VauDe Tour 60

The frame is somewhere between internal and external but is definately NOT an external "torture rack". The steel wire frame curves away from the back with a nylon mesh against the back.

It contacts the back at the shoulders and the lumbar leaving the middle back open for good cooling.

The hip-belt is wide and well padded and removable.

Lumbar pad is very adequate.

It feels a bit odd for a while, not having the pack hug my back, but this pack carries as though it is part of my body and the weight is focused on the hips.

There is a sleeping bag compartment at the bottom with an internal drawstring divider which makes the compartment flexible (great idea!) or totally open.

"Expando" side pockets flatten under the compression straps and have flush-mounted vertical zippers.

The shoulder straps anchor adjusts long or short-two positions only-and the long fits me at 6' 4".

Vaude packs are very well made and this one is reasonably light at 2 K/4.4 lbs.

I bought a Tour 50 (3000 cu. in. with no side pockets) for my son so he would let me use the Tour 60.

This pack could use sleeping pad straps.