Stone glacier vs Exo mountain

[MUDDYCRICK]

I've narrowed it down my next pack to the Exo Mountain 3500 and Stone Glacier Solo. What is everyone thoughts on these packs? The pack will only be used for 1-3 day hunts. Will be hunting mule deer to elk and anything else that has a season in Nebraska. I'm 5' 8" 180 pounds and i have a curvy back. Any input is appreciated. I want this to be my last pack I will buy for a very long time.

 

[bmart2622]

I looked to Solo over a couple times in person at the Schnees store in Bozeman. I really liked it, I actually liked the layout better than the Sky series. If a guy needed more room he could always add an access pocket or approach bag. I love my Kifaru but still have to talk myself out of every Stone F
Glacier I see.

 

[COSA]

I have the SG sky 5100 and really like it except for the lack of pockets; I sewed a kifaru medium pocket on myself which is all I needed. If you like more pockets/options for organization go with the Exo. Can't go wrong with either pack.

 

[tttoadman]

I have the Solo. I think it is great for 3 day outings. They are so similar, I don't think you could go wrong with either. It is my understanding that they will be offering a lid for the Solo later this year. The Solo and Exo3500 pop up on the classifieds pretty regularly. keep your eye out, and snag a deal.

 

[bmart2622]

A Solo with a lid would be a great pack. I feel like the Solo has a few more pockets and organization than the Sky. The 2 pockets on the Sky were small and things fell out of them while walking around the store. Damn, I need some sort of gear-aholics anonymous.

 

[Joshmarquez]

I used the exo last year and absolutely loved it! Very well thought out and constructed. Packed meat like a dream! Just the right amount of pockets, not too many! Used it on a 5 day hunt and fit everything inside comfortably besides my sleeping pad! Also compresses enough to be a smaller pack for day hunts so you don't have to walk back five miles to the truck just to start packing meat!

 

[hflier]

I have had both. They are both great packs. In the end I kept the Solo over the EXO. I didn't like the EXO shoulder straps as much as the Stone Glacier's as they used more narrow webbing and sliders and some odd adjustment sliders on the shoulder straps. Also, there is a huge difference between customer service between the two company's. SG is about the best customer service I have ever experienced. It seems as though the EXO guys do it as a spare time thing.

 

[lee peet]

Ive never used an exo but the SG solo rocks! Comfortable, light, functionable and great customer service to top it off. What more could you ask for?

 

[DWinVA]

I have the EXO 3500 but have never seen a Stone Glacier in person so I can't compare the two. I can say I'm really liking the EXO and that the customer service I experienced before and after I purchased was exceptional.

God Bless.

 

[Jon Boy]

If you use the pack a lot I'd go with the SG. The longevity of the pack will be better with the SG.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have had both. They are both great packs. In the end I kept the Solo over the EXO.

Ditto. But my biggest problem was the lumbar pad on the EXO. Much prefer a one-piece belt without a large pad.

 

[handwerk]

I have not used a SG pack and suspect they have a great product, but this year I used a exo 3500 to pack two elk out and it worked very well,the pocket layout is a great fit for my hunting needs.

 

[SDHNTR]

I have had both. They are both great packs. In the end I kept the Solo over the EXO. I didn't like the EXO shoulder straps as much as the Stone Glacier's as they used more narrow webbing and sliders and some odd adjustment sliders on the shoulder straps. Also, there is a huge difference between customer service between the two company's. SG is about the best customer service I have ever experienced. It seems as though the EXO guys do it as a spare time thing.

I have both also. I like the Exo belt better and it's nice having more pockets. I like the light weight of the SG and how easy it is to expose the frame for sandwhiching meat. But I the Customer Service of SG gives it the edge IMO. Nearly instant response from the owner himself and he will bend over backwards to help. Seeminly much better supply chain management too, as you can get SG stuff when you want it too, without frustrating waiting lists with target dates that keep getting pushed back.

 

[muleman]

I haven't personally seen or handled an Exo and don't need to, because I''m happy with my Stone Glacier frame and bags.

I have used Stone Glacier since early 2013. I now have three Stone Glacier bags including the Solo. For a three day hunt, it would be hard to beat a Solo. As others have stated the Stone Glacier customer service is over the top. Kurt quickly makes adjustments to fix issues consumers report. Kurt has also treated me better than deserved. I really like that you don't need to do a fork lift upgrade to accommodate any of the feature enhancements Kurt has offered. It is obvious that Kurt puts a lot of thought into his packs and makes them backwards compatible.

 

[sr80]

stone glacier solo owner here too. Never seen an exo, but I wouldn't want to. Love my SG, solo is perfect for 3-5 day trips for me. Im excited to see the lid for it this spring. And as others have said, Kurt is great to deal with.

 

[Obi-wanshinobi]

I don't have either pack but I'm 90% sure I'm gonna buy a SG Solo this year. Just love how simple, light and effective the SG packs seem to be.

 

[jmez]

Another SG fan here. Haven't used the Exo but really like the SG, can't go wrong.

Another consideration would be the amount of different configurations available from SG. Many different bags are available for the frame if your needs/wants change down the road.

 

[stephen b]

Both of the packs you are looking at are good packs. If it was me ( and at one time it was), I would get the SG Solo. Agree with most all that has been said above concerning the SG products. Plus Kurt's CS service is outstanding; and on top of that he is just a super guy to deal with.

 

[Mtnboy]

Own a Solo here, love it.

 

[Outwest]

I bought an exo as soon as they came out but I ended up with a SG Solo. The SG just edges out the exo in comfort and the Stone Glacier is a much cleaner system. Cant really go wrong with either as they will both handle more weight than you or I can carry.