use the slurpy stalker (bag only) and attach to the inside of the bag. Similar to sojourner, just in the slurpy and inside the bag.

One side pocket usually gets my first aid kit, saw and either tripod or spotter
other side pocket gets my game bags/knife and either tripod or spotter.

The lid usually gets lic, tag, headlamp, couple granola bars, GU, extra batteries/ broadhead, tp.

main bag usually empty except for some more snacks if need be.
outter layer I stuff in the outside mesh pocket.

 

[307]

Slurpy stalker inside the main bag.

 

[jeffpg]

Slurpy stalker in between the frame and bag with a quick disconnect on my Platyplus clean water bag that connects to my drinking tube for easy fill up.

 

[sheephunter2]

I have a brand new Slurpy Stalker without shoulder straps I have not used that I would take $30 shipped. It cost me $40 plus shipping.

 

[justinspicher]

I have the worst luck with bladders, so I rock Nalgene bottles.

 

[sharpshooter269]

I have a brand new Slurpy Stalker without shoulder straps I have not used that I would take $30 shipped. It cost me $40 plus shipping.

Sold


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[Deserat]

Get the 2k . It has a bladder sleeve sewn inside of it.

Of course the new pack has it! Not having a bladder sleeve was one of my complaints about my Exo pack, along with not having enough extra pockets for all the things hunters typically carry. I didn't like having to put the bladder on the side vertical pocket. It threw off the balance of the pack as you drink the water or if you don't carry a spotter/tripod on the other side. Now I have a Kuiu Icon Pro 5200 and I'm struggling with the same issue.

 

[Rope14u]

I bought a hanging bag from kuiu for $16 and hang it inside from the loops.

 

[Deserat]

I bought a hanging bag from kuiu for $16 and hang it inside from the loops.

I saw that the ultra packs have a bladder bag available but I have the Icon Pro. The pro has a zip up bag that can be purchased separately and attached to the inside, but I haven't tried it.

 

[justinspicher]

So far I've used my exo 3500 almost everyday for work and to hunt with and its been through quite a bit. I typically don't carry anything in the side pouches unless I have to. I will usually run two Nalgene bottles in each water bottle pouch and maybe a folding saw or a set of loppers. I keep several maps in a ziplock in the stretchy pocket. Inside I have USGI wet weather bag that holds my Kifaru Doobie and my TiGoat Bivy. I use Eagle Creek bags for organization, a large blue for clothes, medium blue for my possibles, small blue for my work docs, large orange for my chow, medium orange for my kill kit if I need to carry it. I put my rain jacket on top and pull the drawstring shut. I have a beanie, set of glove liners and. A headlamp in the lid. Sometimes for work I'll have the saw kit or fuel/bar oil for the chainsaw, chaps, hard hat and a chainsaw. If I'm carrying the chainsaw I'll attach it to the frame so the power head rests on the top of the pack and put the hard hat under the lid. Works pretty well. I get some weird looks but they are just jealous of my sweet gig.