A Super-Ultra-Light (SUL) frameless pack is fine for a couple of days in the summer when you can be sure it will stay fine and warm, but for many walkers SUL remains a distant goal. For walkers going on longer trips, or going up in the mountains where the weather is more variable and requires more gear for safety, a slightly larger pack is needed. As the load increases, the limitations of a frameless pack become apparent, and greater comfort can be had with a framed pack.
In this series of articles we survey internal frame packs suitable for those longer trips into more difficult climate and terrain. Not covered here are external frame packs or frameless packs. Our criteria for inclusion were a weight of under 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) and a volume generally in the 50 L to 75 L range. Both criteria were a little soft, allowing us to include packs which looked suitable despite being on the margins. The volume requirement became softer as we discovered that one firm's idea of a litre was not necessarily the same as another's!
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Introduction
- The Frame or Harness and Torso Length
- The Frame
- Back Padding
- Lumbar Pad
- Hip Belt
- Hip Belt Curvature
- Shoulder Straps
- Load Lifter Straps
- Correct Adjustment of Straps
- Sternum Strap
- Haulage Loop
# WORDS: 5860
# PHOTOS: 11
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Discussion
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Companion forum thread to:
Lightweight Internal Frame Packs: a State of the Market Report – Part 1B: Theory and Technology
Nick,
Are you considering replacing ALL of your other packs with one custom McHale? You're a pretty minimalist packer (water issues aside) if I remember, and I'm always interested in hearing others' anecdotes on the frameless vs. framed pack pendulum.
I've only taken one desert trip, but I quickly learned about a pack being in a state of constant flux. We did the Superstitions this past December and Arizona was pretty dry at the time–even for Arizona.
All I can add is that it' MUCH easier to see your feet with an Aarn than with a LuxuryLite. It's also much easier to scramble and boulder-hop. My only problem with Aarn is lack of hydration compatability/ports. Aarn packs feel great once you have them packed and adjusted right and actually have them on. There is a lot of stuff you can trim off an Aarn pack too, to make it lighter.
Travis,
I am thinking about getting rid of everything except the Murmur. Depending upon how things go with the LBP, that could possibly go too. Often trips with my Murmur are around 4lbs base weight with a little food and water, usually topping off at around 10lbs total. So a stripped down LBP would leave me with a total weight of 12lbs, and outstanding functionality and comfort. But I am not going to sell anything until I get it and test it. Dan is going on a vacation for a month, so I will have at least a couple months to play with the demo.
Good news is that last week was my wedding anniversary, and the wife said the presents were the best I have ever given her, so she could care less what a McHale costs :)
NM
Just not all that interested. I'm sure they're great, but if I'm carrying a sleeping pad anyway I may as well make it work for me.
David, I respectfully have to disagree with your statement on load lifters. All I know is that I am in agony if the shoulder straps are not pulled away from the tops of my shoulders! This is with 16-27 lbs. total pack weight. I can manage a day pack with a hoop frame and waist belt, but nothing more than 8-9 lbs. total.
Hi Mary
Odd , very odd. I am left wondering whether you have the torso length on your pack set far to short. Some side-on photos might be helpful.
Cheers
"So this week I will be ordering a McHale full Dyneema LBP, with several options to meet varying requirements."
I'd be jealous if I didn't already have a full Dyneema SuperSARC II. :)
A belated answer, Roger: it's my shoulders, not the pack. I have been fighting shoulder arthritis for almost 30 years. I did experiment with a number of shoulder strap adjustments (since mine is adjustable) when I first got the pack. The configuration I use is extremely comfortable for me, removes the shoulder pressure problem and basically puts all the weight on my hips. Your Part 1C article's picture of the load lifters shows mine at exactly the same angle as those of the GoLite pack on the left!
Hi Mary
> I have been fighting shoulder arthritis for almost 30 years.
Ah – that sort of thing is ALWAYS tricky. Very individual, depending on the injury. Well, good luck!
Cheers
I'm starting to remember the conversation in "Matrix" where they discuss how everything, "tastes like chicken." Here's what I mean; if it's comfortable for you (i.e. you have no discernible pain while hiking), and you can transport your kit from point a to b effectively, then you must be doing something right. The adage goes, "if it hurts, you're doing it wrong." You may not be at "maximum" comfort, but if you're not in pain, you don't have hot spots, or have some other, "I hate this pack because..", it's likely that you have a good fitting, functional piece of equipment. You may gain by going to something else, but you always have to compare the cost (I have no doubt you already know this).
NM
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