When choosing a backpack for backpacking, hunting, or backcountry expeditions, one of the most important decisions is selecting a frame design that works for you. The classic debate between external frame backpacks, internal frame packs, and a hybrid frame system has existed for decades, and each design offers unique advantages depending on your goals.
For backpackers seeking the lightest and simplest setup, an ultralight backpack can make long miles more enjoyable. For hunters and backcountry adventurers carrying meat, camp equipment, or heavy bulky items like packrafts, load-hauling capability often becomes the top priority. Backpacks are not a “One size fits all…” item but choosing the right frame is a great starting point when choosing the pack.
At Seek Outside, our backpack lineup includes examples of all three approaches. The Goshawk Series represents the classic external frame backpack, the Unaweep Series is a hybrid design that balances weight and load-hauling performance, and the Flight 3 is a streamlined ultralight Internal framed backpack built for comfort and simplicity.
Let's break down the strengths and weaknesses of each design and help you determine which pack is right for your next adventure.
Understanding Backpack Frame Types
Before choosing a backpack, it helps to understand what the frame actually does. Afterall, this is the most important piece of any pack.
Simply put, The frame transfers weight from your shoulders to your hips. A well-designed frame improves comfort, stability, and efficiency while hiking. The bigger and heavier your load, the more important the frame becomes.
Most backpacks today fall into one of three categories:
- Internal frame backpacks
- External frame backpacks
- Hybrid frame backpacks
While all three can be effective, they excel in different situations.
The Internal Frame Backpack: Lightweight Simplicity
Internal frame packs dominate the backpacking market today. Their frame components are integrated into the pack body, creating a sleek profile that stays close to your back. Most internal frames are either carbon or aluminum based.
For hikers, thru-hikers, and lightweight backpackers, an internal frame design often provides the ideal balance of comfort and simplicity.
Seek Outside Flight 3: A True Ultralight Backpack
The Seek Outside Flight 3 was designed to be a true ultralight backpack that also maintains the ability to comfortably carry 40lbs. Or more for those rare situations when it becomes necessary. This is unlike many ultralight packs that sacrifice support to save ounces.
Advantages of an Internal Frame Backpack
Lightweight Design
The primary advantage of an internal frame pack is weight savings. Every ounce matters when covering long distances, and a lighter pack means less fatigue over time and longer lasting knees…
Streamlined Profile
Because the frame stays inside the pack body, internal frame packs move naturally with your body. This is especially beneficial on narrow trails, scrambling terrain, and dense vegetation.
Simple and Easy to Use
Many backpackers appreciate the simplicity of internal frame packs. They are quick to pack, easy to organize, and require minimal adjustment.
Excellent for Backpacking
For hikers carrying moderate loads, an ultralight backpack like the Flight 3 offers outstanding performance without unnecessary complexity.
Potential Limitations
The tradeoff comes when loads become very heavy. While modern internal frame packs can carry significant weight, they typically cannot match the load-hauling capability of an external frame backpack designed specifically for extreme loads.
Best Uses
The Flight 3 is ideal for:
- Thru-hiking
- Ultralight backpacking
- Weekend trips
- Fastpacking
- Long-distance hiking
- Lightweight backcountry travel
If your goal is maximizing miles while minimizing weight, an ultralight internal frame backpack is often the best choice.
The External Frame Backpack: Maximum Load Hauling
Although many people associate external frame packs with old-school backpacking, modern designs have evolved dramatically. Today's external frame backpack systems are lighter, stronger, and more capable than ever before due to more advanced fabrics and simpler designs.
For hunters and expedition users, external frame packs remain the gold standard for hauling heavy loads.
Seek Outside Goshawk Series: Modern External Frame Performance
The Seek Outside Goshawk Series showcases what a modern external frame backpack can accomplish and is one of the (if not the) lightest such options available.
Built around a robust frame system, the Goshawk is designed to handle loads that would overwhelm many traditional backpacks. One of its biggest advantages is the integrated breakaway frame design.
What Is a Breakaway Pack Frame?
A breakaway frame creates space between the pack bag and frame, allowing bulky or heavy items to be secured directly against the frame. Anyone who has packed an animal out with a subpar pack or without a pack at all knows that this ability is essential.
For hunters, this capability is invaluable.
After a successful hunt, meat can be loaded between the frame and pack bag, creating a stable and efficient load-hauling system. Rather than stuffing awkward cargo inside the main compartment, the load shelf created by the breakaway frame keeps weight close to your center of gravity.
