Should I try a Stone Glacier frame again or get on the Exo k4 train?

[fngTony]

Having tried their original, xcurve and evo I moved on and settled on a Kuiu.

Reasons I moved away from the SG was belt slipping and I couldn’t get the shoulder straps snug. I was 35 pounds lighter with no butt so that might have been part of the issue. Around 50-60 pounds is when it would slip.

Reasons for and against the kuiu pack. For, it doesn’t slip, a little more comfortable with a lighter day pack weight. It does better with 50-60 pounds. Against, pretty sure I would benefit from the extra tall frame and the newer updated suspension but for the money I should consider something else. Overall I think it was a partial improvement from the SG.

What got me thinking was trying several packs at the expo. The newer kuiu suspension was better but not sure if it was enough to spend the coin. Kifaru ark frame with around 65lbs was better in the shoulders but worse in the hips. Initial Ascent was by far the stand out with 50 and 100 pounds. I’m softly ruling out the Kifaru and IA because I don’t like the bags, can’t get just a frame from IA. With the SG I can just swap the buckles and use my kuiu bag like I did before.

Question #2. If you went from SG to the Exo k4 what are your thoughts?

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Oh I’m your guy, lots of experience with both now (a bit with early kuiu frame, lots with MR nice), used SG from the beginning, complained about first Krux, tried xcurve, terminus w/custom lumbar pad, new Krux with custom lumbar pads. Tried about every bag. Loved the system and still do - but I’m 5’8” and the frames were always super tall on me! Now they make a shorter one….

Anyways - you absolutely should try the K4 frame. It’s extremely comfortable, can move with you, and works incredibly well under heavy loads. SG is lighter and was never bad, but I’ve really come to appreciate that K4 frame. I like the bags but always loved the SG ones - frame 100% should make the decision though. After packing a mtn goat, whole mule deer, shuttling a whole bull with a friend out in 1 day (lots of repacking that frame), and a ton of training, I feel really strongly the K4 frame is an upgrade.

The various belt and stay sizing options with K4 get you into a really dialed fit, along with really good materials and build quality. You totally should try the frame out. I do like their bags but wish they were a tad lighter.

 

[aachey]

I had a krux evo, then went to K4. Once I got to around 80 pounds the straps on the stone glacier were uncomfortable for me and just in general it did not feel like it carried the weight well. Blindly bought a K4, and that handles weight exceptionally well and is super comfortable. Obviously it's all personal preference but i'm glad I made the switch. I recently bought a K2 for training(or because I have spending issues) and that also seems to fit me way better than the SG did.

 

[NXTZ]

I don’t have anywhere near the experience of @MT_Wyatt, but I had an x curve for a couple years and just recently got the k4, and agree with everything he said. I’m short and stocky, and the 26” frame height was a near constant irritation. It was comfortable and carried weight well, but the k4 beats it for me-that thing nearly disappears on my back. The Exo waist belt is way more comfortable too.

Exo accessories seem way more refined/just better. Their Nalgene holder is excellent, the hip belt pouches are truly one handed and the molle webbing is a fantastic solution. Stone glacier’s hip pouch quite honestly sucks ass in comparison-I needed 2 hands to open/close it, and stuff mounted to the belts tended to slide/migrate. The SG load shelf is nice; I prefer the Exo crib panel for more versatility and training.

 

[blacktailcentral]

I have had the kuiu and it was terrible, now i run the k4 and its been amazing! It handles everything you throw at it! Definitely a gamechanger

 

[plebe]

Try them both if you can. Pit them against each other as much as you can under the trial and return stipulations and see where you land. I found things I like and dislike about both the K4 and R3.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I've had both. K4 is a better frame, but the bag design got very annoying. Xcurve is a solid frame, and some of the sg bag layouts are very good. I dislike the velcro only approach sg uses for their shoulder strap attachment - I have a thick chest and there barely enough contact to keep the strap attached to the frame. Sometimes it doesn't stay attached, inevitably at the worst times when I'm trying to put on a very heavy load.

Ultimately, I sold the k4, but now that my oldest is getting big enough to wear a pack i am considering giving him the sg and getting myself another k4.

 

[go_deep]

Bought the EXO K4, my hips thank me.

I don't think your to far south of me if you want to come try it out, let me know.

 

[plebe]

I've had both. K4 is a better frame, but the bag design got very annoying. Xcurve is a solid frame, and some of the sg bag layouts are very good. I dislike the velcro only approach sg uses for their shoulder strap attachment - I have a thick chest and there barely enough contact to keep the strap attached to the frame. Sometimes it doesn't stay attached, inevitably at the worst times when I'm trying to put on a very heavy load.

Ultimately, I sold the k4, but now that my oldest is getting big enough to wear a pack i am considering giving him the sg and getting myself another k4.

I kept both (R3 and K4). I agree that the K4 frame is a better design (the crossing SG stays required me to fiddle to get a comfortable fit without a pressure point on my right Rhomboid). But the SG suspension actually worked better for me, whereas the K4 had some belt slip/sag. I know some folks who like me had a better out of box fit with the DL made some K4 mods that resolved that for them, so I’m planning to mess with the K4 some more.

I like the integral SG meat shelf over the K4 sandwich method. Construction of both is very well executed, but a slight nod to K4, in particular with respect to the inner belt and shoulder harness material for not picking up debris. Like you, I definitely preferred a SG bag for my purposes, but that’s very use/user specific.

