In the backpacking community, there is some debate about the benefits of an internal frame backpack versus their external frame counterparts. What is Hiking Lady’s take on the matter? Internal frame backpacks are far better, and that is what you should be using.
The Basics: What’s the Difference Between Internal and External Frame Backpacks?
External frame backpacks are the historical go to backpack for carrying heavy loads. If you look at old military photos (ie, the U.S. Civil War) the soliders wore external frame packs. The pack is constructed with a frame made of aluminum or metal tube with a sack that is attached.
An internal frame backpack has only been around since 1967, when it was invented by Greg Lowe (he’s famous in the hiking community for founding the company Lowepro). The supportive frame made of plastic or metal is integrated into the fabric. If you head to your local outdoors store, all of the packs are likely to be internal frame backpacks.
Why Internal Frame Backpacks Are Superior:
- An internal frame backpack will distribute your load better. They fit more snugly to your body, so it moves with you as you hike up hills and over rocks.
- The only real benefit to external frame backpacks are that they are “cooler” – meaning that your back tends to sweat less when your lugging your gear. However, many of the new designs, including my Gregory Deva 60 backpack, are designed to help boost airflow.
What do the backpackers using external frame packs have to say? Share your views in the comments below!
Check out Backpacks 101 to learn more about various pack styles!
Wow, so you intend to hike the world? I know that the explorer Helen Thayer who has skied to the magnetic north pole and walked across the Gobi desert swears by Cordura fabrics, which are used in some outdoor apparel items and gear. Osprey uses some Cordura fabrics, so you may want to consider that brand for your backpack choice. Good luck with wherever your adventures may take you!
In the 70’s i backpacked the andies and the amazon with an external frame. I am thinking about packing, starting next summer or fall from virginia to one of the western north/south trails; take that to alaska, cross the straights during winter, pass over china and russia to eastern eruope, then down in to africa via the middle east. ship to argentina & then hike the andies again back to the US. any suggestions on a good pack that can handle the distance and the required gear for the different regions? My past years training has been to keep to the wilderness and feed myself from the aboundance of that which it offers up. The primative and habitual living off the wilderness has proved not to be the big issue, the problems i find are the cheap matterials things are made of these days can’t hold up the time distance when i carry the weight of living (and hunting) gear at the same time for long periods.
I have a friend who did an ultralight hike of the John Muir Trail – he pretty much fast hiked/jogged it in 7 days, and only had a 10 pound pack! That wouldn’t leave me any time to take pictures.
Those ultralighters must be crazy or they aren’t going very far or long. Personally I’m like you, I like to be prepared for anything.
That’s right, ultralight packs (designed specifically for people who do what is called ultralight backpacking), don’t have an internal or external frame. The ultralight movement is definitely catching on, but it requires lots of preparation. Personally I prefer having my tent, sleeping back, and fresh socks with me! And hiking boots (to boot!) haha. I’ve heard of ultralighters hiking in running shoes, sleeping outdoors, and not even bringing a water filter or SteriPEN.
Aren’t all ultralight packs frameless?
My father used an external frame backpack for years and still swears by it. They tend to be a little cheaper than internal frame packs. I personally use an Osprey internal frame backpack and love it. Great ventilation too.