A question about frame packs

[Broke 0]

So I am planning a trip up Mount Washington in NH. And judging from the information available it looks like it would be a two day trip. One day to drive and hike up and then one day to come back down and drive home.

So I was wondering what is better an internal, or external frame for the pack or does it make no difference?

Divot your source for all things Hillbilly.
Anvil Brother 84
SCR 14192

[PhreeZone 20]

I've used both on many multiday hikes and would take my Internal frame any day of the week anymore. The Externals are great when you need a support structure that will let you carry 80 pounds for 3 days straight... but that is about their only strength anymore. Internals of even 10 years ago had a multitude of issues but now that are superior in just about every way except being able to handle stupid heavy loads.

Biggest issue I have with my internal is that since the pack looks not filled with my gear I always end up tossing in a few more "just in case" items that are just excess weight that I have never once used. Avoid that temptation and get a pack sized correctly for your gear and your body and it will last you years and you won't carry more then you need to.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[LaRusic 0]

I second that, internal frames can also be bent to form to the contours of your back making for a personalized fit. This will let you carry more weight for longer. I have used both, several different kinds of external frames and greatly prefer the internal.

My pack for the army is also internal frame, can easily load 90+lbs and have it actually be comfortable.

The Altitude above you, the runway behind you, and the fuel not in the plane are totally worthless
Dudeist Skydiver # 10

[Tuna-Salad 0]

What they said. Depending on how much weight you will be humping.. a heavy load = external frame. For 2 days you should need next to nothing.

Millions of my potential children died on your daughters' face last night.

[mnealtx 0]

what about something like the Moonbow gearskin or powerpack?

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[steve1 5]

I'm an old school backpacker. Never used an internal frame pack, but I do have years and years of backpacking experience, including military time.

Comfort is very important. You don't want a pack that is going to rub you raw or cause your body to ache.

I like an external frame for packing meat. I've packed everything from elk and bear to caribou. Sometimes over a hundred lbs. at a time. For that you need a heavy frame with a good hip belt and shoulder pads. For a weekend trip you might choose something else to pack your gear in. I used to use the same frame for everything.

Forty years ago I found what works for me, and haven't changed much since. Technology has made a lot of changes since then. It sounds to me that an internal frame may suit your needs well....

[nerdgirl 0]

Quote

So I am planning a trip up Mount Washington in NH. And judging from the information available it looks like it would be a two day trip. One day to drive and hike up and then one day to come back down and drive home.

So I was wondering what is better an internal, or external frame for the pack or does it make no difference?

For what you’re describing (2-day hike up & down Mount Washington), I would vote “doesn’t really matter” that much. Broken-in hiking boots with ankle support are *much* *much* *much* more important for that hike, imo ... or most stuff in New England. Depending on which route you go up (Huntington or Tuckerman Ravine vs. Lion’s Head), an internal frame may be more stable for scrambling over rocks because they conform more to your body and some, not all, have internal pieces that you can mold/bend to exactly match the curve of your back.

I’ve done what you’ve described with an external frame pack – I was a poor grad student & borrowed one. It was supposed to be a 4-day full traverse of the Presidentials, but it got shortened because my hiking partner didn’t break in her boots.

For longer backpacking trips, if you’re planning to use this as a start for future trips, or thinking about investing in a good pack, I’d agree with those voting for an internal frame.

/Marg

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[shropshire 0]

Quick question about External Frames (I've not even seen one of them since I were a lad!!).... Now I understand that Mt Wash' can be a nasty place... So how do they like 'Sparky-Sparky' lightening!!!! Buzzzzzzz- Wack Ouch

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[steve1 5]

External frames are still made. Most of the ones I've seen are heavy duty Freighter models. There's nothing better for packing meat or other large ackward loads. It's hard to fit a half a deer into a bag or maybe a big set of elk horns. Sometimes a load like that is messy too. It's handy to just tie on a load with rope. You can use pins to put your bag back on, or take it off.

For all around back packing the internal frame sounds like the way to go. There is enough physical pain to back packing. The internal frame pack is no doubt more comfortable......

[DJL 235]

Quote

Biggest issue I have with my internal is that since the pack looks not filled with my gear I always end up tossing in a few more "just in case" items that are just excess weight that I have never once used.

This problem of a pack that can fit more is compounded when hiking with girlfriends.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher