Internal versus external frame packs

[TheChief]

Internal versus external frame packs. What is your preference and why? When you use an external, what is your load weight?

I was in the Boy Scouts in the 80's and external frame packs were all we had. Then in the 90's in the Army, external frame packs again. Since then I have purchased 15+ internal frame packs because they were 'better' and yeah, I might have a problem.

About three years ago I picked up an old Kelty Tioga for $10 at an estate sale and the next week literally fell over a second one for $5. I cleaned up both, bought new shoulder straps and hip belts and they were as good as new.

I tried one out on my kids first backpack campout and loved, loved, loved the way it carried the weight to my hips. It was so much nicer then the modern, $$$, light weight, wonder packs currently being sold. I now use it when backpacking and get the looks when on the trail with it.

I do miss the modern amenities like a hydration bladder and associated holes and fitting, and the water bottle pouches though.

Have you gone back to the dark side? Assuming your old enough to have experienced external frames as a kid.

I just picked up a Kelty Jr Tioga for my kid and cant wait to get their impressions.

[kemasa]

McHale & Company packs. The common complaint is that they carry the weight too well. It is an internal frame pack and very well designed.

Many internal frame packs have no frame, which is a problem.

[furyous68]

I have several of both. Just back-packing, the internal is nice. Hunting, I like the external frame. A little easier to tie game to it, and you don't get the inside of the pack messy. I think external frame packs typically have higher storage capacities, too.

I have a mil-surp ILBE pack I use a lot for backpacking & scouting. I have an ALICE pack as one of my emergency packs (talk about storage... that thing is huge), & I have an ALPS Outdoorz Commander pack for hunting. I just tossed an older Alps Mountaineering internal frame pack because the shoulder straps & padding were deteriorated beyond salvage.

[kemasa]

I have several of both. Just back-packing, the internal is nice. Hunting, I like the external frame. A little easier to tie game to it, and you don't get the inside of the pack messy. I think external frame packs typically have higher storage capacities, too.

Often external frames have more storage, due in part to the tent and sleeping bag having to go on the outside, so it doesn't take up space. You can get larger internal frame packs. My McHale has additional pockets that I can put on it, but I don't use them because it gets too heavy without them. It is easier to access things in external frame packs as well. Internal frame packs have to be packed tight, either by stuff inside or by the straps, to make it a solid unit, which isn't required for external frame packs.

I have a mil-surp ILBE pack I use a lot for backpacking & scouting. I have an ALICE pack as one of my emergency packs (talk about storage... that thing is huge), & I have an ALPS Outdoorz Commander pack for hunting. I just tossed an older Alps Mountaineering internal frame pack because the shoulder straps & padding were deteriorated beyond salvage.

You might have checked with Alps to see if it would have been covered under their warranty. They have a lifetime warranty, but excluded normal wear and tear.

[Unbekannt]

It matters on what you are doing. Every backpacker starts out with the external frame and 50 pounds. Next trip he cuts to 35. Next to 25 and thinks about a soft pack. But if you are going to be out there for a week or more you are going to carry some weight.

[The War Wagon]

Used those external frame packs in the '70's & '80's myself in Scouting. Hard to FIND one nowadays, unless you go to a specialty store.


All you see in catalogues, be it CTD or others, soft packs/three day packs/'assault' packs are all the rage.


BEFORE the Scouts turned FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABULOUS , my oldest had just crossed over to the troop. With some molle pouches, I "built on" to some softs packs, and made some nice weekend/hiking bags out of them.

STILL use 'em in my 4WD club for weekend outings; firgure they'll make great BoBs, if it comes to that.

[Neuvik]

I have several internal frame packs, but only a few external frame packs. But I always felt they were better for heavy loads. I think if weight alters in the pack it still doesn't seem to strain one side of your body too much compared to internal frame. One thing I couldn't stand with some of the external frames was the squeaking of the frame. But maybe the new ones have done away with that.

However the market is skewed to the internal frame. More options and more manufacturers. I'm currently using a Qui-Ya with a Decker pack on it from Hill People Gear. I had it at 61 lbs on the JMT and it was comfortable.

Recently took it snow camping when all the fat people were busy watching the superbowl.

[rudigan]

Backpacker for 40 years here. Like another said, depends what you want to haul. Teenage Kids, through 30+ year olds can carry anything. So older, heavier stuff is no problem for them.

We used to huck 70 and 80 lb packs back in the day, yikes!. Hell my Dana Alpine pack weighted about 7.3 lbs empty. For me the last 7 or so years has been a systematic lightening up. The last 4 years total weight (including food, 2+qrts water, whiskey, mini 22, portable ham radio gear) has been just under 40 lbs, that's for 8 days/7 nights.

Current pack for those trips is a ULA Catalyst, weighs 3 lbs empty. I hope to do at least one multiday trip a year for as long as I can, pushing 60 now, so yeah, I've become a weight weenie.

Oh, in general you can carry a small car with external, but you better be on relatively level terrain as they will pull you over with heavy load and rugged terrain, good ventilation to keep you cool. Internal much more stable, one with the pack so to speak, but can be hot.

[rudigan]

I have several internal frame packs, but only a few external frame packs. But I always felt they were better for heavy loads. I think if weight alters in the pack it still doesn't seem to strain one side of your body too much compared to internal frame. One thing I couldn't stand with some of the external frames was the squeaking of the frame. But maybe the new ones have done away with that.

However the market is skewed to the internal frame. More options and more manufacturers. I'm currently using a Qui-Ya with a Decker pack on it from Hill People Gear. I had it at 61 lbs on the JMT and it was comfortable.

Recently took it snow camping when all the fat people were busy watching the superbowl.

Very cool shot, snow camping is awesome, more weight but so beautiful, quiet. Gonna try a pulk later this year to try and huck in more creature comforts...maybe a chainsaw for firewood, lol. My winter trips to date are typically limited to 2 or 3 nights (extra warm gear = more weight).

[Neuvik]

Very cool shot, snow camping is awesome, more weight but so beautiful, quiet. Gonna try a pulk later this year to try and huck in more creature comforts...maybe a chainsaw for firewood, lol. My winter trips to date are typically limited to 2 or 3 nights (extra warm gear = more weight).

Thanks!

Yea I enjoy these trips, just get out someone peaceful and quiet.


If you are looking for comfort you could always try reserving a forest service cabin. Like Van Fleck Bunkhouse, or Robs hut both near Loon Lake. They have propane heaters. So Luxury just that easy haha. That way you have more room for alcohol!

[echo1]

I too am a backpacker since the '60s and have a ton of both types in all manner of sizes, from over niter to expedition, about 15 of each.
I pick up any decent pack I find at yard sales and thrift stores for dirt. Most have seen little use.

Really depends on the hike. Off trail, internals are a little better and less adapt to hang up, but in general an external with a good waist belt and chest straps, carries better on a designated path.

My 2 main bags are a Mountain Smith Cross Country II, and Mountain Hardware Exodus, which is a cross breed internal/external, and the best carrying bag I've ever used. It's discontinued, I suspect because of price (MSRP listed around $500) and it's sorta contraptiony. I picked up an Exodus XL bag and 2 frames, L & XL for $150 (craigslist Berzerky), and got another L bag from Mt. H for $50. Both Mt. Smith & Mt. H have detachable day bags and ability for hydration. My son and I have put about 100 miles on those guys (Exodus). PAX