Which size EXO 3500 or 5500?

Bmcox86

Bmcox86

WKR
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Sep 26, 2013
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So I'm about to pull the trigger on an EXO pack. My question is what size should I go with. Don't plan on many trips longer than 2-3-4 days and all my gear is fairly compact and light weight and I'm working on cutting that back even more. Right now I will be hunting in Washington and using it for backpacking also. But I will be transferring next summer and have a real good chance on getting Alaska(kodiak, homer or Sitka) so want something that would be useful their as well.

Leaning towards the 3500 as of now, but would a 5500 be a better choice? I have an eblerstock right now, would the 3500 compare to that in size?

Thanks in advance
 
I ordered the 3500 cause I usually hunt from a base camp. I figured if I needed to do an extended back pack hunt I would use a dry bag with all my camp stuff between the frame and the pack. I have used bigger packs and am looking forward to this pack, hopefully will have mine towards the end of this month.
 
Don't know anything about the exo's, haven't even looked at a picture of them. But I personally won't hunt with anything less than 5000 cu inches. Especially with the packs today and how small they can get at that size. In turn you can't make a small pack stretch. For your gear you don't need that room, but I plan on punching tags when I hunt. Generally want little room in the pack over and above gear space at that point.
 
For 2-3 day with quality gear as you state, the 3500 is a good choice. I know many say go big and compress. For me a scrunched up 5500-6500 pack sucked digging for one day trip item. I ordered the Exo 3500. If I need more room I have Kifaru pods, stuff sacks and HPG ITEMS to attach.

With a frame system it is also nice to have more than one bag. An option that can be purchased down the road to ease the pain of the initial expense. Thought the exo is very affordable.
 
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hammer0419 said:
For 2-3 day with quality gear as you state, the 3500 is a good choice. I know many say go big and compress. For me a scrunched up 5500-6500 pack sucked digging for one day trip item. I ordered the Exo 3500. If I need more room I have Kifaru pods, stuff sacks and HPG ITEMS to attach.

With a frame system it is also nice to have more than one bag. An option that can be purchased down the road to ease the pain of the initial expense. Thought the exo is very affordable.
Click to expand...

I agree. My 3000ci pack was perfect for shorter hunts and could hold more meat than I cared to carry. If you wont be doing a longer hunt this fall I would get the smaller pack this year and buy the bigger bag later so you have both.
 
I think the 3500 is more than adequate for what you are currently asking for. That being said, if your needs change in the future, you could increase the bag size for this frame.
 
I ended up ordering the 3500, I'll confirm it is sufficiently sized when I get it in hand. I'm currently using a kifaru T1 which is huge, but the load shelf and compression panel on the Exo will allow me to have less interior bag space and still accomplish my needs for longer hunts... I think. Keep in mind the 3500 is 3500 inside with approximately 1000 extra in exterior stretchy pockets.
 
Good point. This is the FIRST pack system I have any hopes for besides my Kifaru. I really hope it meets my expectations. I plan on doing a 7 day trip with it on the Apalacian trial. No meat hauling so it should be plenty of room. I have some Kifaru meat bags filled with corn to use as training weight. Hopefully it will arrive sooner than later. Looking forward to how it carries compared the my Bikini frame. There are several options out there now a days that never drew me in. Hopefully this is the one?
 
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I tried on the prototype pack at the ATA show in January and it certainly has all of the bells and whistles that I'm looking for. The fit seemed very comfortable to me, although I confess I didn't get to walk around with weight on it to know a lot about its capabilities. Steve did pull down on the back of it while I had it on and it gave me a glimpse of what I can expect. Relly looking forward to putting some miles on this system... very excited about what it has to offer for a bow Hunter!
 
We should have pics of ASAT bags in the next couple of weeks. I'm excited to finally get my eyes on the finished pack! That coyote looks great, but I am a bit nervous about being a big tan object with a bugle and mouth reed when muzzy elk season is going!

I too was on the fence for the larger bag. 3500 with the shelf should get the job done, but I'll order the larger bag if needed for longer trips. I like the size of that 3500 for all else!
 
I always go bigger than i need,just because when you need that extra space and dont have it,it means going without or an extra trip.
 
Im sure the 3500 will do all you need it to do.

I ordered a 5500 in Foliage simply because I wanted a bigger bag. Specs say there is only a 6 oz difference between the 3500 and the 5500 so in my mind, 6 extra ounces for 2000 more cu" is well worth it and It looks like it compresses up pretty tight. I usually pack like I'm going on vacation despite my best efforts so extra space is always nice.
 
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