New K4 Pack From Exo – Field Tested Backpack Review

Thanks for this detailed review. Really considering a K4 5500. I've used nothing but my kifaru Duplex hunter with reckoning for years and its been solid. With that said....there is significant weight savings here if my theory is correct. I will have to empty my bag out sometime and do a real world weight comparison between the two, but im thinking there is at least a 3 pound difference between the two...and that's pretty significant.

How bad was the duty fees?

Would you say the 20% the k4 is better than the k3 is mostly in the hip belt/lumbar pad? Or in the complete frame of the k4? I'm one of those guys with a k3 and it slides down on my hips (no butt to hold it up). Thanks

Great review Jay. Really extensive product review. I've gotta say I'm surprised that Exo have increased the size (and therefore weight) of the two entry level bags from the 3200 and 4800. Like the positive and negative feedback points. I am happy with my 3200 as I have my gear dialled and don' t hunt winter. I don't see the advantage of the heavier bags with zippered pockets and a stretch panel that is really hard to use even without a full bag. Get the better frame design, belt sizes and fit benefits. Liked your comment about the nalgene holder, I suck at rehydrating, so here you. But, again, just can't see why I'd buy a new bag when the old one is lighter and fits my needs better. Maybe K5 in four years time, or go the South Western dynema pack design, go lighter. At 2.5kg with a dry bag insert, these bags are still heavy.

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You seemed to like Kifaru the best for carrying heavy loads when doing your pack shootout, how does this one compare?

Great review on the K4. I have ran K2 since 2017, had 5500 first year then added a 2k bag to it in camo. It has stayed like that till I did 7 day then back to the 5500 for more space. I have intended to upgrade to the K4 on Tuesday when I heard Brian Call speaking about and with the guys from Initial Ascent. They talk like no other frame is better with external hooks to hang even more off the frame and serious amounts of weight. I am now waffling. I still think EXO with the accessories I like will be better. What say you, backpack answerman?

Jay did Exo give you both packs or did you buy the new 5000 at full price? Also I feel it’s a must you do a full review on the Initial Ascent, after listening to Brian Call and now Ryan Lampers who used to be hardcore SG guys hype up the IA packs I need your opinion! I’m torn between the IA and Exo K4, currently a SG user myself I wish I could find the one pack that will out perform all others!

Great review as usual. Despite having very different preferences the breakdowns are extremely useful.

Thanks for always providing great unbiased information. 💪

Great review. After last year's hunts I knew i needed a different pack from what i had been running. I was pretty sure the k4 was what I wanted and now im sold. Something else as a bonus of switching to a molle system is that my existing molle attachments can be used with the new frame. A huge benefit/savings in itself.

What belt on the K4 did you go with? Your build and mine seem similar and I’ve had similar experiences with belt sizing

Thanks man. Great review. I have been eyeing a pack transition for a couple years. I think this sold me on the K4. 5 days in SE AK this August for her maiden trip.

I got the k3 last November when it was 20% off. Hard to say this pack is $150 better. At least that's what I tell myself

So what size belt did you end up with?

Jay,

How well does the K4 handle weight compared to the K3? I have a K3 and I'm thinking about upgrading to the K4. Whatever pack handles heavy weight better is the pack I'm going to end up going with.

This was a great review.

I know I just got done pestering you on one of your other review videos, but this just swung me toward the K4 7200 from the SG and my current Kifaru. This checks every single box for me. Hoping the 7200 will compress well enough to do okay as a day/bivy pack come elk season, but worst-case, I'll get one of the smaller bags and throw it on this frame. Another banger of a review, Jay.

Thanks for the thought provoking real world experience review. For me, I am looking for a quality pack for an AT thru hike. I figured hunters have the most experience hiking and carrying heavier gear in all types of weather. Based on your experience and EXO's website I am correct. I am not a minimalist ultralight hiker. I don't trust thin light weight backpacks to hold 40 pounds of gear comfortably. I am looking for something heavy duty that can handle the tooth and claw of nature and be comfortable. As result, I am waiting for a Savotta Jääkäri L rucksack from Finland. It is a 1000D pack that can hold about 3400 cu in. It is a favorite in Europe. Seemingly, it compares to EXO Gear. Although, it is not a hunting pack. Just robust and in theory a comfort with heavy loads. My concern is part of the AT has a 100 mile trail. Resupply may be not possible. With that in mind, do you think a K4 5000 is ideal for what could be a 5 or 6 day hike without civilization? Best wishes.

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Thank you for the great review. I'll be upgrading from the K3 soon! How do you run the gun bearer on the K4? Can you hook it to the molle webbing and how does the rifle angle when fitted to the pack?

Thanks for a great review. I’m fro. The SE and this will be my first backcountry pack. Was leaning this direction. This review locked down my decision. Really appreciate the balanced approach and the fact you used the prototype all season gives it a lot of validity. Thank you

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Awesome review man! I just bought the 3600. I live over here in South Dakota and I do a lot of day hunting as well as I get over into Montana and Wyoming occasionally! Thank you very much for all the input on this review. Definitely helped clear up my decision.

Last week I ordered the K4 5000 and a Kuiu Pro. It is the innovation and mindfulness of small details that swayed me to send the Kuiu back and keep the K4. Even more, I called Exo and spent time chatting with Jake and firing questions at him. Their company is doing it right.

Hey Jay - you reference the gun bearer. Does the Kifaru set up work on the molle? Or do you have to use the universal set up?

This is the best breakdown on the K4 I've seen. Thanks. I live on the east coast so use the 5000 as a backpacker. I get to go elk hunt about every other year, and I wanted a lightweight pack that could do both and was sti9ll in the size-weight ratio of the backpacking packs I use. This fits the bill. Thanks for the video.

Great review, except for the deal with the Nalgene bottles. And easy way to get dehydrated with Nalgene bottles because there’s no capacity there and you have to stop to drink from them generally. And they take up a lot of space because of their structure, way over priced, irritating to clean, the best thing I ever did is throw Nalgene bottles in the dumpster and moved to bladder.

My dilemma is do I buy a k3 6400 or do I get the k4 7200 for the extra $90 Canadian, I have no experience with the Exo bags so this is where I’m at… thank you for the great review Jay!

Dude, You do such a great job on these reviews. Very thorough and you hit all the important points. I've had the k3 for a couple years and I love it but knowing myself as well as I do I'm sure it's just a question of time before I bump up to the k4.

You should try Hardside Hydration. It's a Nalgene bottle with a "Hose" set up. Great innovation. I hav3 used one for over a year now and it's been great.

Dude you are the best reviewer of anything I've ever seen, ever. Subscribed and gonna buy the pack.

Excellent review! Very well done!

Great review thanks

This is probably the third review that mentioned the molle and not know how to use it. Crazy considering kifaru ,hill people gear and mystery ranch have them on their bags.

Just so everyone knows, the difference in weight between the 5000 and the 7200 is 2 oz. 2 oz is literally unnoticeable by anyone at any time on a pack. Just a fwiw. As compressible as these bags are, the 7200 is capable of day to month treks.

About the bladder issue: tried the Source bladder? Way better than Camelbak and you can fill it by pressure, not needing to remove it from the bag.

Another awesome review

Awesome review. You earned my subscribe.

how does this man have only 8k subs????

I just want to say that you have the best reviews on hunting gear, bar none., in my opinion. Thank you for such real world, unbiased and detailed reviews that directly relate into tangible results for those of us looking to make big investments on critical gear. Don't change a thing and keep doing what you're doing

Had me at big hip pads. Because, yes, I too have no ass.

I'll never recommend Exo to anyone, had an issue with my K3 and Mark didn't want to help me out, in fact he ghosted my emails. Terrible customer service.

I nominate yiu Table Captain! This is so valuable and nobody could tell the total story better! Outstanding and thank you!

5000 pack for even a 1-3 nite with a ultralight hot tent/stove and winter gear/conditions is a small pack. I run the lightest best gear and its maxed out . Id consider the larger pack just to not squish your stove. A dynema seek cimmaron, large stove,15 degree bag, puffy pant/coat, gaiters, rain gear… food fills that 5, only other items.. first aid, kill kit, xtra top, socks, water, small saw, msr pocket rocket, small ti cup. Spotter, tri pod, water filter, batteries etc, spotting scope, tri pod… personal way i pack but loads of miles in the high country. I stay as minimal as i prefer. This stuff adds up stuffing i to pack.

Hey man, thanks for the review! What do you think of this compared to the SG Sky 5900?

I thought I heard you mention that you use a gun bearer. I use one for every rifle hunt and was wondering if the location of the molle was in a comfortable location on the belt? To my eye it looks too far forward and would sit in the path of my quad when walking. I am hoping that I am wrong.

I live 7 hours from Boise Idaho, looks like I am making a ROAD TRIP pretty soon.

You reccomened the K4 or initial ascent K5 pack? Have you reviewed any of initial ascent packs? I need to check im torn between the 2