Kifaru vs exo k4 vs stone glacier

[Kybosh27]

I'm in the market for a new do everything pack from day hunts to 7-10 day backpacking trips. What do ypu all recommend? I'd prefer one solid frame that will actually last and not break after a year or two of use.

If you can swing it I’d recommend ordering all the packs you’re interested in. Throw some weight in them and go for a walk to see what feels best. It’s the only way to know without second guessing. You can’t go wrong with any of those companies as they all make fantastic packs.

 

[sacklunch]

Ove had packs from most of the top tier companies, kifaru (tac frame), kuiu pro, 1st gen Exo and for the last 3 yesrs, SG x-curve.

I tried the Exo K3 2 years or so ago now and while it fit great and alot of the features were a win, I just felt my SG handled the weight better from am off balance, less shifty kind of feel. Stepping over logs, the K3 felt to shift more with heavy weight on the load shelf.

Not sure if any else experienced that but curious if the K4 addressed that

 

[roosiebull]

Not sure if any else experienced that but curious if the K4 addressed that

Prior to k4 I had always thought that was the one place my kifaru was better with really heavy loads… it felt good with weight but not as stable side to side and it was easier to lose your center of gravity. The k4 will lock in and not sway… cinch everything up tight and it has that solid stability and feels connected.

I personally think exo completely killed it with k4, it’s my favorite pack I’ve worn and by a fair margin

 

[ljalberta]

I’ve had them all. They all do certain things better for me and have their owns strengths and weaknesses.

I have a huge love for Kifaru as a company, but if I could only have a single pack, it would be my SG Terminus.

That being said, I’ll probably use my K4 more than any other pack this year by a long shot.

 

[TxFrog]

I have not tried the new k4 yet but.. once i left the Stone Age old Barney’s frame i tried a Kuiu pack.. the small 2300 is great for pack workouts but a big no for anything else and the big packs just plain suck. Went to a kifaru hoodlum with light gram and absolutely love the durability of every component and how modular it is.. it absolutely leaves other packs behind in that area but after two years and multiple animals i just can not get it to fit right. I have to reef it so tight i can’t breath and it either causes back or hip pain and makes me walk stooped over. Bought a stone 6900 last winter and so far it’s been great. Not even close to the durability of kifaru but hasn’t failed so.. the Velcro straps have me worried but have not let me down. All that being said try all three. Biggest thing is nothing will make 100+ lbs comfortable or easy.. you just have to pick the one that makes 100 lbs suck the least…

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

I have not tried the new k4 yet but.. once i left the Stone Age old Barney’s frame i tried a Kuiu pack.. the small 2300 is great for pack workouts but a big no for anything else and the big packs just plain suck. Went to a kifaru hoodlum with light gram and absolutely love the durability of every component and how modular it is.. it absolutely leaves other packs behind in that area but after two years and multiple animals i just can not get it to fit right. I have to reef it so tight i can’t breath and it either causes back or hip pain and makes me walk stooped over. Bought a stone 6900 last winter and so far it’s been great. Not even close to the durability of kifaru but hasn’t failed so.. the Velcro straps have me worried but have not let me down. All that being said try all three. Biggest thing is nothing will make 100+ lbs comfortable or easy.. you just have to pick the one that makes 100 lbs suck the least…

You would be surprised at how durable the SG packs are. I’d say they are right there with the Kifaru. The strap attachment also worried me when I first got it but no more. It just plain works and I love the simplicity of adjustment. Check out their videos where they torture test that stuff. Pretty incredible strength. The first SG I got was an evo as I don’t have a curved back. It was just ok. Tried the Xcurve and was blown away how comfortable.

 

[Huntingfarandwide]

I just put a Exo 3200 MC on a Kifaru Frame. Best of both worlds.

 

[TxFrog]

Absolutely love my kifaru with hoodlum bag. But hear great things about the K4. Was not a fan of the k3 belt.

 

[mtnbound]

I'm in the market for a new do everything pack from day hunts to 7-10 day backpacking trips. What do ypu all recommend? I'd prefer one solid frame that will actually last and not break after a year or two of use.

