Recommend a backpack for me

[MTLabrador]

This is my first fall with an Exo and I love mine so far. I have the K4 3600. I mostly hunt elk as long day trips from a base camp, and when I do backpack in it’s almost always archery season with warmer weather and a pretty minimal camp. Love it so far, and it carries weight (day hunt gear and sandbags for training hikes) a lot better than my previous Mystery Ranch. It’s pretty sleek when it’s all cinched down for hunting the timber.

 

[44hunter45]

I liked the Badlands 2200 for comfort and quiet material. However, it did not handle heavy loads well. My wife has a Valkyrie and it works great for her.

I've liked my Metcalf alright. It hauls a load well and can fit a lot in it. I wish it were quieter. When I look again I will seriously consider a exo.

I like some things about eberlestock. It seems like they are a bit heavier though. I know they offer discounts through RMEF if you do go that route.

Military and LEO discounts too.

 

[Caseknife]

I have the Exo K4 with both the 5000 and 2200 bags. The 2200 is my day hunt bag, lots of room especially with a couple hip belt pouches and water bottle holder.

 

[Matthew57]

I have the Stone Glacier X-curve 5900 and like it alright. Had a MR Metcalf and it wasn’t bad but not my jam.

 

[nextsp0t]

My EXO 2 cents: I have nearly 4000 miles on my K3. Its is a sturdy, comfortable, and capable pack. But a major downside is that a year after spending $500+ on it they phased out the K3 system for the non-compatible K4 system and I am shit out of luck when I want to add accessories, different bags, or replacement parts. Anyone buying a $700 K4 pack right now is risking it being obsolete pretty quickly.

 

[WNC2500]

I have the EXO myself and it is extremely well built. Go for it @Hammsolo
That would be a good decision.

 

[Chingon]

Exo, but wait for the upcoming K4X to be released in a couple months. It's lighter and more waterproof.

 

[Hammsolo]

Awesome! I’ll reach out to them. They should start a trade up program or something. Leasing backpacks? The Kuiu remains interesting, but !

 

[nrpate05]

I've got a Stone Glacier 3600. I use it for day hunts and have had it up to 4 days backpacking. You can also get the lid and access bag that adds ~1500ci.

 

[Fire_9]

I think it’s hard to go wrong with a lot of the packs these days. Exo, stone glacier, Kifaru, seek outside. Pick your features and price range and go from there. They will all serve you well

 

[Jnasa]

Awesome! I’ll reach out to them. They should start a trade up program or something. Leasing backpacks? The Kuiu remains interesting, but !

I do wish there was a way to lease a pack to try. It's difficult making the investment without getting to try it.

 

[INMT]

Ive had the Stone Glacier Approach 2800 as my main pack for 4+ years now. It’s a great bag for what I need it for, mainly day hunts from a base camp. It has an exterior spotting scope pocket and a good spot for a tripod. Both handy and easy to access. I use the spotter pocket for other stuff if not packing a spotter.

I bought a discontinued SG model (bag only) from a HTer that is interchangeable with the frame if I need more room for backpacking, cold weather hunting, etc.

The frame has been a workhorse for me. Packed multiple elk, bear, deer, antelope with no issues. Loads easy, supports weight great, rides as good as a pack can with 80+ lbs.

I had a strap get cut somehow, sent the frame in and had it back quickly at no charge.

The bag is quiet and weighs next to nothing empty. Which to me is one of the best features. Pretty amazing a lightweight pack to begin with can handle such heavy loads.

 

[slamdmini]

I have an exo and love it. Zero complaints. I mostly day hunt and it compresses down really nice, but can easily be used for multi day hunts. Plus it hauls meat great. I came from a badlands day pack like u but everything about the exo is better, even if im just going out for a quick hunt