Frameless Pack? Thoughts on TPW

Glad the frameless pack worked out. The padded hip belt makes a big difference – having one adds 5 extra pounds of carrying comfort IMHO, compared to a simple 3/4″ webbing hip belt. A padded hip belt is worth the extra 2 or 3 ounces of weight if you plan on carrying 20 lb loads often.

FRAMELESS PACKS!? Perish the thought! Will masochism never die?

But it is interesting reading these experiences.

To me the best “frameless” pack is (was) the Jensen pack using the two vertical main compartments “walled” inside with closed cell mattress halves that can be Velcroed together at night. Then you pack the vertical compartments as tightly as possible, cinching the tops closed. This will give you some load transfer to the hip belt.

It’s that concept “load transfer” (to the hips/legs) that is totally missing in frameless packs but it is what made the first Kelty pack frames so revolutionary. Yes, I get it – with 20 lbs. or less you supposedly don’t “need” a frame.

So now we “regress”. ;o) (Please, no brickbats. This is just a contrarian essay.)