Vaucluse Backpack Frame

[DayTrip]

Anyone here ever use the Vaucluse ventilation frame with their packs?

Ultralight Backpack Ventilation Gear | Increase Airflow and Sweat Less

Heard about this product awhile back on the Backpacking Light Podcast and have followed it for a bit. They're doing a pre-order sale on their 2nd generation frames so it's only $37 plus free shipping so I finally took the plunge and got one. Seems like it could potentially be a really cool product but I have some concerns, primarily its long tern durability and how it works with bigger packs versus small/ultra light packs.

If anyone on here has owned one and has any feedback on it please let me know what you think. Thanks in advance.

 

[ChrisB]

Maybe it's not an issue with a small day pack, but does the frame concentrate the load into pressure points where it rests against back?

 

[DayTrip]

Maybe it's not an issue with a small day pack, but does the frame concentrate the load into pressure points where it rests against back?

It doesn't look like it but I did wonder about that. The description says it is rubber but it must be rigid not to collapse on itself. I noticed the 2nd generation one I ordered has larger holes where the spine would be versus the uniform holes of the original so I was curious about that.

My concern with bigger packs is that the pack basically hangs off the bottom of frame so I wondered how that would feel/form on the lower back, if it would fold or kink in some way, etc.

 

[skiguy]

Looks as if there is some variation in which the way this frame fits. With just looking at the pictures many variables are at play. The type and size of the pack coupled with body type the frame looks very inconsistent with the fit. Some of the pictures display a lot of sag with the upper parts of some of the packs strap not properly wrapping the shoulders of some of the users. Bottom line the frame looks as if it has redistributed the load in many of the packs which is leading to an improper fit. Which in itself is going to result in inefficient support for the user. Another note is that this frame is also moving the existing load further away from the users body resulting in the load being farther from the user’s center of gravity. My guess would be exacerbated by heavier packs. Although there looks as if some of the packs with the frame have been properly tweaked to provide a proper fit. I have worked fitting many different packs on many different people. I can honestly say one brand of pack does not work for all. That looks like it might be the case with this add on.

 

[DayTrip]

Looks as if there is some variation in which the way this frame fits. With just looking at the pictures many variables are at play. The type and size of the pack coupled with body type the frame looks very inconsistent with the fit. Some of the pictures display a lot of sag with the upper parts of some of the packs strap not properly wrapping the shoulders of some of the users. Bottom line the frame looks as if it has redistributed the load in many of the packs which is leading to an improper fit. Which in itself is going to result in inefficient support for the user. Another note is that this frame is also moving the existing load further away from the users body resulting in the load being farther from the user’s center of gravity. My guess would be exacerbated by heavier packs. Although there looks as if some of the packs with the frame have been properly tweaked to provide a proper fit. I have worked fitting many different packs on many different people. I can honestly say one brand of pack does not work for all. That looks like it might be the case with this add on.

Yah it definitely made me ask a lot of questions. I'd like to be able to use it with all my packs but I particularly wanted it for my ULA CDT, which is frameless and just has a thin foam pad for the backrest so it sweats out big time. I tried retrofitting it with thicker foam, which really didn't do much for the sweat problem, but it carried much better loaded up, although it cut into the volume a bit.

I've wasted more money on dumber things so I figured what the hell. Apparently it is a really small company because the owner/president actually emailed me to see where I'd heard about the product, welcome me aboard, etc. It was an actual email, not an autoresponder, and he followed up on my reply as well. Hopefully I'll have good things to tell him in a few weeks.

 

[skiguy]

Yah it definitely made me ask a lot of questions. I'd like to be able to use it with all my packs but I particularly wanted it for my ULA CDT, which is frameless and just has a thin foam pad for the backrest so it sweats out big time. I tried retrofitting it with thicker foam, which really didn't do much for the sweat problem, but it carried much better loaded up, although it cut into the volume a bit.

I've wasted more money on dumber things so I figured what the hell. Apparently it is a really small company because the owner/president actually emailed me to see where I'd heard about the product, welcome me aboard, etc. It was an actual email, not an autoresponder, and he followed up on my reply as well. Hopefully I'll have good things to tell him in a few weeks.

Let us know how it goes. Who knows maybe you can talk the company into being a product tester. Much of the time these products evolve and the end product lands up being pretty good.

 

[Ear Drum]

... I've wasted more money on dumber things so I figured what the hell. ...

That made me lol. thanks.

The tagline of this product, from their website, is also funny: "Backpacking is awesome. Backpack sweat sucks."