Plate loaded frame vs adding weight to your pack?

[jaym_100]

I have new Exo pack and I've been training with it by adding some plates. I'm at 90 pounds right now in the pack. I'm concerned with wearing out or tearing up the Exo pack. Is that a valid concern? Would it be better to get a plate loaded from for training? I don't really want to spend $300 plus on the plate loaded frame, so looking for some other options.

 

[brca005]

K4 Crib Load Panel

Add versatility to the K4 Frame, while increasing security and stability for heavy, large, or awkward loads. The K4 Crib be used between the frame and bag of a K4 Pack System, or used to turn the K4 Frame into an ultralight load-hauler when you do not have a K4 Bag attached to the frame. The K4...

exomtngear.com

This^

It allows you to load up however much you want without tearing up your pack.

 

[Coach Chris]

Sand bags are going to be less destructive to your pack than steel plates.
Duct tape them up really well.

 

[P Carter]

Separately, consider whether 90 lbs is a sustainable weight (or otherwise a good idea).

Seems very heavy for consistent training, well above what I’ve seen recommended.

 

[mtwarden]

Sand bags are going to be less destructive to your pack than steel plates.
Duct tape them up really well.

(or bag of car litter wrapped in heavy garbage and duct taped)

Separately, consider whether 90 lbs is a sustainable weight (or otherwise a good idea).

Seems very heavy for consistent training, well above what I’ve seen recommended.

I'd agree with both of these statements.

 

[COJoe]

I have sand bags inside an old cheap backpack that I put on my SG load shelf or I can safely slide it into my pack without making a mess. I would think sand bags better mimic real world pack-outs as it can shift around slightly.

90#s is ok for a single training run but man that's rough on your body for multiple training hikes.

 

[IAm_Not_Lost]

If you want to do higher weights for training just use a dedicated carrier.

No one should be carrying around 90lbs on their back in a standard pack for any sustained time period though. In my humble opinion. Shoot for 20% of your body weight as max pack weight.

 

[mtbraun]

I've been hauling 80 pounds of canvas sand bags in my K4 with no issues. I'm using the crib panel. What I like about using field pack over a plate carrier is the weight is properly on your hips. I looked a while back and could not find a plate carrier that wasn't hanging the weight off your shoulders.

 

[mustelid_master]

I use a bag of water softener salt, 40 lbs, pretty small, and the morton bags are smooth plastic, so I don't think they are as abrasive. I just stick it b/w the pack and the frame like you would if you're hauling meat. Haven't had an issue yet and I've been doing it ~once a week for a year.

 

[Bowehunter]

I use a weighted vest in my pack. Allows me to adjust weights if I want and isn't too damaging to the bag

 

[happybdayben]

Bought some amazon drybags that came in several sizes and play sand from Lowes. Pour sand into contractor bags then into the dry bags. I did 10, 20, 40 and 60 pound bags and can easily load and unload weight from the SG load shelf to achieve any weight. I found the play sand specifically holds a shape well but can still be adjusted.

 

[pacoalcracker]

there are much better ways to get into shape than that. spine damage is the risk with heavy weights on your back. just the thought of the disc compression and/or a potential slipped disc with the wrong move at the wrong time. a great way to wreck your back.

 

[D_wit22]

I use a bag of water softener salt, 40 lbs, pretty small, and the morton bags are smooth plastic, so I don't think they are as abrasive. I just stick it b/w the pack and the frame like you would if you're hauling meat. Haven't had an issue yet and I've been doing it ~once a week for a year.

Same thing here

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Plates eventually rubbed thru the material on my xcurve frame, the part that holds the stays in place...I sent it back got fixed and have the outdoorsman trainer. Cost me more than 300 bucks when all said and done.

 

[Truck24hr]

I use pea gravel in cheap 5$ Amazon sand bags. You can get each bag to about 22lbs, they stack neatly inside the bag, and it's easy to secure. I also use the Onis Mule bag for heavier loads with

 

[steelheadmike]

I use a Mule bag with about 20% BW pea gravel inside my Exo. I'll occasionally drop in another small bag but I've found that long term training with much more than 20% takes too much out of me. I'll save those loads for when I need it.

The crib panel works great but I'm typically using my pack as a pack quite a bit and I'm laze about taking the bag off. It's simpler to just drop the sandbag into the Exo bag.

 

[Highwarlok]

I think you are better off using your pack and carrying weight in it so that you can dial in your pack at the same time. That being said I would protect the bag / frame as best as you can from too much adverse wear and tear.

 

[MuleyFever]

Bag of water softener salt here. I just put it in my bag.

 

[3DRanch]

I’ve been using these. Great for trips where you can bring you pack and find a hike or a tall hotel stairwell.

Water Weight | Ruck Weight | ModGear

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[mahonsr]

I like the water or sand option because I can also dump some out if I need to. Like if I want to go heavy on the way up but not the way down.