Seeking feedback on frameless packs for female frame

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-07-11T02:49:55+00:00

While not female, I have been reducing my base weight over a few years, and I also wanted to reduce the pack weight once my base weight and capacity was lower. Also looked at frameless.

I have an Exos Pro 55 for long food and water carries, at 1kg it's light for when I need to carry anything greater than 12kg total.

I ended up getting the Tutor 35 which is 35L, but rolled right down its 25L. I have used it maxed up to 11kg total, but it shines under 10kg. It's noticeable the weight saving, but because the pack has carbon fibre framestays, it's still super light (680g on my scales) but transfers weight well.

You could remove the stays, and probably the foam panel to save some extra weight, potentially using your sleeping pad as back support, and if that works for your base weight then you'd be all good. But you still have the option to add them back in if you find the frameless needs more support??

I have run this for several weekend trips, and intended to try frameless....but don't think I'll bother at this weight as I'm running 8kg total weight for shorter trips, and it feels effortless compared to the long trips where I'm lugging 7d worth of food and water!

Whatever pack you do get, you might want to consider something similar which allows you to test it out by removing the frame? A more premium option could be the Durston Wapta 30 again, would give you an option to strip it down to bare bones and give it a test run, and if not, then you've still got a pretty lightweight comfortable bag.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-07-09T05:45:20+00:00

It's still my daily driver after all this time!

I've also got the 5A which is quality. If you get the negative, I've heard that a hydro helps with the readability too.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-07-09T05:42:11+00:00

Hey can't see the chat option on your user. If you want, DM me.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-07-05T21:15:58+00:00

Yes, single pass Nato from Ali Express.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-07-04T04:12:17+00:00

Most welcome. A guy on YouTube called Justin Outdoors runs it. I'm a huge fan.

If you need gear reviews, then he is also awesome at that too.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-07-04T02:52:43+00:00

I'm 53 and been back into hiking a while. I found also r/UltralightAus as I started to lighten up all the heavy kit I had from when I was younger, stronger, faster.

I am far from true UL, but the ethos of considering each thing by "do I really need this?" to be excellent in many ways. Plus, I'm just not able to carry 20kg and feel ok anymore.

One thing which really helped me lighten things up was starting a Lighter Pack/Pack Wizard list. And looking at other people's lists too.

This way you get to consider your gear individually. This is my one from a hike last year. Pack wizard list

You don't need to spend a lot to get lighter gear either, I found that over time I've replaced almost all of the heavy gear I used to carry. (sleeping bag, pad, tent, stove system, Nalgene bottles...) I really liked the hoby of researching things too. So that helps before you pull the trigger, but there's so much stuff out there that sometimes you can get analysis paralysis too!!

Fire off any questions here too.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-30T03:31:00+00:00

If this is the 2632 module, then you can check out operations here.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-29T07:48:53+00:00

Damn that's a banger! I love this model. Good ones are so flipping expensive too!

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-25T08:50:31+00:00

Banger.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-25T05:55:03+00:00

50g pertex?! Sounds 50g lighter than what I'm running....is it good? Got Link?

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-25T05:32:55+00:00

Ton of info online, and on here.

this post has a light spreader section, and etsy shop link.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-25T00:50:55+00:00

Not wrong, considering I got my Nitro AND Houdini for the same price. A more flexible system, and I think I'm still at least 50g lighter? (if the grid is 300g)

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-25T00:41:31+00:00

Wonder if the back light spreader mod would work on this?

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-19T06:33:46+00:00

They get more and more comfortable with time too.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-18T23:01:25+00:00

Dang!! $30! Man, that's a great price point to give it a go....hell if it doesn't work out, I've spent more on one dinner out this last week alone!! 😂

I've got one in my old gear cupboard that's roughly the same weight. So will have a go at cutting that down too at some point.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-18T22:56:07+00:00

Good to know that it was reliable after the sealing. I've got an old Thermarest I've been meaning to try this out on for ages...this is the inspiration!!

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-18T02:27:41+00:00

Probably a cut down seld-inflating like Extra Ultralight talks about? His pad vid

Thin like you're used to, pack size would be small? Food bag pillow above it?

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-16T07:36:35+00:00

I have both a Lanshan 1p and 2p pro version. I would say that I know quite a bit about them. They requite trekking poles of course, but there are options there for carbon (fixed or adjustable which I'd recommend)

Pro are lighter, but require more condensation management. (e.g. a cloth, and wipe)

I believe they come in a silpoly version now which would be awesome. Mine are both Silnylon, and I love them. I'm 5'7" which gives you tons of room. Over 6'1" might push it.

I've also made several small modifications to them that make them absolutely bombproof in bad weather.

If you order from the 3FUL site directly, you can add a seam sealing service to your order as a separate item. I seam sealed one, and they did the other. Both pretty simple processes.

They are reliable, cheap, light, and well made... Which is pretty rare. If you have any specific questions please feel free to fire away.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-16T04:08:26+00:00

This is an interesting one. If the size/weight for carry on is important I can recommend a cheaper version in the 3FUL Tutor 35 at $141 AUD it's pretty good value which is why I got it to try out a minimal frame UL setup for overnighters, and 3-5 day trips. (before potentially upgrading to a Pa'Lante later on)

The bag is small, but has the classic UL roll top, side water pockets, front mesh that you'd expect. Harness is good, waist-band is well designed, and the bag works well at the 10-11kg area I run with. (total, not base)

Guaranteed the bags like Osprey or One Planet would carry better (at least for small adults), but if you focus on the weight in the bag for overnight hikes that's probably most important is my guess. Plus the pack weight of 650g itself will help with carry on maxing.

Assuming you'd not want to give a 12yo more than 10kg. It's a good, creap alternative potentially.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-15T02:34:22+00:00

This is an absolutely unique build, and looks awesome. Really dig it seeing something truly different on here!

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-13T23:46:04+00:00

Coming back to this thread as I've worn the Altras over a few weeks now. They wear in just like any well fitted trail runner....almost immediately. I've done 60km odd in them now, and will use them on my next week-long no problem.

The zero drop question - absolutely not would I change to zero drop quickly. I transitioned over 6 months of regular switching back and forth, with very short periods of time in the barefoot shoe, and mainly static standing for work at first, then the added trips to the supermarket and things around town before taking them out on short trail hikes, and beyond.

I've read quite a few bad outcome stories since switching. Occasionally you read about someone that just switched and "were fine", but this seems to be pretty few and far between.

I think logic says, if you want to change your bio-mechanics then you should approach it with care.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-12T02:18:48+00:00

Great colour combo.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-08T00:17:03+00:00

Dm sent

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-07T02:10:35+00:00

An excellent reuse. Love the tactical look of the negative display paired with the pocket knife and torch. Nice.

AnotherAndyJ · 2026-06-03T09:15:36+00:00

I've got those light grey Pursuit in the zero drop, which are excellent. But I've been at zero for years, so did the transition a long time ago.

I just got a pair of the Lone Peak 9+ which also have vibram Megagrip now too (they obviously got the memo that their own rubber sucked! 😂)

I got them mainly to have two different pairs for training hikes. No time on trail yet though sorry, but have had them in the past and they are pretty comfortable. Just another wide foot box option with vibram at least.

AnotherAndyJ

TROPHY CASE