These and their ilk are great packs, the reason companies will not make them is not that they are not trendy enough for todays fair-weather backpackers, it is because once bought you would never need another, my brother has one which went to Sweden in 1974 and was second hand then, you can take pack off and use frame to carry heavy awkward loads such as Jerry cans, firewood etc. All you need is a strong back to carry it, at around 65 mine (back that is) is just beginning to "fray at edges" as you said about the trim!
That particular model ( & a few others) was not available in the UK at the time as they were made exclusively for the South African army. The 100 ks fabric was Karrimor's own version of 1000D Cordura. Unfortunately, Karrimor went bankrupt in the mid 90's & was bought by 'Sports Direct' who now make crappy rucksacks in China, using the Karrimor name. There is however; a separate branch of Karrimor (Karrimor SF) that specialises in making excellent military grade rucks which are made by PRI ( a specialist manufacturer) & have nothing to do with the civilian Karrimor name. Although Karrimor no longer make them, there are still plenty of external frame rucksacks being made, notably in the US & Scandinavia where they are still popular. My very first pack was an external frame which I used throughout the 80's but once I started using an internal frame rucksack, there was no going back. 👍
I just tried on an external frame yesterday, and loved it so much more than the frameless packs... and I had someone tell me I was totally insane for thinking that. lol
If frames didn't make it bags better then they would simply have never been invented. Don't listen to trendy UL people, all they do is repeat the same misguided arguments over and over.
Ralph is absolutely right. This bag, a Karrimor Totem Classique is a masterpiece of simplicity, strength and design. At 2.5kgs it is lighter than most frameless bags of similar capacity. Properly packed it sits beautifully and will carry 25kg easily, with less effort than ANY frameless bag. It has BIG capacity if you need it: 90 to 100litres. There are NO gimmicky pockets, zips, loops, straps or bulky padding etc. The waist belt is slim, simple and effective. All in all solid, old fashioned Pommie commonsense. These bags are still quite easy to find and cheap too: R400 second hand. Of course the Savotta 906 is the top quality, but it weighs half a kg more, costs ten times as much, in Finland, and probably 20 times if you import it new to South Africa. This model was I believe offered to the SADF who decided to build and design their own: enter the M83 SADF rucksack: The massively overdesigned utterly indestructible steel, uncurved frame effectively crippled an infantryman at 100 yards, with 4 big side pockets sewn precisely in the wrong place tending to pull him head over heels backwards. However, if you tinker with the frame and restitch the pockets, I give you a brilliant military rucksack: Load capacity: 50kg. At 4kg, a bit heavy for delicate modern civilians I imagine!
I have a Karrimor Jaguar E65 that I've had for 37 years. I just found this video because something has broken on it for the first time and I was looking for repair videos. I was a bit disappointed that the lifetime guarantee no longer works since Karrimor was bought out. It's been to 22 countries in Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America. Now my daughter uses it for Scout camps.
Just got an external frame last night, looking forward to learning more about them. (BTW - it was weird to hear "my" theme music come on at 0:18! LOL). Subbed!
I like my frame backpack a lot! Superior for heavy loads than an internal frame pack. There is ventilation by your back--internal frame packs can be really sweaty! You can strap awkward bulky loads to the frame if you need to ferry cargo into a wilderness camp. The only really drawback is in dense cover when you have to dodge under branches and clamber over and under downed trees. You can get stuck and/or off balance
If you can, get an old SADF pattern 83 field pack with frame, tough as nails pack😎 similar to the Karrimor but you can still get the 83 all over and for around 500ZAR
"Retro or Retrogrouch Backpacking" ...I read this in a add on the internet...talking about Backpackers that primarily used vintage backpacking gear...now is this a real thing...is there a new fad called Retrogrouch Backpacking? I know Vintage backpacking gear is becoming more in Vogue. . .then it was... Some call this ("Retro" (Grouch) Backpacking)...for short. Retrogrouch -noun 1. One who is skeptical of technological developments until their usefulness and reliability have been proven. 2. One who insists on minimalist equipment that may be user-serviced, and has proven its usefulness in the past. . . 3. He is such a retro Grouch he still uses a camera that takes film. . .
These and their ilk are great packs, the reason companies will not make them is not that they are not trendy enough for todays fair-weather backpackers, it is because once bought you would never need another, my brother has one which went to Sweden in 1974 and was second hand then, you can take pack off and use frame to carry heavy awkward loads such as Jerry cans, firewood etc. All you need is a strong back to carry it, at around 65 mine (back that is) is just beginning to "fray at edges" as you said about the trim!
That particular model ( & a few others) was not available in the UK at the time as they were made exclusively for the South African army. The 100 ks fabric was Karrimor's own version of 1000D Cordura. Unfortunately, Karrimor went bankrupt in the mid 90's & was bought by 'Sports Direct' who now make crappy rucksacks in China, using the Karrimor name. There is however; a separate branch of Karrimor (Karrimor SF) that specialises in making excellent military grade rucks which are made by PRI ( a specialist manufacturer) & have nothing to do with the civilian Karrimor name.
