Stansport Mountain Hauler Pack Frame

I purchased this pack frame for my wife since I have owned one of the early Kelty pack frames for 30 years. It has no sturnum strap to hold shoulder straps together. It needs lots more drilled holes for pin adjustments of various components. The webbing is B quality. That said, it is fairly light weighing in at 3 lbs. 6 oz. and the welding of aluminum tubing is very good. It also has optional hangers both high and low for the shelf or the shelf can be removed easily via the pin system. It will probably hold up OK for moderate use.

This frame lacks a sternum strap to keep the shoulder straps in place. I've done a lot of backpacking and know how critical a sternum strap is for carrying much weight down a trail and being able to control the load when moving around. So, I sent it back.

Too bad; a sternum strap would have made all the difference and how much would it have cost the manufacturer to add one?

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I love the little shelf on the bottom of the backpack frame. I chose this particular model due to the fact it did have a shelf as most don't. A shelf helps position your pack properly and not have your load droop or shift. The padded shoulder straps are very comfy as well. Quite surprised at that!! There is a lot of thought put into this frame in that you can attach lots of goodies to the frame at different spots. I have a Swiss Military Weatherproof Knapsack that really fits well with a Swiss Army Blanket rolled up and sitting on the shelf under it. Granted you can't carry the kitchen sink with you with this frame, but you CAN wear it when you are on a bicycle and have it balanced while you ride. Would definitely recommend as an excellent external frame to build your own system on versus using an internal frame that digs into your back/kidneys. This is a very comfortable frame.

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This pack frame fell apart on me after only two hikes. The plastic buckles don't even snap together correctly and then pull apart when they do. Not worth your time.

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Total waste of money. Second strap that would have had the female receiving end of the cargo tray strap buckles are missing. Needed it the day it arrived so I tied the straps in a knot so I could use it. After one day use the stitching came apart at the seam of one of the shoulder straps and the thin (barely cushioning) foam came out. Also there is no buckle strap at the chest to clip the shoulder straps together. Makes for a painful sternum after a few minutes use. Piece of junk! Do not waste your money!

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