Lightweight Backpacks For You
If you have heard about some of the great new lightweight backpacks, then you may be wondering if you would like to use them. There are two main types of lightweight backpacks, the frameless packs and those with an internal frame. You won’t generally see a lightweight pack with an external frame.
The frameless lightweight backpacks basically are not free standing, and will crumble to the ground when they are empty. Usually, they are made of a strong thin nylon. As newer lightweight materials come on the market, these types of packs become even lighter and stronger. Many of these can carry up to 30 pounds when full. However, they can be a challenge to load, since they are frameless. The basic idea behind making this type of pack easy to load is to take your rolled up sleeping pad and place it into the pack, and then let it unroll a bit so that the sides of the pack are shored up or framed by the sleeping pad. This gives you a firmer barrier for the sides and makes it easier to load.
The whole top-loading idea is frustrating to some people because it is harder to find the item you need if you have to dig through everything else to get to it. Inevitably, it will be on the bottom by the time you find it. Frameless backpacks generally don’t have the same type of load distribution as the heavier packs have, and may not be as comfortable to carry, although the lighter weight may be enough to outweigh that problem. They also tend to lie against the back, causing you to stay wet when you sweat.
Internal Frame Lightweight Backpacks
Lightweight backpacks that use an internal frame are a little heavier, but will also usually handle larger loads. They can stand alone without crumpling, which makes them easier to load than the frameless packs. They also provide more support for the back and hips. Because the pack with the internal frame holds the gear closer to the body, which can mean that there is minimal ventilation in that area. This means that if you are hiking along a trail to your destination, your back will become wet with sweat because the pack doesn’t allow the warm, moist air to escape. This is one of the drawbacks of all of the lightweight backpacks.
The packs with the internal frame usually have additional pockets for organizing gear and may or may not be totally top-loading. This may make packing and unpacking less frustrating, since you won’t have to be fishing around for every item you need. You can simply put the things you use most in the side pockets. However, the main compartment for storing gear is still top loading.
Both the frameless and the internal frame packs have a variety of compression straps that allow you to minimize shifting by tightening the load. This is comparable to the heavier packs that you might have used in the past.
Less Weight Means Less Energy Burned
One of the main benefits is that with a lighter pack weight, your overall load weight will be less, and you will be able to move farther or faster than with a heavier pack. You may also be able to wear lighter shoes rather than hiking boots, which will be easier on your feet. Just make sure that you find one that is as comfortable as possible so that you are not sore from hotspots and lose the benefit of the lighter weight being easier on your body.
As technology improves, there are more efficient designs for these lightweight backpacks. Better hip belts and shoulder straps are being integrated into the lighter designs, which provides for more overall comfort. You should be able to find a pack that fits well and keeps the weight down.