Types of Packs

The Art of Choosing a Backpack: A Five Part Series
By Don Miller

Part One: Types of Packs

If you have never been backpack shopping or you have not been for a number of years, you are in for a surprise. Backpacks are available in a wide array of sizes, shapes, styles and prices. Fortunately, stores like REI have experienced salespeople who have backpacked for years. They will assist you in determining what product satisfies your needs as well as helping you obtain the proper fit. I want to thank Mr. Steve Cruser from the REI store on Westheimer in Houston for providing information for this article.

There are basically two types of backpacks.

External Frame
Internal Frame

External frames connect the backpack to a rigid frame often made of aluminum tubes. The pack is held away from your body and most of the weight is supported by your hips. Externals ruled the backpacking world until internal packs began appearing around 30 years ago. There are some advantages to the external frame:

They are cooler because the backpack is off of your body and therefore air can circulate better.
They are easier to pack. They often have a couple of main compartments with several smaller side pockets. It is easier to find your stuff.
Heavier items will not sag as much.
They generally cost less than internal frames.

The disadvantages are:

It is a little more difficult to maneuver because it is slightly wider, rigid and your center of gravity is different.
It is more difficult to transport and store.

Internal frame backpacks have a narrow, tower-like profile and the framework is inside the pack behind the shoulder straps. Due to its design, most users probably never give a thought to the fact there even is a framework. The weight distribution is shared by the hips, back and shoulders. There are several advantages to an internal frame pack:

Flexibility. This style is stiff but not rigid. It allows for a better fit. Most important to us is the ability to transport and store the pack.
You get better balance because the internal hugs your body. You have a better center of gravity.
There is greater stability from all the straps to tighten your load.
Maneuverability is better because the pack is narrower and that gives you the ability to move your arms more freely. It also allows you to move through crowds or any tight environment more easily.
It is more adjustable.

The disadvantages are as follows:

Internal packs usually cost more.
Because they do provide a snugger fit, they may be hotter.
The Black Hole. They generally do not have as many compartments as an external. Some only load from the top which means it is difficult if not impossible to locate your belongings at the bottom of your pack without completely unloading it. This can be a major problem and our recommendation should you choose an internal pack is to purchase one that can also be accessed from the side.

There is a hybrid pack that Mr. Cruser called a travel pack. It is similar to an internal except it has wheels and a handle so it can be pulled similar to a suitcase. The big advantage is the versatility of not always having to carry your bag on your back.
The disadvantages are:

Higher cost.
It may be slightly heavier.
Depending on how you travel or the type trip you are taking, there may not be many circumstances where you would choose to roll your bag.

Your selection of a backpack will depend largely on how you travel, how frequently you change locations and your personal preferences. Many scouts seem to prefer the external frame backpacks. From our family travel experiences in Europe and Belize, I do not recall ever seeing an external frame. Internals are apparently the overall favorite because at the REI store there were only two external frames on display. In contrast, there were probably 200 internal frame packs. Live Life Travel recommends the internal frame backpack that can be loaded from the side as well as the top of the pack. That eliminates the major disadvantage of the Black Hole. We also like the comfort, fit and flexibility. There have been times when we have had to walk a long way so comfort and fit are of primary importance. Equally significant, however, is flexibility. Quite frequently, you need to stuff your backpack in lockers at train stations, in overhead compartments, in the trunk of a car, in sleeper cars on trains as well as under your bed in a hostel. That would be very difficult with an external frame.

The next couple of issues, we will discuss how to fit and pack a backpack. We will conclude with a specific recommendation of an internal frame pack we purchased, have used and feel it fulfills our traveling requirements quite well.

Part Two: Why a Backpack?

Part Three: Fitting a Backpack

Part Four: Packing a Backpack

Part Five: Personal Recommendation