[at-l] External Frame Packs

[jbullar1 at twcny.rr.com (Jim Bullard)]

At 08:22 AM 6/10/2005 -0400, Raphael Bustin wrote:
>If anyone else here shares this quirk
>of mine... what are you using?

An EMS EXT4000. I'm not sure they make it any more. The Tuckerizers would 
undoubtedly tell me to get rid of it because of the weight which is mostly 
(but not all) in the suspension system. I like it because of the carrying 
comfort and the ability to organize the load for easy access. I have a 
second external frame pack that is much lighter and proportionately less 
comfortable on my back. The brand is Premier, made in Canada. I've used 
internal frame packs. My favorite was a panel opening model that I got in a 
National Army Store (remember those?). The entire pack opened up when the 
pack was laid down on the strap/belt side which was also nice for access. I 
would lay it beside me in my 2 man tent and it was like having a dresser in 
your bedroom. Its problem (besides age) was that all that zipper meant it 
was not even remotely waterproof. Plastic bags for all the contains were a 
must. I still have that pack too but it is in rough shape. I need to do 
some work on it.