Here is a quick overview of packs. First off yes they still make frame packs and there are good reasons to use one. Don’t get caught up in the hype that internal packs (or packs with frames sewn into the back of the pack) are the best for everything. For very heavy loads on trails that are easy hiking you can’t beat a frame for putting the weight on your hips. Also for small children and youth that don’t have a lot of muscles mass in their upper body frame packs are the way to go. Youth frame packs by Kelty will expand and grow with your kids. So don’t let a sales person shrug off a frame pack. The reason is because they have probably never used a frame pack. Nothing carries a heavy load better if balance is not a big concern. Frame packs can sway and if you get off balance your pack will take you the rest of the way. Kelty and Camptrails make some great frame packs.

Internal frame packs are intended to fit snuggly to your back, which is great for balance and active movement when using skis, snow shoes, climbing or on rugged trails. When looking at an internal pack remember it is all about getting the frame to match the shape of your spine and to be stiff enough to transfer a full load to your hips as much as possible. Just because the way an internal pack fits you will feel more of the weight on your upper back and shoulders. Cheaper internal packs will lure you with lots of whistles and bells sewn to the bag of the pack. Remember that it is all about the fit and not the whistles and bells. My biggest complaint is that there are fewer and fewer shops that properly fit packs now days. Even the best pack improperly sized and adjusted will feel like crap. An experienced pack fitter will get the best fit possible from every pack. Different brands of packs will fit differently so if you are able to try on a couple different brands. Also if you are not a man between 5’ 8” and 6’ 2” and of average weight, a one size fits all pack may not work for you. Companies that offer sized packs and Women’s models (which make the pack narrower in the shoulders and wider in the hips and shorter in height) will offer a better fit. These packs usually offer longer and shorter shoulder straps to fit folks with huge shoulders or those with slight shoulders.  Again spend the money to get a good fit. If your feet and your back feels good your trip will great (even if it does snow or rain every day). Dana Designs, Granite Gear, Gregory are all hard to beat for fit.

The less frame in the pack the less ability the pack has to shift the weight to the hips. When you are looking at the ultralight packs they have little to no frames. So remember how you are planning on packing when you buy your pack. Ultralight is great, but if you don’t have all the gear to go with it don’t make the pack your first ultralight item. Make it your last item. Granite gear has some great compromise packs that have enough frame to offer support but are pretty light for us looking for lighten our loads. When the packs start getting pretty small, the belt that is on them is not to shift the load to the hips but to keep the pack tight to the body so it does not bounce when active. Those belts will go around the body at the waist and not at the hips so just because it has a belt does not mean it will carry the load on the hips.

There is so much more to finding a good pack. If you have specific questions use the forum and I will let you know what I think. But I have two things that I feel you should not scrimp on….. your pack and your boots. Trust me on this…..