Are external-frame packs yesterday's gear?

You Are Here:

Home >> Gear >> Are external-frame packs yesterday's gear?

View the entire 300-plus collection of must-have gear items tailor-made for your adventurous lifestyle. PLUS: A special section on womens gear.

Today's Question
How long should I hang on to my sleeping bag? answer

Which light-weight gear will work best on the Appalachian Trail? answer

Today's Question
What is the best pair of yoga pants? answer

Is a women's bike frame always the best fit? answer

Skin Care

Gear Upgrade

Make a Ski Sling

Online Favorites

Special Issues

Photo Galleries

September 04, 2003

Are external-frame packs yesterday's gear?

For multi-day trips to the Sierras, I've been using an REI Wonderland external-frame pack, 5,000 cubic inches of cavernous, organized, old-school pack. Everybody I see these days, though, has internal-frame packs that look so comfortable (maybe they're fooling me). Am I still living in the '80s with my Wonderland? Is it time for an internal-frame pack? If so, any suggestions?

— Alex
Chino Hills, California

Got your own gear question?

Express yourself in the Gear Forum

Wow, I can't even REMEMBER the Wonderland, so that must be an oldy-but-goody. Really, in a lot of ways, internal-frame packs were, and are, great. They're effective at distributing loads, keep your back cool, and are usually easier to pack than internal-frame models. But, external-frame technology sort of ossified with the rise of their internal-frame brethren, and it was soon supplanted by the upstarts' better design and quality. Generally speaking, I've long preferred internal-frame packs, and have used a Dana Terraplane ($400 these days; www.danadesign.com) for years without complaint.

Four or five years ago, Dana Design tried to revive the external-frame concept with its Longbed and related packs. This retrofit incorporated flexible rods into the external frame, for a pack that was less rigid than other models. I thought it fabulous, as did a lot of other folks. Alas, Dana discontinued these packs last year. I picked up a Dana Terraframe—a Longbed frame with a Terraplane pack—for $99 from Northern Mountain Supply. Lugged it up Mount Rainier in July and loved it. For the first time in years, my fractured collarbone didn't ache from a pack load.

Still, with technology marching forward, you might take a look at one of several new packs. In the external-frame category, Kelty makes an updated classic called the 50th Anniversary Pack ($240; www.kelty.com), extremely highly rated by reviewers. In internal-frame packs, Gregory's Shasta ($249; www.gregorypacks.com) is a classic pack, really well designed, comfortable, and big. And of course, the Terraplane remains a superb pack if I'm going to play favorites.

RECENT QUESTIONS

How long should I hang on to my sleeping bag?

Which light-weight gear will work best on the Appalachian Trail?

Is there a shoe that acts like a light-hiker shoe but looks at home in the office?

Can you help me lighten my backpacking load?

Which shell will keep me dry and warm, without overheating, for winter running?

GEAR GUY FEATURES

Check out the bio of Douglas Gantenbein, aka the Gear Guy.

Readers' Mailbag: The Gear Guy digs into some of your more bizarre, obscure (and let�s face it, downright weird) posts from years gone by to see if he can make sense of it all, or if it�s just time to run up the white flag. Previous column: Beat the Cost of Gear.

The Gear Guy reports from the 2005 Outdoor Retailer summer trade fair, with his rundown of ten products to watch in 2006, plus the inside scoop on what shook down at the bi-annual gearapalooza.

MORE GEAR

The Outside Gear Blog

2005 Buyer's Guide

State of the Art: 2005 Bikes

Many of the items reviewed by the Gear Guy can be found at REI.com. Click here to find the internet's biggest selection of outdoor gear and apparel.

TODAY'S NEWS UPDATE!
America's Best Races: Vote Now!
Outside is looking for America's Best Races, and we want your input. This survey has only two ...