K2 3500 has the same carry handle. The problem I have with EXO..... after 3 plus years of hunting and backpacking my K2 3500 still looks like new in appearance and function. My wife can’t see any need for me to spend another 600+ to replace a perfectly good backpack. Plan b is to give my current K2 to my son in a few years and buy the k3
Lol love this. I'm about to buy an Exo k3 1800 and I'm pumped to try it out this year on the coast range of Oregon chasing Roosies! I've never owned a top quality pack so it will be a game changer.
Thanks for the comparison, I'm also debating between the K3 3200 and 4800. I would love to see more detail on the 3200. If you get some free time I would like to see the pocket layout on the sides and that front stretchy pocket on the exo. I imagine stuffing rain gear or a puffy into that front stretch pocket and want to make sure it would accommodate. Thanks
Absolutely! I realize that I skipped over a lot of the details on the EXO pack in this video. I'll be using the pack intensively over the next several days which should allow me to really "get to know it". I do plan on a follow up video specifically to the 3200.
Good comparison video. I've been looking into the Pintler to swap out for my Metcalf for day hunts, and also looking at EXO. Nice Old Style sign back there! I see you're in WI. I grew up in the burbs in IL just south of Chicago out in WA now. I miss me some Old Style every now and again. Cheers!
Thanks for the comment. I'm a huge fan of the Pintler bag layout and it makes for a great day pack, or even a night or two if you pack light. You are right, I do live in Southern Wisconsin - hard to beat a good midwest beer
Now that this video is several years old, which one do your prefer? I have the exo K3 3200 and was possibly going to switch it out for the sawtooth 45. Any advice would be appreciated.
Sold the MR to a friend, who still beats the hell out of it, and I’m still using the EXO. Since this video, MR updated their frame and hip belt to be more comfortable but I don’t have personal experience with it. Still love the EXO, especially how easy the bag is removed the from the frame - I train with the frame and a load carrier throughout the summer. Now that EXO also has a K4, I’ve seen some used K3 bags pop up for sale for reasonable prices. So I’d you’re just looking for more room, I’d recommend simply upgrading the bag and stay with the k3 frame.
I've had the k2 3500 for a few seasons now. First off EXO makes an amazingly light but durable pack. My still looks awesome. No fading nor abrasion wear. Couple quick points. Yes the K2 has a "handle" just like the K3. Many people (although not me) wrap that in paracord so that they have some spare para and also beef up the handle. Also one of my favorite little inconsequential things about the EXO packs is the lid pocket. I can get to my lunch or snack or flashlight or whatever without taking my pack off. Lastly regarding the water tube... yeah that would be my gripe too. If you dont want to add a clip I feed my water tube under the lid so it stays next to the pack, I grab it when I grab the shoulder strap and when the pack is on I tuck it into a loop on my bino harness. Works pretty well.
Did you experience slippage on the Pintler? Try OV MEAN Pad. It worked for me until I moved on to the Sawtooth 45 with Guidelight MT Frame. The Waistbelt is more robust. Less slippage, but, I use the OV MEAN Pad still. Thanks for sharing
Found this video while watching Exo reviews, loved the comparison. I've been looking at buying an Exo and my biggest concern was whether a climbing tree stand would fit on the meat shelf. I use a Summit Goliath and was curious if you had any experience carrying a climbing stand? I mainly hunt here in Wisconsin, but go out West hunting for elk Just wondering if you had any advice. Thanks!
Hey Scott, Sorry for the late reply. I haven't put a climbing stand on the meat shelf but as long as the stand isnt too huge, it should work very well for a Lone Wolf or other small/light stand. I have removed the bag on the mystery ranch and mounted a Hawk Helium climber directly to the frame using zip-ties and it worked pretty good. I just left the pack frame attached when it was hung in a tree
K2 3500 has the same carry handle. The problem I have with EXO..... after 3 plus years of hunting and backpacking my K2 3500 still looks like new in appearance and function. My wife can’t see any need for me to spend another 600+ to replace a perfectly good backpack. Plan b is to give my current K2 to my son in a few years and buy the k3
Lol love this. I'm about to buy an Exo k3 1800 and I'm pumped to try it out this year on the coast range of Oregon chasing Roosies! I've never owned a top quality pack so it will be a game changer.
