Behind the Design with Exo Mountain Gear
Exo Mountain Gear specializes in load-hauling backpacks designed for hunters. Steve Speck and Mark Huelsing join me for a behind-the-scenes look at Exo's newest K4 pack design. After over 3 years in development and over a decade of pack-building experience, the K4 is a finely tuned design and the best pack Exo has designed.
Depending on how long you’ve been listening to this podcast, you’d know I’ve previously had both Mark and Steve on the show. I owe Steve a debt of gratitude for being willing to come on the show to discuss the anatomy of a backpack for Episode 3. I had no idea what I was doing, yet Steve took time out of his schedule to chat with a guy high on life after hiking the PCT.
Mark joined me for Episode 119 to chat about how being BAD at something is good for you which is a great episode to check out. Both Mark and Steve have become people I greatly appreciate on both a personal and professional level. They’re leaders within their company and their industry.
If you want to see an example of a company doing it right, look no further than Exo Mountain Gear. I try hard not to be biased when it comes to backpacking gear, but after seeing how Steve and Mark handle their business, they make it hard not to be. So yeah, I’m biased, but here’s why.
Image courtesy of Exo Mountain Gear
Walk the Walk
Mark and Steve put their money where their mouth is. They don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk, and I mean that in the truest sense possible. Both of these guys could spout off about how many miles they put in to prepare for the fall, the thousands of hours they’ve invested into pack design, or the vast amount of time they’re willing to take with customers, but they don’t. They may mention it here and there as a minor anecdote, but that’s it. They put in the work because it’s the right thing to do and not so they can have something to talk about. The crazy part to me is that there are a number of other hunting pack brands that more than likely have great people working for them as well, but you’d be hard-pressed to label those brands as designing what is likely the best-performing pack on the market.
If you watch the comments in hunting forums and groups when packs are brought up, you’ll see an obvious trend… ”Once you go Exo, you never go back.” The moment someone buys a pack from Exo Mountain Gear, regardless of when it was made, they become fans for life. Whatever magic Steve manages to sew into these packs is working because these packs have a cult following which is why they’re at the top of the food chain.
The Complete Package
Exo is the complete package. They’re dedicated to designing a great product, standing behind their work, going above and beyond when taking care of customers, and being genuine and humble about it. So yeah, what’s not to love?
Mark and Steve are on the podcast to talk about their newly released K4 packs. This kind of pack update only happens every 3-4 years and ONLY when there’s something worthy of updating. Knowing how much of a design nerd Steve is, I wanted to pick their brains about what this update is all about.
The first portion of the episode is just catching up with the guys about their recent hunting adventures way up north and then we dive into pack design. If you’re wanting a deeper understanding of HOW a backpack functions, and I mean the fine details of how it all works together, you’re going to enjoy this one. About halfway through our chat, Steve drops a knowledge bomb that blew me away and completely changed how I look at pack design. It answered a ton of lingering questions I’d been having about how a pack rides so I’m curious if you find it interesting too.
What You’ll Learn
This entire episode is riddled with knowledge about how you should be looking at a backpack when you’re in the market for one and while we talk specifically about the new K4 design and the reasons behind the update, nearly all of what we discuss is applicable to analyzing packs that don’t come from Exo. If you’re a hunter, you already know about Exo and you’re going to enjoy this deep dive. If you’re not a hunter, you’re about to learn a LOT about how packs function and why they function that way. And, if you just like to hear good people talk about the thing they love, you’re going to enjoy this one.
That’s a long-winded way to say if you spend any amount of time with any kind of pack strapped to your back (yes, even a lightweight one), you can learn a lot from Steve and Mark. Knowing how your gear functions will put you in the driver's seat rather than being a mere passenger hoping it's all going to work out.
Exo Mountain Gear is the real deal. They make a premium product and have a team behind them that cares about their customers.
On the admin side of things, we recorded this podcast before the release of the packs but they’re now available if you want to look at them (links down below).
Show Notes and Links
Catching up with Mark and Steve
Recapping Steve’s recent Alaskan sheep hunts
Recapping Mark’s Mountain Goat hunt
Mental strength - how to stay positive and mentally present
Transitioning to the natural cycle of the backcountry
Where pack design begins
Exo Pack design principles
Pack design changes over the years
Exciting changes to the K4 design
Where quality load carry begins
The importance of hip-belt structure
Finding the sweet spot in pack design
The importance of taking care of customers
Ivory holster compatibility with K4
Plans for the rest of 2023
How to follow up with Exo Mountain Gear
Website: https://exomtngear.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntbackcountry/
Hunt Backcountry Podcast: https://exomtngear.com/pages/the-hunt-backcountry-podcast
K4 Introduction
Exo Mountain Gear only updates its line of packs when improvements in technology or needed revisions are worthy of the effort. After getting to know the crew at Exo over the years, I can personally say they aren’t in the business of making unnecessary updates just for the sake of making an update. They’re very calculated, intentional, and sincere in their efforts. As a consumer, you can rest easy knowing it will likely be 3-4 years before the lineup is revamped, and who knows, it could be even longer.
