Quoted By:
I am a big fan of external frame backpacks, but there are some pros and cons. An external is wonderful at distributing weight and makes carrying things a breeze. You can strap loads of shit onto it so you can easily become a human pack mule. The frame also keeps the pack away from your back so they breathe very well, which is a huge plus for someone like me who sweats a lot. They also have the "classic" look if that's your thing. They also aren't super popular nowadays compared to internals, so you can usually get them extremely cheap and in good condition if you go the used route. I have a Kelty Yukon that was in pretty much new condition that I bought for $30 on ebay.
However, they are not perfect, of course. They are very bulky, so they take up a lot of space, which is not ideal if you are going through areas with lots of low hanging branches or tight spaces. They also tend to load a little top heavy unless you are very careful with how you load things in the pack, so they are not very ideal for rock climbing or overly craggy terrain, as they can fuck with your balance a bit in those situations. But if you want to carry a lot of gear, they are wonderful, So I think they are nice if you are a hunter or if you are a backpacker/hiker (if you aren't part of the ultralight crowd).
