While I'm sure they are indeed an excellent pack, do you think they represent a good value? Looking at a pack and when its all said and done im pushing 700.00. Currently running a few different Eberlestock packs and just curious if the Exo packs are 400.00+ better. Looking at getting a lighter pack and MR, Exo, SG and Kifaru were on the short list but Im leaning heavily towards the Exo.
Thoughts or opinions?
We (work) spent the last year or so testing and using most of the major pack brands- Kifaru, MR, Seek Outside, Stone Glacier, Hill People Gear, etc. We did not use any Exo packs as they chose not to participate. The general thoughts of the group after hundreds of miles with each pack suitable for 5+ days were-
Kifaru AMR-
Pros-
Good suspension
Relatively easy to fit
Carried heavy loads well
Cons-
Relatively heavy
Lots of straps
No sleeping bag compartment
Kifaru DT1-
Pros-
Good suspension
Carried large heavy loads well
Relatively easy to fit
Cons-
Relatively heavy
Lots of straps
No side water bottle pockets
MR Nice 6500 and Recce ruck-
Pros-
Carried loads well though not as comfortable as others for some people
Best pocket layout of all packs.
Cons-
Extremely heavy
SO Revolution-
Pros-
Most comfortable pack tested
Belt locked in really well
Lightest pack tested
Cons-
Lack of pockets
Lots of straps with kind of a chinky way they attach
Stone Glacier R3 w/lid-
Pros-
Extremely comfortable
Good pocket layout
Easy to use load shelf
Overall highest rated pack
Cons-
Requires use of load shelf for use more than 3 days
Hill People Gear QUI-YA:
Pros-
Comfortable suspension
Good belt
Cons-
Longest time to fit to each person
Lack of pockets
In the end, the Stone Glacier R3 and Kifaru DT1 were the top picks. That isn't to say that the others were "bad", it's just one groups thoughts carrying each for a bunch of miles with heavy weight. I hunted all last year with the DT1, and will be using the R3 and Sky 5900 this year. For a pure mountain hunting pack, if Seek Outside would offer a pack with usable pockets and layout, it would be what I would choose (though the SG Sky 5900 is showing promise). If one likes spartan pack layouts, it's a great choice.