Bonfus Framus 58 vs Seek Outside Flight 3
Quick take: The Seek Outside Flight 3 costs $10 less; the Bonfus Framus 58 carries more (58 vs 52 liters); the Bonfus Framus 58 is lighter (1.75 vs 2.7 lbs).
Which one to buy
Almost a pound is what the Framus saves over the Flight 3, and load range and fit are what it costs you; the price gap is just $10. The Framus 58 weighs 1.75 lbs on two removable stays and is rated for 40 lbs. The Seek Outside Flight 3 weighs 2.7 lbs on a 7075 aluminum frame with a cross stay, and Seek Outside rates it at 35 to 50+ lbs. If your heaviest carries push past 40, that alone points to the Flight 3.
Fit leans the same way. The Flight 3 has an adjustable harness on a 22 in or 25 in frame, so taller hikers aren't stuck on a short stay, plus four hipbelt sizes down to a 27 in waist. The frame height you pick at checkout is final, though, and Seek Outside gives only height guidance, not torso ranges. The Framus comes in S, M and L with no adjustment, so measure carefully against Bonfus's chart, because exchanges mean international shipping from Europe. The Flight 3 also adds a hydration sleeve and a channeled back for airflow, though its hipbelt pockets and lid are extras.
The Framus is the gram-counter's choice. Its 58 L and stays handle a bear canister plus a long food carry at 28 oz, a ratio few framed packs match, and its taped seams and laminate keep it close to waterproof. The catch: the laminate is abrasion-sensitive at the folds and hard to field-repair, Bonfus's warranty runs only 2 years against defects, and stock is intermittent. The Flight 3 can be ordered in the same Ultra 200X at no extra cost, so fabric isn't what separates them.
Bonfus Framus 58
For thru-hikers chasing the lowest weight in a framed pack who keep loads near 40 lbs and know their size.
Seek Outside Flight 3
Better for heavier carries and taller hikers, where an adjustable harness, two frame heights and a 50+ lb rating are worth the extra pound.
| Spec | Bonfus Framus 58 | Seek Outside Flight 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $369 | $359 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 58 L | 52 L |
| Weight | 1.75 lbs | 2.7 lbs |
| Max Load | 40 lbs | 35-50+ lbs |
| Torso Fit | Sized S / M / L | Adjustable harness on a 22 in or 25 in frame; hip belts S 27-31 / M 29-34 / L 33-38 / XL 36-42 in |
| Material | Challenge Ultra 200X | UltraGrid (210D recycled nylon, 200D grid) or Ultra 200X UHMWPE laminate |
| Back Panel | 2 removable shaped aluminium stays with EVA foam | Padded back panel with ventilation channels |
| Adjustable torso | No | Yes |
| Ventilated back | No | Yes |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | No | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Bonfus warranty: 2 years from receipt against material defects and workmanship failure; original owner, excludes normal wear and tear | Lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship, original owner; excludes neglect, misuse and modifications; 30-day return for unused items |
Pros & cons
Bonfus Framus 58
- ✓28 oz for a framed 58 L pack is an outstanding ratio, beating the Kakwa 55 and Mariposa 60.
- ✓Challenge Ultra 200X is a UHMWPE and polyester weave laminated to a waterproof film rather than a coated fabric, so it does not wet out.
- ✓Two shaped aluminium stays are removable, so the pack can be stripped further for light trips.
- ✓58 L handles a bear canister and a long food carry, unlike the 37-40 L frameless options.
- ✓EVA foam backing adds comfort without much weight.
- ✓Taped seams throughout, which is rare even in this segment.
- ✓Undercuts the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra by $30 at nearly the same volume.
- ✗$369 is expensive, and Bonfus is a small European operation with limited US support.
- ✗Ultra 200X is abrasion-sensitive at the folds despite its tear strength.
- ✗Hipbelt pockets are sold separately.
- ✗Lead times can be long and stock is intermittent.
- ✗The laminate is difficult to field-repair compared with a woven nylon.
- ✗No adjustable torso; sizing must be chosen correctly at purchase.
- ✗Limited retail presence means trying one on before buying is unlikely.
Seek Outside Flight 3
- ✓A real aluminum frame and cross stay at 2.7 lb, with a brand load rating up to 50+ lb.
- ✓Two frame heights instead of one, so taller hikers are not stuck on a short stay.
- ✓The waterproof Ultra 200X build costs the same $359 as UltraGrid.
- ✓Four hip-belt sizes, down to a 27 in waist.
- ✓Back padding is channelled for airflow rather than flat foam.
- ✗The two frame sizes are not interchangeable, so the choice at checkout is final.
- ✗Hip-belt pockets and the lid are extras, not included.
- ✗No published torso range for either frame, only height guidance.
- ✗No raincover; the UltraGrid build is DWR-coated rather than waterproof.
Bonfus Framus 58 vs Seek Outside Flight 3: common questions
Will the Framus carry a 45 lb resupply load as well as the Flight 3?▾
No. 45 lbs is past the Framus 58's 40 lb rating on two removable stays, and inside the Flight 3's 35 to 50+ lb range on an aluminum frame with a cross stay.
Can I get the Flight 3 in the same waterproof fabric as the Framus?▾
Yes. The Flight 3 is sold in Ultra 200X or UltraGrid at the same $359. The UltraGrid build is DWR-coated rather than waterproof. The Framus uses Ultra 200X with taped seams.
I'm tall. Which one fits better?▾
The Flight 3 offers a 25 in frame height with an adjustable harness. The Framus has no torso adjustment, so you have to pick S, M or L correctly against Bonfus's chart.