internal vs. external frame for backpacks?

[narcissusgray]

I'll be travelling in the UK, France, and Italy for a month or two during the summer, and was wondering which type would be best? I'm a bit unsure as to the pros and cons of each.

Thanks

[Kim]

It's very rare for a travel pack to have an external frame, most are internal. External is used more for outdoor things, climbing etc.

I took an external frame on my first trip to Australia and it was hell. You want your pack to be flexible - it's going to need to be squished above you on the train, through small spaces and that sort of thing. An external frame is very rigid with no give.

So basically - internal ALL the way!

My favorites are the Eagle Creeks - the Continental Journey would be a great pack for your length of trip. It has a removable daypack as well, which is a great feature.

www.qksrv.net/click-711188-10293324?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebags.com%2Fproduct_detail%2Findex.cfm%3FmodelID%3D18461%26sourceid%3DCOMJ00011

If you interested in buying it, check out this thread to save $30 (until the end of the month):

pretravel.proboards1.com/index.cgi?board=Packing&action=display&n=1&thread=123

Kim

[snorkelman]

yep, kim is on the money, as usual. Unless you will be hiking the mountains and carrying a tent and cooking supplies, then you want to avoid the external backpacks.