K4 vs K2/K3....real world comparison

[Idaboy]

What's anyone real world experience if they upgraded from Exo K2 to a K4? Was it "that much better?"....if it was better, do you think it was just a more dialed fit?

 

[fatlander]

I would get slip with the k3 at 80+ pounds that I don’t get with the K4. Even changing out the k3 lumbar pad per exos advice didn’t fit it. The k3 was also really squeaky. I’ve yet to get a squeak with the k4.

If you’re a Nalgene guy, the k4 is really worth it. The placement and function of the k4 Nalgene holder is leagues better than anything else on the market.


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[Idaboy]

I do use a Nalgene but the big skinny 32oz ones and just slip them I. The stretchy side pocket....my K2, with a K3 belt, works great....but I guess I really dont know any different....hard to pass up the annual sale but not convinced it will be much of an upgrade

 

[HunterGatherer]

My buddy went from the k3 to k4 and said he didn’t notice much difference in how it carries a load but he’s a big guy. I wanted to compare his to my k2 but I’m a skinny guy so it wouldn’t fit. Based on his experience and some of the new bag features that I don’t care for, I’m going to stick with the k2 until I see the k4x.

 

[svivian]

Im a k2 owner since 2016/17 and upgraded to the K4 last year. Its significantly better imo, specifically in regard to the weight belt. Much more comfortable and carries weight nicer. Theres also alot of smaller details they improved on that have made the pack much more enjoyable to use with the molle systems. The zippered side pockets I'm not 100% sold on but the frame and belt system is just better all around.

Another thing i have come to appreciate after packing a dozen or so animals is being able to completely disassemble the entire pack including the carbon cross bars to clean all the blood and crap out. Not that it really matters but the pack cleans up so well and I notice that this pack doesn't squeak because of it.

Last thing ill note, as a guy who keeps his packs a long time, is how serviceable this pack is compared to the K2. The lumbar pad is so much easier to replace as is the waist belt. I don't see this belt and pad wearing as quickly either as the foam seems to be a much better/denser quality. At first it will seem really stiff, but once that foam breaks in its great. Even the carbon stays are so easy to replace and cost effective IF you happen to break one, which I have not heard a single case of. None the less, its nice knowing you can damn near fix or replace anything on that pack for a reasonable price.


this is just my .02

 

[Hunter26]

Haven't hauled any really heavy loads with mine yet but I will say the Nalgene holder is money! Seems to fit just a bit different when I first put it on but once I started hiking I never noticed it. I had the original pack and one thing they changed that I don't think I like is the zip up pockets on the side versus the top load pockets that had a cinch to close. Not a big deal but I prefer the former.

 

[Marbles]

I really liked my K2, but didn't really push very hard while I had it. I got a K3 and gave my K2 away, had issues with K3 that I found unacceptable and got a Seek Outside. Got a K4 as soon as it was released and that is my favorite frame.

Personally the K4 is worth the upgrade, especially if you have a K3 and carry heavy (over 100 pounds).

 

[mtnbound]

What's anyone real world experience if they upgraded from Exo K2 to a K4? Was it "that much better?"....if it was better, do you think it was just a more dialed fit?

Been an EXO user since the beginning, and their bags have always been good, but I also suffered from the frame slide, so I used their bags with a Kifaru for many years. Once K4 came out, I tried it, and the frame did not slide down at all. To me, the K4 was a huge upgrade.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Curious about the “slip” and frame slide”. Are you guys talking about the pack sliding down over your hips or the loaded bag moving on the frame or …?

 

[mtnbound]

Curious about the “slip” and frame slide”. Are you guys talking about the pack sliding down over your hips or the loaded bag moving on the frame or …?

For me, it was when the pack was loaded at about 40lbs, it would start sliding down around my hips and would cause hip area pain.

 

[Marbles]

Curious about the “slip” and frame slide”. Are you guys talking about the pack sliding down over your hips or the loaded bag moving on the frame or …?

The K3 would start slipping down on my hips and need frequent belt adjustments at 70 to 80 pounds.

That doesn't happen with the K4 at 130 pounds, but does at 150 pounds, though still not as bad as the K3. I've not tried weights between 130 and 150, so not sure where the line is.

 

[cams]

Started with K3 then bought a K4
With K3, It felt like I needed to adjust the hipbelt every 100 yards on my training hikes with 40lb.
With K4, it felt like I needed to adjust the hipbelt maybe 2-3 times during the 2 1/2 hr training hike.
Sometimes the back of my pants slides down which may feel like the bag is sliding down.
I prefer the K4.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Okay, that’s the same thing I’m getting in the k2 but just always took it as a side effect of having a 30” waist. Doesn’t get too noticeable until about 80+, then it really punishes the tops of my hips and slides down. So is this a bigger factor with smaller guys or specific body types ? Or is it more about pack design ?

 

[dr_bbq]

Im a k2 owner since 2016/17 and upgraded to the K4 last year. Its significantly better imo, specifically in regard to the weight belt. Much more comfortable and carries weight nicer. Theres also alot of smaller details they improved on that have made the pack much more enjoyable to use with the molle systems. The zippered side pockets I'm not 100% sold on but the frame and belt system is just better all around.

Another thing i have come to appreciate after packing a dozen or so animals is being able to completely disassemble the entire pack including the carbon cross bars to clean all the blood and crap out. Not that it really matters but the pack cleans up so well and I notice that this pack doesn't squeak because of it.

Last thing ill note, as a guy who keeps his packs a long time, is how serviceable this pack is compared to the K2. The lumbar pad is so much easier to replace as is the waist belt. I don't see this belt and pad wearing as quickly either as the foam seems to be a much better/denser quality. At first it will seem really stiff, but once that foam breaks in its great. Even the carbon stays are so easy to replace and cost effective IF you happen to break one, which I have not heard a single case of. None the less, its nice knowing you can damn near fix or replace anything on that pack for a reasonable price.


this is just my .02

This is exactly what I hoped to read. My K4 is on its way now.