External frame packs obsolete? I don't get it

Should be able to find R-clip cotter pins to avoid the rattle. But I like the bolt idea too.
 
ThriftyJoe said:
Me too. I can't stand those little wire rings rattling. My old Jansport is put together with small bolts. So when I got the Jansport Scout recently, the first thing I did was hit Home Depot for some small stainless machine screws (10-32) and nylon insert lock nuts. Because of its uncomfortable hip belt, the Scout is dedicated to 'survival' purposes for now, so it hasn't seen any trail time, but I can tell you that my old Jansport has never had any of its bolts come loose. Be aware that those clevis pins are a couple of different lengths.
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Thanks for the tip! sounds like a good fix.
 
Ever since tactical tailor beefed up the old Alice frames I think it has made it one of the best external frames available. At least when it comes to their Malice packs. It's an old, reliable, proven system that they improved on. I'm getting one for my son for his boy scouts.
 
There are rumors that Hill People Gear will be coming out with an external frame as well...
 
HikingMano said:
Kuiu seems to be putting out great external frames for the UL Hunting crowd:

http://shop.kuiu.com/2012-frame-and-suspension-p93.aspx

My buddy has one, and that carbon fiber frame is pretty sweet.
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ThriftyJoe said:
Man that's crazy light. That would be a good choice if I wanted to try to eliminate the pack bag and strap on a couple slim silnylon stuff sacks + sleeping bag + shelter + pad. Bookmarked. Wonder how the velcro would hold up over the long run? Will I still be using it thirty years from now? Oh wait, never mind. I'll be dead. ;) :D
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There is definitely a market out there for high end, lightweight hauler frames. It's mostly geared toward backcountry hunters that pack in their camp and pack out their camp + meat.


Kifaru makes a few. Their new "Bikini" frame is 2lbs 5oz (37oz) for a 26in frame and is rated for more than I can carry (100lbs +). Their duplex frame, which is their original big hauler frame weighs more like 4lbs and their omni yoke, which is a pals platform with suspension, weighs around 4lbs as well.


There's a company called Stone Glacier that's also got a lightweight "Krux" pack frame for hunters that's 2.4lbs and rated to carry 130lbs +.


For comparison, my coleman frame weighs just over 3 and a half pounds, and I've carried up around 50lbs with it. Not sure how much it is officially rated for, though.


Smithhammer said:
There are rumors that Hill People Gear will be coming out with an external frame as well...
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From what I've read Hill People Gear (www.hillpeoplegear.com) has a frame in the development stages, but from their forum it sounds like it might be a year or so out. I'm not sure what the final weight range will be. In the meantime they have recommended using a kifaru frame or a dana designs K2/terraplane frame. They also have some lightweight pack bags and some other packs that are great quality as well (I'm a biased owner of a couple of their products btw).


kifaru bikini frame
http://store.kifaru.net/bikini-platform-frame-and-suspension-p116.aspx
bikiniframe753501.jpg



kifaru duplex frame
tactical version: http://store.kifaru.net/tactical-platform-frame-and-suspension-p36.aspx#
hunting version: http://store.kifaru.net/hunting-platform-frame-and-suspension-p8.aspx
platform_frame753501.jpg



kifaru omni yoke
http://store.kifaru.net/omni-yoke-p57.aspx
omniyoke_753501.jpg



stone glacier krux frame
http://www.stoneglacier.com/Krux.html
krux.jpg



dana designs K2 frame
not made anymore but they're out there
1306253088_43652.jpg
 
My buddy had the Dana Designs Terraframe, he said it was the best load-hauler extended-trip pack ever made. But yeah, not made any more, though sometimes you can snatch one from the bay if you can stomach it. I should ask him on his opinion on the Dana vs the Kuiu he now uses.

Great info in this thread :thumbup:
 
The original Dana Terra/Astralplanes were bombproof, awesome packs. I carried one a fair bit. The main reason I'm curious to try a Mystery Ranch is because of how awesome those old Danas were.
 
Yeah, the new companies tend to do very well since the focus can remain on function (Dana/Mystery Ranch, MountainSmith/Kifaru).
 
I have a Mystery Ranch NICE frame and love it. One of the major differences between Dana Gleason's NICE frame and his old-style external frames is flexibility. The frame can flex and bend, like the human torso it's attached to. That makes for a noticeable difference in comfort, especially off-trail. Anyone who's used an old-style external-frame pack knows that certain feeling of "solidness" that inspires confidence when carrying a heavy load. But that feeling goes from "solid" to something more like "unyielding" or "constraining" when you're scrambling off-trail.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
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