I cant decide between an SWD frameless 35 (with padded hip belt) and NUL Sundown.
I little background: three season base weight around 11 pounds (less in summer) and full weight out of town with 2 liters of water and four days food around 23-24 lbs. I will use this for 275 mile long trail later this yr and AT 2021.
Both are basically the same capacity (ie 50 liters) with SWD coming in at 18 oz and NUL at 26 ounces. Â I know the NUL has a full frame and would be my absolute first choice if it had load lifters; but since it doesn’t, I cant decide if I should go with the heavier framed pack or lighter frameless.
I’m concerned about lack of load lifters in both packs but want to try something new. Â To avoid what I know will come up; yes, I tried a SWD long haul and the fit wasn’t right for me. Â Also tried an HMG 2400 and felt it needed load lifters. Â I also had an MLD Burn and never liked the no HB frameless pack (too much shoulder strain for me). Â I wonder if the padded hip belt on the SWD would make a diff.
I’m probably answering my own question by saying I want load lifters and probably wont like either of these but wanted to get feedback hopefully from folks who switched from more traditional framed packs with load lifters to either of these types of packs.
Thanks

