markskor
Trail Wise!
Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
Posts: 651
|
Post by markskor on Feb 8, 2017 13:05:40 GMT -8
Carried that powder-blue (ghastly shade but my UCLA colors then) Tioga thousands of miles - at one time, state of the hiking art...once. If you like yours, suggest wearing it proudly, just the way it is. Old School! BTW, gave mine up because I couldn't handle the constant squeaking anymore.
|
|
|
Post by Louisiana Hiker on Feb 8, 2017 22:52:29 GMT -8
markskor I love that squeaking sound. Though maybe my mind will change about that in coming months/years. Ed crawford I didn't know about that. If I get the job I going to have to look into that a bit. I love hiking and camping but some times price tags can be a little big. If I can get a little trimmed off , I be one happy dude. -Louisiana Hiker
|
|
kenv
Trail Wise!
Posts: 974
|
Post by kenv on Feb 9, 2017 5:17:52 GMT -8
I'll echo the advice of many here. If you like your pack and it works for you, keep using it. And if you intend to keep backpacking for many more years, I'd recommend you buy a new version now before they stop making them. My favorite pack is still my 25+ year old Jansport external frame. And it's lighter than about 90% of internal frame packs. It's starting to show its age and I've had to do some repairs. I'd love to replace it with a new version of the same pack, but sadly, Jansport just stopped making external frame packs and now I cannot replace it. Sigh.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 10:42:58 GMT -8
Jansport has a lifetime warranty.
I have a Jansport day pack (Super Sack), and they replaced a zipper on my ~30 year old pack for free. Very pleased with the result.
|
|
RumiDude
Trail Wise!
Marmota olympus
Posts: 2,361
|
Post by RumiDude on Feb 12, 2017 2:36:03 GMT -8
Internal frames make more sense if you are an off trail hiker, like me. I cannot imagine how much more difficult it would be to navigate talus or fit between some of the boulders with an external frame. I know several people who have gear that would fit in a 45 L pack, but continue to use the old external frame - they put everything inside the pack bag. It comes in handy for trail crew, being able to strap extra junk on the frame where the sleeping bag used to ride. And they are still quite popular with hunters, to strap dressed-out game on. +1 On most trails, especially in the SW, an external frame is just fine. You can continue to use yours and stave off pulling the trigger on a new pack till later. As you are still relatively young, you have time to discover what your life interests are going to lead you into. Buying a new pack can be a significant investment. You may discover surfing or something and decide to travel the world searching for the perfect wave and leave your backpacking behind. So make do with what you have until you are sure you are going to continue to backpack. But that aside, seriously consider an internal frame pack if you upgrade. Scrambling around on steep terrain or travel off-trail is no place for an external frame. Here in the PNW where climbing over/around/through blowdown is a year-round trail reality, external frames are a PITA. Rumi
|
|
|
Post by dirthurts on Feb 12, 2017 5:25:31 GMT -8
I'm going to go with the minority here and say consider an upgrade. External frame packs are going away for a reason. Internal frames are significantly lighter, in many situations more comfortable, and provide a much better center of gravity. Where external packs sit away from your body, they result in some instability, plus the bulk gets in the way any time one need to scramble over rocks, squeeze through narrow sections, or even just dodging dangling branches. Internal frame technology has come a very, very long way and honestly, the reasons to find a suitable upgrade far outweigh keeping an older pack (except as a display) in my mind. Just don't go with an ultra-light internal frame and you'll find they really suite the body in a more natural way.
|
|
|
Post by Louisiana Hiker on Feb 12, 2017 17:50:03 GMT -8
Internal frame technology has come a very, very long way and honestly, the reasons to find a suitable upgrade far outweigh keeping an older pack (except as a display) in my mind. Just don't go with an ultra-light internal frame and you'll find they really suite the body in a more natural way. I have tried on a few internals and I never have like the way they fit. I just feel that they are way to close to me and are I guess hugging me. Some may fine that more natural but I don't. I think I will be using an external longer then most will. Plus it be a good talking point on the trail. After all, what is a better display location then on the trail still doing its job lol
|
|
texasbb
Trail Wise!
