Episode 107 | Backpack Ventilation with Vaucluse

The thing that surprises me is that something like the Vaucluse frame is necessary. It boggles my mind that packs that press a waterproof layer against your back ever became popular at all.

It isn’t about sweat — it’s about dumping the heat generated by backpacking.

One of the evolutionary adaptations that allow humans to walk/run farther than most other animals is our hairless backs. They are a big part of the cooling that makes it possible for us to travel so far in a day.

We have had so many discussions about why ponchos are more comfortable than rain jackets above 40-50F (5-10C) because ponchos don’t press press a waterproof layer against your back. Why spoil that with a backpack that does the same?

BTW, I really like the optional mesh sleeve that covers the Vaucluse frame. It improves comfort and decreases snagging on expensive UL fabrics (such as Echo or Alpha Direct).

Interesting product. The reason I love Zpacks Arc line of packs is you get a really great airflow design and for an incredible weight-20oz +/-.

^ That.  Love my Arc Haul.

I loosen my Kakwa straps a bit and place most of the weight on my hips.  It creates a gap between my back and pack and walking provides a bit of pumping moving air without swaying or shaking.

Problem solved!

Its the same with my HMG. My back doesn’t get hot or sweaty. I don’t want the weight any further from my back as I feel this product may do. I may love it if I tried it, but I really have no incentive to try it.

As a Hyperlite backpack user for 7 years and having hiked thousands of miles, I don’t have issues with the waterproof fabric on my back.

<p style=”text-align: center;”>I have tried the Vaucluse ventilation frame with my Kakwa 55, and it makes a big difference in the amount of sweat that you feel and that gets soaked into your shirt.  With it, I don’t get those sweat stains on the back of my shirt the way I usually do.  It feels different on the back, partly because of the egg-crate pattern, but definitely because of the ventilation, not building up sweat, and ability to dump heat from your back while walking.  I feel the backpack carries similarly to when the ventilation frame is not attached.  I don’t notice it being far away from my back, affecting its center of gravity – something I do notice when hiking with loosened shoulder straps to try to achieve (temporarily) a similar ventilation effect.</p>
There are some things I have noticed. The way in which the shoulder “loops” attach can come loose.  I find I’m checking that each time I take the pack off.  This sometimes also happens for the attachments between the two sides of the frame.  Some system that is a bit more secure for holding these attachment points without adding complexity would be great.  I haven’t tried the mesh cover, but perhaps if it adds some comfort, it might be worth it.  I understand it may help prevent damage to some types of fleece and perhaps other fabrics that one might be wearing, which I have not tried with the frame.

In any case, I think it’s an interesting piece of equipment, and ups ventilation-related comfort substantially.