External Frame Packs?

Barney · 06-09-2012, 11:41 AM

I know the physics behind internal frame packs and they offer greater mobility over the "older" external counterparts but what if I don't want mobility and want extreme versatility and ability to haul in 100 pounds of gear? I want to see an internal pack that can do this.

Gondor · 06-09-2012, 11:47 AM

I like this topic because it extends my question from another thread. I've never owned an external pack and the more I hear about it the more I'm starting to thinking about buying one.

ppine · 06-09-2012, 01:29 PM

I have always been a fan of external frame packs, starting with a Trapper Nelson as a kid. If you want to carry an elk quarter or an outboard motor it is the obvious choice. I have never backpacked in places where the center of gravity difference was an issue. I currently have an expensive North Face internal frame pack that weighs a ridiculous 5.5 pounds. I would trade it for an old Kelty frame pack any time. The pockets on the old frames were obvious and easy to find. The bag wasn't too big, but there was room to lash things like a sleeping bag easily. They are slightly wider than internal frame packs. Even on overnight ski trips, I have favored the external frame. Go into an REI store today and try to find even one external frame pack. I miss the days when they had lots of them and they were cheap, light, and worked like a charm. The good ones are welded aluminum.

Grandpa · 06-09-2012, 03:53 PM

Back to army surplus, I started with an old molded plywood packboard. Still got it matter of fact. From that I went to an external frame that lasted for many years. I don't even know if it had a brand name. If it did it was long forgotten. Grandson was the last to use it but some of the struts were breaking up so It got trashed. I've been thinking of trying to find another external as well.

steves · 06-09-2012, 08:48 PM

We just did a weekend backpacking trip and 1 of the guys had a old Kelty external frame, he had no issues and never once had to adjust anything or complain. I am thinking about going back to my roots and trying one again.

Barney · 06-10-2012, 06:59 AM

Exactly! I'm not saying that internals are bad, which they are absolutely not but external packs have their place. I think there is a lot of propaganda out there against externals and I have no idea why.

Gondor · 06-10-2012, 07:19 AM

I'm searching the Net but there are no external packs to be found, at least not a decent choice of them. I see Kelty is only carrying a few and very small ones.

wvbreamfisherman · 06-10-2012, 08:27 AM

When we just did our section hike on the AT, my hiking partner had an internal frame pack from Cabelas, while I had my old, reliable ALICE pack.

Things I noted:

My pack was lower and wider, with loads of attachment points. Hers was tall (over the top of her head, which made for some clearance problems.

Mine was wider, which also made for the occasional "wide load" srcrape.

Her pack had only a few externally accessible pockets, while mine had several (in part because I had hung some pouches on the attachment points. I really like having external pockets, as it makes it much easier to organize things.

She had to do more digging around in her main compartment, because it was so deep.

The empty weight of my pack was about 2 lb heavier than hers.

It was much easier for me to get decent ventilation between my back and the pack than she had.

Her pack seemed to be a little easier to adjust to suit her than mine. Mine took a lot of little adjustments as we walked along to get comfortable.

It is also possible to remove the pack from the frame on and external frame pack, and use it to haul somethig else. For example, on a canoe trip you could lash a wannigan (gear box) to the frame for portaging. You could also attach a Duluth pack to the frame.

Internal frame packs are definitely slimmer and sleeker than external frame, which gives them better "eye appeal".

Also (and this is probably a function of being heavier and Mil-spec'd), her pack actually had some problems with construction failure, while mine was pretty well bulletproof. The drawstring fabric on the top ripped where it was attached to the main pack on hers, while the Velcro height adjustment thingie on the suspension kept coming loose, while the chest strap attachment (basically a plastic clip) came off, although we were able to repair it.

I just use a half-inch wide buckled strap acrodd my chest to hold things in place. It's looped around my pack straps, so the only failure point would be the buckle. I also carry a few feet of strapping and a couple extra buckles just in case.

To sum up, I'd say that internal-frame and external-frame packs are about like canoes and kayaks, Similar things that do similar jobs in different ways. Internnl frame are like kayaks, sleeker, more specialized, a bit more finiky to load, perhaps a bit higher-performance, where external frame are more like canoes- more generalized, multi-purpose, a little clunkier, do a number of things acceptably.

My $0.02, YMMV.
There are also no zippers on the ALICE pack, only flaps and straps, eliminating a potential failure point. A zipper failure in the field is usually unrepairable

Pathfinder1 · 06-10-2012, 09:29 AM

Barney;
I know the physics behind internal frame packs and they offer greater mobility over the "older" external counterparts but what if I don't want mobility and want extreme versatility and ability to haul in 100 pounds of gear? I want to see an internal pack that can do this.

Hi...

You're not related to Paul Bunyun, are you?

Lamebeaver · 06-10-2012, 10:58 AM

I'm surprised no one has asked what kind of gear you're going to be hauling......

If it will fit in a big internal frame pack, that's what I'd use, but it it's awkward, and old-fashioned pack board may be the only way to go.