The Exo Mountain Gear K3 4800 blends top-notch assist with practical options that make straightforward each step from scouting and establishing basecamp to looking large sport and hauling sheds.
Based mostly in Idaho, Exo Mountain Gear is an impartial outside firm that has hand-built meticulously detailed backcountry looking packs since 2014. Based by hunters Steve Speck and Lenny Nelson, the first objective of the model is to mix the most effective qualities of load-haulers and internal-frame packs.
After testing the complete K3 4800 pack system for tons of of miles via all 4 seasons in Colorado’s alpine terrain, we are able to confidently say Exo has achieved that mission with this sturdy all-around looking pack.
In brief: The Exo Mountain Gear K3 4800 is a neatly organized, modular design that enables us to rapidly customise the match and the way we stock our gear or sport with out sacrificing consolation. We’ll be utilizing this light-weight pack for a really very long time.
Exo Mountain Gear K3 4800
Specs
- Kind: Exterior body looking pack
- Weight (bag): 2 lbs., 3 oz.
- Weight (bag, body): 5 lbs., 3 oz.
- Weight (bag, body, lid): 5 lbs., 10 oz.
- Weight (body): 3 lbs.
- Capability: (bag): 4,805 cu. in.
- Capability (bag and lid): 5,205 cu. in.
- Dimensions (expanded): 9 x 11.5 x 38 in.
- Dimensions (compressed): 3 x 11.5 x 25 in.
- Body: Titanium
- Compartments: Two (dry and moist)
- Pockets: Six (excluding the lid and hipbelt pouch)
- Material: 500-denier CORDURA
- Waterproof: No
- Buckles: Duraflex
- Webbing: Mil-Spec nylon
- Zippers: #10 YKK Racquet Coil
- Add-ons: K3 Hipbelt Pouch ($22), K3 Rifle Provider ($20)
- Sizes: S (29-33 in.), M (33-36 in.), and L (37-46 in.) hipbelt; quick (24-25.5 in.) or tall (25-26.5 in.) body
Exo Mountain Gear K3 Lid
Specs
- Weight: 6.8 oz.
- Capability: 400 cu. in.
- Dimensions: 12 x 19 x 4 in.
- Compatibility: K3 and K2 Pack Techniques (included with the K3 4800)
- Compartments: Two
Exo Mountain Gear K3 4800 Assessment
Our testers first pulled on the Exo Mountain Gear K3 4800 Pack System ($650) for a third-season elk hunt within the excessive alpine of Southwest Colorado’s Elk Mountains adopted by a frosty fourth-season bull elk tag in late November. The second effort included a multitrip haul course of to arrange basecamp 5 miles a method with 1,500 toes of acquire (with out sufficient snow to make use of our pulk and skis).
After winter break, we took the pack on glassing days and shed looking all through alpine desert terrain, together with entry factors the place we mountain biked in, pack on.
As we prep for first-season elk and bear tags, we’ve taken the pack on extra scouting missions, together with 70-mile days on the grime bike to entry far-out spots. The pack was loaded with meals, 2 L of water, a water filter, rain gear, midlayers, a tripod, a recognizing scope, binoculars, and a bike software equipment.
No matter getting used on a dust bike or mountain bike or whereas hoofing dozens of miles via the pines and aspens of wilderness, this light-weight pack doesn’t swing, stays comfy and supportive throughout purposes, and distributes weight nicely. In truth, this pack feels surprisingly gentle for its sturdiness and skill to hold a heavy load. Our testers agree on all factors.
Throughout all situations and various physique varieties, this heavy hauler didn’t disappoint.
Compartments and Entry
Certainly one of our favourite particulars on this pack is the separation of two major compartments. Entry the first compartment by a roll-top, which we dig for expandability and to forestall water from getting in. The roll-top has a buckle closure for additional safety.
Other than the roll-top, this pouch can also be accessed through a horseshoe-shaped zipper up entrance that runs almost the whole size of the pack.
A second compartment accessed by an exterior zipper up prime is totally lined with a smooth, waterproof materials. The massive pocket has hose compatibility, so you should utilize the area for a bladder and never fear about not having refill entry. We actually like the choice to hold a bladder for hydration. This isn’t a function we’ve seen on all the looking packs we’ve taken out.
The waterproof pouch can be used to maintain moist gear separate from all the things else.
Practical, Good Pockets
One of many greatest causes we stored reaching for this looking pack over others is the well-thought-out pockets. On all sides, the stretch pockets are straightforward to make use of, together with for a hard-sided 20-ounce water bottle, even with a loaded pack. We’ve skilled aspect pockets on different looking packs that may’t safe a water bottle (taking a look at you, KUIU).
Then, one other row of two gloriously lengthy pockets are on all sides and attain the whole size of the pack. These are nice for holding lengthy items of drugs like trekking poles or a tripod.
On the pack’s entrance face, there’s one other pocket with a aspect zipper entry, which runs almost the pack’s complete size. Contained in the horseshoe zipper, an inside mesh pocket gives one other spot for organizing smaller objects.
