Internal Frame Pack

S

sketchbag

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Oct 1, 2007
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Hey guys, I'm in the market for a new backpack, I want to get a big internal frame pack that I can fit all my gear into, like asleeping bag, tent, clothes, rain gear, food & pot, ect . I'm not too sure what to look for in a pack, what are some important features I should keep my eyes open for? Breathable straps, reinforced bottoms, double stitching?

What do you think of 'hydration packs'?

Any specific recommendations?
 
What a tease! I cant afford to spend $550+ on a pack, maybe half that at most. Plus 6-8 weeks delivery time, wouldnt even get to use it this fall.

Then again, I have spent almost that much on a knife and I'd certainly get A LOT more use out of a custom pack than a big greasy chopper.
 
pack theory

Packs in general

I like my Macpac Cascade for load hauling over a protracted period. It's big, and tough, with big phat zips, a good degree of water resistance, and very comfortable. I have an older style one that I got in New Zealand years back now, and it's still kicking great. If I ever bust it I'll be sticking one of the newer ones up as the benchmark I need to beat. I especially like the honest simplicity and lack of gimmicks. It doesn't even pay lip service to military, LEO, SAR, or anything like that. It simply stands on merit, using the excellent Aztec fabric [a kind of poly-cotton that works great with reproofing fluid] to keep water out the top and a tougher synthetic arse end, to hump load over long distances.

this is a newer Macpac approximate to mine

A couple of reviews on Trailspace
 
Gregory or Ospery both offer versatile packs. I have an Osprey Stratos 40 liter pack (~2600 cu inches) that I have carried all my gear in for a two night trip. They cost around 150 bucks and are readily available.
 
Check out Arc'Teryx. I have the Bora 80, which I bought 9 years ago. Goood for 2-day up to a week, depending on how heavy you pack and how much you eat. I use it A LOT and I can't wear it out. I would love to replace it with the new model, which is about 2 pounds lighter than the one I have, but I can't justify the money when the only thing wrong with mine is that it's covered with sweat stains.

Whatever you get, make sure to have it properly fitted to you...it can be the difference between agony and all-day comfort.

Hike on.

Jeff
 
check out badlands there awsome but i like black creek packs look at the yukon or alaskan,aloha
 
After reading that page on pack theory baldtaco posted (good lookin bro!) I've got to reconsider whether an internal frame is really the way to go, I just assumed they were superior cause they seem to be taking over. But internals do have a distinct weight advantage, the externals seem to be around twice the weight.

I have an old external which I find quite comfortable with a 25kg load for several hours, but it's just not big enough. I havent actually owned an internal frame pack yet. For those who have experience with both, how would you compare them?
 
Dude, despite throwing those articles in the mix I'd go with a good internal of some sort. I see where the guy is coming from and it makes for good background reading to tackle some of the common assumptions, but still...

Not like I'm trying to shill for Macpac or anything, but I do think some of the stuff on the global stage gets missed by US only kinda reviews. Kinda the same here to a lesser extent. Most of the stuff I get to see is European. I was stunned the first time I saw some pretty extreme Fairydown stuff from the opposite hemisphere. I didn't even know it existed, much less was any good.

Last word from me - I've just looked at a Glissade that is a touch smaller than my Cascade, but from a quick skim of the reviews seems to retain those features I like in a load hauler. I think the bottom line for me is that if I wasn't carrying such a load I'd get away with a much lighter pack [probably a Lowe Alpine for me], but the extra weight of the Cascade melts away with a heavy load. Strange but true. these said
 
Plus the options (locally at least) for externals are pretty limited. Ideally I'd grab a pack from the new cabela's shop in town, which has a lot less selection than the cabela's south of the border.

I was just reading a review of the Cabela's "diamond peak" series of packs, apparently really shoddy stitching, one bloke said a strap broke with only an 18lb load. Yikes.
 
I liked my old Karrimor external at the time. I like the fabric too. It was Butyl sandwiched between two layers of nylon. It was great for going in a straight line, so for hauling along paths ideal in some respects. But you didn't need to climb anything to appreciate the lack of stability. A good rummage around the trees and some ducking was enough for that. The lack of stability makes them tiring. Those articles didn't address that.
 
+1 on the Arc'Teryx Bora 80. I've also enjoyed the fit and carry of mine for years. :thumbup:

Jeff
 
jb3920 said:
Check out Arc'Teryx. I have the Bora 80, which I bought 9 years ago. Goood for 2-day up to a week, depending on how heavy you pack and how much you eat. I use it A LOT and I can't wear it out. I would love to replace it with the new model, which is about 2 pounds lighter than the one I have, but I can't justify the money when the only thing wrong with mine is that it's covered with sweat stains.

Whatever you get, make sure to have it properly fitted to you...it can be the difference between agony and all-day comfort.

Hike on.

Jeff
Click to expand...

Get out of my head! I was going to write the same thing, point by point!

It is heavier than some newer packs, but you gain bombproofness and excellent fit. I've carried lighter packs, but my Bora 80 fits me so well. It's a good tradeoff for me. Backpacker magazine did a stress-test of a Bora being dragged behind a truck down a dirt road if I recall correctly. It held up better than most packs.

If I'm carrying less gear, I leave the top pocket at home and leave the sleeping bag compartment empty and cinch up the straps. Beats dropping several hundred bucks for another pack, but then again, I'm pretty damn thrifty.
 
...another vote for Arc'Teryx, but if you are on a budget take a look at MEC. I've had my North Twin (around ~100 litres) for 15+years and it fits like a glove (discontinued model). I've carried heavy loads on extended outtings and never had a single problem with it. A lot of the manufacturers are going with all plastic, but I would recommend aluminium stays, once loaded they will form to the shape of your back. I would also go simple, the less zippers the better, I like top-loaders with no side zippers.
 
Good stuff! Totally forgot about Mountain Equip Co-op, even have one in town which is perfect!

I was seriously considering ordering a Bora 80, a couple reviewers said they got theirs for $250 but I wasnt able to find them at that price (yet).

I'm gonna go down to MEC and check them out, looks like they got a good selection of high quality packs, including the Bora 80 so I can have a comparison (assuming they have them in stock here), the cabela's in town only has their low grade in-house brand and then a big +$200 jump to "North Face" brand.

Thanks for all the input guys, it's so helpful to hear first hand accounts from people who've actually been using the gear for a decade (give or take). A lot of the online reviews seem like theyre written right when the people get home with their new purchase, and without giving it thorough testing.
 
I really like my Gregory - most comfortable large pack I've ever carried. Wish I'd found it decades ago!
 
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