I have used EXO since they were first made, and none would stay put. They all would slide down and cause pain in my hip region. That changed with the K4. It fits great and stays put. I wish the hip belt had more molle points, but what they have is ok. The new water bottle holder is great, as it doesn't take up belt space. Their bags are the best with good organization. I have the 3600 and 2200 and used the K3 4800 on the Kifaru frame.

I still have 2 Kifaru frames and several bags. For a while, I used the Kifaru frame with an EXO bag because most of Kifaru's bags have just one big dump pocket design, which I hate. I have no experience with the new frame, but the older tactical frames are incredible for long hauling, and the hip belt is great with lots of molle points and stays in place.

I tried an SG X-curve, and it handles weight really well, but I dislike their bag designs and hate the hip belt because it lacks molle attachment points.

 

[Marty]

If you end up leaning into a SG, feel free to PM me to discuss my Sky Talus 6900 that I’m be listing for sale shortly.

(Rick O’Shea is my FB profile name).

 

[100%DIYazCOUES]

I’ve tried out sg sky 5900, kifaru duplex lite, big kuiu , exo k4, initial ascent, Mr metcalf,and akek this year looking to upgrade to a high end pack. At least a couple miles in each….For me the stone, kifaru, and exo are a couple steps above any of the others (initial ascent was very nice too, much better then the kuiu, Mr, or akek)
My opinion, the exo was a step above the stone and kifaru in basically every way. They were all great packs though. The stone felt amazing under load, but I don’t love the bag design for organization. It was between the sg and exo in the end. The k4 was just a little better across the board. One note, the sg was initially more comfortable for me, but once the k4 lumbar pad broke in…. I have no doubts the k4 is the top hunting pack on the market right now for me. Haven’t tried the ark frame, which I’d love to…. But I’m extremely happy with the k4.

 

[idahohunter29]

I swear i never hear anyone not like EXO…i think that will be my next pack

 

[Jtb.kfd]

Exo packs are amazing. My family has a lot of them with my son just getting the K4 7200. There are things we really like with this pack (hip belt, water bottle accessory, lumbar pad) and some things we don’t like as well as the K3, namely the side zippered pockets vs stuff tubes.
My daughters have Mystery Ranch which work well and fit them well, but they have too
much stuff (pockets, webbing loops etc) on them that just adds weight for me.
We have used SG packs and while I loved their comfort, I didn’t like the setup as well nor did I like the more unstructured nature of the pack. It didn’t haul heavy loads for me the same as the EXO’s did. But I had zero complaints with them also.
My brother just bought the IA 8k and it fits me really well. I like the setup a lot and we will hopefully be trying it out under load very soon. A couple buddies have this pack and swear by it. Kinda hard to go wrong with any of the packs listed in this thread though…

 

[ccthomasjr]

Debating Kifaru Shape Charge with Sherman pocket for day hunts (live in TX, hunt at my ranch for whitetail mostly where a vehicle isn't ever to far away) but 2xs a year I make a pilgrimage elk hunting and will likely get the Frame and Hellbender (those are mainly day hikes, not 7 day into the woods). I like the modularity with pouches etc but I've never run any big packs, recommendations other than Kifaru to look at welcome

 

[CV335]

EXO packs have been amazing for me. I have tried Kifaru, SG and MR prior. The EXO was the most comfortable, especially under heavy loads, and I like the bag layouts (I utilize the K4 2200 and 5000) and their accessories. In addition, the resources and customer service has been excellent for EXO, which are both something I value.

 

[iwearshorts]

Exo for sure. I used a Mystery Ranch Metcalf for years and it worked great but when I put the Exo on it was night and day difference. Like going from a Corolla to Cadillac. It just carries a load so much better. It’s evident a lot of thought was put into this pack. I thought I was crazy for spending $700 on a pack but I will say it has been very much worth it.

 

[Pilarczyk85]

I had the exo k3 and wasn't a fan of it sliding down under load. I've heard they fixed that issue on the K4 but I ended up grabbing the ark frame with the abrasoka bag from kifaru and absolutely love the feel. I've yet to put a load in it yet so there is still that but out of the box feel for me the kifaru was awesome.

 

[AndrewMT34]

I have a SG x-curve pack that I love. I previously had a exo K2 that I had some issues with it sliding under loads. I've heard the K4 is an unreal pack/frame. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Maybe order both, throw some weight in them and return the one you don't like?