Lightweight Frameless Backpacks State of the Market Report 2011: Part 3 – Packs for UltraLight Backpacking

Ultralight backpacking is by far the most popular use of frameless backpacks. We provide specifications and ratings, and identify the standouts among 23 packs currently available. Overall, the majority of these packs really rock, but some meet user’s specific needs better than others.

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A lightweight frameless backpack is a core component of a lightweight backpacking kit, whether you choose to travel superultralight (SUL, base weight less than 5 pounds/2.3 kg), ultralight (UL, base weight less than 10 pounds/4.5 kg), or lightweight (LW, base weight less than 20 pounds/9.1 kg). The base weight is everything but consumables (food, water, and fuel). Pack total weight with consumables for SUL backpacking should normally be less than 12 pounds (5.4 kg), less than 20 pounds (9.1 kg) for UL backpacking, and less than 30 pounds (13.6 kg) for LW backpacking. It's best to keep weight under these limits if you expect to comfortably carry a frameless backpack.

To carry a light load, all you need is a light pack, so a frameless backpack is the pack of choice for enlightened backpackers. Frameless backpacks have become very sophisticated and do their job well. However there is a great diversity of users, backpacking conditions, and specific needs and preferences. To accommodate such diversity, manufacturers offer frameless backpacks with a wide range of volumes, weights, features, and load hauling capability. To cover the range of packs and uses, we divide the topic into five articles as follows:

Lightweight Frameless Backpacks State of the Market Report 2011: Part 1 – Overview and Pack Selection We focus on the fundamentals of selecting and properly using a frameless backpack, and provide specifications for all packs included.
Lightweight Frameless Backpacks State of the Market Report 2011: Part 2A – Technical Evaluation – Measurement of Pack Volume and Volume Reduction Capability Reports our measurements to determine actual pack volume and the extent pack volume can be reduce to accommodate smaller loads.
Lightweight Frameless Backpacks State of the Market Report 2011: Part 2B – Technical Evaluation – Measurement of Pack Load Carrying Capacity Reports our pack torso collapse measurements using different pack loads to determine the comfortable load carrying capacity.
Lightweight Frameless Backpacks State of the Market Report 2011: Part 3 – Packs for Ultralight Backpacking (this article) We provide specifications for smaller and midsize frameless backpacks popular for ultralight backpacking, rate them according to relevant criteria, and identify the standouts for different situations and needs.
Lightweight Frameless Backpacks State of the Market Report 2011: Part 4 – Packs for Lightweight Backpacking and Load Hauling (coming soon) We provide specifications for larger volume frameless backpacks popular for lightweight backpacking, rate them according to relevant criteria, and identify the standouts for different situations and needs.

ARTICLE OUTLINE

Overview - Frameless Backpacks State of the Market Report 2011
Introduction to Part 3: Frameless Backpacks for Ultralight Backpacking
Trends
Selection Criteria
Specifications -Packs for Ultralight Backpacking
Evaluation Criteria
Ratings - Packs for Ultralight Backpacking
- Standouts
- Standouts Based on Different Situations and Needs
Backpacking Light Ratings
Overview of Individual Packs
Preview to Part 4

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# PHOTOS: 20

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Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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Jul 12, 2011 at 1:31 pm #1276624

Addie Bedford
BPL Member

@addiebedford
Locale: Montana

Companion forum thread to:

Lightweight Frameless Backpacks State of the Market Report 2011: Part 3 – Packs for Ultralight Backpacking

Nov 11, 2011 at 1:49 am #1800688

Brian Russo
Member

@bigbluehi

I purchased the GG Gorilla based heavily off this review and other research but am planning to return it,

Overall it seems great, but the shoulder straps are incredibly flawed and uncomfortable. They literally cut into your neck. They are far too wide, lack a J shape that pulls them out to the sides around the neck, and the Velcro is on the inside (inexplicably) and extremely abrasive. Maybe they work well for individuals with extremely thin necks, but for people such as myself with broad shoulders and necks I recommend you look elsewhere.

Other minor criticism is the stays should connect to the hip pack. Puzzling design decision since the stays reach right next to the hip pack and a simple pocket is all that is needed to pass some load to the hip strap.

Very unfortunate because otherwise it is a great pack. Very impressed by the quality of construction, but an uncomfortable pack is just useless.

Nov 11, 2011 at 8:15 am #1800754

James holden
BPL Member

@bearbreeder-2

i think that many people here purchase packs based more on reviews and other peoples recommendation … you arent the first i believe to have this issue

the most important thing is to have a pack that fits well … weight, price, and features are secondary …

best of luck in yr search for a new pack

Nov 11, 2011 at 8:28 am #1800759

Joe Clement
BPL Member

@skinewmexico
Locale: Southwest

I thought narrower straps were an option on the Gorilla now.

Jan 10, 2012 at 12:50 pm #1822759

T N
BPL Member

@tordnado
Locale: Europe

I believe I read somewhere in the SoM that some of the backpacks had an extra long pack torso length, since I´m tall it is an important factor to me but I cant find the info again. Im not talking about S,M,L but the actual length. Anyone remembers where it was?
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