EXO MTN Gear dry bag set up

[AK_cowboy]

I love Exo MTN gears idea of making a dry bag that lines the inside of their pack as opposed to the typical rain cover that goes on the outside of your bag and is constantly getting blown around by wind or snagged on brush. The only downside to Exos interior dry bag is that when it really starts raining the cordura material of the bag itself eventually wets out and becomes pretty heavy.

I live in SE Alaska where its pretty much raining all the time, so I have been trying out running this set up. I ditch the 5500 bag and instead use the dry bag itself with the K4 crib load panel to strap it in.

It definitely makes the overall pack a lot lighter and totally waterproof, but it does have some cons, it’s not as organized and it’s kinda a pain in the ass if you’re constantly taking breaks and needing the contents of your bag.

I think I will only run this setup in the future if I’m doing a full on packraft/float hunt.

 

[ckt3]

Interesting and cool idea. How do you set it up when you need to pack out meat and you have the dry bag in the crib? Can the crib accommodate both?

 

[AK_cowboy]

Interesting and cool idea. How do you set it up when you need to pack out meat and you have the dry bag in the crib? Can the crib accommodate both?

I haven’t hauled meat out with it configured like this yet. It definitely looks like the crib can accommodate meat between the dry bag and the frame still. Only problem I could see is the dry bag being kinda “balloon” like and not conforming around the meat

 

[ol490]

When you were still using the dry bag inside the backpack, was the fit good? I’ve been eyeing the dry bag but don’t want to loose any bag space by having a slight mismatch between the two, wrinkling or wadding up of the dry bag, etc.

 

[AK_cowboy]

When you were still using the dry bag inside the backpack, was the fit good? I’ve been eyeing the dry bag but don’t want to loose any bag space by having a slight mismatch between the two, wrinkling or wadding up of the dry bag, etc.

Yes I have the k4 5000 and the 5000 dry bag. It fits perfectly, it also attaches in the bottom with little hooks

 

[mtnbound]

When you were still using the dry bag inside the backpack, was the fit good? I’ve been eyeing the dry bag but don’t want to loose any bag space by having a slight mismatch between the two, wrinkling or wadding up of the dry bag, etc.

Their dry bags fit the packs really well, but I only keep the items that must stay dry in them. Other items are packed as usual, so there's no wasted space for me.

 

[ol490]

mtnbound and AK_cowboy - Thanks for the info.

 

[98XJRC]

Actually a pretty cool idea and not one I would have thought of. While I know EXO's pouches aren't the biggest I have considered attaching other companies larger pouches to the crib to be used more in a day hunting mode for me, but would work perfect in this scenario for items that need quicker access and don't necessarily need to be kept dry.

 

[dgfavor]

I love Exo MTN gears idea of making a dry bag that lines the inside of their pack as opposed to the typical rain cover that goes on the outside of your bag and is constantly getting blown around by wind or snagged on brush. The only downside to Exos interior dry bag is that when it really starts raining the cordura material of the bag itself eventually wets out and becomes pretty heavy.

I live in SE Alaska where its pretty much raining all the time, so I have been trying out running this set up. I ditch the 5500 bag and instead use the dry bag itself with the K4 crib load panel to strap it in.

It definitely makes the overall pack a lot lighter and totally waterproof, but it does have some cons, it’s not as organized and it’s kinda a pain in the ass if you’re constantly taking breaks and needing the contents of your bag.

I think I will only run this setup in the future if I’m doing a full on packraft/float hunt.

I use a different frame but have used that setup for handful of years - just makes good sense to me. Camp stuff in the dry bag, day stuff in a single large batwing or two small batwings, and a lid. Drop off the dry bag in camp, re-secure the batwing(s) and lid, go hunting.
If it rains I use a poncho that goes over me, the pack and all - and breathes great. Not 'gram or magazine cover sexy...I just can't get the old man out of being an old man.