K4 3600 or 5000

[Northwest_stillwater]

i chose the 5000 off of my buddies recommendation and do not regret it a single bit. it day trips well and packs down tight but also tons and tons of space.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

The horseshoe zipper on the 5000 makes it their best bag imo.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I have had a K3 3200 and a K4 5000. Like a lot of the others who have posted, I would choose the 5000 over a smaller bag if it was intended for double duty. The 5000 is only 5 ounces heavier than the 3600, and that isn’t much difference on your back. I think the 5000 would be more versatile for backpack hunts. If you are really concerned with weight, get the 5000 and a 2200 so you can switch when all you are doing is day hunting.

Day hunts with the K3 3200:



Day hunts with the K4 5000:

 

[BRTreedogs]

I think how many days you can stuff is correlated to your body size and what size clothing you wear.
And I think everyone should post there jackets size etc when they post how many days they can get out of xx size bag.

For me the recommended days the Exo guys always say they can get is ludicrous.

Being a 2xl kinda guy and liking wide sleeping bags as well.

I think the bulk of my insulation pieces are 30% more volume then a person that’s a Large at least.

 

[Coveyleader]

I have the 5000, its a decent pack, and I wouldn't want to go smaller thats for sure as it compresses nice, and expands when you need it too.

I will say, right out the box, I'd color code every strap on it. I've had the pack for over 2 years I think, and the strap situation (its strappy) in the dark, bugs me to this day. I color coded every strap and it makes it easier for sure. On a goat hunt, I was ready to throw it off the side of the cliff when making the pack out with a goat as at that time, I didn't have it color coded.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I don't quite follow this comment.

Are you strapping things to the outside? Or are the outer zipper pockets bulging out? Or something else?

(I'm also on the fence between 3600 & 5000)

I am not sure what @199p does to accommodate other stuff, but I put the extra things in a dry bag and put that on my load shelf between the frame and bag like in this photo of my Kifaru Woodsman.

 

[Kodiak55]

I have had both and prefer the 5000, more room if I need it for minimal weight difference.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I think how many days you can stuff is correlated to your body size and what size clothing you wear.
And I think everyone should post there jackets size etc when they post how many days they can get out of xx size bag.

For me the recommended days the Exo guys always say they can get is ludicrous.

Being a 2xl kinda guy and liking wide sleeping bags as well.

I think the bulk of my insulation pieces are 30% more volume then a person that’s a Large at least.

Also how much you eat, a weeks worth of food for me is more volume than anything else I pack by a significant amount

 

[BRTreedogs]

Also how much you eat, a weeks worth of food for me is more volume than anything else I pack by a significant amount

Yeah
Fat kids gotta eat

 

[isleofGough]

I can relate to the color code post. I've been ready to ditch a lot of backpacks where the issues are just adjustment, needing a new foam pad, too much base weight or packing wrong, or just being out of shape. Although there are differences in comfort of high end packs, the problems are often easier solved than buying a new pack.

 

[Blake C]

5000

 

[elsb0048]

I am not sure what @199p does to accommodate other stuff, but I put the extra things in a dry bag and put that on my load shelf between the frame and bag like in this photo of my Kifaru Woodsman.

View attachment 1052629

Good to know. I had keyed into @199p's post because it sounded like he was complaining about the form factor of the bag when used at 90% capacity or overstuffed.

I have a MR Metcalf that on paper has similar volume to 3600 and have considered switching to k4. I'm just uncertain about differences in how pack volumes are measured making it not as equivalent to the 3600 as I think.

I absolutely abhor using my Metcalf half full, do not find it usable as a daypack and while I fill it to capacity I would not want the bag to be 30-40% larger...

 

[BAKPAKR]

Good to know. I had keyed into @199p's post because it sounded like he was complaining about the form factor of the bag when used at 90% capacity or overstuffed.

I have a MR Metcalf that on paper has similar volume to 3600 and have considered switching to k4. I'm just uncertain about differences in how pack volumes are measured making it not as equivalent to the 3600 as I think.

