The present disclosure provides a lightweight, ergonomically improved backpack system comprising a storage section, an upper harness, a lower harness and an ergonomic backpack frame, that may be configured to facilitate the carrying of loads that may substantially exceed the weight of the ergonomic backpack frame. The ergonomic backpack frame may include a flex portion that includes at least one flex region. The flex portion of the ergonomic backpack frame may allow the backpack frame to substantially conform to a user's back while walking during utilization of the backpack system.