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.

 

[adventure907]

For me, the K4 carries the weight better than the K3 did, but I preferred the bag on the K3. If I could mate a K3 bag to the K4 frame and suspension, that would be ideal.

 

[CDK2018]

K4 has been better for me and I think the lumbar pad is very comfortable and hip belt! I’ve had a 1st gen exo and K4 has a ton of improvement

 

[Netherman]

I've had the last three generations. I work in the auto industry so will give you a truck analogy. K2 > K3 is comparable to 2014>2017 silverado (refinement in areas, but the same "bones"). The K3 > K4 is like the 2018>2019 jump to a new frame.

How much better? That's relative. Personally I'd say the K2 > K3 was a marginal improvement in the hip belt and bag design/layout. The K4 is a bigger step up in my opinion. I used to run a hipbelt nalgene holster and think the new frame mounted holder alone makes the upgrade worth it. Beyond that, the hip belt got better (2 steps above the K2), the lid fits and attaches better, and hasn't squeaked so far (I fought squeaking issues on K2 and K3 and am hoping the carbon stays help). I'm still on the fence with the top loading side pockets vs zippered. I like being able to access top and bottom with the zip, but liked that I could have my trekking poles top loaded in one pocket and out of the way.

The K4 fixes everything I didn't like about my previous packs and I don't have any current complaints. I expect it'll be on my back for a long time. From everything I've heard the K4x isn't a "game changer", but you never know. My gut feel on K4x is that it will be an improvement along the lines of K2>K3 rather than K3>K4. On the other hand I think the 20% off is the most I've seen from EXO and makes you wonder if they are trying to get some inventory out of the way ahead of K4X.

 

[swampthing]

I have had the K2,K3 and now the K4. My K2 actually fit me the best out of all three. I never carried real heavy with it so I cant speak to belt slip. Each generation has subtle upgrades that do add up. My k2 fit great out of the box. The k3 with more adjustability took a bit longer to dial in. I bought the K4 when it was first released and I am still trying different settings with it!