Internal Frame vs. External Frame Backpacks
Posted by The Backpacking Team in Backpacking Gear, Backpacks, Beginner Backpacking, Trekking Trips
Just like having proper fitting boots, buying the right backpack for your needs and body is vitally important for having a pleasant backpacking experience for many years to come. Each backpack has unique fit and features, so you will have to do some testing at your local gear store.
One of the major choices you will have to make is whether to buy an external or internal frame backpack. Most of what you will see on the shelf at your local outdoor gear store will be internal frame packs. They are more prevalent now because of their light weight, comfort and advanced features.
There are advantages and disadvantages for both internal frame and external frame packs, and we will explore them in this article. You can be sure that there are different opinions on what type of pack is the best…so you will have to read the information and make your own assessment.
External Frame Packs - Old School Practicality
External frame packs are easy to spot because they have metal or plastic frames on the outside of the pack. This was how backpacks were originally design and is somewhat a relic of the past. Imagine old boy scout outings from the ’50s and you get the picture. Your grandfather probably has one stashed in the attic.
External frame backpacks do have the advantage of being able to support lots of external things tied on to the frame. If you imagine attaching the kitchen sink to your pack, the external frame may be the answer. They are usually not quite as comfortable as internal frame packs, but are usually more indestructible.
If you need to carry odd-sized items that won’t easily fit into an internal frame pack compartment, the external frame might just be the ticket. For example, the porters we used in Peru carried full stoves and 5 gallon propane tanks using external frame packs. Those guys were so strong, I think they could have strapped me on the outside of their pack frames without wincing.
Internal Frame Packs - Sleek, Modern & Comfortable
Internal frame packs embed “stays” and other support structures inside the pack. This is the preferred way of designing high-tech packs today and provide the lightest support structures. When you go the the gear store, you will mostly see internal frame packs today.
Internal frame packs may use metal or plastic “stays” - which are just rods that form the backbone of the pack - or solid plastic sheets to form the entire support structure of the pack. The stays are usually sewn into the pack bag with high-strength threads. Both types of internal frame support work equally well, so you don’t have to chose a pack based on what type of internal structure they use.
When it comes to comfort, the internal frame packs are the winner, as they are designed to follow the natural contour of your back and for better weight distribution. I personally like the internal frame packs and cant imagine using an external frame backpack for any duration.
We are going to go into more details about the fine art of selecting the right backpack for your needs in upcoming posts, so stay tuned!
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