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Great Pack Frame Design
I bought one of these in 1991 when it was sold by Coleman under the Peak 1 brand name. This is the best frame design ever for a backpack. After 15 years, it still holds up. The cleverness of the design is in that the frame is flexible enough to move with you, but stiff enough to support the pack. It won’t fatigue, break or corrode like aluminum frame packs plus there are enough attachment points that you can configure the pack anyway you want.

If you’re interested in an external frame pack, buy one of these.

Great design. I’ll be buying these for my kids as they get older.

** Update 1/6/2008 **

My oldest son (11) recently went on a two night backpacking trip with his scout troop. He carried ALL his gear in and on this pack. Not once did he get fatigued or sore, nor did he complain about this pack. Another new scout who is about the same size had a much more expensive pack and had trouble the entire trip. When we got back, his dad was so impressed by how this pack worked for my son he ordered one for his son.

I’ve already bought another one for my other son who will be entering boy scouts this summer.

Outdoor Products Dragonfly External Frame Backpack
The Dragonfly is a great entry-level backpack, designed for young hikers (pre-teens and older youths). It features a top-loading main compartment and dual side pockets that fit a 32-ounce-size water bottle (available from Outdoor Products; sold separately). Outdoor Products’ packs are designed with comfort in mind. This model features padded shoulder straps and a hip belt made to fit smaller-framed bodies. A mesh suspension system helps keep hikers cool even with heavy loads. A bungee compression system keeps pack contents from shifting while walking.

Specifications:

* Size: 24 inches long x 14 inches wide x 8 inches deep
* Weight: 3 pounds, 10 ounces
* Capacity: 2780 cubic inches
* Material: Nylon
* Torso Length: 15 to 18 inches
* Number of Pockets: 7
* Frame: Enduroflex
* Additional Features: Three-quarter opening in main compartment, padded shoulder straps, hip belt, mesh suspension system

* Hydration compatible
* Top loading
* Sleeping bag compartment
* Hold-open bar
* Large front pocket
The Yukon 2900 is popular with scouts, and it’s the perfect transitional pack when junior sizes are too small and adult sizes are still too large. It’s designed for shorter torso lengths.

Good, sturdy youth backpack,
My 10-year-old is small and skinny, finding a backpack with a fitting hip belt was a nightmare. Found the Firefly at the local scout shop, but had to return it as the hip belt was too big. However, saw it again at another local store, for some reason, that hip belt was smaller and this bag is perfect for his size and frame. Sidepockets come in very handy and it did survive a week of being tossed around in Boy Scout Camp. It is true that it is difficult to attach sleeping bag, mat and tent, although a mat can be strapped at the bottom, a non-bulky sleeping bag fits into the bag itself, tent on top. Not ideal, but than, if you want a sturdy backpack that is smaller than your kid yet surprisingly roomy, I can definitely recommend it.

Outdoor Products Firefly External Frame Pack
A great entry-level external frame backpack, the Firefly is equipped for a variety of overnight excursions. The Firefly includes a large top-loading main compartment, dual side pockets, and large front and bottom pockets with access to the main body, giving you 3,750 cubic inches of space in which to store your gear. The pack excels from a hydration standpoint as well, with an interior hydration-ready pouch that holds a 2-liter bladder (sold separately) and a pair of side pouches designed for easy water-bottle access (each holds a 0.5-liter water bottle, also sold separately). Additional storage stems from the lashing tab on the bottom, which can hold such items as a rolled-up tent or sleeping bag.

More importantly for your health, the Firefly’s mesh suspension system keeps you cool even while hauling a huge load, while the ultra-padded shoulder straps and hip belt distribute the weight evenly across your back and hips. The result is a pack that feels comfortable even after several hours on the trail. Finally, the Firefly includes a couple of straps that compress and hold everything together, including a Bungee system on the upper flap and top and mid compression straps.

The Firefly, which also comes with a bonus rain cover, measures 14 by 29 by 9 inches (W x H x D) and carries a lifetime warranty.