Advantages of an External Frame Backpack
Superior Heavy Load Carrying
This is where the external frame shines.
The rigid frame efficiently transfers weight to your hips, allowing you to carry heavier loads with less strain on your shoulders and back. These frame also typically terminate higher up on your body providing a better angle for the loadlifters to transfer the weight to your hips.
Breakaway Load Shelf Capability
The Goshawk's breakaway frame is one of the biggest advantages for hunters.
Whether you're hauling:
- Boned-out game meat
- Large quarters
- Camping equipment
- Packrafts
- Tree stands
The frame provides unmatched versatility. These frames make it easier to switch from one pack bag to another. The detachable loadshelf makes compressing bulky items close to the frame easier.
Better Ventilation
External frame designs often create more airflow between the pack and your back, improving comfort during hot-weather use.
Exceptional Durability
External frame systems are designed to thrive under demanding conditions and repeated heavy-load use.
Best Uses
The Goshawk Series excels for:
- Backcountry hunting
- Elk hunting
- Mule deer hunting
- Extended wilderness expeditions
- Heavy packrafting loads
- Gear-intensive adventures
For hunters specifically, a quality ultralight hunting backpack with an external frame can dramatically improve comfort when packing out meat.
The Hybrid Backpack: The Best of Both Worlds
Many backpackers and hunters want something between a minimalist ultralight backpack and a dedicated external frame backpack.
A hybrid pack combines elements of both designs, delivering impressive load-hauling capability while reducing overall weight and bulk.
Seek Outside Unaweep Series: A True Hybrid Solution
The Seek Outside Unaweep Series represents a refined hybrid approach.
The Unaweep was designed for users who routinely carry heavy loads but still want to save weight compared to a full external frame setup.
The result is a backpack that performs exceptionally well across a wide range of applications.
Advantages of a Hybrid Backpack
Outstanding Load Capacity
The Unaweep is capable of carrying loads that exceed what most traditional internal frame packs can comfortably manage.
For hunters and backcountry travelers, this means more versatility without stepping up to a larger external frame system.
Weight Savings
Compared to a dedicated external frame backpack, the hybrid design reduces overall weight while maintaining impressive support.
Versatility
One weekend you may be carrying a lightweight backpacking load. The next weekend you may be hauling camp, optics, and hunting gear deep into the mountains.
The Unaweep handles both scenarios extremely well.
Improved Mobility
Because the pack maintains a closer profile than many external frame systems, it performs well in steep terrain and thick vegetation.
Best Uses
The Unaweep Series is an excellent choice for:
- Backcountry hunting
- Multi-day backpacking
- Expedition travel
- Packrafting
- Backpack hunters who want one pack for everything
For many users, the Unaweep represents the ideal ultralight hunting backpack, combining impressive load-hauling performance with reduced pack weight.
Which Backpack Is Right for You?
Choosing between an internal frame, external frame, or hybrid backpack ultimately comes down to your typical load and intended use.
Choose the Flight 3 If:
- You prioritize lightweight performance.
- Most of your trips involve loads under 40 lbs.
- You enjoy through hiking or fast packing.
- You want a simple and comfortable ultralight backpack.
Choose the Goshawk Series If:
- You frequently carry very heavy loads.
- You need a breakaway frame for meat hauling.
- Maximum load-hauling performance is your top priority.
- Don’t mind carrying a few extra ounces for an extremely capable pack.
Choose the Unaweep Series If:
- You need versatility.
- You occasionally carry very heavy loads.
- You want to save weight compared to a full external frame backpack.
- You want one pack for both backpacking and hunting.
Final Thoughts
There is no single "best" backpack frame design. The ideal choice depends on how you use your gear and the loads you expect to carry.
If you're looking for a lightweight and efficient ultralight backpack, the Flight 3 provides exceptional comfort and simplicity for backpacking adventures.
If your priority is hauling meat or extreme loads, the Goshawk Series demonstrates why the modern external frame backpack remains the most capable load-hauling platform available.
And if you want a versatile middle ground, the Unaweep Series offers hybrid performance that bridges the gap between traditional backpacking packs and dedicated hunting systems.
Whether you're a thru-hiker chasing miles, a backcountry hunter preparing for an elk pack-out, or an adventurer seeking the ultimate ultralight hunting backpack, choosing the right frame design will make every mile more comfortable and every trip more successful.