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The Framus 48L is an ultralight backpack made by Bonfus, a Norwegian firm, one among a handful of cottage backpacking gear corporations in Europe and the UK. It’s arrange like most ultralight backpacks with a roll-top closure, two facet pockets, and a protracted mesh pocket in entrance and comes with detachable body stays and a foam again panel to facilitate carrying heavier masses.
Bonfus gives their packs in three totally different waterproof materials: Extremely 200/400 (which we evaluate under), Dyneema Composite Materials, and XPac, which have barely totally different gear weights and value factors. Whereas their packs are made to order, Bonfus doesn’t provide customizations on their customary fashions. Bonfus sells and ships the Framus 48L worldwide, however they’re its additionally obtainable (solely) in the USA from Storage Grown Gear.
Specs at a Look
- Gender: Unisex
- Quantity: 48L (40L most important + 8L exterior pockets)
- Body: Body Stays (2) and Foam Pad (each detachable)
- Kind: Roll-top with high Y-strap
- Hydration appropriate: No. No reservoir hook or ports
- Bear canister compatibility: BV500 (vertical), BV450 (horizontal)
- Pockets: 3 (open)
- Hip Belt Pockets: No.
- Torso Lengths: as much as 19.5″ and as much as 21.5″ (as much as 19.5″ examined)
- Weight (Examined): Pack incl body stays and pad (25.2 oz / 714 g) | body stays every (1.9 oz / 54 g) | foam Pad (1. 3 / 36 g) | Pack with out body stays and foam pad (20.1 oz / 570 g)
- Supplies: Extremely 200/400, 210D Robic, Spandex / nylon mesh
- Seam-taped: Sure
- Max beneficial load (per mfg): 40 lbs (we advocate 30-35 lbs for consolation)
Backpack Storage
The Framus 48L is a streamlined ultralight backpack that’s properly sized for weekend backpacking journeys, or longer, for hikers who’ve a well-dialed and miniaturized equipment. It has a roll-top closure which clips to webbing straps on the perimeters of the pack with a Y-strap on high which can be utilized to safe a sleeping pad or different cumbersome objects. The highest of the roll high closes with two snaps which is a pleasant of completion.
The pack has two facet water bottle pockets which may maintain a single SmartWater bottle or a Nalgene. I can attain again and seize a bottle or exchange it whereas sporting the pack. Whereas the facet pockets have elastic on high to assist retain objects, I’ve discovered {that a} 32 oz SmartWater bottle can fall out when scrambling, so that you would possibly wish to use a shoulder water bottle sleeve with this pack or a shorter bottle.
There may be additionally a protracted entrance mesh pocket, like most ultralight backpacks, which good for storing steadily accessed or moist objects so that you don’t should undo the roll high each time you want a layer, a snack, or a water filter. It gives good visibility into the contents of the pocket, so you may be sure to haven’t misplaced any necessary gear. The mesh is kind of stretchy, with small holes, and pretty sturdy however you must nonetheless watch out to keep away from utilizing it off-trail.
The Framus 48L makes use of zigzag cords and lineloc tensioners as a substitute of webbing straps for facet compression, which I’m NOT a giant fan of, as a result of I don’t assume they supply superb compression and since it makes it awkward to safe cumbersome gear to the facet of a backpack. It’s the style today, however for those who wish to strap cumbersome gear to the facet of your pack like snowshoes or a foam pad, you’d be higher off with a backpack that has webbing-based compression straps and buckles.
Backpack Body and Suspension
The primary compartment within the Framus 48L has an inner pocket to carry a foam again pad and two aluminum body stays, which slot into keep sleeves. Body stays are a light-weight different to a sewn-in backpack body and are designed to stop the torso size from shortening when its stuffed up with gear. In addition they serve to direct load right into a hip belt to make the load simpler to hold, utilizing your giant leg muscular tissues somewhat than your shoulders which aren’t as sturdy.
The body stays within the Framus 48L are pre-curved, which we like as a result of most individuals aren’t accustomed to bending stays. However any again air flow profit from the two″ curvature is fairly negligible and you may anticipate a sweaty again in hotter temperatures. If you would like, you may take away the stays and the froth pad to cut back the pack weight, however they weigh so little, I simply preserve them in place since they’re more durable to misplace that approach. You by no means know once you’re going to wish to do an additional water carry and also you’ll be glad about these body stays once you do.
The Framus 48L’s shoulder straps and the hip belt each have daisy chains on the outside, which makes the pack straightforward to customise with accent pockets. For instance, I’ve the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shoulder Pocket connected right here in addition to a Garmin inReach Mini 2. Bonfus sells accent pockets however you can even get them from many different suppliers (see our listing of Really helpful Backpack Accent Pockets).
