K4 and SG pack decisions

[gil_wy]

I’ve packed out 56 bulls on my SG original Krux frame… no comparison to anything I’ve tried… MR, Kifaru, Eberlestock… hip belt comfort is 80% of the equation. Fit that first!!!

 

[Bado20]

I don’t know if this applies to your situation or not, but if you’re packing out meat on the load shelf of the K4, you aren’t supposed to try and force the top of bag attachment points back over the frame. I believe Steve talked about that on a podcast recently.

After my buddy got a hold of Exo, this is exactly what happened. They are still taking care of it despite it being his fault, customer service was great.

 

[moewells100]

I have a SG 5900 and a MR Metcalf, and my sheep hunting partner runs a Exo K4. The SG and Exo are both good packs, the SG is a bit more lightweight and trim. I prefer the SG waist belt, The shoulder straps on the K4 are more comfortable with light loads but you really shouldn't be carrying much weight with the shoulder straps if the pack is adjusted properly. I have the nalgene sling and the quick release sling on my SG and while it is not as easy to attach as the Exo system you put them on once and forget about it. The MOLLE on the K4 is nice if you often swap accessories.

For durability, both packs have been relatively good, I had a buckle tooth break on the SG hip belt last year but it held up with just the one tooth for the rest of the packout and they replaced it for free. We had the stitching tear on the spot where the top of the bag connects to the frame on the K4, had to jerry-rig it with paracord for the packout. Waiting to hear Exo's response but I'm assuming they'll fix it.

Both are great packs, head and shoulders better than the MR.

FWIW, I love the K4 but had same issue with fabric tearing where the bag connects to the staves on top. Hopefully EXO will address as fix would be easy for future iterations

 

[muskysaloon]

Well, I finally decided to keep the SG. I messed up my knee lifting 2 weeks ago so just now got out to take it for a good hike. The Exo is a fantastic piece of equipment, but the SG just seems to feel like a magnet on my hips and I love the simplicity of the 3600 solo bag. Does anyone know what the deal is with the hydration bladder sleeve? Its completely out of stock everywhere. Any other options out there for this?

 

[Marty]

Shoot me a PM to discuss the hydro sleeve

Well, I finally decided to keep the SG. I messed up my knee lifting 2 weeks ago so just now got out to take it for a good hike. The Exo is a fantastic piece of equipment, but the SG just seems to feel like a magnet on my hips and I love the simplicity of the 3600 solo bag. Does anyone know what the deal is with the hydration bladder sleeve? It’s completely out of stock everywhere. Any other options out there for this?

 

[Aswalt]

I ran the SG sky 5900 x-curve for the past 3 years. Made the switch to a Exo K4 5000 this year and after my first training hike I was a little concerned. BUT I stopped in at the Exo shop and they help me dial in the pack fit (special thanks to Patrick!) and night and day better feel when you adjust it to you. After a 3 day trek with 55 lbs. after 18 ish miles on this past elk conditioning trip totally sold on the Exo.

Take away:
SG shoulder straps always would crowd into my neck even with the shoulder straps angled out. Also my back would get so sweaty with the SG being directly on your back. The Exo by comparison feels like there is air conditioning back there. The laser cut molle panels hold so much tighter. The SG Nalgene always seemed like it was bouncing around on me so I pretty much ran a water bladder. Was able to totally move away from a bladder system with the Exo Nalgene holder.

My take away:
I sold my SG pack in FB marketplace. For me at 6’1” and 260 lbs the Exo after dialing in pack fit it felt like an extension of my body. For me it made a 50 lb pack feel like half that weight.

Also accessing the meat shelf on the SG is a process while the EXO is keep it simple stupid in which one could do it in the dark even if your headlamp fails. With the SG good luck, first year I had to download the video from Kurt showing how to access the load shelf.

Now in my own total opinion I prefer to support an American made company that hasn’t sold out yet (Exo). Before you start to hate go into any store and look at the new SG avail 2200 or Kiowa 3200 and I challenge you to find a “made in America” tag anywhere on/in the pack….it’s started

Thanks for this detailed rundown. Trying to make a decision about these two now after running a (now old) Kifaru Late Season that I don’t love and wanted something a bit bigger for hunting and summer backpacking/training trips.