Thread: Modern Packs

Originally Posted by McNotty

First blooded outing for the Exo K4 3600. I’m still salty I didn’t get the 5000 bag, but the load carrying was sooo bloody comfortable. Pack weight was close to 40kg and I was hardly sore the next day.

I’m still on the fence about the large full length side pockets, I’m used to one main compartment and also having the protection of a pack liner for all my gear against poor weather. I don’t use a spotting scope and am seriously considering cutting out the internal wall on one side to make the main compartment larger and keeping the other in intact for tent or bivvy gear.

To the people that have them, what are you chucking in the large side pockets?

Same as BK10. Wet weather gear and tent/fly. That way, if anything is slightly wet it drips down away from everything else.
On tramping hikes, the takedown rifle fits in both sides completely hidden away.

I wonder if you cut one side open if it would unbalance the pack? If the other side wasn't weighed up with something else.

Originally Posted by stagstalker

My Kuiu Pro LT 7000 pack in Fiordland. Love this pack, so comfortable to have on your back all day and really enjoy the layout and options I have with pockets etc. My mates Pro 7800 bag is even better again, it just comes with slightly more weight.

Super photo.

Originally Posted by McNotty

First blooded outing for the Exo K4 3600. I’m still salty I didn’t get the 5000 bag, but the load carrying was sooo bloody comfortable. Pack weight was close to 40kg and I was hardly sore the next day.

I’m still on the fence about the large full length side pockets, I’m used to one main compartment and also having the protection of a pack liner for all my gear against poor weather. I don’t use a spotting scope and am seriously considering cutting out the internal wall on one side to make the main compartment larger and keeping the other in intact for tent or bivvy gear.

To the people that have them, what are you chucking in the large side pockets?

I'm doing the same as @BK10. My Kuiu Mountain Star fits perfectly in one side pouch. I have a tripod in the other but it's maybe better used for a larger item. I have quick access items in the middle pocket like snacks and my kill kit. I to may buy the 5000 but only to carry more. I packed out my first deer today and it was good. I don't think the meat shelf is designed for little game like Sika. I had it all in game bags but it still tried squirming out the sides. I did get a crib panel I think I might need to use in future for Sika. Sorry. Forgot to take a photo

Originally Posted by McNotty

First blooded outing for the Exo K4 3600. I’m still salty I didn’t get the 5000 bag, but the load carrying was sooo bloody comfortable. Pack weight was close to 40kg and I was hardly sore the next day.

I’m still on the fence about the large full length side pockets, I’m used to one main compartment and also having the protection of a pack liner for all my gear against poor weather. I don’t use a spotting scope and am seriously considering cutting out the internal wall on one side to make the main compartment larger and keeping the other in intact for tent or bivvy gear.

To the people that have them, what are you chucking in the large side pockets?

Hey man ive used mine quite a few times.
Tent in one side fits with some extra room.

Tripod if im taking the spotter goes in the other and can fit a full 3L bladder for camp water in the other.

I found folding my sleeping pad and placing it in the bottom of the pack saves a bit of space too then sleeping bad and clothes in a dry bag on top, food and jetboil.

I have the drink bottle holder and one front pouch is bloody handy.

I also have a few of there white organizer bags that you can clip into different spots and these work awesome

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Love the triconis.

Yip they were pretty good , but you learned very quick not to boulder hop across creeks on a frosty morning . I had the boots for
about 9mths until someone on a SAR exercise needed them more than I did . gutted on a apprentice wage never got another pair .

Originally Posted by HILLBILLYHUNTERS

Yip they were pretty good , but you learned very quick not to boulder hop across creeks on a frosty morning . I had the boots for
about 9mths until someone on a SAR exercise needed them more than I did . gutted on a apprentice wage never got another pair .

They were shockers for catching on horse stirrups and slippery as hell on tractor platforms too.

Originally Posted by 199p

Hey man ive used mine quite a few times.
Tent in one side fits with some extra room.

Tripod if im taking the spotter goes in the other and can fit a full 3L bladder for camp water in the other.

I found folding my sleeping pad and placing it in the bottom of the pack saves a bit of space too then sleeping bad and clothes in a dry bag on top, food and jetboil.

I have the drink bottle holder and one front pouch is bloody handy.

I also have a few of there white organizer bags that you can clip into different spots and these work awesome

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Note mine too is the 3600 but i have the idea of getting a 5000 at some point. I can do 3 days with some room to add more but the pack gets quite wide and its a bit of a pain in the creeks.

Meat shelf is designed for meat on the bone, when i used mine i ended up using 2 sticks in the dry bag to help keep it vertical but normally just carry it in my pack as normal.
I am thinking there must be a better way to use the meat shelf with boned out meat.

Originally Posted by 199p

Note mine too is the 3600 but i have the idea of getting a 5000 at some point. I can do 3 days with some room to add more but the pack gets quite wide and its a bit of a pain in the creeks.

Meat shelf is designed for meat on the bone, when i used mine i ended up using 2 sticks in the dry bag to help keep it vertical but normally just carry it in my pack as normal.
I am thinking there must be a better way to use the meat shelf with boned out meat.

I bought the Crib. I think this would help with smaller or less supported loads. https://exomtngear.com/collections/k...rib-load-panel

Originally Posted by kiwijames

I bought the Crib. I think this would help with smaller or less supported loads. https://exomtngear.com/collections/k...rib-load-panel

Bro that looks the go forsure

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This is the load harness/crib on the Initial Ascent. It has a sleeve pouch on the outside for a bit storage. With the bag off and the lid on and with the crib it makes an excellent day pack ready for load carrying. It's one of the reasons I went for the IA.

https://initialascent.com/products/t...r-load-carrier



NB: I robbed that camo rifle carrier off another pack.

Unless your pack is literally a dry bag with straps welded on the outside, water/blood will bleed through the stitching or zips with saturation. I don't use an external pack cover. Instead I use a larger pack dry bag. Exo (as I'm sure other major brands do) do a Dry Bag pack liner accessory. Use this 99% of the time. Don't use compression sacks, just stuff lighter gear (quilt, puffer, clothing) then heavier gear in - fills all the crevices, and quicker, more efficient. The 99% rule has changed to 100% of the time after my roar trip after spending 36 hours in heavy rain and winds in the Kaimanawa tops and the Argali tent bottom soaked through (exceeded its hydrostatic limit). The exped pads kept the dog and I above the wet inside, and everything got put in the pack that I wanted dry). Walking out, wet gear can be packed in side pockets or below the inner dry bag in the main pack. Job done.

I've got a K3200 (which is with the top lid 3600 cubic inches = 58 litres). It's a push to get everything in there for a 7 day trip, but possible (I'm not hunting Fiordland!). I can see the temptation to get larger bags, but I know I'll just fill it up with more luxuries and clothing that I don't use. Great thing about a meat shelf, if you are pushed for space walking in, can synch off the food back to the frame for the walk in.