--- title: "Framed Backpacks" description: "Framed backpacks with an aluminium stay or plastic frame sheet move the load to your hips. 22–80 l from Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Granite Gear or Sierra Designs." canonical_url: "https://gramino.com/c/backpacks/framed-backpacks" --- # Framed Backpacks Framed backpacks have an aluminium stay or a rigid plastic frame sheet in the back panel that transfers most of the weight from your shoulders to your hips. That makes framed backpacks comfortable even with a heavy load. We carry almost 30 models from 22 to 80 litres, weighing roughly 660 g to 1.6 kg, mostly from [Hyperlite Mountain Gear](/b/hyperlite-mountain-gear) and [Granite Gear](/b/granite-gear). Framed backpacks are ideal for long-distance treks, treks with longer stretches without resupply and hikers who are just starting to cut the weight of their gear. This page is also available as [HTML](/c/backpacks/framed-backpacks). ## Products Showing the 24 most popular of 26 products. The [page](/c/backpacks/framed-backpacks) lists all of them, with filters. - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 55 (2026)](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-unbound-55-2026.md) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction 55 (2025)](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-junction-55.md) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40 (2026)](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-unbound-40-2026.md) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 55](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-unbound-55.md) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-unbound-40.md) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 (2025)](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-southwest-55.md) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction 40 (2025)](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-junction-40.md) - [Montane Trailblazer 44 (2024)](/p/montane-trailblazer-44-2024.md) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Waypoint 35](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-waypoint-35.md) - [Mountainsmith Zerk 40 – 2024](/p/mountainsmith-zerk-40.md) - [Big Agnes Sweetwater UL 43 L](/p/big-agnes-sweetwater-ul-43l.md) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction 40](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-junction-40l.md) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 40](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-windrider-40l.md) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40 (2025)](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-southwest-40.md) - [Granite Gear Dagger 22](/p/granite-gear-dagger-22.md) - [Granite Gear Crown3 60](/p/granite-gear-crown3-60.md) - [Granite Gear Crown3 60 Women's](/p/granite-gear-crown3-60-womens.md) - [Mountainsmith Scream 55 (2023)](/p/mountainsmith-scream-55-2023.md) - [Granite Gear Crown3 40 ECO](/p/granite-gear-crown3-40-eco.md) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 55](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-windrider-55l.md) - [Granite Gear Crown3 40 ECO Women's](/p/granite-gear-crown3-40-eco-womens.md) - [Montane Azote 32](/p/montane-azote-32.md) - [Granite Gear Perimeter 50](/p/granite-gear-perimeter-50.md) - [Granite Gear Perimeter 50 Women's Fit](/p/granite-gear-perimeter-50-womens.md) ## How to choose a framed backpack Before you start comparing specific models, think about these two things: 1. **Frame type.** You'll find backpacks with both aluminium and plastic frames – and both types appear on large packs for long-distance treks too. An aluminium stay is stiffer and transfers even a heavy load to your hips, so go for it when you're carrying supplies for several days or a lot of water. You'll find it on Hyperlite Mountain Gear packs, the Granite Gear Perimeter 50 or the Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor, for example. A plastic frame sheet is more flexible, gives the pack its shape and protects your back from anything poking into it. It's more than enough for light and medium loads, and you'll find it on the Granite Gear Crown3 60 or Mountainsmith Zerk 40, for example. 2. **Volume.