Lightweight External Frame Backpack???

[GlazeDog]

I was wondering if anyone knew of any lightweight to Ultra-lightweight external frame backpacks. I'm interested in packs that have mesh back panels for extra ventilation. I guess I'm like a damn polar bear and release a lot ofheat through my back to cool off--I know--funny. I'm looking at the Osprey Atmos 50 internal as well--has mesh back panel, but around 3 lbs. Much heavier than my Gossamer Gear packs.

Thanks--
GlazeDog

[capoken]

I bought an external frame pack on e-bay and chopped off tallest parts of the frame with a hack saw. Then I bought a nylon laundry bag and put some grommets in it and attached it to the frame. The pack weighed 2.5 lbs. The grommets were not strong enough and started to tear thru after a few tripes. I plan to revisit the project and sew a sil-nylon bag for it. If I can make it strong and reliable for 2.5 lbs I think I will be on to something. The shoulder straps and waistbelt that came with it are actually very nice, but they can also be replaced to save more weight.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

LuxuryLite (http://www.luxurylite.com/packindex.html)

[take-a-knee]

My old Kelty (Tioga?) weighs 4.5#. I've thought of replacing the packbag with a homemade gearskin, I'm guessing that would be a pound lighter.

[Jim Adams]

been working on the same thing.
lighter pack bag is working fine...I am having trouble finding better suspension...anybody have any sourses?
Looking for total weight of 25lbs with 4 days of food, fuel, 1 liter of water and 1 liter of whiskey.

geek

[hopefulhiker]

I thru hiked with the Luxury Lite frame, front pack, and cylinders. It was one of my favorite pieces of gear. It offers a counter balanced load, convenience and comfort for just about two lbs. of weight...

The front pack is great because it allows you to get to water, snacks, gloves, maps,compass, data sheets, camera.. All the stuff you might reach for in stride...
It was like a portable desk, glove compartment and feed bag all in one..
I actually ate lunch a lot of times without breaking stride, just reached in the front pack and grabbed the gorp, tossed it down, without missing a beat..

You can just order the frame and customize the bags.. I used one of the cylinders as my food/bear bag.... The front pack can double as a slack pack. It is a one size fits all deal... Extremely versatile..

You can remove one of the cylnders and carry it on a plane. It will fit in the overhead compartment.

[GlazeDog]

I thru hiked with the Luxury Lite frame, front pack, and cylinders. It was one of my favorite pieces of gear.

This looks like a real interesting pack. I like the accessibility to gear. How well did it vent along the back?

FD--Did you use this pack too?

GlazeDog

[stranger]

Lightweight externals is somewhat of an oxymoron, just because most externals are designed to carry heavy loads over established trails, like the AT. I am a big fan of external frame packs, but to be honest, have simply found them too unlivable in recent years. The squeak factor if another often overlooked issue, and it's a huge one in my view.

Saying that, comparably, external packs in my experience are not that heavy for the amount of weight they can comfortable handle, meaning only 6-7lb internal packs can handle, or support, 40lb loads in my experience. It's generally easy to find external packs that are well under that weight.

If it's simply a ventilation issue, then there are a number of ventilated internal packs that do the trick well, like the Osprey Atmos and Gregory ventilated packs. But if you are carrying decent weight, internals have never compared to externals packs in my view when it comes to sheer weight transfer. But fit, stability, livability and convienance all factor in obviously.