Tried the John Muir Trail with a ultralight frameless pack... never again.

My buddy carried a proper Osprey with a frame and didn't complain once about his back, while I spent 10 days hunched over with a 28-pound base weight. Has anyone else just accepted that you need a real frame for anything over 5 days?

2 comments

2 Comments

max4721mo ago

Honestly, I was in the same boat. Used to think ultralight was the only way and frames were unnecessary weight. Then I did a 7-day trip in the Sierra with a frameless 50L pack and a 26-pound load. By day four, my hips were bruised and screaming, and I had to stop every hour to adjust the straps. My buddy with an old Gregory Baltoro barely mentioned his pack the whole time. That trip made me realize that for me, a real frame is worth the extra pound or two if I'm carrying 20+ pounds.

-1

mason.mary1mo ago

Oh come ON, you're telling me a 26 pound load in a frameless bag was uncomfortable? That's like blaming your car for being uncomfortable when you stuffed 4 extra people in it. The real problem was your pack weight, not the pack. I've done 8 days with a frameless 45L at 18 pounds total and it was pure bliss. No frame needed if you actually trim your gear down instead of packing for the apocalypse.