What's the difference...

“between an internal frame pack and an external frame?”

“man, i'm not sure if there's anyone on this forum that knows that...
ask Fridge, he's pretty much the Yoda master over all of us!”

“maybe its the same as between and "inny" and an "outy"”

“an internal frame pack has it's frame internal to the pack while an external frame pack's frame is on the outside.”

“Use has alot to do with it, internal is better for climbing, external is better for carrying payloads other than gear. As far as most of the backpackers needs really not a big deal. Just a better way of getting your money at the counter”

“Years ago, the internal frame packs had serious design problems and were not particularly useful imo.

Now I would be sorely tempted to get an internal when/if I buy a new pack”

“ok, seriously

external frame puts the load further away from your body which means it is cooler (on your back) and the frame is generally VERY rigid meaning it can support large loads easily. also, it is easy to strap things onto the frame (sleeping bags, tents, etc). they are heavier than internal frame packs. although you can carry a heavy load with it, the weight is further away from your body so it's more difficult to control for some people.

an internal frame pack holds the weight closer to your body. so it's "hotter" to wear (read sweaty back) but the weight is closer to your center of gravity so it's easier to balance out the load as you carry it. the frame, being internal to the pack, can't be used to strap things onto the pack, so you have to use loops and straps on the pack itself for this function. they tend to be lighter and less bulky than external frame packs.

net net:...

external frame: cooler, carries more weight, easy to strap things onto frame.

internal frame: better weight control, lighter, less bulky.

it seems everyone has an opinion on this... this would just be mine. i haven't used an external frame back since boy scouts... but i know people that still swear by them. it's really a matter of personal preference and style, like most other things with backpacking.

Oh, and there is a 3rd category... frameless. these packs carry less weight but are lighter still. most can use a sleeping pad to use as a frame of sorts.
last edited: 6/18/07 8:40:28 PM”

“The 'internal' is worn inside the body.
The 'external' is worn outside the body.”

“An internal frame will ride closer to the body than an external frame pack. As a result, it's easier to scramble and climb around with an internal frame pack. One drawback of an internal is that it makes it tougher to ventilate, and in hot weather you can get pretty sweaty between your back and the pack. One advantage, since the load is closer to your center of gravity, it places less stress on your back (IMHO). An external frame pack is generally considered able to carry larger payloads (heavier payloads) than an internal frame pack. I personally have a couple of each, and it depends on where I'm going and what I plan to be doing on which one I use.”

“I am with ramblin rev. My next pack will probably be an internal frame. I have used an external frame pack for 25 years (on my third or fourth now) but I am impressed with the continual progression of internal pack design.

For the most part, external frame packs haven't changed much in 25 years.”

“Internal Frame is good for smaller weekend or even week long ventures where you trek consists of largely casual hiking and you don't need to bring large things. Like everyone said, it rides much closer to your body, making it much easier to maneuver with it. This becomes really useful when you attempt to cross Class II and III trails, like here in the Northeast, where some slight scrambling might be required. Also, back ventilation systems for internal frame packs are continuing to improve every day, so I'm sure one could be found with a comfortable level of ventilation for you.

Conversely, external frame packs are usually used on longer expedition trip and/or winter trips when you need to bring a lot more things with you. Their main benefit is that they can carry a much heavier payload than an internal frame pack without causing you as much stress on your shoulders and back as a similar amount of weight would in an internal frame.

One of the things both internal and external frame packs have is the frame, whose job it is to basically channel the load of the pack to your waist instead of its entire load hanging off your shoulders. There's also a third type, which is frameless, but I'd only use those for super-light loads (less than 20 lbs, for example) since they lack that frame to channel the load to my waist. Trust me, you'd feel the difference after about 5 miles or so.

Bottom Line:

Internal: Easier manuvering for lighter (weekend and up to week-long in warmer weather) loads.

External: Better support for heavier loads when venturing out for longer amounts of time or in cold weather.

Frameless: Super-light backpack for the advanced ultralight hiker. If you have to ask, this pack is definitely not for you -- except maybe for day hikes.”

“I like the internal I have its a Gregory and SIR NIGAL encouraged me to get it. It works great.

As for the two.....the internal will travel better (it stuffs into trunks etc a lot easier).

Additionally most internals are BLACK HOLES one way in and out. But that is part of the weigh saving ideas.
I like the internal for the manuverability...but what everyone else has said here is true. I know another leader who will use only an external.

Check REI.com”

“The last external frame pack I had was a torture rack. I don't like the way they swing and

Never again!”

“Thriftydorkhiker uses a external ha ha!”

“External frames are silly looking. And everyone makes fun of you because you look cheap and live in the ghetto.”

“When critters chew openings in your black hole internal packs you are SOL. With an external, you can always lash you belongings onto the frame and at least make it out with you goodies.

All this assumes of course you are talking about a metal external frame. If you are looking at one of the plastic (nylon) frame POS externals save your money until you can afford some thing worth buying. You might as well hang thirty pounds on a corrugated cardboard box as use one of those things. Kelty should be ashamed to offer them, even through Walmart.
last edited: 6/19/07 1:27:02 PM”

“WOW....LASHING...>TORTURE RACKS....this is getting to be a pretty cool thread.....”

“When critters chew openings in your black hole internal packs you are SOL. With an external, you can always lash you belongings onto the frame and at least make it out with you goodies.

That's why anyone with half a brain keeps everything open. And if it's not a bear or mountain lion making a new opening them I'm thinking duct tape/repair patch might keep the guts in?”

“When it's 100*F, mostly flat walking with 20lbs of water in a desert- use a well fit exterior frame pack. I also have an attachment sun and rain roof that fits on the top of the vertical frame tops. For anything else they're worthless torture racks that only dolts and ...
last edited: 6/19/07 2:08:55 PM”

“For some years now everything goes in the pack except for the sandals which are hung by mini carabiners.

I do not lash anything on the outside and there is nothing to get knocked off or hang me up in narrow passages.

I use my 50 or 60 liter packs with the narrow Thermarest rolled to fit against the inside of the pack bag surrounding all the rest of the gear.

For cold weather I use my 70 or 100 liter packs which fit the 25 X 77 Thermarest in the same way inside.

The rain covers fit better with everything in the sack and it limits what I actually pack.
If it don't fit inside, it stays home.”