Stone Glacier vs Exo

[Keef.n05]

Looking to upgrade back pack this year. Thinking either Stone glacier or Exo. Torn between each brands 3600 or 5000/5900. Don’t do a lot of overnighter or multi day trips but have in the past and like having the option and having space in late season hunts is necessary. Anyone have strong feelings against or for one of these brands? Going from the last model Metcalf which had plenty of space for a 3-5 night trip but a pain to day hunt out of. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Truck24hr]

Wait till the K4X comes out next year and decide then. Should be plenty of user feedback by the time it rolls out.

 

[7PRC Pharmacy]

I sold my SG 6400 sky archer and bought a K4 5000 last year and was very happy

 

[ol490]

Full disclosure- I’ve never tried a stone glacier pack but have an Exo K4 and am getting a K4X. I’ve got Kifaru and Kuiu packs and like the Exo belt and frame system the best of these. The Exo bags will strap down very small when needed so they are good to day hunt with. There are lots of Exo packs going through the classifieds right now and I’d guess many more to come as people start getting K4X’s so a potentially cheaper way to acquire.

 

[JMasson]

I use a SG 5900 on an X Curve frame. I like it and it fits me well. My buddy uses an Exo K4 5000 and loves it. I truly think the only way to know which one will be the best for you is to try both of them with a decent amount of weight in it. That is a difficult thing to achieve for most people unless you have a friend group that is willing to let you try their packs out. I think they’re both great packs and I will likely invest in an Exo pack in the future and pass my SG pack to my son.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I have both and like both. I’d give the edge to exo for the frame and SG for the bags. One may fit you better than another but both are top shelf.

 

[Keef.n05]

Wait till the K4X comes out next year and decide then. Should be plenty of user feedback by the time it rolls out.

What are the expected updates/changes with the K4X? Totally understand if unknown

 

[elsb0048]

What are the expected updates/changes with the K4X? Totally understand if unknown

Lighter weight, uhmwpe fabric, different buckles. Eventually simplified lighter weight bag designs but nothing has really been published on that

 

[croben]

Both companies have great return policies. Try both of them and keep the one that fits you best.

 

[douglasfir]

Exo is all the rage and it sounds like it works really well for most people. I found the Stone Glacier krux frame to fit better than exo. Both products are top tier.

 

[DrBeetleKill]

I agree the only way to really know is to get a few and try them out. I have tried MR, SG, and Exo. I have the SG x-curve and it fits my back really well. It is the older sky archer and do not like the limited packing options on the outside of the pack. Also, the side pockets are too small to hold much of anything. The bag rides well but I do get serious back hot spots from rubbing and really start to feel it in my shoulders on heavy load outs. I have tried numerous configurations on the pack to try and eliminate the shoulder issues. I do like that you can really dial in the hip belt with several ways to adjust.

This is the first year to run the exo. I am still getting used to the frame compared to SG. I feel more tightness in the mid thoracic part of the back as I have a bulged disc there. The hip belt really fits well and can tell a big difference on the weight being pressure coming off of my shoulders.

I think both bags are great but I will say Exo customer service kills it. It’s hard to beat that kind of commitment.

 

[bojangles808]

look others said buy and try both with weight. return the one you don't like. or find someone locally you can compare with. otherwise you're always left wondering. its like a pair of boots. i prefer the sg xcurve and how it carries the load higher via the meat shelf load sling.

 

[EcoastDG]

I have both. I have backpacked with both and packed out a couple animals with the SG/krux frame. There are both excellent packs but I would give a slight edge to the Exo for both the excellent cs and for the fact that SG’s floppy lid is freakin annoying lol.

 

[Tradchef]

I had both and they are splitting hairs to me on weight hauling provided they fit properly. I still have my Krux and sold my EXO. The SG just fit me better in the hip belt. The harness on the EXO is freaking outstanding. Both packs haul weight really well. I give the edge to SG on my end but again it was splitting hairs. Customer service with EXO is outstanding and since I live close to SG they are really solid at the shop. Both are fantastic. It’s just a matter of which fits you better and works for your body type. My lady has the EXS frame and loves it.