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Posted: 3/24/2026 7:00:29 PM EDT
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Alright - here’s the deal. I have this pack, that is useful as-is, but would be MORE useful if I could find either an external frame to mount it on, or maybe an added internal frame sheet. I know there’s several other pack threads in this forum but I don’t want to hijack them. This is an OAF96 pack. OAF is a douche and I would never spend another cent on anything of his, BUT this pack is actually pretty legit, for what it is. The admin pouch is amazing. Dual bladder pouches on both sides, built in rain fly, huge main compartment, etc. I have used it a lot. But it would be better for actual “rucking” and carrying heavier loads if it had some kind of a frame. My two thoughts are - 1. a frontier resolve fortitude frame. I know it’s designed for ALICE packs and the pre-cut holes on it wouldn’t line up with the shoulder straps or lumbar pad necessarily, but that ain’t nothing but a thing for a little reciprocating saw and hacksaw action. Or 2. putting some kind of a frame sheet inside the huge laptop compartment. Although I know that would be a cheaper and easier option, I’m not sure it would really give enough of a “frame” kind of support and rigidity like I’m looking for. Anybody have any experience with, or leads to a “cheap” frontier resolve frame? They’re $250 and the $200 blems are sold out, and I could not find a single used one for sale through simple googling. I also don’t know what the best type of material would be for an internal frame sheet, or if that would even make any kind of a noticeable difference. Or is there another external frame option that could work that I’m unaware of? An ALICE frame would require either a lot of sewing mods, or a lot of jimmy rigging with 550 cord, or both and I just don’t think it’s the best option. I have a lot of other packs, smaller stuff like the flatpack and a yote, Alice pack, and a huge full-size Crossfire in Auscam. This thing keeps filling a role though, not looking super tactical but still capable of fitting a pretty sizable load. Below are some pics, and comparison with an Alice, and the frontier resolve frame I’m thinking of. Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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You will not like the results of trying to hack that pack onto a frame. Use a frame sheet. A few companies sell them. They're made out of HDPE. You can cut one yourself out of a piece of HDPE. Hill People Gear used to sell stand-alone frame sheets with an aluminum stay sewn onto it, it's the frame sheet that goes into their Umlindi pack. They don't sell them any longer, that probably would have been perfect for you, it looks about the right size. (I've actually got an extra one if you can't find anything else, I'll give you a deal on it) You can also cut up one of those campaign signs. Look for them this campaign season. Find the ones that are corrugated plastic. Cut two pieces, one with the corrugations running vertical, the other horrizontal, and tape them together. Use that as a frame sheet. I did that to one of my other packs, it worked well. |
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I use an ATS frame sheet in my 3DAP. Works for me. I like the look of the SpecOps pack frame, but I have no first hand experience and their oos problems there. |
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Originally Posted By sdwornicki: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/43810/IMG_0029_Small_jpeg-3735551.JPG That's a lot of molle on the back pannel. Why don't you buy carbon fiber rods, cut 3 or 4 to height and shoot them top to bottom. Then cut some more to width and weave them horizontal to make a molle contained lattice. If carbon rod is too hard or expensive to work with or created hot spots on your back, try 1" wide aluminum stock. It would be like a poor man's internal nice frame from mystery ranch. |
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I would try adding a HDPE sheet first. Make a cardboard template to get the shape right If the HDPE sheet isn't enough support you can add some aluminum stays to it. 1/8" x 1" aluminum bar stock from the big box store. Bend it to the right shape and bolt or rivit it to the sheet. That's how a lot of early internal frame packs were made. Early Gregory packs bolted the bottom of the stay to a plastic collar on the waist belt |
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