This means that the designers at Exo believe in the pack, the design, and its functionality so much so that they’re comfortable with these gaps between updates because they know the product is as good as it can be given the available technology at the time. Any brand that sticks to a design and optimizes it rather than completely redesigning it gets a high mark in my book.
Exo Mountain Gear K4 Pack Systems Overview
Image courtesy of Exo Mountain Gear
Image courtesy of Exo Mountain Gear
K4 Key Pack Updates
Load Carry
The standout update to the K4 is how the pack performs when fully loaded. Exo Mountain Gear has made improvements to the way the load transfers from the frame to the waistbelt resulting in a more comfortable and reliable carry. Improvements to how to load shifts over time were also made. During long pack-outs, a heavy load can slowly droop lower and lower reducing the center of gravity and making for a less comfortable ride. The hunter is required to stop and adjust or push onto the trailhead with a less-than-ideal load carry. With the improvements to buckle design, the K4 promises to secure the load better than previous models without the risk of load sagging.
Materials
Developments in technology have allowed the K4 to implement new materials that improve the overall fit and function of the pack. These materials can be found throughout the lineup of packs (technology covered in Episode 156 of the Podcast linked above)/
User Interface
Steve Speck is obsessed with how a pack interacts with the user and has spent the majority of his time between revisions dialing in each and every inch of the K4. While the functional foundation of the Exo design remains the same, enhancements throughout the pack can be seen.
Notable changes:
MOLLE webbing for easy on/off of accessories
Easy access water bottle pocket
Revision of outside long pockets (traditionally top loading but are now side loading)
Easy access stretch pockets for small items needed while wearing the pack
No-slip buckles for load-carry
Image courtesy of Exo Mountain Gear
Exo Mountain Gear K4 Frame Overview
Exo Mountain Gear K4 Carbon Fiber Frame Stays
K4 Sizing
With the release of the K3 in 2019 came the option of a shorter frame/torso for shorter hunters and youth. K4 continues this tradition by affording women and youth the ability to wear a pack specifically designed for their physical size. This is where Exo stands apart from the crowd. They know how uncomfortable it is for shorter hunters to wear packs designed for taller individuals, so they went out of their way to cater to a broader audience.
A properly sized and fitted pack can take the pain out of a heavy pack-out and with two torso sizes available, you’re bound to find the perfect fit when paired with the ability to further adjust your suspension. For more information on frame sizing, check out the video below.
Image courtesy of Exo Mountain Gear
Image courtesy of Exo Mountain Gear
Exo Mountain Gear EXS Pack Overview (women and youth sizes)
K4 Product Videos
Exo Mountain Gear has released a series of videos detailing the new K4 design. Aside from the videos listed above, here are a few others worth checking out. These will give you insight into the differences in pack bags and frame heights. For more videos, check out their YouTube Channel HERE.
Exo Mountain Gear K4 Comparing Bag Sizes
Exo Mountain Gear K4 Comparing Frame Heights
Once you go Exo…
While I personally don’t have any time in the field with this pack (it was just released at the time of this article) I have no problems saying that if you’re in the market for a top-of-the-line load-hauling backpack, look no further than the Exo Mountain Gear K4. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Steve and his team at Exo over the years and know that if you spend your money with Exo, they’re going to take care of you like family. You’re going to get a top-notch product and excellent customer service. Whatever you need, they’ll find a way to help, encourage, and if need be, make it right.
Don’t take my word for it though. I’m a mere peasant villager in this world trying to tag a buck or two, but I just so happen to spend far more time than I probably should foraging through forums and Facebook groups keeping tabs on what the beat is of the hunting industry. What I’ve witnessed time and time again is a story so familiar that it’s almost unbelievable…
Image courtesy of Exo Mountain Gear
Hunters love talking about their purchases, both good and bad. While there are fans of other pack brands, there seems to be something different about Exo users. While I’ve witnessed the discussion of hunters going from one pack to another and then another or back again, I’ve never once seen someone discuss using an Exo pack and then moving on from it… never. With how often hunters swap out gear, it’s shocking how I’ve never seen someone leave Exo for another brand.
It’s a one-way trip with Exo users and appears that once you go Exo, you never go back.
For me, I for sure have my eyes set on the K4. My K3 was a game-changer so I can only imagine how much better the K4 is. If I ever get my hands on one, I’ll be sure to let you know.
Until then, just keep hunting.
Emory, By Land
Thanks for stopping by the website and checking out this article! If you have any questions for me or want to connect, you can leave a comment below or shoot me a personal message at emory@byland.co.
Donate Support By Land
By Land is independently published meaning no one pays to have this content written or created. If you’ve enjoyed this article, the website, resources, or other By Land content and want to become a supporter, please consider making a one-time donation (or tip). 100% of each donation will go right back into operational costs so I can continue to bring you the same great content for years to come!
Thank you!
Looking For More Articles?
Learn how to use a successful military planning framework to enhance your backpacking plans to ensure success, enjoyment, and safety.