My gear/pack layout from base layers to binos

[Blaw]

Cont….


The K3 was nearly perfect. The frame is solid, the belt locks in well, the shoulder straps carry pretty well, and the whole thing carried weight- though they tend to have a slight squeak when loaded down. Exo has the best lid in the business with no sagging or flopping, and well designed pockets. They also have the best/fastest/most intuitive load shelf access on the market. The locket layout is really good- the center stretch pocket is large enough to fit 15x bino or a spotter in, the side open top pockets easily fit puff suit and rain suit, the outside bottom stretch pocket fit the tripod well with the top cinched by the top compression strap. Getting to it all is easy- set pack done in from you you, pull tripod out and set up, loosen on lid strap and pull spotter out, loosen other top side strap and pull puff suit out, slide pad off, sit down and glass. Didn’t have to open the main bag or any zipper, the bag can be thrown in as is and carried without issue if needed, and everything goes back in without fuss. Out lunch and the stove in the lid and you didn’t need to open the back at all during the day.

But, and it’s a big but- the belt will tear away from the frame if pulled on. Say if the pack is loaded with meat or gear and in the back of the truck bed, if you grab the belt and pull towards you, the stitches tear and the belt comes off. This was only discovered at the bottom of a valley about to go up and get a bull I had killed, stopped to get water, put pack on hiked up belt to tighten and it just came away from the frame. So I’m standing there looking at my buddy, 3 miles from the TH holding my frame belt with a dead elk to retrieve. Carried first load out and swapped packs at the truck. The reason why this happened wasn’t apparent until I ripped another belt off pulling the pack out of the truck in a later hunt. Then, it was obvious what was happening, and it’s pretty much in demand. It’s only when pulling the belt down, opposite of the lid that it happens, normal use/strain isn’t a problem. I carried 3 adult antelope out a bit over a mile in canyon country just to test it- pack was fine.

This happened to me twice, and to buddies 2-3 times. It’s just a failure mode that won’t work for me.


Exo K4- 3600, 5000, 7200- 7-8 animals packed out.
View attachment 675580

This frame and suspension is in general an upgrade over the K3, and the belt failure was completely addressed. It carries well, the load shelf access if easy peasy, the lid is still top notch, etc. But…. The bag designs are a total failure for how I/we use them. I have no doubt that people love the design, and for archery warm weather hunting I probably wouldn’t care- as they are, I want to throw them off a cliff every time I use them. I started the season with the 3600 K4 in the spring, was aggravated by the bag, switched to a Stone Glacier for a sheep hunt, then switched back to the K4 7200 for all of the fall- and I was pissy every time I had to use it.

Starting with the 5000, here’s why-

View attachment 675582


I’m not sure what functional use the front zippered attach pocket was for, because you can fit about a snickers, a pair of socks, and maybe a beenie if you have a small head. It certainly can’t fit much else.

Here it is with a pair of socks, gaiters, and a scarf. It is bursting at the seams, and is intruding (pushing) into the internal main bag space-
View attachment 675583


A spotter or bino is nowhere close to fitting.



The side zippered pockets-
View attachment 675585



To access you must undue the main compression straps, and anything held by them falls away, like such-
View attachment 675587


What you can’t see is that my bino adaptor now has compacted snow in it that has to be cleaned out before being able to be used. Oh, and the side pockets themselves are ok sized, but anything put into them intrudes into the main bag space as soon as you tighten the side straps-
View attachment 675588




And, if you have a tripod, hiking sticks, and etc., strapped to the outside, all of the pressure from the compression strap is being put directly into whatever is in that pocket- If I cinch that side strap down, it will break the bridge of the binos.
View attachment 675589



All of that mostly applies to the 3600 and 7200 as well.

3600- stretched to the absolute max to fit these, and it’s intruding into the main bag space.
View attachment 675590

Same issues with the side zip pockets on the 3600 as the 5000.



7200- the front stretch pocket is a bit larger, and fits items better, but it still pushes back into (bulges into) the main bag. The side pockets are the same as the others.
View attachment 675591



I am not the only one that has issues with this design. I hunted with 6-7 people using K4’s this year, all of them liked to loved the frame and the way it carried weight, and all of them but one hated the bags. They switched them out as soon as they could. Two of those guys said I was crazy about why I didn’t like them and that they had used them in multiple hunts and trips and had none of those issues… and when side by side they both stayed “wtf were they designed like this?”