Although Karrimor no longer make them, there are still plenty of external frame rucksacks being made, notably in the US & Scandinavia where they are still popular.
My very first pack was an external frame which I used throughout the 80's but once I started using an internal frame rucksack, there was no going back. 👍
Wow, thanks for this incredible information! I had no idea!
I just tried on an external frame yesterday, and loved it so much more than the frameless packs... and I had someone tell me I was totally insane for thinking that. lol
Ha ha ha ha! Yeah, I wish more external frame packs were available; I think they would work great for lots of people!
If frames didn't make it bags better then they would simply have never been invented. Don't listen to trendy UL people, all they do is repeat the same misguided arguments over and over.
Agreed. I picked up an old jansport D3 a while back and it carries more weight more comfortably than any internal frame pack I've tried.
Agree 1000 percent. Just got me a Coleman exponent Bozeman for $7 used but great shape I’m so excited
Ralph is absolutely right. This bag, a Karrimor Totem Classique is a masterpiece of simplicity, strength and design. At 2.5kgs
it is lighter than most frameless bags of similar capacity. Properly packed it sits beautifully and will carry 25kg easily, with less effort than ANY frameless bag. It has BIG capacity if you need it: 90 to 100litres. There are NO gimmicky pockets, zips, loops, straps or bulky padding etc. The waist belt is slim, simple and effective. All in all solid, old fashioned Pommie commonsense.
These bags are still quite easy to find and cheap too: R400 second hand. Of course the Savotta 906 is the top quality, but it weighs half a kg more, costs ten times as much, in Finland, and probably 20 times if you import it new to South Africa.
This model was I believe offered to the SADF who decided to build and design their own: enter the M83 SADF rucksack: The
massively overdesigned utterly indestructible steel, uncurved frame effectively crippled an infantryman at 100 yards, with 4 big side pockets sewn precisely in the wrong place tending to pull him head over heels backwards. However, if you tinker with the frame and restitch the pockets, I give you a brilliant military rucksack: Load capacity: 50kg. At 4kg, a bit heavy for delicate modern civilians I imagine!
Thanks, this is really interesting!
John, tell me a rough price for you to post a good condition bag and frame of this model to England please.
Because I would like one.
Regards, James.
I have a Karrimor Jaguar E65 that I've had for 37 years. I just found this video because something has broken on it for the first time and I was looking for repair videos. I was a bit disappointed that the lifetime guarantee no longer works since Karrimor was bought out. It's been to 22 countries in Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America. Now my daughter uses it for Scout camps.
Lyk fantasties Bruh!!!
Awesome pack. I run the Karrimor Jaguar 80, also the KS 100e material.
Awesome stuff bro, hope to see you on the trails..
Thanks Armand!
I'm glad the pack is treating you well!
Looks like a pretty good backpack. 👍
Thanks!
Just got an external frame last night, looking forward to learning more about them. (BTW - it was weird to hear "my" theme music come on at 0:18! LOL). Subbed!
Ha ha ha! I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with your external frame!
Me too!!! Got it for $7 on offer up I’m juiced
I like my frame backpack a lot! Superior for heavy loads than an internal frame pack. There is ventilation by your back--internal frame packs can be really sweaty!
You can strap awkward bulky loads to the frame if you need to ferry cargo into a wilderness camp.
The only really drawback is in dense cover when you have to dodge under branches and clamber over and under downed trees. You can get stuck and/or off balance
Thanks for sharing!
I love your videos, I am a great fan of external frame backpacks, I use a Kelty Trekker 3950
Very cool! I wish they would hurry up and come back into fashion so that more manufacturers would make them!
If you can, get an old SADF pattern 83 field pack with frame, tough as nails pack😎 similar to the Karrimor but you can still get the 83 all over and for around 500ZAR
You could actually live out of that thing full time wtf... it's awesome
I know right 😆
The kelty map 3500 has that beat
This pack looks heavy
It's surprisingly light, since the frame is made from hollow pipe. It is lighter than my Deuter Aircontact 50 + 10 litre backpack!
Check out the savotta xl or ljk
I wonder how many of today's products will last 37 years ? Not many I bet. 👍
Yes, I think that many of today's products are just not the same quality at all unfortunately...
"Retro or Retrogrouch Backpacking" ...I read this in a add on the internet...talking about Backpackers that primarily used vintage backpacking gear...now is this a real thing...is there a new fad called Retrogrouch Backpacking? I know Vintage backpacking gear is becoming more in Vogue. . .then it was...
Some call this ("Retro" (Grouch) Backpacking)...for short.
Retrogrouch
-noun
1. One who is skeptical of technological developments until their usefulness and reliability have been proven.
2. One who insists on minimalist equipment that may be user-serviced, and has proven its usefulness in the past. . .
3. He is such a retro Grouch he still uses a camera that takes film. . .