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

[BAKPAKR]

I could just not get past the metal tubular frame on my K3. I sold it and got a K4. I don’t k know that the K4 is “better”, but it doesn’t have the tubular frame.

 

[Kducot5]

Is everyone's K4s lumbar support pads stiff to start? Do they eventually break in? Got a K4 this spring and ended up running my K3 all fall because of how stiff/uncomfortable the foam in the K4 was when I took it on a few walks around the neighborhood

I have the K3 and K4. I felt like the K4 lumbar pad was very stiff compared to the K3. Steve with Exo says you need to load it up with 30-40 lbs and put 10 miles on it and the lumbar will break in. I only have a couple miles on mine with 30 lbs and it is still very stiff. Made me take the K3 on my last trip because of that.

 

[sr20detrps13]

I really want to get a K4 but the extra weight cuts for the K4x is just too appealing. Anyone know when it's supposed to be released?

 

[HunterGatherer]

I really want to get a K4 but the extra weight cuts for the K4x is just too appealing. Anyone know when it's supposed to be released?

Mark from Exo was saying in another thread that they are shooting for late 2026.

 

[freezerfull]

I was a K2 user through the K3 era as I didn’t see much improvement that would warrant the upgrade. I did move to a K3 hip belt on the K2 frame which lessened some slip with heavy loads. When the K4 came out it had all the improvements that I was looking for, particularly the hip belt and lumbar pad. After 2 full seasons running K4s I have to say there is not another frame setup that I would want to haul ultra heavy with. They’ve all but relegated my Kifaru frame (used to be my long duration pack in setup) to hauling kids around on my back.

I have hit the breaking point on one K4 hip belt though. The fabric and Molle panel has been rolling around the pad, molle ends up beneath the belt and back against my hips. Once this started it seems to keep repeating despite correcting between uses. This isn’t a knock and I ordered a replacement belt during the sale. I would say this pack has rode my back well over 250k feet of elevation gain, 1000 miles, summited two volcanos and had some audacious single trip pack outs hauling bears; I’d say I’ve gotten my moneys worth.