I’m sure Exo has its reasons, but it strikes me as bag designed by hyper OCD packers, that hunt early season archery and/or don’t use a tripod and spotter in cold weather much, and are more concerned with getting pine needles in a pocket than absolute function. The difference is so stark because of how functional the K3 bags were.





Stone Glacier R3 7000 with side bags- 30-40 animals packed out, way over 100 with X-Curve frames.
View attachment 675597

I have used most of their bags and packs that they make. The X-Curve carries well, has a good meat shelf if a bit convoluted to get to, bags are decently designed, etc. There were a couple of issues- the lid flopped and was saggy, the side pockets were way too short and water bottles would pop out when the pack was set down, they needed side pockets for spotter/puff suit/etc, the front zipper pocket would intrude into the main bag, and a quicker/easier access to the laid shelf.

Well, the R3 7000 had deep stretch water bottle pockets on the side, the lid was modified and doesn’t sag or flop now, slightly changed the bag attachment to the frame to allow much quicker access to load shelf, changed the front zipper pocket to bellow out instead of into the bag, and added optional side “wing” pouches.
Now, its set the pack down, pull tripod out from side water bottle pocket without loosening any strap, unzip one side pouch and pull bino/spotter out, unzip other side pouch, put on puff suit, slide out sit pad- done. Lunch and the stove can fit in the side pouches as well. No straps undone, bag not opened, can be repacked quickly and/or thrown on and carried well, etc.





Overall, I have no real gripes with the new SG R3 7000 with side bags- it doesn’t everything it should. Now, just need the 3300 and 5900 to match it.

The Exo K4 with the old style bags would be fantastic.

How'd you like the cs canadian belt knife?

 

[Formidilosus]

How'd you like the cs canadian belt knife?

Very good. Outstanding for sub $20, and the CBK is the best designed blade I have used for skinning and butchering.

 

[Ajsomp]

@Formidilosus do you rock the camel wool or yak wool socks year round with the liner socks? And do you find the blend any better than the 100% for durability?

I finally got the liner socks and I’m trying to figure out which combo seems to work better

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus do you rock the camel wool or yak wool socks year round with the liner socks?

Pretty much is hunting. If it’s actually warm- above 60° during the day every day and it’s mostly day trips, I’ll wear cotton socks with the liners at times.

And do you find the blend any better than the 100% for durability?

Liners?

 

[Ajsomp]

Pretty much is hunting. If it’s actually warm- above 60° during the day every day and it’s mostly day trips, I’ll wear cotton socks with the liners at times.




Liners?

Sorry - I meant the wool outer (camel/yak/alpaca) - I’ve found the 100% stuff sometimes sheds more or doesn’t last as well. But some brands go a little too heavy in the blend

 

[Formidilosus]

Sorry - I meant the wool outer (camel/yak/alpaca) - I’ve found the 100% stuff sometimes sheds more or doesn’t last as well. But some brands go a little too heavy in the blend

Oh. I’ve only used 100% Camel, yak, etc.

 

[Speaks]

Oh. I’ve only used 100% Camel, yak, etc.

Hey related question, with the vivo tundra boots do you ever double up on socks or are they warm enough without it. If so do you size them differently than the tracker forest esc? I generally do 44 in the summer ones, 45 in the lined trackers to accommodate thicker socks, and was debating 45 or 46 for the Tundras in case I need to double up on the socks.

 

[Greenbelt]

The Stone Glacier R3 wing pockets will work on an Exo K4 very well. Looking at my buddies K3, the top strap is too low. The spacing of the top three straps on the K4 is perfect though.

I got six Duraflex triglides ($0.36 for each from Rockywoods.com).

View attachment 710464
View attachment 710463View attachment 710465

One R3 pocket will fit my puffy pants and midweight puffy jacket and getting to them is much easier. I can use the pockets to hold gear to the pack and no longer have to uncompressed the main bag to get my trekking poles if I put them on the side. I usually put them on the back for that reason, but with the pad on the back it did not work as well.

Are they not selling these pockets anymore? I have scoured their site and been unable to find anything.

 

[TitsMcGee]

Are they not selling these pockets anymore? I have scoured their site and been unable to find anything.

https://www.stoneglacier.com/products/r3-side-bags

Currently sold out of both colors. Can also be found on EuroOptic amongst other places.

 

[Greenbelt]

https://www.stoneglacier.com/products/r3-side-bags

Currently sold out of both colors. Can also be found on EuroOptic amongst other p

https://www.stoneglacier.com/products/r3-side-bags

Currently sold out of both colors. Can also be found on EuroOptic amongst other places.

