Bears Ears Frameless - Expedition

Next shopping option August 2026

Limited quantities available on Noon MT, Apr 10th

This is a specialized version of the Bears Ears frameless pack optimized for the few hikers willing to do 2 weeks plus Sierra food carries.

The weight distribution is focused on a low center of gravity and a snug feel, enabling talus hopping, scrambling and steep scree surfing with the best balance and control. 

What you get

Modded Bears Ears pack, 32 liter top compartment 

Expedition hipbelt. Wider dual buckle stiff hipbelt with excellent weight transfer

Internal foam sleeve designed to receive a Coroplast frame sheet

Single removable front pocket

Upgraded canister harness to support 20lbs+ of food

Accordion style top closure with top strap

Technoforce Steel 100% UHMWPE non laminated fabric or..

Gridstop UHMWPE reinforced Nylon pack cloth

Weights, size medium pack, medium hipbelt

Technoforce Steel build with expedition hipbelt, one bottle holder, removable mesh front pocket, Coroplast frame sheet (user supplied) 750g

GridStop build with expedition hipbelt, one bottle holder, removable mesh front pocket, Coroplast frame sheet (user supplied) 900g

Set of 2 compression straps 45g

Tips

Recommended base weight for this pack is under 10 lbs, plus bear canister, plus water and food. Total pack weight should be kept under 35 lbs. With careful food planning I am able to start a two week trip with under 32 lbs TPW, see LighterPack below

Contact Allan at Bearikade for custom plus sized canisters even bigger than the Expedition. I purchased a 17" version that works great with this pack, for up to 16 days

With food weight approaching 20 lbs or higher: For a more balanced, comfortable load move 5 lbs of the most compact food up into the pack during the first week. The pack body itself is sized and built to facilitate this.

Carefully repack these big canisters in the morning thru out the trip so they are balanced. Lay them down and arrange the food along the full length, then fill extra space with garbage, cook set or empty bottles. Before strapping it in hold the canister up with one hand underneath in the middle to check

Expect some weight on the shoulders compared to a fully featured 6 lbs framed backpack. Expect much less weight on the shoulders compared to a typical Cutaway style frameless pack with 30 lbs in it

I like the Technoforce Steel fabric option. What is it? A normal looking fabric that's really thin, amazingly light, adequately strong, very expensive, and not particularly water resistant. It also won't hold a dye, thus white. The Technoforce Steel pack is built with slightly lighter hardware here and there; but the weight savings are also in the realm of 150g

I personally configure this pack with mesh front pocket, one bottle holder (water is plentiful in the Sierra), no hipbelt pocket (that's what shorts pockets are for) and one shoulder strap pocket for phone. No compression straps

The Coroplast frame sheet mentioned above is optional and not supplied with the pack. You will get dimensions to make your own out of discarded yard election signs. Save your Antifa ones, cause this battle is not lost yet. See also here

Medium format film by Isaac Rozen

Phone pic by Isaac Rosen