The shoulder straps are J-shaped, in order that they’re not as feminine pleasant as S-shaped straps that curve round well-developed chests. The sternum strap nonetheless is simple to maneuver as a result of the 2 ends loop across the shoulder strap daisy chain and don’t require you to reposition a buckle.
The Framus 48L has load lifters (which many ultralight backpack producers depart off packs of this quantity), which can be helpful for heavier carries to counteract any backward pull that convey the pack nearer to your hips and again. They develop into rather a lot much less efficient nonetheless, for those who take away the body stays, as a result of they you’re pulling on material and never a inflexible body that may reposition the lean of the bag.
The hip belt is sewn on to the again of the pack and never held in place with velcro like extra modular packs from different producers. The body stays terminate proper behind the hip belt on the base of the pack, so that you get an excellent load switch to the hips. Whereas there’s a lumbar pad in again of the hip belt it’s actually not noticeable in any respect, if such issues hassle you.
Bonfus claims the Framus 48L can carry as much as 40 lbs with the body stays and again pad inserted, however I believe the comfy restrict is nearer to 30-35 lbs. In the event you take away the body stays and pad, the comfy restrict will fall to 20-25 lbs, which is the utmost you may anticipate for a frameless backpack.
Sizing
Bonfus gives the Framus 48L in two mounted torso lengths: a medium dimension: as much as 50cm (19.5″)
and a big dimension: as much as 55cm (21.5″). Most backpacking corporations present a spread of torso lengths {that a} backpack will match, like “16-18″ which is an effective vary for ladies, or 18″-20″ which is normally the candy spot for males. The issue with the Bonfus torso size specs is that you simply don’t know what the decrease finish of the vary is, which may make it arduous to know what you’re shopping for. I put on packs with an 18.5″-19” torso, so the Bonfus medium dimension was tremendous for me. However with out additional clarification, I’m undecided they cater to males or ladies with shorter torso lengths.
Bonfus doesn’t specify their hip belt lengths, one thing that I beneficial they begin doing and which they agreed can be helpful. Hip belt size is essential since you need your load to relaxation on the hip bones and you may’t try this although if hip belt is simply too small. Because it was, I may barely shut the hip belt round my waist and it could have been inconceivable if I used to be sporting a midlayer or a shell jacket. The padded portion of the hip belt is lengthy sufficient, however the webbing connecting it to the middle buckle is kind of quick and will simply be lengthened. I usually put on a 36″ hip belt, in order that’s the higher finish you may anticipate for his or her medium sized Framus 48L or a bit much less, like 32″ or 34″.
When involves sizing, I believe these are simply documentation points with the Bonfus web site specs which might be mounted with some modifying. Nonetheless, going ahead, I do hope they develop their torso and hip belt sizing vary for women and men at each ends of the sizing spectrum. It’d be good in the event that they at the least supplied a number of hip belt lengths for all of their torso lengths.
Supplies/Materials
The primary pack physique of Framus 48L I evaluate right here is made with Extremely 200 and Extremely 400 (backside), which is the newest, biggest, lightest and most sturdy material adopted by ultralight backpack producers as a result of it’s so far more abrasion resistant than Dyneema Composite Materials (DCF). It’s an exquisite materials that feels and drapes like a cloth (in comparison with DCF) and has a water-proof backer. The facet pockets of the Framus 48L are made with 210d Robic Nylon, which within reason sturdy, however nothing like Extremely 200 or 400.
Whereas Bonfus seam-tapes the within of the Framus 48L, I’d nonetheless advocate utilizing a pack liner with it as a result of seam tape deteriorates over time, particularly with fixed folding, and might leak below stress, like once you fall in a stream and submerge the pack or a portion thereof. A pack liner can be helpful for preserving moist gear separate from dry gear and for emergency use as a bivy or poncho.
The development of the Framus 48L is high notch, notably for an organization that’s this new. Whereas the corporate is headquartered in Norway, all of its manufacturing happens in Mexico, overseen by one of many two brothers who based the corporate. The stitching is expertly achieved, the seam taping could be very clear, and the entire excessive stress factors are bolstered.
Suggestion
The Bonfus Framus 48L (made with Extremely material) is an ultralight backpack that’s properly sized for shorter period backpacking journeys or longer ones with frequent resupplies. It’s a roll high pack that’s sturdy, extremely perform, and simply personalized with accent pockets. The premium Extremely 200 and 400 material used on the pack imply you need to use it with a rain cowl though we nonetheless advocate utilizing a pack liner as mentioned above. If there’s one draw back to the Bonus Framus 48L, it’s the value, whereas aggressive with different Extremely and DCF packs, is dear at $320. That mentioned, the Framus 48L is a enjoyable pack to hold and is a good alternative if you will get one that matches you properly.
Disclosure: Bonfus donated a backpack for this evaluate.
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