Hates chicken
Posts: 1,223
|
Post by texasbb on Feb 12, 2017 18:44:24 GMT -8
I have tried on a few internals and I never have like the way they fit. I just feel that they are way to close to me and are I guess hugging me. Some may fine that more natural but I don't. I think I will be using an external longer then most will. Plus it be a good talking point on the trail. After all, what is a better display location then on the trail still doing its job lol To each his own. Never sacrifice fit for...anything. That said, it's really hard to judge something by just trying it on. What I like about internal frames (most of them anyway) is that because they do hug my back, there is friction all the way up and down the pack that helps hold it from sliding down over the course of a long day and shifting weight to my shoulders. Most external frames (and some internal frames) only seem to touch my back in a couple of places--hence the famed better ventilation--but that just creates pressure points and requires the hip belt to be cinched tighter.
|
|
|
Post by Louisiana Hiker on Feb 12, 2017 19:25:21 GMT -8
texasbb I do have to agree with you on the hip belt. I have noticed that I have to go a little tight on my belt. But I can live with that in the long run. I know they rent packs up at Philmont and I believe they are all internal. I may rent one and try it out for a bit on actual trails to really nail down my opinions on the whole external/internal subject. Who knows maybe my views might shift. But I believe their will always be a place in my heart for my Kelty .
|
|
|
Post by rwtb123 on Feb 13, 2017 10:48:29 GMT -8
It sounds like you're done just don't expect a lot of internet creed points, though I will give you a few for sticking to your guns...
I used a Kelty through the 90's and occasionally last decade when I needed to carry massive amounts of water.For most of my exploring of the Everglades I used a youth Jansport from the 70s as an "ultralight" external frame that allowed me the flexibility to do long multisport trips into the everglades and beyond or long day hikes into the everglades and/or along sidewalks to pick up groceries.I loved that pack and it was perfect for what I did to the point I resewed every seam multiple times until it finally totally fell apart beyond repair.
Today,for more conventional dayhikes I use an internal frame/frameless pack and when I start doing more conventional overnight trips I will likely purchase something similar.
The point is use what you have and like now and continue to assess what may or may not be better for what you do.Or,in other words exactly the path you are taking...
|
|
RumiDude
Trail Wise!
Marmota olympus
Posts: 2,361
|
Post by RumiDude on Feb 13, 2017 15:26:09 GMT -8
I may rent one and try it out for a bit on actual trails to really nail down my opinions on the whole external/internal subject. Not being familiar with the trails at Philmont, it may be advisable to test an internal frame pack on trails and off-trail, where it's design is better suited so as to give you a perspective on the differences between external and internal frames. External frame packs carry the weight higher. The advantage of this is being able to walk more upright carrying the load on trails. The disadvantage is it is more difficult when you can't remain in an upright stance. The higher weight wants to pull you over. This is the situation much of the time off-trail and scrambling peaks and such. It also pertains to climbing over, under, around, and through blow-down. The frame also has a tendency to catch on limbs and brush in these situations. And these are the situations which the internal frame pack is a much better choice than an external. Internals carry the weight lower, nearer the body's center of gravity, so moving around is more natural than with an external frame. They carry the weight closer to the back as well, limiting sway and such. I owned five external frame packs and they were great. But once I bought an internal I just never took the externals out because it was that much better. A few years ago I sold off my last external, a Kelty Super Tioga. And to be honest, I don't carry big heavy loads which an external frame pack might have advantages, even when I go on a week long trail work party carrying all my gear, food, and trail work tools. But external frames have been to the top of Everest, so it is possible to make do with them. Anyway, just be aware it isn't just marketing and availability which makes internal frame packs the overwhelming choice today. Rumi
|
|
almostthere
Trail Wise!
putting on my hiking shoes....
Posts: 696
|
Post by almostthere on Feb 13, 2017 20:51:34 GMT -8
The real issue is that an internal frame pack is like clothing. If the ones you tried on were uncomfortable they were the wrong style, the wrong size, or both. Measurement for pack size will be the distance between the iliac crest and the seventh cervical vertebrae. Then there is the matter of the frame - some people do really well with, for example, the Osprey "ultralight" packs. Others cannot wear them without pain. Trying on different brands in the correct size is necessary. I prefer a pack that contours to the back and places the weight on the middle of the lower back, rather than directly on points on the hips as the Osprey packs did. But that is my back. Many people, particularly men, find Osprey Exos, etc. quite comfortable. Just like I prefer pants to compression shorts, tights, etc. Everyone has a preference. You just haven't found your preferred internal frame yet. Otherwise you would be fine with one.
|
|