Exo pack vs stone glacier durability

[Wesmorr]

Quick question. I have a stone glacier sky talus pack that I have used for backpacking/camping a few years now. I got to try a k4 pack and it fit well and I appreciated the idea of the water bladder pouch and front elastic pouch since stone glacier is more minimalist, however my stone glacier has held up well and sometimes simple works great. Has anyone had both for a good period of time that can provide feedback on if with packing out, one is better than the other? And durability wise, are there any issues I’m missing? Any advice or other recs appreciated.

Wes

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

If you like your frame to not deform and turn into a barrel on your back with a load of meat in the shelf, K4 is the only answer.

 

[Herky]

I bought a K4 last season, with one of the reasons being how bombproof the manufacturing felt. It only has one season in, but I also use it weekly for pack workouts stuffed with 50+ pounds weight and it gets thrown around the gym like a sack of potatoes. There isn't a single loose stitch or visible signs of wear. The only thing more durable would probably be a Pelican case with backpack straps. Super happy with it.

 

[406flyfish]

I have a K4. Talus is a great pack as well.

If it ain’t broke, don’t replace it.

 

[CMcCormick1805]

If you like your frame to not deform and turn into a barrel on your back with a load of meat in the shelf, K4 is the only answer.

Did you see a frame do that? Was it deforming vertically? That’s something I could see being a breaking point for me holding onto the SG. I’ve got one elk and a 6 foot bear packed out on mine so far with no issues. For reference I use a Krux frame.

 

[sandhillhunter]

Quick question. I have a stone glacier sky talus pack that I have used for backpacking/camping a few years now. I got to try a k4 pack and it fit well and I appreciated the idea of the water bladder pouch and front elastic pouch since stone glacier is more minimalist, however my stone glacier has held up well and sometimes simple works great. Has anyone had both for a good period of time that can provide feedback on if with packing out, one is better than the other? And durability wise, are there any issues I’m missing? Any advice or other recs appreciated.

Wes

Can’t comment on the SG, but I’m still using my K2 and it has held up incredibly well. I’ve broken a couple of buckles (probably from laying it down on them).

I think I bought it in 2017. Packed out a dozen or so critters and have used the frame for many rucks with 40-80 lbs in it.

EXO did replace the belt for me, as one of the plastic ‘guides’ on the belt tensioner broke. Instead of repairing it, they sent me a new k3 belt.

I really can’t imagine how someone could build a better pack.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[deerbo]

Ive been using a k3 4800 for like 5ish years. its packed 13 or so animals, countless hunts and hikes. Cant say there's any obvious wear on mine at all. Always been comfortable under loads of elk, deer, pronghorn or gear. I love it and will eventually get another Exo.

 

[sickles107]

I had a 2019 SG frame, 5 years, average packing 4 animals a year, finally had the carbon stay tear out of the top of the frame sheath.

They replaced it no questions asked, though there was an obvious difference of quality from 2019 to 2024 frames. Assuming manufacturing efficiencies, material costs, etc. Could never get the new frame to feel "right" like the old one.

Tried my buddies exo last fall... Will 100% be getting an exo before this fall.

Everyone's muscles and skeleton are very different, though to me the difference is night and day.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Did you see a frame do that? Was it deforming vertically? That’s something I could see being a breaking point for me holding onto the SG. I’ve got one elk and a 6 foot bear packed out on mine so far with no issues. For reference I use a Krux frame.

Oh yeah, I’ve had a number of SG packs, the last being a Terminus. They barrel laterally, as there’s no cross stays. Plus I’ve had them rip out of the top of their sleeves as well. No comparison in comfort to an EXO either.

 

[Dioni A]

Exo packs are incredibly durable. I've packed out dozens of animals with mine and never had a single issue. I probably put 40 days a year on my pack for reference.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

Oh yeah, I’ve had a number of SG packs, the last being a Terminus. They barrel laterally, as there’s no cross stays. Plus I’ve had them rip out of the top of their sleeves as well. No comparison in comfort to an EXO either.

+1 with what Ben shared here. The SG literally wrapped or “barreled” around my back and became less stable and a whole lot less comfortable under load. (The lack of horizontal cross stays as mentioned) I had both for awhile and was planning on strategically using one over the other based on my hunts. I ONLY ever found myself reaching for and wanting to take the Exo so now it’s all I use. Comfort is certainly king it’s a significant difference to me.

 

[mtnbound]

Quick question. I have a stone glacier sky talus pack that I have used for backpacking/camping a few years now. I got to try a k4 pack and it fit well and I appreciated the idea of the water bladder pouch and front elastic pouch since stone glacier is more minimalist, however my stone glacier has held up well and sometimes simple works great. Has anyone had both for a good period of time that can provide feedback on if with packing out, one is better than the other? And durability wise, are there any issues I’m missing? Any advice or other recs appreciated.

Wes

I’ve used both, along with several other packs. While Stone Glacier performed well for multiple seasons, the EXO K4 stands in a league of its own. Earlier EXO models didn’t stay secure on my hips under heavy loads, and Stone Glacier handled that better at the time. Kifaru was the most reliable for me in that regard until the K4 came along and surpassed them all.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I’ve packed a lot of animals (elk, solo boned whole mule deer) with a SG Krux, Xcurve and the latest Krux. Have packed a good bit of the same loads with a K4. The difference is readily apparent with solo boned mule deer - K4 really is quite good. The SG was never truly bad except for the original Krux, for some, but the K4 loads, rides, and wears a lot better in my experience.

 

[Wrench]

My pard and I one tripped one of my elk with my krux maiden voyage and it didn't mind. I swapped to the x curve and haven't had any issues either. I would like to give the exo a try, but the deals that SG gives in discounts was a no brainer for me.

 

[huntfishhike]

I haven’t used the SG but my K4 was partly chosen because it was difficult to find much if any problems with durability across a wide segment of forums and social media, which says a lot.

 

[ATangsGearHunter]

I’ve had both for a number of years now. The K4 is a better pack and frame hands down. The stitches on the SG have busted on me and the frame isn’t as strong or as forgiving to load up and keep the weight distributed correctly. I’ve had zero complaints about the K4 honestly. It handles weight well (not as well as my IA though) and the bag designs are extremely user friendly.

 

[Tradchef]

I’ve had both. They are both fantastic. To me you are splitting hairs on how they carry weight. I trained with them side by side last season and used the k4 in the field packing elk and mule deer. I’ve hauled a lot of solo elk, bear and deer with the SG I use the Krux frame. To me there’s nuances of both frames and set ups I really like and others I think the other set up is better with. Both are durable. Build quality exo is fantastic. Sg is solid but I’d give the nod to exo. I know most guys really like the waist belt and lumbar on the k4. That was my breaking point. It would pinch my quads and the lumbar just never felt right. It was comfortable but not quite right. The sg fits me perfect. I also like the load shelf being positioned up a bit higher compared to the exo. The exo harness to me is outstanding. I loved it. I think if I had to have the perfect harness for me it would have a little less padding but that thing is insanely comfortable when you dial it in. Sg is great too. Maybe just a smidge more padding and I love the clips on the exo instead of straight Velcro. But both are money when dialed. I like the bag design on the sg better. I like minimal. However I love the stretch pockets on the exo. Both haul weight very well. I like the frame on the Exo but I like the way the sg frame rides on my back. It just fits a smidge better. So I guess all in all they are super similar but one will stand out overall. That’s the one you should go with regardless of what you read on here