Mountain Hardwear External Frames

4:15 p.m. on June 30, 2009 (EDT)

bccroney
Junior Member

Joined: Jun 4, 2009
Posts: 8

I am looking for a large pack for carrying winter gear, and for longer warmer weather trips. I own some gear from Mountain Hardwear and I am very pleased with it. This being said, I have found some of their external frame packs (Harrier, Solitude) and good prices, but I am weary of the external frames.

Has anyone used these packs that could compare them to internal frames? What am I sacrificing (if anything) by going to that type of set up?

I'm not sure if its of any relevance, but I currently use a North Face Terra 40.

Thanks!

Brendan

9:33 p.m. on June 30, 2009 (EDT)

mike068
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 5, 2008
Posts: 640

Re: Mountain Hardwear External Frames

I myself prefer external frame packs, normally the pack bag is wider and shorter and the structure is sturdier. The basic design is so that you can strap things like your tent or sleeping pad etc to the frame of the pack so there is no need to try to fit everything inside the pack bag. But I have never used a Mountain Hardware external frame pack.

9:46 p.m. on June 30, 2009 (EDT)

travelnate
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 17, 2003
Posts: 156

Re: Mountain Hardwear External Frames

my friends don't like the shoulder straps... one replaced them with a set of Kelty replacements.

11:53 p.m. on July 1, 2009 (EDT)

skinewmexico
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 12, 2006
Posts: 115

Re: Mountain Hardwear External Frames

They're heavy, that's for sure. I'd look at a ULA personally.