View Full Version : Want to hear from the external frame crowd
pgustaf249
08-23-2010, 13:58
I'd like to hear from those of you who use an external frame pack as to what you carry.
Old mid-70's no-name frame with a homemade sil-nylon bag. hip belt and shoulder straps are also homemade as it is darn near impossible to find factory replacements.
Gray Blazer
08-23-2010, 14:26
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/2/1/7/Nantahalas037.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showimage.php?i=15508&original=1&c=member&imageuser=6217)
A circa-1970 Kelty A4. I used to be able to get replacement hip belts and shoulder straps from Campmor, CampTrails, and EMS, but they don't appear in catalogs anymore, at least not that I can find.
skinewmexico
08-23-2010, 16:49
The last one I carried was the Kelty 50th Anniversary model. But it was just too easy to drop a couple of pounds with it in the closet.
Old mid-70's no-name frame with a homemade sil-nylon bag. hip belt and shoulder straps are also homemade as it is darn near impossible to find factory replacements.
Ditto, except mine is from the late 60's. I have made several bags to hang from mine. Depends on where and when I'm hiking. My aluminum frame weighs 35 oz. About 3.5 lb/s with custom hipbelt and shoulder straps.
I did my thru with a 1970s Kelty I brought used at a tag sale for $5. During my hike I replaced the hip belt and sholder straps because the new Kelty stuff was considerabely better. I also added shoulder lift straps. The pack lasted through my thru-hike and I had no problems with it. I replaced a zipper since than but it servived me well.
I think once you use a frame pack you don't want to give up the conveniences that they offer. They may weigh a pound or so more than some of the newer internals but so what.
skinewmexico
08-23-2010, 21:54
I've got a couple of the old Jansport D5s with the metal wings on the hip belt, and they carry great.
I've got a Kelty Trekker I bought in 2003 and love it. Know a guy that thru-hiked with one just a couple of years ago. Good pack and still available at outfitters.
TheCheek
08-23-2010, 22:11
Jansport and Kelty are the standards. I love my huge heavy Jansport. Feels lighter on the back than my golite internal which is actually 2 pounds lighter on the scale.
Kelty Yukon Reg. 2900.
I am leaving for a five day section on the SHT in a few weeks and decided I was done with my interior frame Kelty Deva and am giving it to a family member. I loaded both up and the exterior frame Kelty wins again for comfort and fit. I am five one. The Kelty is smaller and I am forced to pack lighter, and that is good but I just can't find anything that is more comfortable for me. This is my pack and I will grow old with it. I spent alot of money on that Deva and am glad a family member wants it.
KnittingMelissa
08-24-2010, 07:44
An old Kelty 9500 model. It was marked down because the colors weren't pretty, or last year's colors, or something of the like. But, colors unfashionable or not, it's worked pretty well for me this spring and summer in WY and CO. A little heavier than an internal frame pack, but I like it a lot more. It fits, and it doesn't hug or hurt my back.
I love my huge heavy Jansport.
I do too, but I need to rejuvenate it so I can use it again. I don't ever remember being truly uncomfortable in it, even when I had a folding chair strapped to it. I really loved how I could strap gear to it. I often wish I could strap my bear canister to my lightweight pack the same way.
Gray Blazer
08-24-2010, 08:58
I really loved how I could strap gear to it. I often wish I could strap my bear canister to my lightweight pack the same way.
Kinda like this?
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/3/7/8/4/pict0213.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showimage.php?i=39229&original=1&c=member&imageuser=3784)
Kinda like this?
Yep, except in my case I might be strapping on a bear canister, snowshoes and sleeping pad.
mister krabs
08-24-2010, 10:08
Kinda like this?
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/3/7/8/4/pict0213.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showimage.php?i=39229&original=1&c=member&imageuser=3784)
The jeans make that ensemble.
Gray Blazer
08-24-2010, 10:10
The jeans make that ensemble.
I was wearing cotton socks, too. I'm lucky to have survived!
mister krabs
08-24-2010, 10:18
you're lucky to have inner thighs left! :D
Last external I used was a LuxuryLite... very comfortable pack. Very.
I used it for @ 1000 miles on the PCT.
Kinda like this?
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/3/7/8/4/pict0213.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showimage.php?i=39229&original=1&c=member&imageuser=3784)
Man, looks like u got the kitchen sink in there also!
SMSP
I have a Kelty Trekker 3950 and loaded it up with 55 pounds once just 'see' what it was like. 5 miles in, overnight, 5 miles out. Never again! I was doing some experimenting with what gear I really needed and such. I knew before it was too much, but wanted run a trial. One's own experience is best.
I would still use it though, it hold alot of gear. I think it would be good as a winter bag for the extra warm clothing and bag and such. I'm hanging on to it and will use it from time to time.
For now, my 'go to' pack is the REI Flash 65. Actually, b/c it's a large, its 68L.
SMSP
CrumbSnatcher
08-24-2010, 16:45
kelty super tioga
Old time Kelty Love it, Feels Great.
Danielsen
08-24-2010, 20:53
I tried on an ALICE pack frame in a surplus store yesterday. It was surprisingly comfortable when my friend (who is larger than me) grabbed the top bar and picked up his feet. :o I certainly wouldn't want to hike that way, but I was pretty surprised that it held up the weight without compressing my spine, much less making me uncomfortable. I don't have any other experience with external frames, but I've been giving it some thought lately. Even considering trying to make an A-frame pack from wood like they used to, with a wool (or microfleece :D ) blanket as packbag.
Windcatcher
08-24-2010, 21:09
For longer hikes I use a Peak 1 Ocala. It has a kevlar reinforced poly external frame, not aluminum. 4,325 cu. in. at 5 lbs, 10 oz., lots of pockets, easy access to gear, sturdy, rides well.
NO_Turtle
08-25-2010, 14:57
I hike with a Jansport "ranier". They don't make these any more. I have found them for sale on ebay occassionally. I like the easy access to the compartments (quick pack up and easy to unpack), and the separation of the pack from my back keeps me cooler when hiking. I like the pack so much I own three of them. My hiking buddies have purchased internal frame packs but always request to borrow one of mine when we hike together. When raining/snowing, water will run down between your back and your pack (unless you have a poncho that covers you and the pack). I find the separation of the pack from my back keeps the pack dryer. Just my opinion
beakerman
08-25-2010, 22:54
I use an old ALICE pack...the large bag. I can fit anything and everything in there...if I want to go shot distance long luxury...I've got the room and the load capacity....long and lighter I can do that too...to the extent that an 8 pound pack will let you.
In fact that is my only complaint about it...the thing is heavy when empty.
I love that it comes just to the top of my shoulder so I can look back or hear someone talking behind me. I can't do that with my tall internal pack.
warraghiyagey
08-26-2010, 19:44
CampTrails. . . that's all I know about it. . . and it's green. . . and very comfortable. . . love it. . . :sun:sun
what were the kelty OD green packs that were made from parachute cloth? they were great packs. i wish i still had it. i used it on the AT in the late 70's. i had to save for quite awhile from my after school job to afford it. lol. anyone have any pics?..
Jim Adams
08-27-2010, 00:11
all of my internals are hanging in the closet. i went back to a peak 1 external in april and love it. it is still the most comfortable pack that i've worn and lighter than most of my internals.
geek
I have tried to upload a pic to this site of my pack. I can't figure it out. What has changed? What the hell happened to attach photo instead of picking thru 17 programs?
pgustaf249
09-10-2010, 07:02
The fact that external have so many outside pockets is very attractive to me. Is there such a thing as an internal frame pack that has as many outside pockets as external frames do?