Exo Mountain Gear Pack

[fisheral87]

How is the Exo belt performing?

[RadSav]

How is the Exo belt performing?

Adequate.

I'd pay an addition $100 if they would offer a really good one as an accessory.  My other dislikes about the pack are simple ticky-tack annoyances.  Nothing that makes me want to continue searching for another pack choice.  But the belt thing really is disappointing.  So much thought went into this pack and then add a hot lined, big rectangle piece of foam with a belt that barely achieves adequacy is really a shame IMO.

With a better belt it would have no equal in any price range.  As is there are few equals and I will likely use this pack for many years to come.  But I will do so hoping that a belt upgrade will be coming soon!!

[fisheral87]

RadSav,

Have you tried Kuiu's?

[RadSav]

RadSav,

Have you tried Kuiu's?

The first one four years ago, I think.  Haven't there been 20 or so revisions since then?

Belt was better, but again I was left looking for something better.  Kuiu's willingness to improve is what keeps me positive that Exo will get better as well.  They are still new!

[coop2424]

I just got my 2015 3500 earlier this week and they made some good changes that I think improve it a bit from the 2014 version.  The Lid is now like the 5500 so you can completely remove or flip it either way to get into the pack.  I think the lid is a little different now also because it will go over the side pockets better than before. The shoulder straps hook into the frame different now with Velcro and some clips..  Not sure on this part but seems to work and might be a little more comfortable.  They also changed the frame a little bit with putting cross bars in it.  There are some other little changes with some of the buckles and straps that make them easier to remove and put back together..  I think there was some change to the belt also but can not pinpoint what it was.  I think the lumbar is smaller and different material.

For me this pack is absolutely perfect it condenses down to be smaller than my badlands 2200 but can be expanded for a couple day trip or packing an animal out..  I also got the beaver tail so that in the offseason I will load with weight and use it for training.

[Magnum_Willys]

How is the Exo belt performing?

Adequate.

I'd pay an addition $100 if they would offer a really good one as an accessory.  My other dislikes about the pack are simple ticky-tack annoyances.  Nothing that makes me want to continue searching for another pack choice.  But the belt thing really is disappointing.  So much thought went into this pack and then add a hot lined, big rectangle piece of foam with a belt that barely achieves adequacy is really a shame IMO.

With a better belt it would have no equal in any price range.  As is there are few equals and I will likely use this pack for many years to come.  But I will do so hoping that a belt upgrade will be coming soon!!

X2.    Had both Exo and Kuiu.  Both would improve with better hipbelts.  Went with kuiu as it was lighter less bulky for daypack use. Exo beefier no doubt.  Would consider kifaru for extended trips due to better hipbelt but for day pack with meat pack capability exo and kuiu fit the bill

[fisheral87]

Quote from: RadSav on Yesterday at 08:07:28 PM
Quote from: fisheral87 on Yesterday at 07:25:34 PM
How is the Exo belt performing?

Adequate.

I'd pay an addition $100 if they would offer a really good one as an accessory.  My other dislikes about the pack are simple ticky-tack annoyances.  Nothing that makes me want to continue searching for another pack choice.  But the belt thing really is disappointing.  So much thought went into this pack and then add a hot lined, big rectangle piece of foam with a belt that barely achieves adequacy is really a shame IMO.

With a better belt it would have no equal in any price range.  As is there are few equals and I will likely use this pack for many years to come.  But I will do so hoping that a belt upgrade will be coming soon!!
X2.    Had both Exo and Kuiu.  Both would improve with better hipbelts.  Went with kuiu as it was lighter less bulky for daypack use. Exo beefier no doubt.  Would consider kifaru for extended trips due to better hipbelt but for day pack with meat pack capability exo and kuiu fit the bill

Mag, I read your review and thought it was well done, so thank you for that. I'm on the list for a 2015 5500 so I guess I'll just be patient and try it.

I sold my L.L. bean hunter carry all and it was by far the most comfortable waist belt I've warn to date, pretty good for a $70 backpack.

Coop, can you elaborate on the frame additions? I could not find the changes on the site?

Al

[coop2424]

This is from another forum and Steve from Exo wrote this:

We'll have final production samples next week and we'll be getting pics and videos done as fast as we can. The following week is the Salt Lake Hunt Expo so we'll do our best to get those up before we leave for the show.

Some of the major changes:

Changed to a tubular titanium frame instead of solid. The frame itself dropped 5oz! We tested them all of last year and they are bombproof.
Same floating lid on the 3500 that was on the 5500 last year
Still have the option though to move the front lid compression straps up and have it function like the reverse lid
The shoulder harness is a more dense foam (same as belt but 1/2") and is completely redesigned to eliminate any squeak
Eliminated all of the locking (wave lock) 3/4" ladder locks except where the bag attaches to the frame
The frame panel has 3 more added aluminum cross stays to add rigidity to it
Got rid of all the 70d material in the pack. We didn't have any durability issues but in extreme cold it got pretty noisy. We now use a much tougher and quieter 420d Diamond Ripstop.
The bag itself is pretty much unchanged. We did add the option to add interior pockets with a pretty unique velcro attachment system. You can get up to (4) of our 8" mesh pockets in there now.



There are probably 50 other minor changes that we have implemented. With a full year of pack production under our belt and another year of testing/ prototyping we are continuing to improve on the pack.

We don't have final weight specs but it should be a few ounces lighter, most of that coming from the weight savings of the frame. With the added cross stays in the frame panel and floating lid we gained a few ounces there.

Steve

[fisheral87]

 

[bradslam]

Dang, I just got my 5500 for Christmas.  Do I have to upgrade already?

[fisheral87]

All the cool kids have 2015's.      

[hughjorgan]

Are EXO packs made in the USA?

[bradslam]

Yes.  Boise, ID

[RadSav]

All the cool kids have 2015's.      

   worse than computers.

Don't forget that EXO measures their packs different than most others.  Most add every pocket and pouch as part of the overall size rating.  EXO is just the main bag and lid.  So their 3500 is bigger than many 5000 packs on the market.  It's very deceiving since it seems like such a nice little package until you just keep loading and loading more stuff.  For me the 5500 was just a bit much.  But for those who believe it's better to have too much than not enough...they are going to love the 5500!

[bradslam]

Actually, the 5500 doesn't seem overly large even when packed with only day hunting supplies.  I compresses down quite well and the lid is removable (which apparently so is the 2015 version of the 3500).  I got the 5500 so it would have more room for later season hunts, figuring I can also buy the 3500 bag if I liked the pack.