Vaucluse Backpack Ventilation Gear

I partnered with a Backpack Gear Test to test out the Cool-Dry Frame. With over 15 years of testing equipment, BackpackGearTest.org (BGT) is a premier source for online backpacking, hiking, and camping gear reviews.

They reached out and offered to conduct a comprehensive review and test the Cool-Dry Frame.

Joe Schaffer from BGT enjoys camping and hiking in California's central Sierra Mountains. He attached the Cool-Dry Frame to a Medium Gregory Palisade 80 backpack.

Usually, Joe carries with him a tent, mattress, chair, food, water, and other camping items. In total, his pack holds around 40 lbs (18 kg). He typically hikes about 5 miles (8 km) per day in the bright and sunny granite in and around Yosemite.

For this Backpack Gear Sweat Check, he took his Palisade 80 on a short day hike.

Here is Joe’s feedback on how the Frame performed:

"The difference in heat buildup became evident almost immediately, though. My back was not getting hot as it otherwise would, and it stayed much more comfortable than I would have expected.

On any day in an hour, I'd have a damp shirt under the pack. For today's test, I wore a cotton tee, thinking that shirt to be the most rigorous testing of the device's ability to keep things dry. The picture shows the outline of the frame, where the shirt is wet in contact with the frame and dry everywhere else.

I would have to rate this as impressive short-hike performance in keeping the shirt dry."

To check out more images of how the Cool-Dry Frame performed, visit our Instagram account @vauclusegear.

Overall, Joe was happy with how the Cool-Dry Frame performed.

Here is Joe's verdict:

The device attached easily to a Medium Gregory Palisade 80. I wouldn't want to have to muster the dexterity to unhook and re-hook the attaching loops on a cold day or in low light--the two fasteners are very small and tolerate only precise fitting. The frame is about an inch (2.5 cm) longer than would be perfect, as it overhangs the lumbar pad in the hip belt. This was no issue, though, on this hike's very light load.

Once the pack was all strapped, there's no movement in the frame--it stays put. The pack also stayed put--no wobbling around. If in heavier use, the device proves worthwhile, the bit of fuss at mounting the pack would be easily overshadowed by the frame's ventilation merit.

At first, it felt quite different from what I'm used to, which is a fairly smooth backboard. After 15 minutes or so I wouldn't be able to say it's any better or worse for how it feels on the back. Nothing pinched or poked. The pressure seemed evenly displaced.

[The Cool-Dry Frame is] light, minimal-fuss attachment, greatly increases air flow. I would have to rate this as impressive short-hike performance in keeping the shirt dry."

You can read Joe’s full sweat test on the BackpackGearTest.org website by clicking this link.

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Cool-Dry Frame Earns “Impressive” Sweat Check Rating in Central California Backpack Gear Test

Part 1 of 4: Weather Check

Part 2 of 4: Trail Check

Part 3 of 4: Sweat Check

Part 4 of 4: The Verdict

The Cool-Dry Frame by Vaucluse Gear

It's your best way to stay cool and dry with a backpack.