Internal Frame packs hold the weight closer to your body, and allow more agility than external frame packs. External frames carry the weight higher, and are cooler.
Internal frame packs have the plastic frame inserted in the pack. The pack wraps around your back so that the weight is transferred over a large surface area. The weight is held closer to your body, which makes it easier to handle in rough terrain.
Internal frame packs are very popular nowadays, and account for most of the packs sold.
External frame packs have a rigid frame which the pack attaches to. They tend to carry the pack weight very high, and are cooler than internal frame packs, since there is about an inch separation between the pack and your back. (as compared to internal frame packs which touch your back).
I have both kinds of packs. I use my internal frame pack when I am doing nature programs. I fill it with stuffed animals of foxes, racoons, bears, porcupines, frogs, and skunks. I get the kids attention when I stop and open my back. (I then tell a story about the kind of animal I bring out.) (here is a picture).
The internal frame is fine for my nature programs, but for serious backpacking I always use an external frame. The one reason for this is that with a heavy load, you walk more upright than with an internal frame. This allows me to look straight ahead, and not miss any of the mountain landscape that makes my life so rich.
It is true that you don't have the same stability with an external frame pack as you do an internal frame. To compensate for that, I always use trekking poles. I can't tell you how many times they have saved me from slipping. It is just a lot easier to catch your balance after slipping from four feet with a couple of poles.
The copyright of the article Internal and External Frame Packs in Backpacking, Hiking & Camping is owned by James E. Ratzloff. Permission to republish Internal and External Frame Packs must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Sep 4, 2006 10:26 AM
Alan Sorum
:
I packed a lot because of the Forest Service and still have my external frame backpack from Eddie Bauer. I bought it 30 years ago when Eddie Bauder wasn't a store at the local mall. They used to sell great packpacking gear. I have some internal frame packs, but still prefer the old standard. Great article!
Sep 5, 2006 1:02 PM
Jill Florio
:
I'm an internal frame girl, but agree that the angle is very uncomfortable for looking up, which, yes, sucks! So i should say I USED to be an internal-frame girl. now I am pretty much ultra-light only, which is a modified or barely there frame type of pack.
Never used an external frame but many people swear by them. I HAVE used Duluth packs, which have only shoulder straps and tump lines (forehead strap). Those are pretty great for canoe expeditions in the Boundary Waters, where you need a tough pack without many straps and doodads to get tangly in the canoe, but is still easy to carry on those longer portages (some are several miles long).
I own something like ten or a dozen packs....I really only use about 2.
Gear-itis. It's a disease, I swear.
Sep 6, 2006 3:47 PM
James E. Ratzloff
:
Ten - that's worse than me. I have four - two external and two internal packs. (each set is identical - one I use, and one for if it breaks.)
I am a sucker for a good bargain tough. I just picked up a 21 inch mountain bike with dual disc brakes for $169 - almost a Walmart price at 44% off. (it is a Columbia bike).
I think I went overboard though a few years ago when I found 90% wool socks on sale for less than $3 a pair. I got 80 pairs! (I really overdid it, didn't I?). Four years later I think it was a wise choice. I have worn out about a dozen pairs. They are incredible - thick, wool, hiking socks. I mean you always need socks don't you?
