Thread: Packs for heavy loads

Quick bump to this thread.

Recently purchased an Exo K4 5000 with a couple extras (hip belt pouch, nalgene holder, couple stash pockets and a quick release rifle carrier).

Comes in at 3kg with the additions. Took it out this weekend and carried a reasonable load out - 35 ish kg.

Love it, favourite pack so far (with noted limited experience w it). The meatshelf works really well and their hip belt / lumbar pad is top notch. General pack design is awesome too, tons of nice small additions that make using it a pleasure.

Previous experience: Osprey Aesther (6 yrs), Mystery Ranch 6500 (2 yrs), Kifaru Hoodlum w Duplex frame (2 yrs)

Will have a more informed view after more pack outs / experience.

Cheers,

Originally Posted by HarryMax

Quick bump to this thread.

Recently purchased an Exo K4 5000 with a couple extras (hip belt pouch, nalgene holder, couple stash pockets and a quick release rifle carrier).

Comes in at 3kg with the additions. Took it out this weekend and carried a reasonable load out - 35 ish kg.

Love it, favourite pack so far (with noted limited experience w it). The meatshelf works really well and their hip belt / lumbar pad is top notch. General pack design is awesome too, tons of nice small additions that make using it a pleasure.

Previous experience: Osprey Aesther (6 yrs), Mystery Ranch 6500 (2 yrs), Kifaru Hoodlum w Duplex frame (2 yrs)

Will have a more informed view after more pack outs / experience.

Cheers,

I’m still gutted I went with the smaller 3600 over the 5000. I was thinking I’d just buy the bigger bag at a later date but then I looked at the price for just the bag. Bugger

Originally Posted by McNotty

I’m still gutted I went with the smaller 3600 over the 5000. I was thinking I’d just buy the bigger bag at a later date but then I looked at the price for just the bag. Bugger

@McNotty reality is whatever size bag you get, you'll fill it. Human nature. I've managed to get away with a K3200 the last few years on 6 day trips. But then I cut, sand, and weigh my bamboo toothbrush each trip. Sure you've done it, but if your really struggling, chuck your food in a meat bag and strap it to the meat shelf on a walk in. Your dilemma definitely highlights getting every accessory at point of purchase. Freight is over double from when I bought mine in 2019.

Originally Posted by Snoppernator

@McNotty reality is whatever size bag you get, you'll fill it. Human nature. I've managed to get away with a K3200 the last few years on 6 day trips. But then I cut, sand, and weigh my bamboo toothbrush each trip. Sure you've done it, but if your really struggling, chuck your food in a meat bag and strap it to the meat shelf on a walk in. Your dilemma definitely highlights getting every accessory at point of purchase. Freight is over double from when I bought mine in 2019.

I have a Mystery Ranch Pintler 38, I've managed 5 days in summer with a pretty pared down load.
For the odd longer trip I had the same idea of just loading up the meat bag with all the food and sticking it on the meat shelf, keeps the weight nice and close in as well

Originally Posted by McNotty

I’m still gutted I went with the smaller 3600 over the 5000. I was thinking I’d just buy the bigger bag at a later date but then I looked at the price for just the bag. Bugger

Heck!

Yeah I had the pack fairly full on a 4 day trip over the weekend (winter tops camping). Figure If I had to I could use the load shelf to carry more food on longer trips.

That being said - Steve Speck from Exo took that 3200 pack sheep hunting I think for a week so it IS doable...

We kiwi's love packing the kitchen sink tho ay haha

Originally Posted by Parky

Nice. Be keen to hear how that goes. Broke my torre been using a tatonka but it doesn't carry the load like the macpac. Onto a kuiu with a 3600 and 5600 bags now yet to really load them up but the fact they sinch down to nothing is awesome compared to the bigger packs.

Hi Parky, took longer than I thought but just back from first outing with SG Col 4800 up in the kawekas. An overnighter, got a deer and got to use the load shelf. Carried about 30 kg on way out including rifle on pack. I wish I’d bought this pack years ago. Absolutely worth the investment. Zero sore shoulders and zero sore back. Worth every dollar.

FYI Exo have their one and only annual sale coming up round Black Friday. Reached out and it maybe the week before Black Friday. TBC
No idea how much it’ll be.

Originally Posted by McNotty

I’m still gutted I went with the smaller 3600 over the 5000. I was thinking I’d just buy the bigger bag at a later date but then I looked at the price for just the bag. Bugger

@McNotty it's actually a good thing having a smaller bag - requires more discipline. I've only ever had to do this once with my K3200 (K3 series), but strapped a sea to summit dry food bag to the meat shelf, then strapped the bag over the top. Works a treat as centres the weight in the middle of your back.

Originally Posted by McNotty

FYI Exo have their one and only annual sale coming up round Black Friday. Reached out and it maybe the week before Black Friday. TBC
No idea how much it’ll be.

If you can wait, they are producing a K4X in 2026 which is a lighter weight and possibly less complicated outer bag using the K4 frame. Looks the business if your not into carrying tripods, spotting scopes etc. Otherwise the Black Friday sale is the only time your gonna get a discount off Exo.

Originally Posted by Snoppernator

If you can wait, they are producing a K4X in 2026 which is a lighter weight and possibly less complicated outer bag using the K4 frame. Looks the business if your not into carrying tripods, spotting scopes etc. Otherwise the Black Friday sale is the only time your gonna get a discount off Exo.

That’s sounds like the ticket!! More like the SG packs, a bit more simple.

Originally Posted by HarryMax

Quick bump to this thread.

Recently purchased an Exo K4 5000 with a couple extras (hip belt pouch, nalgene holder, couple stash pockets and a quick release rifle carrier).

Comes in at 3kg with the additions. Took it out this weekend and carried a reasonable load out - 35 ish kg.

Love it, favourite pack so far (with noted limited experience w it). The meatshelf works really well and their hip belt / lumbar pad is top notch. General pack design is awesome too, tons of nice small additions that make using it a pleasure.

Previous experience: Osprey Aesther (6 yrs), Mystery Ranch 6500 (2 yrs), Kifaru Hoodlum w Duplex frame (2 yrs)

Will have a more informed view after more pack outs / experience.

Cheers,

Another trip under the belt for my K4 3600 after a quick overnighter into the Ruahines. Getting better at organising my gear into the outer pockets. The load carrying is bloody awesome. No sore shoulders the next day. That hip belt and lumbar pad make such a difference.

Originally Posted by McNotty

FYI Exo have their one and only annual sale coming up round Black Friday. Reached out and it maybe the week before Black Friday. TBC
No idea how much it’ll be.

I found Exo do a discount for Hunt-X members. I took a free trial membership and used that when I got mine. The guys at Exo are super good to deal with.
I think the Exo hip belt is the biggest game changer for me. It really allows you to carry the load with your hips and not your shoulders.

20% off Exo packs and accessories just started. Get into it. You won’t regret it.

I waited for a %20 sale when i brought my SG and it ended up being $1150 to my door. Same pack is on sale here for $1450.
Although i melted that frame on the bike exhaust and ended up buying a whole new bag and frame so now i have a col 4800 and a sky 5900 bags, i prefer the 5900. Great packs, as are the Exo.

Just ordered another bag for my K4. I've got the 3600 which really is more than enough but I grabbed a 5000 and a dry bag with the 20% sale. $72 shipping