Looking at a new pack. Choices are many but at what weight point do people let go of the internal framed idea and go frameless?

Comfort level for me is around 8kg with a frameless pack.
I regularly carry 10 to 15 kg of veggies in one but that is a 2km trip from the market to my place and at over 10kg even that distance is not all that comfortable...
BTW at over 6-7 kg I find that the minimalistic hip belt works (ULA Amp)
So I rather carry 12kg with my framed Circuit than 11.3 kg in the Amp

Franco

I tested several frameless options, and found that for me, about 10kg total pack weight was the limit for comfort in a frameless pack. 8-9kg was much better. Other people can carry more, but I have bad shoulders and don't like weight on them.

Since my basic 3-season load with food and water is heavier than that, I prefer a lightweight pack with an internal frame. My current fave is the ULA Circuit.

Yeah I am aiming to buying the ULA circuit pack and at this point I've cut down from 15kg to mid 12kg. Not quite ready to make more cuts before I road test this weight level first. But even at 12kg or even 10kg I would still really want the waist straps I think.

The circuit is excellent at 25lbs (12kg). I need 15lbs or less to go frameless,

If I know I am going to be carrying more than 18 lbs or so, I carry my internal framed pack.

The only thing I am a little worried about the 40L main pack of the Circuit is that I am cutting down from 65L...I hope I fit. Though things like the water bottles and other stuff that can get wet can go in the outside pockets without a worry. One thing I am not clear on is has it got a flap-over-the-top storage part that doubles as a protection from water entering the main pack through the top opening?

Edited by rcaffin on 04/18/2012 15:48:36 MDT.

You could look at an Osprey Exos 46 or 58.
Still light and they have a small aluminium frame, decent hip belt.

I've had 15kgs in mine ?? (Exos 46, large) Much nicer sub 10kgs but it will handle the weight if required.
Not as light as others but a great compromise in my eyes.
The vented back is nice too.

You can take the lid off and trim the straps up etc. Mine lid-less comes in at about 915grams.

Mik
The Circuit is now on its 3rd (I think...) version.
I had version one and have the ...I think version 3 but now I remember that the side pockets have changed so the current one is probably v 4...
Anyway ,the last two have a roll top closure ,like a stuff sack.
It now comes with several accessories that you may not want so you can take the weight back to 1 kg or even less removing the u frame and the mid strut.
(I would leave the frame there...)
The side pockets can hold 1 2l bottle in each , often I have 2x 600ml or 2x 1.250 there.
The tent can fit in the front pocket or across the top.
(that is a LW tent...)
Franco

At that weight, you might not need an internal frame pack but a pack with a minimal frame would help a lot. Something like the ULA Ohm with removable stays, or pretty much anything made by ULA. It doesn't have a frame sheet or a bunch of padding or anything, but the stays will keep the pack rigid and put the weight on your hips.

Mik, the circuit is actually 47.5 liters with the extension collar, which would make the main compartment full.

Okay thanks for the info guys.

I must have been half switched off when looking at the Circuit on ULA's website as it was hard for me to understand where all the storage is on the pack. I see how it is now - 2600ci main body plus 600ci extension = 3200ci which is actually 52.something litres. That will do.

I really like the larger hip belt pockets which neither of my current packs have.

Edited by rcaffin on 04/18/2012 02:04:36 MDT.