Thanks for the comparison, I'm also debating between the K3 3200 and 4800. I would love to see more detail on the 3200. If you get some free time I would like to see the pocket layout on the sides and that front stretchy pocket on the exo. I imagine stuffing rain gear or a puffy into that front stretch pocket and want to make sure it would accommodate. Thanks
Absolutely! I realize that I skipped over a lot of the details on the EXO pack in this video. I'll be using the pack intensively over the next several days which should allow me to really "get to know it". I do plan on a follow up video specifically to the 3200.
Good comparison video. I've been looking into the Pintler to swap out for my Metcalf for day hunts, and also looking at EXO. Nice Old Style sign back there! I see you're in WI. I grew up in the burbs in IL just south of Chicago out in WA now. I miss me some Old Style every now and again. Cheers!
Thanks for the comment. I'm a huge fan of the Pintler bag layout and it makes for a great day pack, or even a night or two if you pack light.
You are right, I do live in Southern Wisconsin - hard to beat a good midwest beer
Now that this video is several years old, which one do your prefer? I have the exo K3 3200 and was possibly going to switch it out for the sawtooth 45. Any advice would be appreciated.
Sold the MR to a friend, who still beats the hell out of it, and I’m still using the EXO. Since this video, MR updated their frame and hip belt to be more comfortable but I don’t have personal experience with it. Still love the EXO, especially how easy the bag is removed the from the frame - I train with the frame and a load carrier throughout the summer. Now that EXO also has a K4, I’ve seen some used K3 bags pop up for sale for reasonable prices. So I’d you’re just looking for more room, I’d recommend simply upgrading the bag and stay with the k3 frame.
I've had the k2 3500 for a few seasons now. First off EXO makes an amazingly light but durable pack. My still looks awesome. No fading nor abrasion wear. Couple quick points. Yes the K2 has a "handle" just like the K3. Many people (although not me) wrap that in paracord so that they have some spare para and also beef up the handle. Also one of my favorite little inconsequential things about the EXO packs is the lid pocket. I can get to my lunch or snack or flashlight or whatever without taking my pack off. Lastly regarding the water tube... yeah that would be my gripe too. If you dont want to add a clip I feed my water tube under the lid so it stays next to the pack, I grab it when I grab the shoulder strap and when the pack is on I tuck it into a loop on my bino harness. Works pretty well.
Joel Strimling so far I’m extremely happy with the K3. And good point about the water hose - tucking it into the bino harness could be as easy option.
Did you experience slippage on the Pintler? Try OV MEAN Pad. It worked for me until I moved on to the Sawtooth 45 with Guidelight MT Frame. The Waistbelt is more robust. Less slippage, but, I use the OV MEAN Pad still.
Thanks for sharing
Rei Matsuo haven’t had much trouble on the Pintler, it’s been a great pack
@@midwestmtnoutdoors I moved my 2017 Pintler to the 2018 Guidelight MT Frame. Y-Zip is User Friendly to me vs Sawtooth's Duffel Zipper.
Rei Matsuo The Y zip is one of my favorite features of some MR packs
What is extra attach sheet accessory for pintler backpack? Look great for holding jacket. Thanks.
Good comparison
Thank you! I'll have a more in depth review of the K3 3200 in the coming weeks now that I've got some time with it.
Found this video while watching Exo reviews, loved the comparison. I've been looking at buying an Exo and my biggest concern was whether a climbing tree stand would fit on the meat shelf. I use a Summit Goliath and was curious if you had any experience carrying a climbing stand? I mainly hunt here in Wisconsin, but go out West hunting for elk Just wondering if you had any advice. Thanks!
Hey Scott, Sorry for the late reply. I haven't put a climbing stand on the meat shelf but as long as the stand isnt too huge, it should work very well for a Lone Wolf or other small/light stand.
I have removed the bag on the mystery ranch and mounted a Hawk Helium climber directly to the frame using zip-ties and it worked pretty good. I just left the pack frame attached when it was hung in a tree
What was the weight on the exo vs mr
Exo frame + bag + lid came to 5.30 lbs
Which one feels more comfortable
John Ace took a little bit of trial and error with the EXO but I’ve got it adjusted to be extremely comfortable. I’ve stuck with the EXO
what's the weight of the exo???
Mine with frame + bag + lid comes to 5.30lbs