Hello BPL,
I’m a guide and longtime backpacker and climber. I’m a recreational UL backpacker but always had some kind of frame (even as minimal as rigid frame sheets). I’ve done a lot of frameless trips and have experience packing frameless bags, but usually I take the frame out of a pack and just make it work somehow, or just grin and bear it because I’m climbing and know the load will change once the gear is on my harness. I’m finally spending the time and money to explore a dedicated frameless pack for backpacking exclusively. My bw can range from 8-10lbs, could go a bit lighter for sure, but for 2-3 day trips I don’t expect the pack to be above 20lbs ever. I could post a lighterpack if folks want.
I have recently purchased a 2023 Superlight Kumo. I like the design overall. I’m wondering about frameless pack fit and torso length – both specific to the Kumo but also to other frameless packs in general. I have the medium size (19.5-21.5”+). My torso length is 19.5”. I use a large HMG SW comfortably and generally find larger packs work well for my body even though I am only 5’7”.
I find that the pack sometimes feels like it is pushing down on my tailbone/upper buttocks vs. Curving with my lumbar. It gives the impression of being a bit long for me. However, when I use the hipbelt, that issue goes away, as it seems to pull the pack into the shape of my back a bit. That said, I’d like to go no hipbelt for some trips and day hikes.
I’m wondering if this is a size issue – would the size small ride noticeably higher and therefore clear my lumbar? Or is this a packing issue? I have found that when the pack is loaded more loosely/carefully or less full, it is less rigid, and seems to curve better and avoid this pressure point a bit. That said, when I’m putting an overnight load with a few days of food, I wonder if it is possible to avoid the pack becoming fairly rigid. As a long time frame user (the only frameless packs I use are for climbing and they sometimes has a frame sheet at least), I am surprised at how rigid and “supportive” a frameless pack becomes when loaded up! This is cool, but also seems to contribute to some pressure points.
The other note is that the pad I use (or omit) in the external pad sleeve makes a difference. The stock sitlight pad is fairly comfortable in this regard, but does create the pressure point on my tailbone. Removing the sitlight reduces the pressure point, but decreases comfort a little bit. I also have a folded gg thinlight. The thinlight is less comfortable in a way, because it is a lot thicker than the sitlight and more square in how it protrudes from the pack. But, because it is multiple layers, with some shifting and squirming it around it can create a comfortable fit sometimes too, but it takes a bit more care/attention. Being thicker it makes the whole pack more rigid, which im not sure that I like! But I really like the functionality of the thinlight, so im tempted to carry it regardless. But I’d love to carry it in the pad sleeve, as that seems like the most elegant solution.
I’m curious if anyone has any tips or can point me to some threads explaining this. In general the Med Kumo feels like it is the correct fit for me. When tightened, the shoulder pockets are in the perfect place and the harness seems appropriate for my torso. The straps wrap nicely over my shoulders and connect feel good. The hipbelt connects correctly around the top of my iliac crest when in the lower of the two hipbelt positions. BUT, I understand that frameless packs fit differently and some (many?) prefer it to ride quite high up. One issue I see with that is that I can only just use the side pockets with the pack on currently – riding it much higher would make it tricky to reach water stored there.
My guess is that it is mostly a packing/experience issue, but I’m interested to hear if I simply have too long of a pack? I can take some pics with it if that will help.
