ALPS OutdoorZ Commander Frame - Brown, Updated SKU

. This is my SECOND Commander Freighter Frame. I have also purchased this same frame WITH the custom ruck option. I may even purchase a 3rd Commander Cargo Frame (no joke). This is the very best value in a universal cargo frame. The suspension is ideal and it is FULLY adjustable, for your own unique ergonomics (whoever you are). I own an ALICE cargo frame, with MOLLE-II Gen4 suspension and this commander kicks it's butt HARD. By the time you properly pimp an upgraded ALICE rig with MOLLE suspension (aka MALICE PACK) you will be spending MORE than this commander costs and the ALPS COMMANDER CARGO FRAME is (easily ... far and away) a more comfortable suspension ... adjustable ... much larger ... much more utility and capacity. Features out the WAZOO. I dealt with their customer service, for an issue that was not even their fault. I will not go into the details but these folks are a righteous crew and they solved my issue very swiftly and without any hassle. You can load anything from a large duffel or a huge kayak dry-bag or military deployment load-out bag ... There are THREE large retention (cinch) cargo straps and a load bearing shelf. The top bar of the frame can telescope up for true SHERPA CAPACITY. At this price ? .. Just do this. They will also include a mini catalogue and you should check their "LITTLE BEAR SYSTEM" ... Just great stuff and a great bunch of folks. I like this system MORE than my MALICE or my ILBE or my EBERLESTOCK V90 BBATTLESHIP or my fully expanded MOLLE-II Gen4 "Rifleman's Ruck" system. They have an extra-large waist-belt available but I am HUGE and their standard belt fit over my winter parka just fine ... try the standard belt before you order the extra large belt (which is like ~$40 delivered). DO THIS !! JUST DO IT ! I am not a kind reviewer. This product ROCKS ! SEVEN STARS AND A GREAT BIG GRIN !

My application for this pack is somewhat unique: to support my HFpack rig (man-portable shortwave amateur radio), in situations when I want to wear an antenna and/or hike further with my gear. I was considering a surplus ALICE frame, but opted for the convenience of something that includes straps and a big shelf. I’m impressed with the quality. Thais is my first experience with an external frame pack. As someone who sweats a lot, I really appreciate the ventilation. I was worried about the horizontal supports causing back pain, but the shape of the frame and the way it bears weight makes it a non-issue. At 5’8” and 220 lbs (38-40” pant size), I was also unnecessarily concerned about the fit. The waist and sternum straps would accommodate someone much larger than myself, but the pack might be unwieldy for someone shorter or very thin. Alps sells a version of this bag with XL straps, which would’ve been way too big on me. The pack is surprisingly light, considering how much load it’ll handle—more than my personal fitness will. There’s no shortage of ways to strap in my current bag containing the transceiver and LFP battery, additional battery/solar hardware, a folding stool (or two and a table, to picnic with the wife), and as many field antennas as I care to lug around. I’m only limited by what’s convenient to drag into the field. On that note, I also intend to throw my bulky quadcopter hard case on the frame the next time we shoot video away from the car. No more grime on the case’s wheels, no more straining my shoulders carrying it over grass and gravel. I attached a 3/8” antenna mount to one of the vertical frame members. Hopefully the leverage of 7-14’ and 1-2 lbs of vertical extension, depending on the coil on whip combination, won’t fatigue the aluminum. Time will tell.

great pack. only one problem that the manufacturer MUST fix... the cotter pins jab you in the back, you will feel it when they jab you, clip them shorter and sand them down (or tape them so they face away from the persons back. Other than the cotter pins needing a trimming... the pack is very well constructed, solid aluminum frame. the pack supports A LOT of weight comfortably. the fancy extras, pockets and stuff could probably just be left out (pockets fabric material is too flimsy to be really dependable), aluminum frame itself is very well constructed and probably will take lots of abuse.

Very solid rack- took it backcountry camping and I lashed a barrel to it as well as my bedroll. Easy to adjust and manipulate based on the load you require to carry. Very comfortable as well and made carrying extra weight simple.

great

Very large and light weight frame backpack. Various adjustments and very comfortable to wear with heavy loads. The weight sits on your hips, so no back injuries. Very sturdy too.

I haven't really gotten to know this pack well, but we've used it for 2 field trips. It's comfortable it seems solidly built, and I expect it will last. I'm 6'3" and it fits me well, but I also work with someone 5'4" and it adjusts to fit her comfortably as well. The frame fits a wide variety of gear, including toolboxes and coolers that are quite a bit wider than the frame itself. My 2 main criticisms are: 1. When adjusted to full height, the top bar hits the back of my head when I'm standing straight or looking upwards. This is annoying, but not a deal-breaker, and maybe I'll figure out how to adjust the fit so it's not a problem. As far as I can tell so far, on longer hikes, I think I'd need to drop this bar to its lowest height, reducing the total gear capacity but making me more comfortable. If this bar were bent away from the user, or if it could extend another 6-12" upwards, it would eliminate this. Alternatively, for really heavy loads you could strap this bar to your forehead. That's common in south Asia, and would work well here. Maybe that was the designer's intention? In my case, it's slightly annoying. 2. I'm used to lashing gear with ropes. This pack is designed to be lashed with a pack of included buckle-straps, and the webbing/fabric on the sides allows the gear to be contained while using these. If you want to use rope, though, these block many access points to the frame. Not a big issue, but for irregular/large gear, you may want to remove that fabric. I haven't tried that yet, but it looks like you could do that without much trouble.

Works very good. Highly recommend. Very strong.