Exo vs Stone Glacier

[pickardjw]

Can't make my mind up between these two. Thinking the Exo 6400 on the K3 frame, short with medium belt or the SG 5900 on an x-curve medium belt.

Is there anyone in the Seattle area that has one or the other that would be willing to let me try it on? I'll buy beers after.

I'm 5'7", 160-170 lbs if anyone just wants to offer fit advice or if you've tried both and prefer one over the other.

[Stein]

I can't help much but to say that I have an Exo and have never regretted the purchase.  I looked at Exo and Kuiu, Stone were out of my price range and I could never figure their website out.  I have the 2000 and will be buying a larger bag at some point, so I don't have the one you are looking at specifically.

[Mfowl]

I am in Renton and have an SG Sky Archer 5900 w/med belt. Its an older frame, not sure that its X Curve but it is what I use. I am close to your size, if you want to try it on and can make it to the eastside let me know. I have never owned any Exo gear to speak on but my SG has been fantastic!

[whacker1]

I would take Mfowl up on the offer.  The newer Krux frame is only lighter, i don't see that it changed shape as i have both.  The x curve is not for everyone.  That is worth a call to Stone glacier to talk about the differences.

[OltHunter]

Both are great bags.  My buddies have Exo and I have SG. 

Exo I think would be a really good option for you with your height since they have those frame post things you can flip around to make the bag shorter, then longer.  So you can run it shorter then when packing out meat extended it up.  SG you are stuck at 26".

If you like more pockets and bells and whistles, Exo will be the better choice.  I do wish SG had better side pockets like Exo.

I do not like SG lid compared to Exo either.  It doesn't stay very well.  I've always thought I don't have it attached right, so that maybe the issue!

If you have Onx premium, there is a 10% off Exo code, which pays for tax. 

I personally recommend something in the 6400 to 6900 hundred range though.  Bivi mode is great with SG bags and buckles down well.  I always feel you should get 1 bag to do it all and not wish you would have gotten a bigger bag.

5900 is really 5400 with a 500 lid.  I'm not a big fan of that size, but that is just personal preference. 

I have the 6200 sky archer, with a large belt, but I am a 34-36 pant.  I run a large bet.  It's basically maxed out on the synch, but the mediums sat right on pressure points on my hips so I switched it out. I think if your pant size is more in that middle ground of the medium you will be good.

For me 6200 is completely maxed out for the amount of gear I pack around on a 5 day trip, though i'm pretty tall and i don't have the luxury of small things to pack around!

If you have any possible 5 to 7+ day trips planned, don't go 5900.

[whacker1]

Both are great bags.  My buddies have Exo and I have SG. 

Exo I think would be a really good option for you with your height since they have those frame post things you can flip around to make the bag shorter, then longer.  So you can run it shorter then when packing out meat extended it up.  SG you are stuck at 26".

If you like more pockets and bells and whistles, Exo will be the better choice.  I do wish SG had better side pockets like Exo.

I do not like SG lid compared to Exo either.  It doesn't stay very well.  I've always thought I don't have it attached right, so that maybe the issue!

If you have Onx premium, there is a 10% off Exo code, which pays for tax. 

I personally recommend something in the 6400 to 6900 hundred range though.  Bivi mode is great with SG bags and buckles down well.  I always feel you should get 1 bag to do it all and not wish you would have gotten a bigger bag.

5900 is really 5400 with a 500 lid.  I'm not a big fan of that size, but that is just personal preference. 

I have the 6200 sky archer, with a large belt, but I am a 34-36 pant.  I run a large bet.  It's basically maxed out on the synch, but the mediums sat right on pressure points on my hips so I switched it out. I think if your pant size is more in that middle ground of the medium you will be good.

For me 6200 is completely maxed out for the amount of gear I pack around on a 5 day trip, though i'm pretty tall and i don't have the luxury of small things to pack around!

If you have any possible 5 to 7+ day trips planned, don't go 5900.

I am also 34 to 36 pant and where the Medium belt for SG.  forgot that point.  i have the Sky Talus 6900 and the EVO 40/56.   and i use the larger pack for my longer trips.

[milldozer]

I've got a K2 3500 that you're welcome to try on.  Also in Renton.  PM me if you're interested.

[pickardjw]

I'll shoot you guys a PM, thanks a bunch.

I've done 3 & 4 day trips with a 3800 cubic inch Osprey pack with hunting gear a few times comfortably. I run pretty light and pack efficiently. Being my size I get worried about how unwieldy a 6900 would be. The majority of my trips will be in the 3-4 day range with a couple potential 5-10 day trips. In those cases I plan on running a separate food bag in the load shelf. Sounds like seeing Mfowl's might help inform my decision there though.

[Ironhead]

I have the SG 5900 and like the room it has for 3-4 day hunts. The one thing I don't like is, all the straps that you have to take out of the buckles and put back in the buckles just to pack out a load of meat.

[ctwiggs1]

I've got an Exo and I work in Auburn.  it's the K2 5500.  You're welcome to try it anytime.

I don't know anything about the SGs but I've never heard anyone complain.  That same comment goes for Kifaru and Mystery Ranch.  They'll all haul better than what you currently have.

I settled in my mind that they were all close enough in quality so it came down to bag design for me.  I like being able to open up my entire bag from it's side and pull something out rather than pulling everything out to dig for what I want.  Simple stuff I suppose. 

No matter what you choose, I'm sure you'll be very pleased with what you get.