Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

carryology.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 63 posts

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#41

Post by _jal »

toomanybeersies wrote: post #9

My father had a custom-fitted backpack made back around 1980, which he gave to me, and it's the best backpack I've ever used. It goes against practically everything in the book about modern backpack design. There's about zero customisability, you can adjust the length of the shoulder straps and hip strap and that's about it, but I'm a very similar build to my old man so it fits me almost perfectly. It's an external a…

I went through three (no-frame, daily commute) backpacks in slightly over a year a while back - they all failed in different ways. It annoyed me enough that I spent time looking for a well-made one, and settled on a (noncustom) leather backpack.

Sounds very similar - it looks nothing like a modern bag, is not very adjustable, a bit heavy in comparison, super comfortable to wear and I'm pretty sure it will outlive me.

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#42

Post by ip26 »

toomanybeersies wrote: post #9

My father had a custom-fitted backpack made back around 1980, which he gave to me, and it's the best backpack I've ever used. It goes against practically everything in the book about modern backpack design. There's about zero customisability, you can adjust the length of the shoulder straps and hip strap and that's about it, but I'm a very similar build to my old man so it fits me almost perfectly. It's an external a…

We use technology mainly so we can be fast and self sufficient. This allows for short trips which can be fit in a modern working life. I believe that's a big driver.

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#43

Post by vl »

toomanybeersies wrote: post #9

My father had a custom-fitted backpack made back around 1980, which he gave to me, and it's the best backpack I've ever used. It goes against practically everything in the book about modern backpack design. There's about zero customisability, you can adjust the length of the shoulder straps and hip strap and that's about it, but I'm a very similar build to my old man so it fits me almost perfectly. It's an external a…

> I think that the biggest difference between old outdoor equipment and new equipment is that the new stuff is all generic, one size fits al

This article literally is about methods of backpack fitting. Custom-made bespoke backpacks are described as well. There is entire section on methods of ventilation.

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#44

Post by arethuza »

Dowwie wrote: post #17

I'm backpacking 8 days into the backcountry this Summer. I was fitted for my pack in 2009 and used it on a few trips, carrying up to 75 pounds for several days. Even with a fitted pack, my shoulders took a beating. I don't know whether upgrading packs will make much of a difference but need to act soon.

"75 pounds"

That's really heavy - any particular reason you need so much stuff?

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#45

Post by oftenwrong »

A few more recent innovations in packs...

Aarn "bodypacks" use front bags to counterbalance the load on the back: https://www.aarnpacks.com/

NeoTrekk (formerly LuxuryLite) also offers a "front pack" for counterbalance that can be used with their pack. However, that is just one of the pack's many innovations, which include modular waterproof storage, quick-detach hip belt, camp chair conversion, attachable wheels, and more: http://www.neotrekk.com/index.html#stackpack

The McHale Bypass Harness on McHale packs completely solves the inherent adjustment problems of the traditional load-lifter design used on most trekking packs. This innovation is not recent; its US patent has expired. Despite this, I do not know of any companies that have adopted it: http://www.mchalepacks.com/sarc/04.htm

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#46

Post by jotm »

gbtw wrote: post #29
jotm wrote: post #14

I always thought shoulder straps need more connection between them at chest level - would that make sense? I think it would even the load better.

My Kriega R30 backpack has that, its not that great for walking in my opinion but i can wear it all day on the motorcycle (that's what its made for), off the bike i usually have my pants and jacket and helmet hooked on the top of it so its very overweight. https://kriega.com/riderpacks/

Ah, so they do make them! Yes, that's what I meant, like those R35/R30 backpacks. Haven't seen that before, thanks for the link!

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#47

Post by evilolive »

Dowwie wrote: post #17

I'm backpacking 8 days into the backcountry this Summer. I was fitted for my pack in 2009 and used it on a few trips, carrying up to 75 pounds for several days. Even with a fitted pack, my shoulders took a beating. I don't know whether upgrading packs will make much of a difference but need to act soon.

May I ask what’s taking the bulk of your weight?

For info, six days autonomy and including a bear can I’m hovering around 30lbs which is when the ultralight backpack starts being uncomfortable

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#48

Post by chrisseaton »

evilolive wrote: post #47
Dowwie wrote: post #17

I'm backpacking 8 days into the backcountry this Summer. I was fitted for my pack in 2009 and used it on a few trips, carrying up to 75 pounds for several days. Even with a fitted pack, my shoulders took a beating. I don't know whether upgrading packs will make much of a difference but need to act soon.

May I ask what’s taking the bulk of your weight? For info, six days autonomy and including a bear can I’m hovering around 30lbs which is when the ultralight backpack starts being uncomfortable

> I’m hovering around 30lbs

I think that's about 13 kg. For six days? You must be on very limited water each day. 13 kg is running weight.

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#49

Post by chrisseaton »

arethuza wrote: post #44
Dowwie wrote: post #17

I'm backpacking 8 days into the backcountry this Summer. I was fitted for my pack in 2009 and used it on a few trips, carrying up to 75 pounds for several days. Even with a fitted pack, my shoulders took a beating. I don't know whether upgrading packs will make much of a difference but need to act soon.

"75 pounds" That's really heavy - any particular reason you need so much stuff?

> That's really heavy - any particular reason you need so much stuff?

75 pounds is 34 kg. A normally fit person should be able to carry that for several days without issue.

Re: Human Interface: Backpack harness innovation

#50

Post by PaulDavisThe1st »

One thing missing in this survey is the arrival of shoulder strap lift straps. If you go back to the 1970s, backpacks more or less uniformly had a shoulder strap that started at the top of your back, sat directly against the body and wrap up and over the shoulders. This transferred a significant amount of weight directly to the top of the shoulders.

At some point, people figured out that it made sense to run an adjustable strap from the very apex of the shoulder strap back to the pack "frame" (whatever that was), designed to generally run at about a 45 degree angle upwards. This massively reduces the load on the shoulders, and converts the shoulder straps more into balance/position elements than load bearing.

Post reply on HN