A good external frame backpack is a necessity for any long-distance hike or camping trip. Plenty of options on the market are designed to provide comfort, organization, and durability for extended periods of carrying weight.
We researched and tested dozens of external frame backpacks to find the best ones to help you carry everything you need, and not a single thing you don’t. Our favorite, the 60L Waterproof Lightweight Hiking Backpack, is designed with a molded, ventilating back panel, adjustable torso height, and plenty of organizational features.
Here are the best external frame backpacks.
Best External Frame Hiking Backpacks: Editor Recommended
Our Editor’s Best External Frame Hiking Backpacks Reviews
- Lasting and Reliable: Crafted with a premium aluminum frame, the external frame backpack ensures long-lasting durability and reliable performance. This sturdy backpack frame provides excellent support and stability, making it perfect for hunting, hiking, and backpacking adventures
- Ergonomic Design:This hunting backpack features a mesh back panel that allows for enhanced breathability and ventilation during long hours of wear. The extra thick padded shoulder straps and waist belt offer optimal comfort and weight distribution, reducing fatigue and strain on your body
- Ample Storage Space: With dimensions of 14.96"L x 14.17"W x 29.92"H, our frame backpack provides ample space to store all your essentials for your outdoor activities. Whether you need to carry hunting gear, hiking equipment, or camping supplies, this pack frame has enough room to accommodate everything you need
- Versatile and Adjustable: The external frame design of our backpack allows for easy attachment and customization. You can easily attach additional pockets, or accessories to the frame, providing you with endless possibilities for organization. The adjustable shoulder straps ensure a comfortable fit for users of different heights
- Reliable: We stand behind the quality of our product. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we are committed to delivering a external frame hiking backpacks that meet your needs in the great outdoors
- HEAVY-DUTY ALUMINUM: Backpack frame combines pack frame comfort and lightweight durability, equipped sturdy 600D fabric, ideal for hunting, camping, hiking and backpacking adventures
- VERSATILE AND ADJUSTABLE: Three adjustable length extension straps for oversized loads to securely tie up game or travel gear. The top frame can be adjusted from 34 inches to 40 inches. Strong load capacity, can carry up to 60KG of heavy objects
- COMFORTABLE DESIGN: shoulder straps increased foam density, wrap-around waist belt with load adjusting straps, and breathable mesh back panel, provide the utmost comfort and stability under the heaviest of loads
- ERGONOMIC DESIGN: The pack frame conforms to your lower-back and torso, adjustabe shoulder straps and belt regardless of body shape offer optimal comfort and weight distribution
- AMPLE STORAGE SPACE: Frame backpack unfolded size is 68x38x28cm, the folded size is 68x38x8cm. Our frame backpack provides ample space to store all your necessity for your outdoor activities. Whether you need to carry hunting gear, hiking equipment, or camping supplies, this pack frame has enough room to accommodate everything you need
- NOT YOUR BASIC BACKPACK: Feature rich at this price point; Comfort and balanced backpack for men and women.
- TETON TOUGH: The best memories are made with the great durable gear; Perfect for any Adventure; comes in 65L, 75L or 85L sizes and adjustable to fit all; Pocket for Hydration
- CUSTOM COMFORT: Multi position torso adjustment fits medium and tall adventurers; Durable open-cell foam lumbar pad and molded channels provide maximum comfort and airflow; For beginners or experienced Backpackers
- DESIGNED WITH YOU IN MIND: Great quality and thoughtful design; large sleeping bag compartment, multi directional compression straps, with spacious compartments and pockets, a place for everything
- TETON SPORTS PROMISE: Reach out to our AMAZING product support team if you have any questions or concerns; YOU CAN COUNT ON US to get you taken care of and back OUTDOORS
- HEAVY-DUTY ALUMINUM: TR backpack frame combines pack frame comfort and lightweight durability, equipped durable 600D fabric, ideal for hunting, camping, hiking and backpacking adventures
- COMFORTABLE DESIGN: shoulder straps increased foam density, wrap-around waist belt with load adjusting straps, and breathable mesh back panel, provide the utmost comfort and stability under the heaviest of loads
- Ergonomic Design: The pack frame conforms to your lower-back and torso, adjustabe shoulder straps and belt regardless of body shape offer optimal comfort and weight distribution
- CAPABLE OF CARRYING LARGE GAME: Three adjustable length extended straps for extra-large loads, securely bind game or travel gear; the top frame can be adjusted from 34'' to 40''
- DESIGNED FOR THE SERIOUS HUNTER: featuring dual zipper pockets on the belt for quick access to essentials like whistles and maps, with realtreeedge patented ecamouflage for enhanced concealment in the outdoors
- Lightweight Construction: Crafted with an aluminum frame, this backpack weighs only 4.44 pounds.