** Our framed backpacks range from 22 to 80 litres. Around 40–50 l will get you through a week-long trek with light gear, 55–65 l suits long-distance treks with longer stretches without shops, and at 80 l you're looking at bulky gear, for example for winter. A versatile option is the Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor, whose volume you can adjust with side straps – available in 40–60 l and 60–80 l versions. ## Framed or frameless backpack? A framed backpack is heavier – the frame and sturdier fabrics add a few dozen grams. In return, it stays comfortable even when you're carrying food for several days or a few litres of water. If you're new to ultralight, we recommend going for a framed pack. On many models you can also take the frame out once your gear gets lighter. If your kit is already dialled in or you mostly do weekend trips with a light pack, have a look at [frameless backpacks](/c/backpacks/frameless-backpacks). ## Handy extras - Pack liner or rain cover – if your backpack isn't made of waterproof fabric, it keeps your sleeping bag and clothes dry. You can choose a [waterproof pack liner](/p/gramino-ultralight-waterproof-backpack-liner) or a pack rain cover in size S (30–50 l) or M (50–70 l). - Dry bags – they split your gear into smaller units, so you find what you need in your pack faster, and they keep it dry at the same time. The lightest option is the [Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag](/p/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil-dry-bag), the [Sea To Summit Lightweight Dry Bag](/p/sea-to-summit-lightweight-dry-bag) is more durable, and for your sleeping bag or clothes, try the [eVac UL compression dry bag](/p/sea-to-summit-evac-compression-dry-bag-ul), which also squeezes them down to a smaller size. - Shoulder strap pocket – for your phone, map or a snack bar, so you always have them to hand and don't have to keep taking your pack off. We carry pockets from [Liteway](/p/liteway-lite-pocket) and [Hyperlite Mountain Gear](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-shoulder-pocket). - Accessories – you can add more pockets to your pack, such as the [bottle pocket](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-bottle-pocket) or the [inside pack pocket](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-inside-pack-pocket) from Hyperlite Mountain Gear. You'll find more add-ons in [backpack accessories](/c/backpacks/backpack-accessories). - Repairs – on a longer trek it's worth packing a small repair kit. You can patch torn fabric with [Gear Aid Tenacious Tape](/p/gear-aid-tenacious-tape-repair-tape), the [Hyperlite Mountain Gear repair kit](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-dyneema-repair-kit) is made for Dyneema packs, and you can replace a broken buckle without sewing thanks to the [Sea To Summit field repair buckle](/p/sea-to-summit-field-repair-buckle). ## How to choose the right size - With a framed pack, **the right torso length** is key – otherwise the weight won't be distributed properly between your shoulders and hips, and you'll end up carrying most of the load on your shoulders. **Choosing the right torso length isn't the end of it, though.** Just as important is **adjusting and tightening the straps properly** – the shoulder straps, load lifters and hip belt. You'll find everything in our article [How to choose the right backpack size and adjust it](/blog/how-to-choose-backpack-size). - [The center of gravity matters – how to pack your backpack](/blog/how-to-pack-your-backpack) – heavy items belong as close to your back as possible so the pack doesn't pull you backwards. ## Framed backpacks FAQ ### How much weight can a framed backpack carry? It depends on the model – you'll find the load capacity in each backpack's specifications. In general, framed backpacks carry more than frameless ones, because the frame transfers the weight through the hip belt to your hips. The Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40–60, for example, handles loads of around 20 kg. Even with a framed pack, though, you'll feel every extra kilo on a long trek. ### Can I remove the frame from a framed backpack? On many models, yes – for example the Granite Gear Crown3 60. The advantage is that you can start with the frame and, once your gear gets lighter, save more grams by taking it out. Whether a specific backpack has a removable frame is listed in its specifications under Backpack removable frame. ### Are framed backpacks waterproof? It depends on the fabric. Hyperlite Mountain Gear backpacks are made of Dyneema, which doesn't let water through. With other models, check what they're made of and whether the seams are taped – a water-repellent finish alone won't protect you from sustained rain. If you're not sure, use a pack liner or a rain cover. ### Do framed backpacks come in women's versions? Some do. Granite Gear, Montane and Mountainsmith offer women's models designed for smaller frames, with differently shaped shoulder straps. Among our framed backpacks you'll find, for example, the Granite Gear Crown3 60 Women's and the Granite Gear Perimeter 50 Women's Fit. ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.