The Advantages of an External Frame Backpack

Originally, most backpacks were external frame backpacks. These backpacks had a rigid aluminum or plastic frame that you could wear, and to which the backpack was attached. Over the years, internal frame backpacks, where the frame pieces are contained inside the pack, have grown in popularity. While they may be difficult to find, external frame backpacks have a few advantages that serious hikers should know.

  1. Weight

    • External frame backpacks do not conform to the contours of your back, unlike internal frames backpacks, which have a thick layer of padding between the pack and your back. This lack of padding does sacrifice some comfort, but it also makes the external frame pack slightly lighter than a similarly-sized internal frame pack. The difference isn't much, but after miles on your back, a lighter pack is desirable.

    Comfort

    • Since external frame backpacks don't have the padding between your back and the pack itself, they tend to sit about an inch off of your back. This allows air to circulate between your back and the backpack, and makes for a much cooler hiking experience. This benefit also helps prevent discomfort from sweating, depending on how easily you sweat or how hot the day of the hike.

    Free Standing

    • Many external frame backpacks have a frame lip on the bottom of the backpack, which allows you to rest the backpack on the ground without it falling over. This makes accessing the items in your backpack much easier, along with making it easier to pick your backpack up.

    Gear Attachment

    • The exposed frame on an external frame backpack give you a place to attach extra gear. While your sleeping bag, fishing pole or other odd-shaped gear may be difficult to attach to an internal frame backpack; with the external, it is as simple as tying the items to the frame.

    Weight Capacity

    • External frame backpacks tend to have a higher center of gravity, which means that you carry the load higher on your back. This makes the load a little harder to balance, which is a drawback to external frame backpacks, but it also makes it easier for you to carry very heavy loads over long distances, since the weight is better distributed across your body.