Flying with an External Frame Pack

“Im taking a trip in a couple weeks, meeting up with a few long lost buddies for a short trip. Problem is that I have a Kelty Sierra Crest backpack. Has anyone ever checked and external frame pack like that? Should I expect that my pack will get thrashed, and try to find a way to contain it? Or am I worrying about nothing?”

“mine was ok, it got inspected that was all”

“I would worry about the fraame breaking. I always packed my pack in a narrow box and then my equipment in a duffle bag. Both of them all taped up. Then I would mark the boxes, "Explosives" Ok , Ok, just kidding on the marking of the boxes. I am not kidding about boxing up you external. You don't want to take the chance of breakage.”

“You just sent it thru empty Im guessing? Not packed up, right?”

“Those are the lines I was thinking on Bigpoppa. Just wanted to see what other people have done.”

“Oh Thank God.

I thought you were going to attach wings to it and try to fly that way.


Carry on.”

“It was for the most part empty. Some soft stuff like clothes and whatever.”

“Flew with an external frame pack a few yers ago. To prevent it from getting damaged I made a plywood panel that I attached to the frame with U-clamps. Got it there and back on that trip and two others too.”

“I've been sorta wonderin the same thing for a trip i'm taking this summer. I like the boxed up pack idea.”

“I take my Kelty frame apart, and the pack and some gear in a big trunk-style suitcase. I always take really important gear in my carryon, (sleeping bag, tarp, and whatever else I can fit in) and wear my boots on the plane.”

“A couple years ago I just boxed the loaded pack, taped it up well and checked it. No problems.

Last time, I made an oversized duffle and stuffed everything in it. (My wife calls it the body bag.) It's a bit over-sized, but no problems.”

“Get one of those military duffels from your local army-navy shop. That's what I use for my packs.... it's cheap, durable, and nobody messes with army gear at the airport.”

“it's Bush's fault! !”

“agreed buddha. I've flown with packs before. Put everything in a duffle and make sure you don't have fuel bottles. You should be fine.”

“We flew to New Mexico to go to Philmont with external frame packs. We each had one or two duffle bags. One larger one with the empty pack frame and whatever else it would hold. The other had the rest of my stuff, if needed.

No fuel, of course.”