I absolutely abhor using my Metcalf half full, do not find it usable as a daypack and while I fill it to capacity I would not want the bag to be 30-40% larger...

With separate straps on each side and across the back, the EXO bags can be cinched down pretty small when not loaded to capacity. But, I don’t know if that is much different than the MR Metcalf so you might not like it either.

 

[elsb0048]

With separate straps on each side and across the back, the EXO bags can be cinched down pretty small when not loaded to capacity. But, I don’t know if that is much different than the MR Metcalf so you might not like it either.

Sounds about the same. Just too much fiddle-factor for my taste when compressed.

 

[199p]

Good to know. I had keyed into @199p's post because it sounded like he was complaining about the form factor of the bag when used at 90% capacity or overstuffed.

I have a MR Metcalf that on paper has similar volume to 3600 and have considered switching to k4. I'm just uncertain about differences in how pack volumes are measured making it not as equivalent to the 3600 as I think.

I absolutely abhor using my Metcalf half full, do not find it usable as a daypack and while I fill it to capacity I would not want the bag to be 30-40% larger...

Cant help on the metcalf but i found over many trips the last couple of years that when you have the 3600 85% loaded the side zip pockets sit out just wide enough to snag on everything thats with in 5 feet of me ( not auctally ) and i cant get the rifle in the carrier to sit right then that side pocket it full.

In the side pockets i generally have my tent ( nz is very wet and i try and keep moisture out of the main pack ), in the other side with rifle is the extra bits like a puffy jacket, jetboil, tripod, extra water bladder etc its the last pocket i try and use.

 

[flyfisher117]

I have the 5000, its a decent pack, and I wouldn't want to go smaller thats for sure as it compresses nice, and expands when you need it too.

I will say, right out the box, I'd color code every strap on it. I've had the pack for over 2 years I think, and the strap situation (its strappy) in the dark, bugs me to this day. I color coded every strap and it makes it easier for sure. On a goat hunt, I was ready to throw it off the side of the cliff when making the pack out with a goat as at that time, I didn't have it color coded.

What or how did you color code them?

 

[flyfisher117]

I think how many days you can stuff is correlated to your body size and what size clothing you wear.
And I think everyone should post there jackets size etc when they post how many days they can get out of xx size bag.

For me the recommended days the Exo guys always say they can get is ludicrous.

Being a 2xl kinda guy and liking wide sleeping bags as well.

I think the bulk of my insulation pieces are 30% more volume then a person that’s a Large at least.

I’m a fluffy size medium actively growing into a large. There’s no way my gear would fit in a 3600. I was shocked how fast my 5000 filled. If I were to drop to a 3600 I’d have to get new sleeping bag and probably go to a bivy setup. Later season I’d need more packable puffy pants.

 

[Coveyleader]

What or how did you color code them?

Nothing scientific, but I used white out and different color sharpies and some other colors I had on hand. I started with numbers only, that was a fail. Just use colors.

When you’re strapping quarters in, and it’s dark, or snowing or sleeting, this really helps when the pack is all deformed. My mountain goat had a whole cape, and two quarters in the pack and it was like trying to solve a rubix cube in the dark.

 

[isleofGough]

The 5000 does compress down pretty well for day hikes, but it is taller than the 3600 (which could catch on branches). The horseshoe zipper on the 5000 is nice. I don't have that backpack now, but it is very well made and the company is great.

 

[Coveyleader]

The 5000 does compress down pretty well for day hikes, but it is taller than the 3600 (which could catch on branches). The horseshoe zipper on the 5000 is nice. I don't have that backpack now, but it is very well made and the company is great.

That horseshoe is money. One of the best features of the old badlands 2200 was you could access the inside of the pack from the outside without taking straps off, etc. I use the horseshoe entry a lot. It’s almost just as good, but is a nice feature. Especially when in a tree stand or ambush setup with archery.