My EXO 5500 arrived today!

[Fish N Chips]

I got my 5500 today! It was supposed to be here Monday (my Bday), but the post office messed up and delayed the shipping

I am very happy with it. The construction and components all seem to be high quality. I really like the coyote color and am glad I waited for it to come back into stock. I like the 2017 features, mainly the hydration pocket. I keep my sleeping bag in a dry stuff sack so am not too worry about leaks, but use a hydration bladder a lot while hiking. The fit from the factory seems very close, but I need to put some weight in the pack and check it for my torso length. It is so easy to adjust I will be able to make field adjustments no problem.

At first I thought I messed up and got too large of a bag. That was until I loaded my camp into it. For my summer kit it is larger than I need, but once I put in my tent and the extra clothing needed for winter trips, it was perfect. It held it all without needing to be overly compressed to get it all to fit. My Badlands 2800 needed everything compressed small to get it to fit and not be overly bulky and loose on the pack. I like that I can just put it all into the pack now, and not have stuff sacks tied all over the pack.

The snow collar is different but I like how it seals the pack and is quick to adjust for size and bulk of whatever I stuff in it.. I wish it was a bit shorter to make access into the bag a bit easier from the top, but it isn't obnoxious. It will be nice for family trips when I am carrying more food and gear for the family (I am the pack mule) and need the extra room.

It compresses down to nothing for day pack use. I have hunted a couple spots where it is nice to take a full pack in with you in case you get something, saves a trip out just to grab a pack. I really like the size of the guide lid for my GPS, maps and survival/medical kit. I put in one of the zippered accessory pouches there with some batteries and my water purification tabs as well. I may move that to the main bag though as the webbing the bag is made from is a bit rough, and I do not want it scratching up my GPS or phone screen.

I can not wait to get some real weight in it and try it out. I will load up some of my weights to try it on my day off. My buddy still has a bear tag, so I am trying to talk him into a late season trip in to see if we can find something. I want to get blood on the pack

 

[Vrybusy]

Congrats! I'm expecting mine in the next day or two. Can't wait.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

Put pics up man!

 

[nazarow]

Got mine in the spring (ranger green) but unfortunately it was embroidered with 3500 instead of 5500 for some reason. Either way was able to put it to good use. The previous pack out was 150lbs and I wish it was mostly this old logging road in the pics. No issues at all. Never owned a more comfortable pack.

 

[Fish N Chips]

Nice picture, I can not wait to try mine with an animal. In reality I think the 3500 would have been fine for 90% of what I needed. I do not see me using the extra space of the 5500 often, but it is there if I need it. Mainly for clothing and extra food on those longer trips. Food is really my bulkiest item, and my sleeping bag is a bit bulkier (Nemo Salsa 15 degree down), but as I am a side and stomach sleeper, the extra room is worth it.

Here is some pack porn

I took some pictures with it in daypack mode with the lid loaded with my basic gear. The others are with my entire camp, minus my spotter and tripod. My buddy drew bighorn sheep and is borrowing it.

In the pack I have my Nemo Salsa 15 degree bag in a Sea 2 Summit eVent bag partially compressed, Mountainsmith LT tent, 3/4 thermarest pad, ground cloth, food bag with 3 days of food, cookware (gigapower, titanium pot and cozy), empty 3L water bladder, my clothing (puffy, rainjacket, extra socks, beanie, gloves, ect.), toiletries, GPS, camera, survival/med kit, batteries, ect. Basically my entire camp minus the spotting scope and tripod, and I usually have a couple gatorade bottles for purifying water. I put my trekking poles in the weapon carrier, as I will be carrying them or my weapon, and I like how they strap outside the pack to prevent wear from the carbide tips on the lid. My scale batteries died or I would weight it all, but normally run around 28-32 lbs for 3-4 days.

 

[mauidiver]

To this day the Exo 2015 I believe was the year I got it was the best fitting pack I owned. I fell for the kifaru groupies and ordered one which was a great pack if I were to be carrying 70-80lbs consistently, but that's not my case. I also bought the new kifaru Tarryall because I was sick of getting hung up while brush busting here in Texas. Love the pack but I'm thinking it's just a little small for what I need. Might go back to the Exo as it was definitely the best fit for my need and body. Congrats on your new bag.

 

[Gerard Marcaurele]

I love my 3500. Use it almost every day and it does everything I want it to. Couldn't have made a better purchase

 

[wind gypsy]

To this day the Exo 2015 I believe was the year I got it was the best fitting pack I owned. I fell for the kifaru groupies and ordered one which was a great pack if I were to be carrying 70-80lbs consistently, but that's not my case. I also bought the new kifaru Tarryall because I was sick of getting hung up while brush busting here in Texas. Love the pack but I'm thinking it's just a little small for what I need. Might go back to the Exo as it was definitely the best fit for my need and body. Congrats on your new bag.

I fell for the Kifaru groupy pitches as well but didn't sell my Exo until I knew I'd be happier with Kifaru, instead the kifaru got sold. I think you'd like the k2 frame even better than the 2015 version (I upgraded from 2015).

That said, I think my Exo will be for sale soon when the rest of my Seek Outside stuff shows up.

 

[Fish N Chips]

I look forward to seeing your review on the Stone Glacier, congrats! I hear they are a great pack.

I looked at Stone Glacier and Kifaru as well. I wanted a bit more organization, but not to the point of needing to buy a bunch of accessories to do so. For me the EXO setup was 'just right' out of the box.

I walked around with my camp loaded and was amazed at the comfort. The hip belt was tight but did not feel like it due to the padding and belt shape, it didnt slip at all. I love the lumbar support, I have a bad back from an accident, and the support was fantastic. My Badlands I had to cinch down very tight to the point of being uncomfortable. That was likely due to the fit, and not being able to adjust for my torso length. I always struggled with the fit on my 2800, either it would slide down my hips and catch on my belt, the shoulders were too tight, or the belt was too tight trying to get it to stay put, I would change adjustment constantly while hiking. Being able to adjust the pack to fit me is huge.




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[Grambo]

Myself and future son in law got the 5500's this summer and have logged many miles with mid to heavy loads and this pack setup is AWESOME!
I'm no spring chicken and this pack fits great under any load and pulls down to almost nothing . Can't say enough good things about it .