How to Install the Ultralight Ventilation Frame

Your Ultralight Backpack Ventilation Frame is proudly made in the USA.

This is how you install the Ultralight Backpack Ventilation Frame on your backpack to increase the ventilation and airflow between you and your backpack.

Please note that Velcro strips have been replaced with reusable zip ties. If you see anywhere the mention of Velcro, please substitute reusable zip ties. If your frame did not come with reusable zip ties, please contact us.

You have below a short video courtesy of Garage Grown Gear, and the instruction card outlining the steps for installing the frame on my backpack.

It's important to individually zip tie each of the connectors on the top. Two connectors on the left and two on the right.

Let's dive in.

How to Install Ventilation Frame

Please note that Velcro is being replaced by reusable zip ties. Based on feedback from customers, they've recommended the zip ties as a more effective method of connecting the frame to backpacks.

Our Ultralight Backpack Ventilation Frame comes in a variety of colors. Right here, I've got green, gray, white, and we also have black, (which is up there).

When you get your frame, there's very basic instructions (just a couple of steps) on how to install it and what you're going to get when you get the frame. This is what the frame looks like when you get it. It's 3.5 ounces, 99 grams. So it's extremely light (you can just toss it around). And it's flexible, so there's no problem on your back. It's a comfortable and very simple design.

I'm going to show you there are two parts. You can quickly take them apart so, right here, you have the Frame when it's delivered to you. And you can (obviously) put it back into your backpack (like this) when you don't need it. But this is how it's delivered to you. It's a very simple, dual design, and extremely lightweight.

In order to install it, you simply put the pegs (the tips) in the hole – as such – and you make sure that they're clipped, and then you do that for every single peg. You’ll be good to go once you have all the pegs snapped together. Just give it a nice “press” to make sure that everything is properly and snugly into place.

It is a very simple design. It stays together by compression. Again, the simplest design also makes the lightest design. So give it a press. It’s very durable. Don't think that this “looks flimsy” and is going to break. This is manufactured right here in the United States, and made so well that you can sit on it. We've had customers sit on the Frame and use it as a seat cushion (for that airflow). You cannot break this. So if it looks “flimsy” and you're still thinking well, that's going to break after two times, no. This thing is not going to break.

Step number two. Take your backpack and what we're going to do is, we're going to put the loops around the straps of the backpack. Here we go, this is how you do it. You simply put the loops around the straps. This Osprey has the fasteners here, so you can just loop it around there and, that way, it's nice and snug on the top.

So now, the loops are around the straps. What you’re going to want to do for step number three is… There are these male/female connectors and you simply push those in, and the top is secure to the backpack. Now what we've also done is include some Velcro, just in case you want to wrap your loops together. We've had customers who don’t need it, but also some who have recommended wrapping Velcro around each of the loops. It really depends on how vigorously you are hiking. What you can also do is cut the Velcro so it isn’t too long. That way the loops are even less likely to pop off. They don't require much Velcro because, again, we've designed it like this: To be the lightest way of getting this frame on your backpack without adding a lot of weight.

So now the backpack is firmly secured at the top. The question is, how do you secure it at the bottom? Once again, we choose Velcro as the lightest and simplest way of keeping this Frame on your backpack (and any other backpack, because backpacks vary in their design, like where or whether you use a belt, or where the loops and straps are). This is a universal way of quickly attaching the Ventilation Frame on your backpack. What you have is, I'm just simply taking the Velcro (you may have received reusable zip ties which have proven to be a better option) and looping the strap here on the backpack, together with the frame right here. Very easy and there you go.

If you have any questions or issues with your ventilation frame, you can contact us directly by clicking here.

Your Ventilation Frame is attached to the backpack. It moves a little bit so – if the question is, oh my gosh, is this going to move my my backpack all over the place – the answer, if you firmly put your backpack on your back, and put the clips everywhere (and even if you don't have all of these clips, like this Osprey backpack), no, the backpack is not going “all over the place” on your back.

The reason I raise this point is because people who are interested in the Backpack Ventilation Frame ask questions like, Is my backpack going to be moving all over the place?

There are tons of testimonials from customers explaining how comfortable their backpack stays on their back and how the backpack stays secure.

We’re also asked if it’s going to move their center of gravity. If you think about it, that little bit of space (that's no more than three-quarters of an inch, compared to your backpack) is moving the center of gravity probably no more than a percent or two.. It really depends on how big your backpack is. If you've got a really big backpack, the center of gravity isn't moving that much because the backpack is on your shoulder, right on the top. So that's not moving (and you still have the belt). But I understand. If you have a larger backpack, and you're worried about the center of gravity, I understand your concern.

My suggestion is… give it a try. If you don't like it, you can send it back for a full refund.

So let's see what the backpack looks like. With the Ventilation Frame on here, I have the backpack on me, and you can (more than likely) see the gap between me and the backpack! And that's how you attach the Ultralight Backpack Ventilation Frame by Vaucluse on your typical backpack. Again, this is a 22 Liter Osprey, and very simple to attach, and extremely comfortable. I recommend checking out our reviews on our website, VaucluseGear.com, and order one. We've got some great deals and we look forward to hearing your review of how the Frame works on your backpack!

Thanks so much!