Thank you! Seems I am severely search tool handi cap.

 

[Speaks]

I ordered a few more pairs of the Yak and Camel socks, got a notice from DHL that they are holding it for $93.50 in duties. Emailed the shot and yep they dont say anything on the site about it but buyer has to pay those directly to the shipper. If I dont it gets returned and I am out the cost of my order. So I guess at this point I am out $100 for nothing or $200 for 3 pairs of socks.....

Just something to keep in mind if ordering these.

Any other source than the Mongoli store?

 

[TitsMcGee]

I ordered a few more pairs of the Yak and Camel socks, got a notice from DHL that they are holding it for $93.50 in duties. Emailed the shot and yep they dont say anything on the site about it but buyer has to pay those directly to the shipper. If I dont it gets returned and I am out the cost of my order. So I guess at this point I am out $100 for nothing or $200 for 3 pairs of socks.....

Just something to keep in mind if ordering these.

Any other source than the Mongoli store?

That blows. I ordered 1 pair direct thru their site and had no troubles whatsoever.

Maybe it has something to do with value. Or the fact that 3 pair of socks would feel like a very strange subject through the packaging

 

[fwafwow]

I ordered a few more pairs of the Yak and Camel socks, got a notice from DHL that they are holding it for $93.50 in duties. Emailed the shot and yep they dont say anything on the site about it but buyer has to pay those directly to the shipper. If I dont it gets returned and I am out the cost of my order. So I guess at this point I am out $100 for nothing or $200 for 3 pairs of socks.....

Just something to keep in mind if ordering these.

Any other source than the Mongoli store?

I ordered from this site in November of last year and paid $27 for 100% yak and $22.50 for 100% camel, with no duties or tariffs. I have also ordered numerous times from Happy Yak.

 

[Speaks]

That blows. I ordered 1 pair direct thru their site and had no troubles whatsoever.

Maybe it has something to do with value. Or the fact that 3 pair of socks would feel like a very strange subject through the packaging

I ordered from this site in November of last year and paid $27 for 100% yak and $22.50 for 100% camel, with no duties or tariffs. I have also ordered numerous times from Happy Yak.

Yea I had ordered another couple pairs in the spring with no issue. Anyway would be careful ordering now.

 

[Nine Banger]

Etsy.

Our only issue is figuring out which one is superior.

 

[FZMT]

Yea I had ordered another couple pairs in the spring with no issue. Anyway would be careful ordering now.

The “de minimis” exemption exempting imports up to $800 from duties was removed as of 8/29/25.

I managed to get an Aclima order in before it was removed but was concerned a sock order wouldn’t get delivered in time.

Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency

www.whitehouse.gov

https://www.npr.org/2025/09/05/nx-s1-5522054/etsy-sellers-de-minimus-canada-tariffs

 

[Formidilosus]

Hey related question, with the vivo tundra boots do you ever double up on socks or are they warm enough without it. If so do you size them differently than the tracker forest esc? I generally do 44 in the summer ones, 45 in the lined trackers to accommodate thicker socks, and was debating 45 or 46 for the Tundras in case I need to double up on the socks.

I have not used them enough yet to say. They are large however, and I highly doubt I would double up on socks- my feet would be drenched.

 

[BennettManley]

Love all the information. I need to re-read it.

 

[Speaks]

The “de minimis” exemption exempting imports up to $800 from duties was removed as of 8/29/25.

I managed to get an Aclima order in before it was removed but was concerned a sock order wouldn’t get delivered in time.

Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency

www.whitehouse.gov

https://www.npr.org/2025/09/05/nx-s1-5522054/etsy-sellers-de-minimus-canada-tariffs

Shoot, thats likely my problem, though tarriffs for Mongolia for this type of item are only supposed to be around 20% not 100%.

From what I can figure out DHL charges a fee that is much higher than the actual tarriffs. And they say given changes they are not taking calls on them. So options appear to be let it get sent back and get nothing and no refund or eat the additional $90 and at least get the socks.

 

[FZMT]

Shoot, thats likely my problem, though tarriffs for Mongolia for this type of item are only supposed to be around 20% not 100%.

From what I can figure out DHL charges a fee that is much higher than the actual tarriffs. And they say given changes they are not taking calls on them. So options appear to be let it get sent back and get nothing and no refund or eat the additional $90 and at least get the socks.

I imagine that a hefty portion of the “tariff fee” DHL is charging is for importation paperwork/inspection/whatever on their end and not an actual tariff.

It’s a subpar situation without question.