Framed vs. Frameless Backpacks - A TRUE Comparison

Join Tayson from Outdoor Vitals as he explores the age-old debate: Frames vs. Frameless Packs. Discover the pros and cons of each and find out when to choose which pack style for your outdoor adventures. In this insightful video, Tayson shares his personal experiences and knowledge gained from a decade of backpacking, including helping design and sell both framed and frameless packs. He dives deep into the nuances of these packs, helping you make an informed choice for your own backpacking needs Join the discussion and share your thoughts in the comments section. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more informative content from Outdoor Vitals. See you on the trail! 🏞️🎒

Packs discussed:

#Backpacking #UltralightBackpacking #OutdoorVitals #FramesVsFramelessPacks

[TaysonWhittaker]

What do you prefer and why?

Let us know!

Packs discussed:

[keithmeyers]

At 63 yo, I grew up with framed, aluminum packs. I still have and use my old Jansport packs. Here in NW MT there is never a trip where you don't need warm gear. Maybe someday I will get a modern pack. Maybe. Been on three two-nighters this summer, pack weight ready to throw on my back has been just under 30 lbs. Good video, thank you.

[ROE]

👍 Good advice. I just bought a late 1960s Kelty external frame backpack. At 73 I don’t care if I go 1 mile or 10 miles as long as the scenery is beautiful. Living in the Southwest carrying sufficient water is crucial. Not wanting lug 50 lbs around I look at trimming weight in other areas. I still have one of the original Outdoor Vitals backpacks and enjoy using it.

[garylindenmuth]

Great video, I have a frame pack, I carry about 25 pounds and soon to be 70 planning on the AT as a turn 70

[danielcluley]

I will always use a hip-belt-frame backpack.

The whole form of walking is based on your hips. Transfer the weight to your hips and not your back, but keep the load light and close to your center of gravity.

[dirtycommtroop]

I prefer a framed pack as i like the rigidity. Frameless backpacks collapse on themselves. These modern framed packs are super lightweight anyway. I used to get a new pack ever year or so in search of the perfect one. Its been several years and i love my Gregory Zulu 35. Having pockets on the hip belt are a must for me.

[fero-outdoors]

I'm almost 50 y.o. and I must say that I am trying to combine both worlds: going as light as possible make me able to keep up with most of the younger guys around. Having a frame helps me feeling less the weight and the back pain, thus sleep better and be more energized in the morning.
As a side note: I took the shadowlight in the Italian alps last weekend and it performed greatly (also, I was the coolest kid on the block) !
ps. my base weight (with a shadowlight 48) is 8, 10 pounds: this way I can add luxuries like a chair or non dehidrated food and be way more comfy in the gr8 outdoor

[justjonoutdoors]

My base weight (with a Shadowlight 60) is 22.5 lbs and my 3-day trail weight is 36.3 lbs carrying 2.7 liters of water. I’ve pushed that pack to a 48 lb trail weight carrying a 9-day load and it handled it quite well (in fact, for one long water carry @ +3 liters over normal that trip I tipped it over 50 lbs).

[swnorcraft]

From an 'old was glad to hear you differentiate between an "external frame" and "frame pack". Otherwise, I had a question as to what you were referring. Everyone has their own ideas about what one should bring into the wild with them. That being said, here in the southwest, one would be hard pressed to go wrong with at least a good 40 liter lightweight frame pack. Thanks for your well.

[bihlygoat]

For me, frameless (or even poor framed) = sore shoulders every time. And my base weight is below 10 lbs. (I recently did a 2-day trip that required starting with 4.5L = 10 lbs of water and my starting pack weight with food+water was 22 lbs).
I think it’s just my anatomy - even carrying 700mL of water in a shoulder pocket causes me soreness! So of course HYOH.

[curtelverd]

I’ve got both so I’m prepared for any scenario!

[davids]

I'm in the 'crossover zone' of your formula - either framed or non-framed should be suitable in theory. Baseweight between 6kg and 7kg (depending on season), food 750g per day (2-4 day hikes), fuel 50g per day, water not carried much. My pack is a 50L framed pack weighing 1.1kg, and I have been exploring options to replace it with something around the 45L and 750g mark, but not at the expense of comfort or practicality. I've tried a frameless (GG G4-20) but returned it as soon as I tried it on - just not comfortable - of course it might have just been the wrong design or size for me. The problem with these products is that, because they're not made by the larger manufacturers (like Osprey for example), you can't go into a shop and 'try before you buy' - at least not here in the UK, so it's an expensive and lengthy mail order process and some makers don't even accept returns.

[kmenzel]

LOL, I'd been backpacking for ten years when I was 17... The question I have is "why" go ultralight/frameless in the first place? Because you are not strong enough to carry gear? Because you want to go fast, missing what there is to see, smell, and hear? Just, well, because you saw it on Instagram? There was a time when I was blessed with the legs and the opportunity to ride my bike up Independence Pass several times a summer. Zoom, zoom, zoom would go the cars as I savored the climb. The drivers would hop out at the top, snap a pic for social media, and jump back in the care to zoom, zoom, zoom to the next stop. Slow down and enjoy the views, carry the gear you need, weight on the hips, cut all the weight you can, but don't obsess about it because water, food, and warmth are more important than grams. Regardless of the weight or the pack, 5 miles at a slow hike/bike is better than 5 miles at a run/drive any day.

[jimzwynenburg]

Purchased a frameless pack a few months ago for 30 bucks, . Pack weight with food and water for 4
Days was 9.89 pounds. My lowest pack weight ever. A typical pack weight is 15 pounds. Early spring and fall weather the weight approaches 20 pounds.

[queennieniebob]

I can't wait to see a shadow light in the ultra or dynamo material. I love the pocket layout which I know defeats the purpose of having that single dyema pouch to put your stuff in. But dynamia Middle holding 45 l with four external mesh pockets and a big front mesh. One can dream

[adrielrowley]

Thank you for this video. So am I understanding correctly moving the weight higher on the torso puts more weight on the hips?

[psps]

Are you same guy from "BIGGEST Hydration Mistakes Backpackers Make!"?
Lookin' good, Bro :D

[RayHikes]

Good advice for people. I tried wwhat Tayson said and with 3 days of food and 2L of water my pack weight is 19.3, in a frameless pack. I wonder, does the hip belt do anything with a frameless pack?

[brycewalburn]

Have you guys done a hike with Steven yet? If not, you should!

[Nomad-XA]

I’m planning to do the pct but can’t decide if internal frame might serve me better then a frameless, I plan to do the whole trail hopefully