New pack decision

[fisheral87]

Hope you enjoy the new pack. Let us know how you set it up, interested to see how others are configuring them.

Al

[huntnfmly]

Pm sent

[mossyoak arrow slinger]

I ordered the new exo 3500 last week and I can't wait to get it here and try it on


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[Stickerbush]

Random but just heard exo is adding an internal dry bag to their pack system. Kinda cool idea

[huntnfmly]

Congrats on the new exp.
I heard the same thing about the internal bag

[mossyoak arrow slinger]

Random but just heard exo is adding an internal dry bag to their pack system. Kinda cool idea

Yeah I believe the dry bags will be released sometime this summer.  Should be a nice addition to the bag itself. 


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[dyhardhuntr]

I just received the shipping info for my new pack! It's been a long wait but I'm sure it will be worth it! I'll post picks when I get it 

[buglebrush]

Random but just heard exo is adding an internal dry bag to their pack system. Kinda cool idea

I am a big EXO fan, and love my 3500, but this is a bad idea imo.  I made myself a Silnylon Cover, and much prefer this route.  Even with their waterproof cordura bags the face fabric will take on water when pounding the jungles of the NE without an exterior cover.  You will then be toting around a pack that is several pounds heavier.  Why not use an external cover?  Mine only weighs a couple ounces and compresses down to the size of a lemon. 

[fisheral87]

You may have answered your own question. Backpack covers already exist. Exo is trying to innovate, that takes trying new things.

One benefit of this design is that you can have your "camp" in the bag while the meat is on the frame and not have water or blood get to your gear. It could be more difficult to achieve that functionality with a cover.

In WA you might want a cover and internal bag for water and blood respectively.

WA is a unique environment, most companies develop on the basis of 80/20.  I don't think WA, especially western WA makes it into the 80% as often as other environments.

Al

[buglebrush]

You may have answered your own question. Backpack covers already exist. Exo is trying to innovate, that takes trying new things.

One benefit of this design is that you can have your "camp" in the bag while the meat is on the frame and not have water or blood get to your gear. It could be more difficult to achieve that functionality with a cover.

In WA you might want a cover and internal bag for water and blood respectively.

WA is a unique environment, most companies develop on the basis of 80/20.  I don't think WA, especially western WA makes it into the 80% as often as other environments.

Al

Fair enough, but they are marketing it as a better option than a rain cover.  IMO I would never leave my rain cover for a dry bag.  I do have a waterproof meat-baggie that I love for keeping my pack blood-free.  The Exo guys are from Boise, and I even saw where steve said he doesn't pack rain-gear, so your comment on different environments probably has the most to do with it.

[fisheral87]

Which bag do you use for your meat?

[buglebrush]

Which bag do you use for your meat?

I made my own.  My wife and I make Shelters, game bags, rain covers, pullouts, etc...  In the last couple years we've made so many for friends and friends of friends that we're actually getting ready to launch our own business. 

[bradslam]

You may have answered your own question. Backpack covers already exist. Exo is trying to innovate, that takes trying new things.

One benefit of this design is that you can have your "camp" in the bag while the meat is on the frame and not have water or blood get to your gear. It could be more difficult to achieve that functionality with a cover.

In WA you might want a cover and internal bag for water and blood respectively.

WA is a unique environment, most companies develop on the basis of 80/20.  I don't think WA, especially western WA makes it into the 80% as often as other environments.

Al

Fair enough, but they are marketing it as a better option than a rain cover.  IMO I would never leave my rain cover for a dry bag.  I do have a waterproof meat-baggie that I love for keeping my pack blood-free.  The Exo guys are from Boise, and I even saw where steve said he doesn't pack rain-gear, so your comment on different environments probably has the most to do with it.

I live in Western Washington and have backpacked for over 40 years. In my opinion, a dry bag inside of your pack (I use a trash compactor bag) is a much better option than a rain cover.  A rain cover will never completely protect the interior contents of your pack because the rain will eventually find its way through seams around the back panel, which will be soaking wet either way, along with the harness.  Rain covers are also susceptible to getting torn in brush and reduce functionality of the pack because they cover compression straps, pockets, etc.  There are times I have used both, but if it was a choice between one or the other, there is no way I would rely on a rain cover to protect my gear.  Also, if one happened to take a dunk while crossing a river, a dry bag will definitely protect your gear better than a rain cover.

[buglebrush]

 I think we may be talking apples & oranges here.  The reason I would never abandon my pack cover is that I don't want my packs face fabric taking on water.  I pounded the NE jungles for four days of rain living out of my pack.  My pack stayed dry, and even if it wouldn't I have anything that matters in water-proof kit bags.

I am saying that what is most important to me is preventing my packs face fabric from wetting out.  The one dry bag would actually be nice, but they are advertising it as a replacement for an exterior cover.  IMO they don't provide the same function.

Another issue here is that most people are using pack covers with an HH of only about 1,000 which will eventually get wet through.

[dscubame]

I think we may be talking apples & oranges here.  The reason I would never abandon my pack cover is that I don't want my packs face fabric taking on water.  I pounded the NE jungles for four days of rain living out of my pack.  My pack stayed dry, and even if it wouldn't I have anything that matters in water-proof kit bags.

I am saying that what is most important to me is preventing my packs face fabric from wetting out.  The one dry bag would actually be nice, but they are advertising it as a replacement for an exterior cover.  IMO they don't provide the same function.

Another issue here is that most people are using pack covers with an HH of only about 1,000 which will eventually get wet through.

 . Spot on.  Water weight is heavy weight.