I’d be pretty happy with either one, but like you, trying them both out really was helpful at understanding how they work with/for me.

 

[DenimChicken]

I haven't used a SG, but been through a number of packs including a few Mystery Ranch and now a K4. The K4 is an absolute winner. I've got a 5000 and a 7200 and have used it for everything from days hunts to a 12 day backcountry hunt. I've packed out quite a few animals and I've been nothing but impressed by the system with the comfort, durability and design. If my K4 broke tomorrow, I'd buy another one the same day.

 

[sndmn11]

@RyanSeek43 send the FNG a test frame!

 

[MuleyFever]

I tried a SG and and the K4. I kept the K4. It carried the weight better I think and felt better in the hips and lumbar. You may be different but you should try the K4. Anyone looking for a pack should try as many as they can..

 

[fngTony]

@RyanSeek43 send the FNG a test frame!

I do need to give them a shot, didn’t have any weighted packs at the expo.

 

[fngTony]

Well I can find an SG at local shops, probably do that to re-familiarize with it then try a SO and a K4

 

[Pramo]

I'm about 7 years in on an X-Curve and looking hard at the K4 versus buying some more shoulder straps for my stone glacier and my solo bag is pretty torn up. Packed lots of critters and lots of training hikes, I am tall and lean so stone glacier tends to fit perfect but the K4 sure is tempting

 

[fatlander]

I’ve had both and used them extensively. I still have the k4. The SG is a great frame, the k4 is better. As others have noted, it’s much more comfortable as you get beyond 75 pounds. To me, the K4 took all the best parts of kifaru, SG, and EXO together to make the best pack system available.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[S.Clancy]

SG are made for tall, skinny guys, like me.

I think Exo frames and belts cover much more of the center of the bell curve as far as height/weight go

 

[Tradchef]

I used SG for a good bit. Original Krux and Krux Evo. Packed a lot of animals out and it always worked well and was great for backpacking as well. Since I hunt solo most of the time I wanted to try the IA. I wasn't a huge fan of the bag either. I used the 5K. I like to pack meat in the bag if I can as well and that bag did allow for it, like some of the older Kifaru bags. I did find the pannier load carrier and lid was pretty solid for the most part. It hauled weight fantastic. However, my harness separated from my frame packing out my 2024 bull. It's only held on there with adhesive and nothing else. So, they sent another piece to attach it and I finished out the rest of the season with it. It was fine and hauled fantastic but I couldn't get over it so I sold it. I picked up a new krux and 6900 and I also ordered an EXO K4 5000. Both have the great return policy and SG is right close to my house. I will say the build quality on the K4 is more robust and very solid. I never had any issues with durability with my SG's but the EXO is noticeably different. The SG fits my Athletic lanky frame well. I am short at 5'7 and I never minded the 26" frame. The EXO needs to break in a bit. It does feel a bit different on the lumbar and the larger hip cups are nice. As for weight hauling I have only done rucks since I just got the pack a couple months ago and wanted to have one dialed for spring bear. I think they both haul really well. Some say one is better than the other but from what I can see it was pretty similar. The one negative I give SG is the way the stays lay in the fabric and the plastic sheet. It works but I had to play around with the new frame to have it not dig in to the center of my back. I like how SG rides up a bit more on your back like IA does. EXO rides a bit lower but the lumbar just works well. It just comes down to which one fits you and your needs better. Since they are so similar I am trying the K4 this season. I can always go back if need be but so far I like it. Rucking with 50 and 85lbs has been solid and just overall day hikes with 10lbs has been decent. Is it perfect....No. None of them are. But each one has pros and cons and compromises. I also like the fact they sew in house and it's a small company.

 

[MT_Dotson]

Another vote for the exo k4. Great pack.

 

[wh0cansay]

If you're experiencing slippage with your current pack, simply buying a different brand isn't a practical solution as you're likely to run into the same issue.

Slippage is caused first and foremost by a poor fit. A poor fit is caused first and foremost by an ill-fitting frame.

The reason your SG didn't fit you is because the stays in the frame didn't match the curvature of your spine. When this is the case, the load isn't transferred efficiently into your lumbar / pelvic area, and instead starts to pull down towards the ground. This is what causes slippage.

The solution here is quite simple, and a lot cheaper than buying a new frame and hoping for the best.

Replace the composite stays in the frame with 7075 grade aluminum ones, and spend some time bending them so they fit YOUR spine. This will take care of 90% of all slippage-related issues.

If you're still experiencing slippage, consider cutting down your lumbar pad or swapping it out for thinner one. Yes, thinner, not thicker. Thick lumbar pads place the load further away from your center of gravity, thus exacerbating the problem.

If at this point the pack still isn't comfortable, at least you know it's not because of a poor fit, and you can rest assured that you made the right decision in selling it and trying a different brand.

If your stays are fitted correctly, you do not need a thick lumbar pad. Pack manufacturers these days make thick lumbar pads to offset the fact that their packs come with stays that can't be shaped by the customer.

When you buy any pack, whether it's Exo, SG, Kifaru, etc., and you don't fit it to match your body, you will run into these issues. This is all made worse by the fact that some frames don't even allow you to install aluminum stays, such as the Kifaru Ark.