- Excellent Load-bearing: The frame pack can bear capacity of 60kg. It's perfect for hiking or hunting.
- Spacious Capacity: Measuring 28.7 x 14.6 x 9.8 inches,it offers ample room to store your hiking essentials, camping gear, and personal belongings.
- Ergonomic Design: The external frame distributes weight evenly, reducing strain on your back and shoulders for comfortable carrying.
- 【Stable Alice Pack Frame】: Backpack frame combines comfort and lightweight durability, ideal for camping, hiking, and backpacking adventures with heavy-duty aluminum construction
- 【Breathable mesh back panel】: This external frame hiking backpack features a breathable mesh back panel, shoulder straps with increased foam density, and a wrap-around waist belt with load adjustment straps, designed to provide ideal comfort and make sure that winter travel does not lead to body temperature loss due to sweating
- 【Good Outdoor Adventure Experience】: Fits most body sizes with adjustable shoulder and waist straps, conforming to your lower back and torso for ergonomic design and weight distribution
- 【Versatile Load Management】: Three versatile extension straps and an adjustable top frame, ranging easily, allow for adjustment of oversized loads and safe transport of game or travel must-haves
- 【Multipurpose Application】: Can carry up to 60KG/132LBS, this external frame hiking backpack ensures you can pack all your must-haves and more, making it perfect for long treks and adventures
- Material：This 75L backpacking backpack is made of 600D Polyester，YKK Zipper，Rain cover included
- Hydration Compartment：This hiking backpack with hydration compartment and can hold a 3 Liter bladder , the tube is fed through the top side of the bag near grab handle
- MOLLE Webbing：This is a military tactical backpack that You can hang on tools,trekking poles,tents,sleeping bags,and other outdoor gear by the molle system，A rifle also can be hanged with the side strap and side pocket
- Side Pocket ，Quickly Access：This camping backpack with 2 side pockets,8"*8", and 2 bigger pockets ,7.5"*13.8",that can hold water bottle or camping、survival gear，The backpack has large zipped access at front that can quickly access to the main compartment, opend as a 15.6" luggage
- Durable，Multifunctional：This 75L molle backpack with chest straps to cope with the weight so that it's well used as a 3 day assault pack,bug out bag,survival backpack,army backpack,trekking backpack or day pack，Suits for hiking,hunting,trekking,camping,climbing,traveling
- NOT YOUR BASIC BACKPACK: Feature rich at this price point; Comfort and balanced backpack for men and women.
- TETON TOUGH: The best memories are made with the great durable gear; Perfect for any Adventure; comes in 45L, 55L or 65L sizes and adjustable to fit all; Pocket for Hydration
- CUSTOM COMFORT: Multi position torso adjustment fits medium and tall adventurers; Durable open-cell foam lumbar pad and molded channels provide maximum comfort and airflow; For beginners or experienced Backpackers
- DESIGNED WITH YOU IN MIND: Great quality and thoughtful design; large sleeping bag compartment, multi directional compression straps, with spacious compartments and pockets, a place for everything
- TETON SPORTS PROMISE: Reach out to our AMAZING product support team if you have any questions or concerns; YOU CAN COUNT ON US to get you taken care of and back OUTDOORS
- 【Lasting and Reliables】Our Hunting Backpack Frame Crafted with a premium aluminum frame, the external frame backpack ensures long-lasting durability and reliables performance. This sturdy backpack frame provides excellent support and stability, making it perfect for hunting, hiking, and backpacking adventures
- 【Ergonomic Design】The backpack frame conforms to your lower back and torso, and the adjustable shoulder straps and hipbelt provide optimal comfort and weight distribution regardless of body size. Our hunting backpack frame has increased foam density on the shoulder straps, wrapped waist belt with load adjustment straps, and a breathable mesh back panel for maximum comfort and stability under the heaviest loads
- 【Ample Storage Space】Frame backpack unfolded size is 72x36x28cm, the folded size is 72x36x8cm, and the carrying space is 68x36x25cm. Our frame backpack provides ample space to store all your necessity for your outdoor activities. Whether you need to carry hunting gear, hiking equipment, or camping supplies, this pack frame has enough room to accommodate everything you need
- 【Versatile and Adjustable】Three adjustable length extension straps for oversized loads to securely tie up game or travel gear. The top frame can be adjusted from 34 inches to 40 inches. Strong load capacity, can carry up to 60KG of heavy objects
- 【Durability】Our backpack frame combines the comfort and lightweight durability of a backpack frame, equipped with durability 600D fabric, ideal for camping, hiking and backpacking adventures. Meet all your needs in outdoor activities
- [Large-capacity mountaineering rucksack, 60L+5L] This mountaineering rucksack has pockets at various positions for comfort when climbing, and has a rain cover and hydration function. With a capacity of 60 liters, it is ideal not only for mountaineering but also for long-term tent stays in the four seasons. Height 26.38in x width 10.23in x width 7.09in. Weight: 2.56lbs.