Exo doesn’t embrace a lid on all its pack choices however this full system does. In it, there’s a major compartment and a second smaller pocket.
We additionally added one hipbelt pouch and a pocket on the hipbelt. We want we’d added two. This small quick-access pocket is vital — it’s handy and straightforward to make use of with the pack on.
All issues thought-about, these 9 pockets — together with two units of exterior aspect pockets — make our days within the woods far more organized and environment friendly.
Large-League Lumbar Assist
For a pack that weighs lower than 6 kilos, the 4800 evenly distributes and carries tons of weight so nicely. The design is extraordinarily comfy even after hours and hours on foot or dozens of miles on the grime bike.
First off, the hip belt is extensive with a luxurious exterior that slides onto a inflexible wing. It’s robust however tremendous comfy and doesn’t dig into the hips.
Past selecting the proper hip belt measurement, the belt’s micro-adjusters assist you to dial within the wing placement. These are accessed by peeling up the lumbar pad, which is connected through Velcro.
The lumbar assist felt agency sufficient and well-cushioned. It’s additionally customizable, thanks to 1 or two shims that may be inserted contained in the lumbar pad. If there’s an excessive amount of stress on the decrease again, merely take away the shim. Or, if the belt is just too unfastened, you’ll be able to add one.
Ample Straps, Built-in Load Shelf
Burly straps encompass this pack, and we dig it.
Altogether, there are two units of buckle compression straps on the edges, which we used to hold sheds and different carry-outs. The entrance face of the pack has one other two rows of buckled straps. The aspect and backside compression straps additionally do a stable job of tightening down the majority and streamlining the carry.
The built-in load shelf that sits between the body and bag is super-straightforward and speedy to entry. The shelf provides an enormous carrying quantity at 2,500 cubic inches.
You simply unbuckle the pack’s two aspect straps, undo a couple of slender, robust Velcro flaps on the highest, and unfold the bag from the body like a taco shell. Inside, two buckled straps in opposition to the shelf assist maintain down items.
Past meat, we used the shelf to freight tools to base camp throughout a fourth-season hunt. This included a wood-burning camp range, amongst different smaller camp requirements.
Adjustable Match, Modular Design
Along with the adjustable lumbar assist and hipbelt, the body size will be personalized, too.
The quick body (24 inches) and tall body (25 inches) will be made as much as 1.5 inches taller. You merely undo a Velcro flap on the backside of the body and pull out the underside part of the body, which has two slim rods on both aspect.
The underside of every rod is detachable: you pull every one out, flip it round, and reinsert it so as to add size. Then, put the pack again collectively.
Once more, Exo makes all of those pack changes easy. The payout is a pack that feels much more tailor-made to our physique and day. General, the theme of this pack is to zero in on the most effective match and the perfect instruments in your looking pack.
We actually respect the modularity and the way we are able to easily add or take away options from the lid to the hipbelt pouch and the rifle provider. The rifle provider, for example, provides comfort and luxury. It distributes the burden of the rifle to the pack as an alternative of the shoulder on a sling.
Exo Mountain Gear K3 4800: Conclusion
Different looking packs we’ve examined held as much as hefting heavy masses or offered sufficient consolation however, in comparison with the K3 4800, lack the overarching particulars. It’s the minutia of design that elevates this pack along with its hauling functionality and splendid really feel.
From prime to backside, the modular association, environment friendly add-ons and match changes, clever pockets, moist storage compartment, hydration bladder, lumbar assist, and cozy hipbelt make this pack certainly one of our favorites within the area.
The place It Falls Brief
The potential disadvantage of this pack is that it’s costly, and all the add-ons will not be included within the base price ticket. We expect it’d be nice if two K3 Hipbelt Pouches have been added to the package deal.
Compared, a few of our different favourite big-game packs are a bit extra economical. The Thriller Ranch Metcalf checks out at $525, and the KUIU Professional Looking Pack Package is as little as $539.
Additionally, there’s no elastic strap or system on both shoulder strap to assist safe the water hose of a bladder. For a pack that’s not waterproof, it is perhaps good so as to add an built-in rain cowl right into a streamlined pocket within the backside.
And the load shelf solely has two buckled straps. Whereas it might add a tad extra weight, it could possibly be useful to extend the variety of straps for extra consumer choices.
For some hunters that may not want a premium pack, this built-out Badlands 2200 may do exactly high-quality for almost half the fee ($380). To study different looking pack choices, take a look at our GearJunkie gear information overlaying the Finest Backpacks for Large-Sport Looking.
To Sum It All Up
All in all, the sturdiness of the supplies up to now has proved to be stout with no signal of wear and tear and tear. Merely put, the Exo Mountain Gear K3 4800 is a stable all-around looking pack via any season, goal, and quantity of miles. We’re already prepping for the subsequent spherical of elk and bear tags and can be pulling on this important pack each step of the way in which.
