Episode 107 | Backpack Ventilation with Vaucluse

The thing that surprises me is that something like the Vaucluse frame is necessary. It boggles my mind that packs that press a waterproof layer against your back ever became popular at all.

It isn’t about sweat — it’s about dumping the heat generated by backpacking.

One of the evolutionary adaptations that allow humans to walk/run farther than most other animals is our hairless backs. They are a big part of the cooling that makes it possible for us to travel so far in a day.

We have had so many discussions about why ponchos are more comfortable than rain jackets above 40-50F (5-10C) because ponchos don’t press press a waterproof layer against your back. Why spoil that with a backpack that does the same?

BTW, I really like the optional mesh sleeve that covers the Vaucluse frame. It improves comfort and decreases snagging on expensive UL fabrics (such as Echo or Alpha Direct).

^ That.  Love my Arc Haul.

Its the same with my HMG. My back doesn’t get hot or sweaty. I don’t want the weight any further from my back as I feel this product may do. I may love it if I tried it, but I really have no incentive to try it.

<p style=”text-align: center;”>I have tried the Vaucluse ventilation frame with my Kakwa 55, and it makes a big difference in the amount of sweat that you feel and that gets soaked into your shirt.  With it, I don’t get those sweat stains on the back of my shirt the way I usually do.  It feels different on the back, partly because of the egg-crate pattern, but definitely because of the ventilation, not building up sweat, and ability to dump heat from your back while walking.  I feel the backpack carries similarly to when the ventilation frame is not attached.  I don’t notice it being far away from my back, affecting its center of gravity – something I do notice when hiking with loosened shoulder straps to try to achieve (temporarily) a similar ventilation effect.</p>
There are some things I have noticed. The way in which the shoulder “loops” attach can come loose.  I find I’m checking that each time I take the pack off.  This sometimes also happens for the attachments between the two sides of the frame.  Some system that is a bit more secure for holding these attachment points without adding complexity would be great.  I haven’t tried the mesh cover, but perhaps if it adds some comfort, it might be worth it.  I understand it may help prevent damage to some types of fleece and perhaps other fabrics that one might be wearing, which I have not tried with the frame.

In any case, I think it’s an interesting piece of equipment, and ups ventilation-related comfort substantially.