For some people, the type of backpack they lug around with them is important and others just do not mind at all. Still, while you can carry your bag around, there are advantages and disadvantages as to which knapsack to own. Therefore, you need to take a number of different things into consideration before deciding which rucksack is best for you and one way to do so is to look at the outcome after you compare the differences between an internal vs. external frame backpack.
What Is an Internal Frame Pack?
Internal frame backpacks are the ones that closely fit your back. Although these packs might have their various advantages and disadvantages, they seem to go more with the crowd. The frame that the pack carries is hidden and strategically placed inside the design of the bag. Examples of internal frame packs are the Teton Sports Explorer 4000 and Wasing 65 L.
Teton Sports Explorer 4000
Wasing 65 L
Advantages of Internal Frame Pack
- Great Mobility: This type of frame pack allows you greater mobility over the external type because it conforms to your torso length better. Since the frame seems to cling to your body, you can move around better on your hiking expedition. In fact, this type of rucksack will bend according to the movement of your body.
- Slim Bodied: Unlike the external version, this travel bag is slimmer and thus easier to handle. With this slimness involved, you have more room to maneuver and take on your hiking trail better.
- Easy to Adjust Shoulder Straps and Hip Belt: Since the shoulder straps are so easy to adjust, the pack can fit any height and size person. Therefore, if you should do a changeover of the bag from someone bigger to someone smaller on the hiking trail, all you have to do is just adjust the straps and you, as well as your traveling companion are good for the road.
- Compatibility: Your internal frame is so compatible that you can take it anywhere you want to go. It can easily sit on the seat or lie in the back of a vehicle.
Disadvantages of Internal Frame Pack
- Single Room Space: One of the biggest disadvantages to owning an internal type knapsack is that you have only one large compartment in it to store your items. Unlike other sacks competing on the market that have various compartments in and outside of them that can store your different wares, internal type sacks does not afford you that luxury. Instead, you can only store your items all in one place and reaching for a particular item can become confusing at times because you might grab the wrong artifact.
- Not Good for Carrying Heavy Loads: Since the bag clings to your body, it becomes difficult to carrying it around on your back when packed to capacity. In fact, if you should go hiking on a fully packed bag, you might realize your mistake after a few hours of strutting up and down with it, meaning that in just a short while your back and arm pits will begin to ache.
- Not Great for Attaching External Gear: Most other backpacks carry external attachment capabilities so you can bring along certain gear that you might not be able to store on the inside. However, internal frame pack has no such attachments on it. All it has is its wide open space on the inside of it and so you may have to leave some of your hiking gears behind when you take on the great outdoors.
- Your Back Can Become Sweaty: Since this type of product fits closer to your back, there is a good chance that after a while on the trail your back can start oozing sweat. The external version takes longer to encourage sweatiness and this type of bag will stop your body from picking up to much heat quickly.
What Is an External Frame Pack?
External frame packs differ from that of internal in that the frame is made in an external position from the bag itself. The frame consists of a strapped backpack that sits a bit further away from your torso so you can ventilate more easily unlike the internal ones that stay closer to your body. Both Tofine Waterproof and Alps Mountaineering Zion are examples of external frame packs.
Tofine Waterproof
Alps Mountaineering Zion
Advantages of External Frame Pack
- Increased Ventilation: Since the bag sits a bit further away from your body, the ventilation process to your body works better.
- Load Carrying Is Better: The main weight of the knapsack is placed at a higher upward level and this puts you in a better position to manage the load with your back. Not only will the load it carries be more manageable, but it also places you in a better walking position as well.
- More Affordable: These types of backpacks are more affordable than the internal ones are. Buying one of them will, therefore, place your wallet under less stress.
- Easy Gear Attachments: Unlike the internal bag that makes it difficult to strap on some gear on the outside of it, the external pack is so properly built that you can easily strap on additional gear you might think you may need while hiking in the wild.
- They Come with Side Pockets: The internal bag carries no side pocket to store smaller items such as keys, phones and so on. However, your external bag pack has pocket attachments so you can place smaller items in them for easy reach.
Disadvantages of External Frame Packs
- Non-Adjustable Straps: The straps on the external carrier are non-adjustable. This makes it impossible for some people to carry because of their height and size.
- Bigger Size: External bags are bigger and bulkier than their counterpart internal bags. Since their size is larger, they are more difficult to carry around and therefore sometimes pose a problem with how fast you move from one location to the next.
Conclusion
Being knowledgeable about internal and external frame packs will put you one step closer to owning a backpack that suits your every need well. Your traveling time and hiking sessions will be more enjoyable and you can show off your backpack to the world as well.
