Alps A Frame

[Olivie Inoue]

Youre feeling good after your successful hunt... but now you've got to get all that meat back to camp. Bring along the reliable Commander Freighter Frame to haul your meat from one place to the next. The Commander comes equipped with a unique lashing system to secure your meat. With as much weight as you'll be carrying, padded waist belt and shoulder straps are a must. The Commander frame also comes equipped with additional pockets for your flash light, knives, etc.

I wasn't sure how well the pack would fit my shoulders with a heavy load, so in order to test the capabilities I piled everything on it. The Commander has a shelf that can be lowered and this is a great feature. I loaded camera gear, a spotting scope, tripods, food, water, etc. You get the picture.

When I weighed the pack 3/4 loaded it was 57 lbs. I'll admit, planning to hike over a riverbed full of boulders, running water and thick brush may not have been the most comfortable way to test it out. On the other hand, I think it was one of the best ways because I got to see how it would feel and work in a crazy situation. After I lad it loaded, I was able to tighten the side straps attached to the shelf to tighten the fit. This was a very nice feature.

Once I loaded the Commander with my gear and separate backpack, I ran out of strap for two of the three on the back side. I wasn't sure I could secure everything, but Alps Outdoorz thought of that and included three lash extenders. Let me tell you, these worked very well. I was able to clip them in, cinch everything down and nothing moved.

Once on my shoulders, I was able to adjust the shoulder harness and belt with ease. The pack itself was very comfortable even with the extra weight. I was sure to keep most of the weight on my hips and that freed up my shoulders. There were a few times that my gear shifted on the frame and pulled me one way or another. A few minor adjustments and I was back in business.

The hike in was a true test, but I kept imagining having to pack out an elk in the backcountry. We hiked in nearly a mile and a half. Most of the terrain was rocky, no make that full of boulders. My legs were given quite a workout, but I managed. Some of the areas were tricky and it was good to have more people around to lend a hand when needed.

The pack was run through the gamut. I dropped it on rocks, sat down and dinged it up, and I even dragged it a few time just to make it over some major deadfalls. Some of the fabric tore underneath the shelf, but that was about it! It held up well through the beating.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well the straps held everything down in the back. They didn't loosen up and were also easy to adjust if needed. Some pack straps lock down so tight that you tear flesh trying to release them. This was not the case as the Commander straps locked down easily and even with me going through thick brush they stayed locked down. Releasing them was super easy and required a little effort, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Loading the pack back up for the hike out was quick and painless. Everything had a place and I had confidence that my camera gear would stay locked down through the journey. That made the hike even more memorable. Everything stayed in place and while I drifted toward the back of the pack (my legs were super tired), I was able to truly enjoy the remaining quarter mile over semi-even ground. The weight was still manageable and my shoulders and hips did not ache.

The Alps Outdoorz Commander Frame Pack suggested retail is $129.99. When compared to other frame packs, the Commander falls right into the average price range for one of this quality. Well constructed and durable. I would recommend this frame pack to anyone.

There were no shoulder strap lifters so I bought another cross tube to have someplace to attach the load lifter straps. I drilled more holes in the top tube so I could raise it and get the additional cross tube installed. (ALPS sells them).

For this sort of macho mountain biking I would need partners in crime to ensure absolute stupidity and underestimation (of distances) at all times. And fortunately I knew just the duo: Chris and Travis, aka two thirds of Kingdom Bike, who happened to have a new bike that needed testing (any excuse).

Chris is responsible for dragging me into the world of big wheels, suspension and exotic materials. For a good 15 years, 4130 and a 20" wheel was all I required for a good time. Bikes that could, if needed, be brought back to life with a 6mm Allen key, a couple of spanners and the occasional rock/ledge/bang-stick-of-opportunity. Simpler times with simpler price tags.

So here we are again, somewhere in the French Alps at the intersection of optimism and naivety. The materials are exotic, the tools required are multitude and complex (although I did use an axe to realign my brake) and the price tag on the frame is not far off what I would once have paid for an entire bike. Which is actually kind of the point: I'm currently aboard a frame that exactly resembles the Vendetta LS I normally ride, but it costs about half the price. It's still not the cheapest sled on the mountain by any means, but it just might be the most affordable quality Titanium frame to date.

