EXO vs others

[mtnsterno]

I am currently running an exo 3500. Have been for a few years now. Invested quite a bit in it but I am looking into a larger unit. What is the best size for a 3-5 day rifle hunt for elk or deer or bear?

 

[dirtytough]

I can easily do a hunt like that with a 4800. But I don't back a stove/pot/fuel which takes up space.

 

[Walkstoomuch]

I run a stone glacier Solo, it’s 3,600. I have no problem packing for 4 days solo throughout the season. If it’s any longer of a trip I add on one of the access bags which adds 900 for the added food. Shelter is strapped to the outside of the pack. I don’t own/carry a shelter stove or a tripod so perhaps your needs are greater

 

[Jbxl20]

I have an EXO k3 6400. I don’t regret the extra size and compresses down just as small as a 3500/4800

 

[Rob5589]

The 3500 can do 3-5 days no problem, it's what it was designed for. Probably a good idea to go through your pack list.

 

[mlgc20]

The 3500 can do 3-5 days no problem, it's what it was designed for. Probably a good idea to go through your pack list.

Agreed. My 3500 is my go to size. I can get a week out of it. I have a 4800 that I almost never use. I also have a 6400. I only use that when I am winter camping with my daughters and need to carry a 6 person tipi and lots of extra gear. It all depends on your gear though. There are ton of guys who have 7000ci packs.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I am currently running an exo 3500. Have been for a few years now. Invested quite a bit in it but I am looking into a larger unit. What is the best size for a 3-5 day rifle hunt for elk or deer or bear?

I would add the 6400 cubic inch bag and you're set for just about any type of trip.

 

[landrun]

I would add the 6400 cubic inch bag and you're set for just about any type of trip.

Yep! The 3500 covers most trips, but if you're gear heavy this is the way to go.

 

[Marbles]

I have an Exo 3500 and a 6400 bag. So far, even for 7 day trips, the 3500 is all I have needed. It forces you to pack light and think about what you bring.

 

[BRTreedogs]

You guys must be tiny.
I've gotten 5 days in a 3500 and it was bursting at the seems and I didn't have a single piece of clothing in it.

 

[Marbles]

You guys must be tiny.
I've gotten 5 days in a 3500 and it was bursting at the seems and I didn't have a single piece of clothing in it.

800 fill down helps a lot. A synthetic sleeping bags eats up a lot of space.

But yes, at 5-7 days the 3500 is packed tight.

A down puffy and wool long johns are the only clothing items I put in the bag. Hard shell and fleece gets sandwiched under the lid.

I also do not use a bladder. With a bladder in the bag I think even 5 days would be a stretch.

 

[BRTreedogs]

800 fill down helps a lot. A synthetic sleeping bags eats up a lot of space.

But yes, at 5-7 days the 3500 is packed tight.

A down puffy and wool long johns are the only clothing items I put in the bag. Hard shell and fleece gets sandwiched under the lid.

I also do not use a bladder. With a bladder in the bag I think even 5 days would be a stretch.

I bought one of those little insulated pouches and repack my meals into zip lock now. That helped alot.
All my stuff is 8-900 down, I'm pretty minimal to.
A 4800 is much easier to pack.
I couldn't really picture how I could do late season out of a 3500

 

[PatrickW]

Don't forget that you can always use the load shelf and a dry bag along with the 3500 for a little more room...

 

[Hangtown]

In my opinion, always nice to have a little extra space. Just because the pack is 4800, doesn’t mean you have to use the whole 4800. I personally use a kuiu 5500 on my hunts usually in that 4 to 6 day range. But I also use that pack on day hunts. Most of the new packs are very light and pack down crazy small. One pack can literally do it all. Again, it’s easy to cinch down that extra space your not using, not real easy to add space to a smaller pack, especially if your load shelf is full of meat!

 

[Marble]

I am currently running an exo 3500. Have been for a few years now. Invested quite a bit in it but I am looking into a larger unit. What is the best size for a 3-5 day rifle hunt for elk or deer or bear?

You'll get a lot of opinions based on what people have. My experience is this... after 30+ years of going into the back country hunting, I have never wished I had a smaller pack.

I like to use a pack that's 6500 ci. It does have a meat shelf and extra pockets. But because I have a pack that's decently large, I was able to pack out my camp and an entire cow elk in two trips.

I have seen more problems with people buying too small of packs, poor fitting packs, crappy packs.

If I was not packing out meat and it wasn't super cold weather, I could probably do 5ish days in a 3500 ci pack essy. But I prefer to have a lack that fits, hold what I need and I don't have to play tetras to make all my crap fit in it.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[Gone4Days]

I have a 4800 and it’s perfect for me… but I have a lot of ultralight gear (tent, quilt, pad) which helps save weight and space in pack.

 

[jreyna]

I agree with Gone4Days. Fully outfitted with lightweight gear, you'll get 3-5 days worth of gear in an Exo 4800. Very pleased with mine.

 

[couesfreak23]

I am currently running an exo 3500. Have been for a few years now. Invested quite a bit in it but I am looking into a larger unit. What is the best size for a 3-5 day rifle hunt for elk or deer or bear?

The new 4800 bag could would be perfect for 5 day hunt imo

 

[Dioni A]

There's not much weight penalty to the bigger bags. Just buy the big one and call it good

 

[Mikido]

agree to the bigger bag. I have the 5500 and it covers me from 1-10 days