[pct-l] packs: comfort vs weight: Why packs work, Part 2

[reynolds@iLAN.com (Reynolds, WT)]

Pack manufacturers know all about this. They are way ahead of me. The
problem is that to be successful in the backpacking equipment business you
need to be able to sell to people who don't backpack. [Note: This is also
true of the book business. You need to seel your books to people who won't
read them] The result is a pack that will sell as opposed to a pack that
will work. It would be totally trivial to take a Dana pack and reduce the
weight to about three pounds, a 60% reduction. the result would be a flimsey
pack that wouldn't sell [in stupid buyers eyes] and increased warranty
claims [from idiots who had no idea how to backpack] Why, I ask, would Dana
do such a thing? To satisfy to 3-5 thruhikers who would spend $300-$400 on a
pack? Get real!
 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Bighummel@aol.com [mailto:Bighummel@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2002 5:52 PM
To: reynolds@ilan.com; pct-l@backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] packs: comfort vs weight: Why packs work, Part 2


Tom,

You are a marvel.  This is why you are a major contributor to this list.  I
think that you understand the physical requirements of loading an individual
with weight possibly better than any pack manufacturer out there.  

(Wait a second.  Did I just compliment you?  Oh NO!  I take that back.  I
wouldn't want to offend you or anyone else!)

My Kelty Tioga has a top U shaped bar that attaches to the vertical stays
and acts a bit like a top handle on the pack but also allows me to attach
tent or any other equipment to the very top of the pack.  This bar bugged me
because it was straight and forced my head forward.  However, I bent it to
curve concavely toward my head so that I could straighten up and, viola, no
problem.

You are right.  The Kelty Tioga rides very high on the shoulders.  I found
that with the shoulder and waist straps tightened down to prevent shifting
that I could easily balance delicately with a very large amount of weight
(such as tip toeing on an ice covered log across a raging creek).  

I'm still thinking the double i beam design of frame is worth trying out.  I
may try to make one out of bamboo.  It is cheap and easy to work with.  

Greg

"Salvitur Ambulando"
(walking solves all things)
St. Augustine




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