External Frame Backpack

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Nathan231

CGN Regular
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Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia
I'm looking for an external frame backpack. I'm mainly looking for a way to lug around apples rather than the old feed bag over the shoulder and to use on hikes for moose sheds in the spring. I can think of a hundred other uses I could use a pack frame for that would be easier than carrying stuff by hand.

I know these are considered "old school" now, but is anyone still running one or have any suggestions? I see there's a few on Amazon. I've been looking at the Allan one.
 
I Have a few 64 pattern frame. You could look for that or an alice. They’re decent with a light load. You should be able to find an older backpacking one at a thrift store or garage sale, if you can’t find a 64 or alice. Plastic external frames are also available

New and some old ones are available but some are not conducive to bush walking with a high bar over your shoulder height and large hip beltsIMG_8060.jpeg

Pretty sure it was warrior gear around petawawa that built the blaze orange bag for me.

There’s also a tradition of pounded brown/black ash pacs on the east coast (would be perfect for apples). Money thought to buy the real deal
 
64 pattern rucks are great if you can find one. I know CP Gear makes stuff for them, they might have frames. Check your local surplus stores too.

I got a nice older frame pack from my dad. Brand is long gone, but it still works great. I guess that's not much help hahaha.

new packs seem to be pretty expensive with all the fancy plastic. I'm sure they work just as good though.
 
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I have an eberlestock mainframe that is my favorite pack. It is smaller as external frame packs go, but I recommend it if it is big enough of a frame for you.

If you do go that way, get the tall version unless you are really short. I am 5'9" and can just use the regular size.
 
If you look around online surplus stores You can often find excellent serviceable us surplus Alice packs for around $75-$100.

For an extra $35-$50 u can often find MOLLE 2 waist belts and shoulder straps with load lifters and adapt them to the alice- this is a huge improvement allowing u to ruck comfortably with 50+ lbs.

There are several for sale right now on kijiji

I would stay away from the Chinese junk sold on Amazon and stick with us surplus.
 
External frame packs used to rule in North America, the maker names Kelty and Jan Sport come to mind, the fact that they virtually disappeared in the 1980s showed that people who wanted big packs really weren't using them to do much because while a frame pack might weigh as little as 2-3 pounds dry and empty, by comparison a large internal frame one would weigh enough to be a good fraction of a heavy load all by itself, dry and empty.
 
Nathan231 said:
I know these are considered "old school" now, but is anyone still running one or have any suggestions? I see there's a few on Amazon. I've been looking at the Allan one.
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Whats old is new again. A lot of companies make external frame packs these days, because hunters want 'em for packing game out.

One thing to consider if whether you require one with a load shelf on the pack or not. Not all frames have that feature.
 
gorby said:
I have an eberlestock mainframe that is my favorite pack. It is smaller as external frame packs go, but I recommend it if it is big enough of a frame for you.

If you do go that way, get the tall version unless you are really short. I am 5'9" and can just use the regular size.
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Agreed,
Best pack frame I have tried.
Ebby has their harness game dialed.
However, I have the Regular size and it fits me well although I have it maxed out for length adjustment.
I am 6'3".
 
Thunderhog said:
This pack has some very bad reviews......:(
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There are a bunch of options there... I have one and beat it up something awful in the mountains and bush, and it is still going strong... hauled a lot of game out in it. Just bought a new bag for it on sale for $60.
 
If it's just for hauling apples I have a frame designed to attach to a 50gal drum... I'd just about give it to you for the cost of shipping once the post is back up and running. It has shoulder and hip belt but it has a soft frame as it requires a bucket or drum to stay rigid.
 
Beeron said:
Agreed,
Best pack frame I have tried.
Ebby has their harness game dialed.
However, I have the Regular size and it fits me well although I have it maxed out for length adjustment.
I am 6'3".
Click to expand...

The challenge for me was getting the load lifter straps between the frame and the shoulder straps high enough above the shoulder so that they pull the load into the body and don't just hang on my shoulders.
 
hoytcanon said:
There are a bunch of options there... I have one and beat it up something awful in the mountains and bush, and it is still going strong... hauled a lot of game out in it. Just bought a new bag for it on sale for $60.
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Interesting, I'm glad to hear yours works well.

The review's stated the clips just slipped off once a load was applied to the pack.

Unfortunately my buggered back and neck don't allow me to carry much more than about 40 pounds these days. In the past I've carried packs so heavy that one could not even stand straight without tipping over. And you would need help putting it on!.....:) LOL

Probably one of the reasons I have a buggered back!.....:) LOL

I like to retrieve game where the Ranger 1500 XD can winch them into the box now.......:)
 
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