The North Face - frameless backpack
Gear Review: The North Face Ultra-Light Frameless Pack (unknown title)
I had been drooling over the idea of owning the Marmot Kompressor or one of the Golite models but never wanted to drop the money on an item that I didn’t know if I’d be able to stuff 3 days worth of supplies into. But, at a recent visit to The North Face outlet in Freeport, Maine, I found such a pack for under $30 and in my favorite color: yellow. I can find nothing from The North Face regarding this item online and believe it is a “samples” item (promotional) produced in very limited numbers. As far as I know, it is an un-named model…we’ll see.
Description: Weight: 12 oz, Volume: estimated 2000 cu in (?). This frameless pack is made from lightweight silicone impregnated nylon material to create a thin but strong and highly water resistant outer shell. There is an interior hydration sleeve, a small interior zippered pocket flap, an un-sealed zippered pocket on the top lid which is secured to the rest of the pack by a single dorsal running compression strap. The main compartment is further secured by a light drawstring cord and two small compression straps located transversely on the sides. Three small elasticized pockets and two posterior gear loops adorn the base. A narrow waist belt completes the package.
In their push for an ultra light pack, the shoulder straps were made very thin and without a chest clip. Due to the pack’s small size, the waist belt rides high and doesn’t transfer any of the load to the hips though it does assist in keeping the pack in place. Considering that this style of gear has no internal frame, I would probably find it uncomfortable if I attempted to fill it over 20 pounds. Fortunately, with the right gear choices, I could safely do multiple summer nights at 17 pounds, making the pack comfortable enough.
The side pockets are not suitable for holding water bottles, though the small compression strap above it may make it possible to secure the top of a longer container on each side. I used these pockets for holding granola bars, and ready to hand essentials (sunscreen, water purifier, etc).
Silinylon is a wonderful light and strong material. Still, I wouldn’t want to bush-whack through the dead lower pine branches that stab at tightly stretched packs with their sharp tips. Granted, all of my equipment receives rough treatment from time to time and I have absolutely no signs of wear on this pack at all. With some consideration, I am sure it will last as long as my other packs.
What can you fit in The North Face ultra-light frameless pack? Here’s my most recent Gear List:
MSR pocket rocket Stove & fuel canister
Camelbak 3 L hydration bladder
1 oz of liquid water purifier
1 quart aluminum cook pot.
Spaghetti, butter, spices, oatmeal, granola bars, gum (3 days food)
Pipe & tobacco
Pocket knife multi-tool
First Aid Kit & ace bandage
Whistle, compass, map, matches
Sunscreen, bandana
Personal hygiene items
Princeton Tech head lamp
Felt summer weight sleeping bag
Byers of Maine hammock w/ mosquito net
50 foot Static Line Rope 8 mm
Heavy duty tarp 8’ X 10’ with tie down cordage
4 aluminum tent stakes
Foam sleeping pad (to gear loops on bottom)
A lighter tarp would make more room for clothing, or to slide the sleeping pad inside the pack. Furthermore, the static line could replaced with some high end cordage and save an additional pound or more plus space.
The packing technique for a frameless pack is to roll the heavy tarp and ‘expand’ it to fit the maximum diameter of the pack, then stuff the center with the hard items you don’t want pressing against the outer walls (stove, tent stakes, etc.) The compressed items inside create the rigidity the pack needs to hold its shape. It is often suggested a slightly unrolled sleeping pad creates a nice structure inside a frameless pack though I think a tarp conforms to the shape of the back better.
If you remember how this item was designed and don’t try to overload it or abuse it, you will find yourself floating from peak to peak. This pack is super light and has significantly helped me reduce my 3 day summer set up of 35+ pounds to a mere 17 pounds! With that kind of weight reduction, you can see and do more while remaining comfortable and energized. This piece of equipment can significantly increase your enjoyment of the back country experience.