- [Ergonomic design and comfortable trekking backpack] The ergonomically designed back pad and shoulder cushion reduce the bite into the shoulder with its exquisite thickness. The back pad has a mesh cushion structure with excellent breathability, so it does not get stuffy even if you use it for a long time and you can wear it comfortably.
- [Multi-functionality/practicality] With a compression strap on the top and both sides of the bag, it is possible to bind things such as trekking poles and sleeping bags firmly. A separate pocket on the back of the backpack allows for convenient shoe storage for travel. A large-capacity model that can store travel items such as sleeping bags, tents, PET bottles, trekking poles, clothing, shoes, and is ideal for mountaineering and long-term travel.
- [Load capacity 15KG] A tough backpack that can withstand up to 15kg. The fabric is made of high quality 420D nylon, which is not only durable and long-lasting, but also has the function of preventing tears and scratches, and also has waterproof performance to prevent the entry of light rain. (* It has a water-repellent property and is not completely waterproof.)
- [Multi-purpose] Lightweight and easy to carry, it is compact and suitable for outdoor/climbing/travel/camping/commuting/business trip/school/sports/gym/hiking/motorcycle/town use/disaster prevention. Even if you carry it on your back for a long time, you will not get tired easily and you will feel comfortable carrying it on your back. Ideal for outdoors.
Best External Frame Hiking Backpacks Buying Guide
Before choosing the best external frame hiking backpack you should consider the following options:
1. Frame Size: The size of the frame you buy will depend on the size of your body and the weight you intend to carry.
The standard size of an external frame backpack is 60-inch, which is suitable for people who are 5 feet 6 inches tall and weigh up to 165 pounds.
If you are taller or weigh more than 165 pounds, you should buy a backpack with a larger frame.
2. Frame Type: Backpacks are available in three types of frames: unisex, male, and female. Unisex backpacks are suitable for anyone, while male and female backpacks are suitable for men and women respectively.
3. Suspension System: Suspension systems help in distributing the weight of the backpack evenly on your shoulders and hips.
If you are carrying a heavy backpack with an inadequate suspension system, you are likely to experience back pain.
The suspension system in a backpack is made up of straps, pads, and frames. The straps keep the backpack in place, while the pads and frames absorb the weight of the backpack.
Check the quality of the suspension system before buying a backpack. An adequate suspension system should have several straps with good quality buckles, medium-density frames, and high-quality foam pads.
4. Backpack Volume: The amount of gear and supplies you intend to carry will determine the volume of backpack you buy.
If you want to carry more gear, you should buy a backpack with a larger frame and a large suspension system. Backpacks with large frames and suspension systems are heavier and more expensive.
5. Backpack Weight: The weight of a backpack is determined by the frame, suspension system, and the material used.
Highly durable materials like nylon and polyester are lightweight, while nylon, polyester, and canvas are lightweight but less durable.
If you intend to trek through trails and carry heavy loads, you should buy backpacks made from durable materials. Backpacks made from nylon and polyester are lighter and more durable.
6. Budget: Backpacks are available in all price ranges. You can get a decent backpack for less than $100.
However, if you intend to carry heavy loads, buy a backpack with a large frame and a good suspension system. Such backpacks will be expensive.
What else you should know about best external frame hiking backpacks
1. What are the best external frame hiking backpacks?
Some of the best external frame hiking backpacks on the market include the REI Co-op Trailbreak 60, the Deuter Futura Vario 65 + 10, and the Osprey Aether AG 70.
2. What are the features of a good external frame hiking backpack?
Some features of a good external frame hiking backpack are that it is durable, has a lot of compartments for storage, is comfortable to wear, and has a frame that evenly distributes the weight of the backpack.
3. How do I choose the right external frame hiking backpack for me?
The most important factor to consider when choosing an external frame hiking backpack is your torso length. Once you have your torso length, you can then choose a backpack with a frame that is the right size for you. Another factor to consider is the type of terrain you will be hiking in. If you will be hiking in rough terrain, you will want to choose a backpack with a suspension system that can help you carry your gear.
4. What are the benefits of using an external frame hiking backpack?
A hiking backpack with an external frame can provide a number of benefits, including better weight distribution, increased ventilation, and easier access to gear.
5. What are some things to consider when using an external frame hiking backpack?
Some things to consider when using an external frame hiking backpack are the weight of the backpack, the type of backpack, and the weather.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best external frame hiking backpacks. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best external frame hiking backpacks will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.