Yesterday, I filled up the Six Moon pack that I had with basically everything that I take with me on a long distance hike. Except for the food; I didn't really have any of that lying around. Instead I filled up a gallon jug with water. Since Harley was coming with me, I figured that I could get rid of some of it somewhere through the couple of hours we would be gone. I tried out a configuration of my new strap idea. It wasn't the best test model because the geometry and the straps themselves were a little uncomfortable but the concept was certainly proven. I had some issues with the straps being too tight around my neck. It wasn't bothersome enough to prevent me from hiking for over an hour like that but in the future I am going to need a wider platform. That will allow the straps to really hug onto the middle trapezius muscles. Geometry will correct the right fit so that there is no digging into the shoulders, as commonly seen on current packs when carrying loads for extended periods of time.
The pack weight itself, though, felt good. It was really weird at first. I could tell that something was off. My side to side movements felt weird and when I bent over (especially to the side) the pack was strangely centered. The pack weight didn't shift at all on my body. It was more upright and didn't rotate with me. There was no moment of inertia there needed to move the pack with my body. When I got back up, it was easier. There was less strain on my muscles to do so. I guess a good way to picture it is when you bend over with your pack on, there are times when you feel that pack is going to keep going and pull you down with it. I didn't get this sensation nearly as much. I know that I have worn packs for over 3000 miles now but this was different and once I got used to it, I wasn't a huge fan of going back.
I put the pack on the way it was intended after this test phase and it just didn't feel right. Something was out of place. The weight felt alright on my shoulders but not good enough. I was expecting to put it back on the right way and fall back in love with it but I didn't. I wanted to take the pack back off and put the configuration back to what I was testing. That's a really good sign because I think a few geometry changes can shore things up for me and ensure that the pack will fit me properly.
I also came up with idea to figure out how to design the ideal pack for my body. I think the best way is going to be tracing my body while it's up against a mirror. I can have a roommate of mine draw the outline on the mirror while I stand right next to it. It's an easy and simple way of "tracing" the profile of my back. Then I can begin to figure out what shape I need to make it. A good contoured fit like the Jam had is going to be more comfortable on the shoulder and hips. The higher friction area on the back will help keep some of the load off those areas directly. And a nice snug pack will ultimately be most comfortable. The problem with that may be the wicking away of sweat off the body. The right fabric will need to be chosen. In the ultralight community there is no room to add the weight to add vents, plus the closer the load is to the back, the less it will pull the body backwards. I want the center of gravity as far forward as possible. Otherwise, the pack is just pulling you backwards as you need to pull it forwards, as you walk.
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