Sitka 6200MH vs Exo?

[md126]

Can anyone with experience with both compare the two? Also hear Sitka is coming out with a 4000 MtnHauler which is intriguing. I primarily deer/turkey hunt back east with a solo elk hunt out west every year or two. Thanks

 

[ElkNut1]

Haven't used that Sitka pack but have used a dozen others in the last 40 years, most top of the line & I'll take the Exo over anything out there! Best pack hands down for all purpose performance!

ElkNut/Paul

 

[Justin Crossley]

I respect your opinion Paul but I wouldn't say Any pack is the "best".

There are quite a few very solid packs available that I would recommend just as highly as the Exo. It comes down to what fits an individual body and how that person uses a pack.

Sent from my E6833 using Tapatalk

 

[ResearchinStuff]

The Sitka looks like a significant upgrade over what they have had the last few years, but it's tough to tell from their website if it is truly in the premier league of Exo, Stone Glacier, Mystery Ranch, or Kifaru. Those 4 are basically the gold standard for hunting packs today, with Outdoorsmans and Kuiu close behind. The internet based companies normally have great return policies, the best way to tell for sure is to buy as many of them as you can at one time, load them up identically, and go for a hike. Return the ones you don't like and keep the one that works the best for you. All in all, the frame and fit of the harness is significantly more important than the camo pattern or pocket arrangement on a pack.

 

[md126]

Thanks for the info fellas, I appreciate it.

Anyone use it the 6200 this past fall or haul meat with it? I know it has an internal meat shelf, which I’ve never used. Not sure I’m digging that but being open minded.

 

[ElkNut1]

Justin, no problem sir! I've used so many over the years & have used a variety of packs from back-packing to hauling meat. Maybe I should have qualified the statement & said it works best for myself & the 5 guys I'm associated with, we all use the Exo after using a ton of packs. To be quite honest about pack fit it really is not that big of a deal like some make it out to be. Get a good pack & make it work, they'll adjust good enough for reasonable comfort & get the job done. Some guys expect miracles when packing heavier loads because of all the info on the subject here. They feel if a pack feels uncomfortable with more than 70# in it then it's the pack. In most cases it's the user not adjusting his pack correctly or he feels 70#-100# should feel like 35#-50# like some here have mentioned in the past!

So many hunters are not used to carrying packs of any weight so when they do they feel discomfort that day or the next & they blame the pack first off instead of their bodies not being conditioned to handle the pack. Guys need to suck it up & make them work, they need to realize packing weight in real hunting terrains is a lot of work & will eventually beat the hell out of you, no pack will replace being in hunting/packing shape! There are 5-6 of us that use the Exo, we range from 5'-7" 150# to 6'6" 285# with no issues with this pack. It's one of the best I've ever used with nearly 160 loads of elk quarters packed out over the years I can generally tell a decent pack when in use, this is a big reason why I am excited over this pack & highly recommend it! I can appreciate there are other packs that would suffice but this ones hard to beat & will be with me for many years to come!

ElkNut/Paul

 

[coues32]

I would put Seekoutside packs up with any pack on the market.

 

[bozeman]

Paul- sorry OP if this derails the thread. You make an interesting point on what people 'experience' when hauling heavy loads due to comments made about packs. When someone states that 75# felt like they were carrying 'nothing', I generally either believe: 1- it truly wasn't 75# to begin with 2- they are unwilling to admit their $$ investment may not have been all they thought it would be 3- they are also the one's who consistently 'see', but never 'kill' the 400" bull each year.

I liked the candid comments.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Thanks for the info fellas, I appreciate it.

Anyone use it the 6200 this past fall or haul meat with it? I know it has an internal meat shelf, which I’ve never used. Not sure I’m digging that but being open minded.

Josh Boyd did a full review on it for us.

Sitka Mountain Hauler 6200 Review

 

[Justin Crossley]

Here's the review I did on the 2017 version of the Exo. Great pack as well, and they have made some upgrades since I tested one.

Exo Mountain Gear K2 3500 Review

 

[Alpinezeal]

I've personally used, tested and hauled bucks and bulls with the Sitka 6200, exo 5500, kifaru reckoning, mystery ranch metcalf and mule, various kuiu packs and the stone 5900. Long story short the Sitka 6200 is my favorite overall pack. Gave the exo to my wife and am currently selling my kifaru if any one is interested lol.