None of that matters though: I'm too terrified to think about price tags. A quick stop at a mid mountain cafe for some deth-root-descent recovery turns into cheese and charcuterie plates, multiple coffees and generally avoiding the inevitable.

From their site: The Trophy X combines the unmatched comfort of molded foam suspension with the strength and weight distribution of an external frame pack for the best of both worlds. The Trophy X features a powder-coated aluminum frame with a freighter shelf to support extra-heavy loads. A roll-out lashing system is readily available to secure meat, and adjustable molded foam suspension and Lycra shoulder straps with load lifters provide superior comfort and stability on long hauls. In addition to the adjustable shoulder straps and waist belt, the Trophy X boasts an adjustable torso range for individualized comfort. The molded foam waist belt includes extra storage pockets and accommodates clip-style holsters.

Our feature-driven products are designed and marketed by a proud team of men and women who are passionate about the outdoors. Our Tried & True brand promise is to offer high-quality, performance-driven gear backed by our expert customer support team.

*Free shipping deal applies to retail items that can be purchased on ALPS Brands sites within the continental United States. For shipping to PO boxes, APO/FPO, Alaska, and Hawaii please call 800.344.2577. Online shipping prices do not apply to parts ordered by phone.

Whether you're playing cards or eating dinner, the ALPS dining table is sure to be a hit! Take one of these tables along on your next outing and make your event even more enjoyable. This easy-to-use folding table is great for camping, backyard barbecues, holiday get-togethers, and tailgating. Made with a sturdy aluminum X-frame and fold-up top, the table sets up quickly and is designed with no interfering side supports so chairs can move up close. You can comfortably sit up to the table without worrying about hitting your knees on the side supports. When the party's over, the tabletop and frame collapse quickly and slide easily into a convenient shoulder carry bag for compact storage or transport. As durable, sturdy, and lightweight as this table is, it's easy to see why it is a top seller!

I spent a summer using the Commander Lite Pack + External Frame Backpack. And this pack thoroughly convinced me that external-frame packs have just as much functional purpose in the backcountry as their internally framed counterparts.

The main compartment of the actual pack is one large cavity with a water reservoir sleeve and a full-length zipper. That allows the pack to be laid down and opened like a duffel bag.

The two pieces of that frame come together using steel clevis and cotter pins, which get me wicked nostalgic. They make for easy assembly and disassembly if you do decide to use the frame on its own for hauling gear, meat, or children to and fro.

Keeping in mind that this pack was designed to do a lot of different things that would essentially meld the outdoor world with the hunting world, there was a lot going on with this pack from the get-go. The best way for me to get a grasp of what I was dealing with was by taking the whole thing apart and putting it back together. It was awesome.

Internal-frame packs are designed to carry your stuff to your destination and then be left behind. With a pack like the Commander Lite, you can leave the pack at camp and take the frame with you for further adventures.

I stuffed my Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed inside the Commander Lite pack and just lashed my Eureka El Capitan 3+ Outfitter to the outside. That way, I was still relatively stable on the trail and opened up more space inside the pack for other gear.

From May to August, I used this pack on an overnight trip down to the Connecticut River, brought it to the beach with my kids, and went on multiple smaller trips with it. As an added bonus, the Commander Lite Pack came in handy while doing trail work, too. Removing the pack and using the frame let me focus on work without having to deal with carrying everything.

When it came down to putting in some work on the trails around the cabin, I was able to easily remove the pack from the frame (2 minutes, tops!) and load the sling up with firewood to bring back to camp. I was able to make fewer trips back and forth and carry more while still having my hands free.

The other concern has to do with the side pockets. When the pack is fully loaded, you can still use them, but not all the usable space that they provide. I doubt you would have an issue with any soft goods like rain jackets, gloves, etc. But getting a 32-ounce Klean Kanteen in and out of the pocket was a bear.

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