Yep, the only things on the outside of mine are water bottle, some layers and maybe a couple of other things in the front mesh panel, and my snowshoes or microspikes, and maybe ice axe, when I'm not wearing or using them. Definitely don't want any 'danglies' when crashing thru spruce blowdowns! I once had a CCF auxiliary pad strapped horizontally to the top of the pack and it got shredded on the sides.