10 Best External Frame Backpacks (Review) in 2020

The king of external frame backpacks rears its head, and quite frankly, we were shocked that such an excellent price was attached to the top pack. We believe you get what you pay for, but in the case of ALPS, they try to give you more features and benefits than what the asking price suggests. Designed for the hiker and hunter in you, the OutdoorZ Commander comes with all the necessary woodland fixing for hunting and hauling game meat. A drop-down tray for additional rounds or masking items to prevent prey from catching your scent, rifle mount along your right side, and a dedicated compartment specialized in transporting fresh meat.

However, all the fun and games don’t stop there. You want an external frame backpack that’s going to stand the test of time, and be there for you through the worst of it. ALPS crafted this one of nylon ripstop fabric, ensuring that you can put it through hell and back (like we know you will), and still rely on it time and time again. Empty, this weighs just over seven pounds, and includes a hydration pocket. From price, comfort and capacity, we had to throw the crown on ALPS.

Kelty – you just can’t get away from them, now that you know how awesome they are. We’ve been a fan of their products for years, but were surprised to find that a lot of hardcore hikers really didn’t know about them. As gear enthusiasts, we felt it our duty to bring their epic packs out into the light, and it doesn’t just end with the Trekker 65. This pack comes with a killer design at a median price, and offers one of the highest load capacities of any packs on our list. If you’re looking for high carry and have the back to support it, you’ve met your match.

However, if you’re about to push the limits, you don’t need to be a jarhead to carry this pack. Stabilizer straps and padded shoulder straps alleviate the pressure of your pack’s weight, while the dual density foam waist belt helps maintain your center of gravity, without adding extra strain or pulling on you. Hang it over a branch when you take a break, and access items via an organizer located in the top pocket – Kelty’s got your back.

ALPS already won our hearts with the top pick, but when a brand really kicks ass, you can’t help but notice their other immensely efficient and cost-effective packs. If you’re about to hike and camp out for the night, this is your inexpensive go-to. Designed to fit a lower capacity than our top winner, this is ideal for a one to three day camping trip, or low-maintenance hiking from a seasoned professional. ALPS enjoys keeping their prices low, and for this, you’re paying well undera Benjamin for a great introductory pack. As time goes on, you may end up opting for a larger pack, but this has one benefit that larger packs don’t: convenience.

ALPS Mountaineering Red Rock Pack works well as a luggage bag for brief overseas hiking excursions, as well as the ultimate weekender pack to just grab, and go. Additional features include a stellar vented lumbar support system, keeping your pack off your back, and reducing sweat. Apart from that, you get padding along the shoulder straps and belt, helping you out when you’re lugging back a heavy load from a five-mile hike. Support, comfort, and keeping green in your wallet.

In case you couldn’t tell, we like Kelty. As if all their other packs weren’t excellent, the Tioga takes the cake on storage capacity, and a few other aspects we truly adore. You get an adjustable suspension system, designed to be a little easier than most packs. Making necessary adjustments while out on the trail will be a breeze, allowing you to mitigate fatigue depending on your current energy levels. Either that, or if you just need to cool down, there’s an accessible water bottle pocket that can hold up to a 1.5L bottle, giving you sweet relief whenever you need it.

At an astonishing 5,500 square inches of space, this 420D denier-coated parkcloth pack gives you maximum protection against the elements. Gents have even taken the inaugural trek with this pack over fifty miles in the Sierra, and felt secured every single step of the way. While they’re not promoting it, the Tioga comes with an internal divider and compression system, as well as a nice exterior pocket for quick access items, whether it’s a cell phone or EDC kit. From the killer price and the wide waist possibilities of the padded belt straps, we’re happy to put our trust in Kelty once again.

By now, you probably know that we love ALSP and their stellar external frame packs. This one falls a bit lower than our top pick, but dammit if they don’t put their heart and soul into every individual lineup and model. The Zion comes with vented lumbar support, making it ideal for both men and women to use on long hiking trips. For storage and getting things ready, such as packing up the SUV, you get a heavy duty carry handle that can withstand whatever you’ve loaded up your pack with. These guys didn’t leave a single feature up to chance.

From the lycra covered suspension components, for additional durability, right on down to the 3,900 cubic square feet of space, all for under a Benjamin? We would have called them crazy, if we hadn’t purchased and tested it for ourselves. There’s enough external pockets to keep you close to your gadgets and small items, like a wallet or EDC kit, while the buckle closures and adjustable straps keep everything tight to the frame, safe and secure. Low budget and high expectations? We’re serving this one up on a silver platter.

