How to Pack a Frameless Pack for a Weekend Trip
Frameless packs get a bad rap for being uncomfortable. In reality, most discomfort comes from how the pack is loaded, not the pack itself.
When packed well, a frameless pack can feel stable, comfortable, and almost invisible on a weekend trip. The key is creating structure with what you already carry and being intentional about where things go.
This guide walks through how to pack a frameless pack so it carries well and stays comfortable all day.
Start With a Soft Frame
Since a frameless pack doesn’t have a rigid frame, your gear becomes the structure.
A foam pad is your best friend here.
Place a folded foam pad directly against the back panel, like the Thinlight. This creates a semi rigid surface that spreads weight evenly and prevents hard items from poking into your back.
Photo: Ben Steele, Fast Kumo 36 pack
If you use a torso length foam pad, fold it into a rectangle that matches the shape of the pack. If you use a longer pad, you could also use a loose roll.
This one step makes the biggest difference in comfort.
Flat Items Go Against the Back
Once your pad is in place, load flat and dense items next.
Think dehydrated food bags or a folded tarp, but NOT cook kits or things with awkward shapes.
Placing flatter items against the pad creates a smooth surface and adds stability. Avoid putting rounded or bulky items here since they tend to create pressure points.
If it feels lumpy when you put the pack on, it probably needs to be adjusted.
Keep Heavy Items Close and Centered
Weight placement matters more in frameless packs than framed ones.
Heavier items should sit close to your back and near the middle of the pack vertically. This keeps the load balanced and prevents the pack from pulling backward.
Good examples include food, water when carried internally, battery banks, and dense gear.
If the pack feels like it is sagging or pulling you backward, the weight is likely too far from your body or too low.
Photo: @strawbridgetreks, Kumo 36 pack
Use Soft Items to Fill the Gaps
Once heavy and flat items are in place, use soft gear to fill space and lock everything together.
Puffy layers, sleep clothes, and quilts are perfect for this. They cushion hard edges and help prevent shifting while you hike.
Soft items work well at the bottom and top of the pack where structure matters less but comfort still counts.
Think of this as padding the system, not stuffing it.
Pack for How You Use Things During the Day
Comfort is not just about weight distribution. It is also about access.
Items you need during the day should be easy to reach without unpacking everything.
Rain layers, insulation, snacks, water treatment, and first aid should live near the top of the pack or in external pockets.
Items you will not touch until camp can live deeper in the pack.
A well-packed frameless pack should feel consistent from mile one to mile ten, not better only after a repack.
Photo: Greg Mionske, Kumo 36 pack
Use Compression Intentionally
Compression straps are there to stabilize the load, not crush it.
Snug them enough to pull the load inward and upward. Avoid over tightening, which can distort the shape of the pack and create pressure points.
As food weight drops over a weekend, adjust compression to keep the load centered.
Small tweaks go a long way.
Keep It Simple
Frameless packs reward thoughtful packing and lighter kits.
If your trip is one to three nights, your gear list is dialed, and you value freedom of movement, a frameless pack can be one of the most comfortable options out there.
It is not about carrying less comfort. It is about building comfort into how you carry.
Once it clicks, it really clicks.
Choosing the Right Frameless Pack for Your Weekend
Different frameless packs shine on different kinds of trips. Here is how our lineup fits into a typical weekend rotation.
G4 20 Ultralight 42
Best for longer weekends, higher mileage trips, or hikers who want maximum versatility. With generous capacity and exterior storage, it works well for one to three nights, shoulder season layers, and trips where food volume varies. A strong choice if you want one frameless pack that can stretch across a wide range of weekends.
Photo: Jeff Podmayer, G4-20 Ultralight 42 pack
Kumo 36
Built for efficient weekend backpacking where comfort and organization matter. The Kumo balances structure and flexibility well, making it a solid option for hikers transitioning from framed packs to frameless. It works especially well for one to two night trips with a dialed kit.
Fast Kumo 36
Designed for faster moving weekends and long days. This pack is at home on peak bagging missions, big mileage days, and trips where access on the move matters. If your weekend looks more like a push than a wander, this one keeps up.
Skala 38
Part of the Type II Collection and built for harder days and earned miles. Skala is best for rugged weekend trips, steep climbs, and routes where efficiency matters more than comfort extras. It rewards thoughtful packing and strong legs, and shines when the trail is rough and the fun comes from effort.
Photo: Maria "Cotezi" Nuñez, Skala 38 pack
Grit 28 Fastpack
Also part of the Type II Collection, Grit is made for demanding weekends and unpredictable terrain. Durable, stable, and confidence inspiring, it is a good choice for off trail travel, scrambles, and trips where conditions might change quickly. This is the pack for earning your fun the hard way.
No matter which frameless pack you choose, the goal is the same. Pack with intention, keep weight close, and let your gear support the kind of weekend you want to have.
