Quick review of Alps Outdoorz Commander frame pack

[@roughcountry5913]

I have 2 of these packs. Have put hundreds of miles on them with multiple 100 pound loads packing deer out. Love the storage and pockets. Not in love with the pin system. Swapped out pins for bolts. I did just switch to the EXO mountain gear k3 system $700. What a world of difference.

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

Just upgraded to Eberlestock myself. Huge difference.

[@LovingIdaho]

I have been using this pack for 6 years . No problems with stitching or anything else . Of course , I treated it when it was new . it has packed out some big loads including a elk and more with no problems . I have never had a big issue with weight shifting and I am going up and down canyons .

[@michaeltrimble1353]

What did you do to treat the pack? What process has kept it like new?

[@LovingIdaho]

@@michaeltrimble1353 , I treated it to make sure it would stay waterproof , not to keep it new . It has hauled out 2 elk and countless deer . Plus held my camping equipment and gear to and from my hunting area .

[@JohnnyRebWasATexan]

When looking at this pack frame online it appears that the top bar he mentioned can be lowered... I know he said it can be removed but can it be lowered to the shoulder blades?

[@LovingIdaho]

@@JohnnyRebWasATexan , I think it could . I you ran out of adjustment holes you could drill more .

[@LovingIdaho]

@@JohnnyRebWasATexan , it can be lowered or removed .

[@skunkedgorilla6346]

Thanks for the Review on the ruck. Wish I was hearing some better news about the durability of this pack... Wondering where the ripping/stitching separation of the pack is occurring....? Looks to be the inside possibly by the water bladder pocket/hanger? Could that be the cause of the rippage? I was thinking that looked a little weak for hanging a bladder from. I too have noticed some of the stitching is a little sub par. Had my fastener straps on the meat hauler pockets break and I hadn't even used the darn pocket.. just tried to asdd a few of the extra straps to the pocket and the elastic cordage that secures the pocket closed ripped out with no force what so ever. I also I had the fancy idea of removing the top cross bar, as I found myself hitting my head on occasion and catching on limbs as I duck last season while packing out. Have you hauled a heavily load with this pack with the upper cross brace removed? If so did it affect the pack in any kind of way? I picked the ruck frame up last hunting season to use as a meat hauler. Worked great with the heavy loads being hauled. Purchased the pack to go along with the ruck, with Hope's of being able to hump out loads & Camp on my 1st run a little easier and more comfortable (compared to my currant day pack). I have been able to have the pack and and meat hauling with extension straps attached to the pack. Saw it on another youtube review where a guy was planning to use the pack in this configuration while hunting. While I pack lite seems the weight will be a little too far rearward to make hauling a load with the pack attached feasible. I'll load up some sand bags and my kit and see how it hauls a load in that configuration. Unfortunately with this Covid going around looks like spring bear is on hold atm due to lack of access so wont be able to test this pack out till hopefully late spring early fall. While it does haul a load at an economic price point.

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

Where the stitching on my pack is coming out, is the divider inside the main compartment that separates the sleeping bag from the rest of the packs main compartment. I just purchased this pack early winter with the intent of backpacking during the winter. So I haven't tested it out yet as a meat hauler. Thus far, I've only used it for backpacking during the winter and I've kept the weight down the 40-45 pounds, so removing the upper crossbar has not, as of yet, compromised the pack. Hopefully I'll get to test it out during Elk season later this year. Honestly though, I find myself going back to the old saying, "Buy once, cry once". I've already tried to replace this pack with the Alps Commander X, when I saw a "used like new" auction come up on Ebay but I got outbidded at the last minute. I find myself leaning a lot more heavily on archery these days, and the Alps Commander frame pack, just doesn't look like a good fit. I think i'll only use this pack from when the forest service closes the roads in late nov or early december, until they reopen the roads in early may. After which i'll just switch to my hybrid X day pack. I still want a multiday pack for archery season though. Maybe after this pandemic is over and done with and the economy doesn't tank.

[@LovingIdaho]

@@skunkedgorilla6346 , It is durably . I have hauled out 2 elk , 6 deer and 2 bear since I got it in 2016 or 2017 .

[@happy-kz8lb]

Where that rip was on the inside of your pack I have the same thing and for some reason I thought it was a hole for something and I didn't realize it was a rip

[@stealthandysteath1069]

Morning mate, it's a good looking ruck, but it why you bey the pack for. Carry gear a long way. Thanks for sharing buddy tc Andy

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

Yep, when you have to carry your camp with you, you need a larger pack. There are better options out there in terms of durability, but for the price point, this one does the job.

[@stealthandysteath1069]

@@MiddleOutdoorsman thank you mi friend

[@Pitman556]

Whats another good pack external frame?