Coming in on the silver stage is the fan favorite of nature enthusiasts everywhere. If you haven’t heard of Kelty before, you’re missing out. Crated of ultra durable ripstop, this new model of their famous Yukon line allowed us to be one of the pioneer testers. From stem to stern, we absolutely love this pack. Your back stafford is crafted of 420D poly, but the additional support doesn’t simply stop there. You get a dual density waist belt made of padded foam, allowing extra pressure on your body without weighing down on your energy levels.

At an excellent empty weight of just 5.1lbs and a 2,929 cubic inch capacity, you get a smaller loadout than our first one, but a more optimal pack for novice hikers, or those who are still improving their physical performance and want to start with a smaller pack. Buckle closures all around the pack allow for maximum support, and easy adjustments. Beginners and seasoned professionals who carry less gear alike – this one’s for you.

We don’t know what happened to 1.0, but whatever improvements there were really made us happy. Built for hiking and hunting, the Rail Hauler allows you to toss up to two major weapons along the sides, usually being a crossbow and a rifle. You get an excellent capacity of 4,000 cubic inches despite the narrow look of the pack itself. Giving you absolutely excellent capacity for game, ammo, and other essentials. If you’re just going the hiking route, you’ll be pleased to know that you get padded shoulder straps to couple the vaulted suspension system. Say goodbye to back pain.

This was built to last through long, rugged terrain. Whether it’s the hiking trail, or a six-mile walk through the woods to your hunting tree stands, you’ll be good to go in any environment. While the interior isn’t waterproof, the frame makes it super simple to hang over a tree branch, or simple place on its front to prevent leakage. The unique design and harness system pulls weight forward to the frame, keeping everything as tight-knit as possible. Whether you’re just getting started, or you’re replacing that old external frame pack of yours, this is the way to go.

Truth be told, we didn’t know much about Allen Rock before we slipped into the straps; we’re glad we did. This new favorite of Gear Hungry staffers comes with a sturdy aluminum frame, which is adjustable within 3” to allow for heavier loads, and an increased capacity. One thing that Allen Rock thought about, is that nature happens, and the beautiful part about that is we can’t control it, no matter how hard we try. When it’s rain and there’s no shine to be seen, pull out the 50L waterproof roll-top bag to completely enclose and protect your Canyon Hunting pack.

While this pack looks like it has a fairly standard shape to it, the good folks at Allen Rock already addressed the issue of your COG (center of gravity, explained in our comprehensive guide below). Reversible compression panels allow you to offset unexpected interruptions to your hiking experience. You’re spending under a Benjamin, for one of the best external frame packs on the planet. If that isn’t beautiful, we don’t know what is.

We’re winding down the list before our guide, but we have a few more hidden gems to showcase. Black Pine crafted a seriously killer external frame backpack, and it’s one of the most durable yet. Made up of 2000 PU-coated diamond ripstop fabric, this pack looks more fragile than its counterparts on this list, but actually withstands the woodland elements far better than you’d realize (even we underestimated it when it arrived). You get plenty of side pockets for quick access items, and they’re sturdy enough to hold your cell phone without worrying.

One key sign of a great external frame backpack is adjustments. If you can adjust the frame, you’re in the presence of a brand who knows their stuff. Move this within 3” to add additional storage, should you need it, and get the most out of your carrying capacity. By the way, it holds 6,102 cubic inches, which is the equivalent of 100 liters. High durability, low weight, and ripstop tough to keep on keeping on.

Last but not least, we had to delve in and see what all the fuss was about when Amazon decided to put out their own external frame backpack. At the lowest price on our list, they did a far better job than we initially gave them credit for. Choose between 55 liters, 65, or 75, and swap out the black accents for olive green, should you choose. While the aesthetics and storage capabilities are nice, the function is what’s going to put you head over heels. Utilize the multi-directional compression straps to adjust your weight distribution on-the-go, all while breathing easy under the protection of your all-inclusive water resistant rainfly.

With AmazonBasics Hiking Backpack with Rainfly you get dedicated storage for your sleeping bag, while the extension collar offers a few extra nooks and crannies to stash all your goodies. Lumbar support is a must, so they threw that in, while including thick, well-padded shoulder straps to reduce fatigue, and maximize your good time. AmazonBasics products, of course, come with a one-year limited warranty, though after using this ourselves, we doubt you’ll ever need to call upon it.