Backpacks
A backpack (also called rucksack, knapsack, packsack, pack, or Bergan) is, in its simplest form, a cloth sack carried on one's back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders, but there can be exceptions. Light weight types of backpacks are sometimes worn on only one shoulder strap.
We carry only the highest quality packs from Grgory, Mammut and Black Diamond.
Whatever your backpacking, climbing, skiing or hiking needs are, let us properly fit you to the right pack.
Backpacks are often preferred to handbags for carrying heavy loads, because of the limited capacity to carry heavy weights for long periods of time in the hands. Large backpacks, used to carry loads over 10 kg (22 lbs), usually offload the largest part (up to about 90%) of their weight onto padded hip belts, leaving the shoulder straps mainly for stabilising the load. This improves the potential to carry heavy loads, as the hips are stronger than the shoulders, and also increases agility and balance, since the load rides nearer the person's own center of mass.
Backpack designs
 Backpacks in general fall into one of four categories: frameless, external frame, internal frame, and bodypack. A pack frame, when present, serves to support the pack and distribute the weight of its contents across the body more easily (generally by transferring much of the weight to the hips and legs), so most of the weight does not rest on the shoulders, restricting range of motion and possibly causing damage from pressure on the straps. Most are capable of being closed with either a buckle mechanism, a zipper, or a dry-bag type closure though a few models use a drawstring fitted with a cord lock for the main compartment. Many backpacks with shoulder straps can affect the posture of a person carrying more than 14 kg (30 lbs).
Frameless
The simplest backpack design is a bag attached to a set of shoulder straps. Such packs are used for general transportation of goods, and have variable capacity. The simplest designs consist of one main pocket. This maybe combined with webbing or cordage straps; while more sophisticated models add extra pockets, waist straps, chest straps, padded shoulder straps, padded backs, and sometimes reflective materials for added safety when the wearer is out at night. In general, these packs can be produced inexpensively.
Some outdoors packs, particularly those sold for day hikes, ultralight backpacking and mountaineering are sometimes frameless as well.
The safety of some of the designs of these backpacks have been criticized by the UK NHS, many bag designs being deemed "unsafe" for children.[citation needed]
External frame packs
External frame packs were designed carry heavy loads (20 kg / 40 lb and more), giving the wearer more support and protection and better weight distribution than a simple, frameless strapped bag. Wooden pack frames were used for centuries around the world. Ötzi the Iceman may have used one in Copper Age Alpine Italy [1][2], though some archaeologists believe the frame found with the body was part of a snowshoe. Such gear is common in military and mountaineering applications. metal versions first appeared in the mid-20th century.
The frame of an E-frame pack is typically made from aluminum or exotic light-weight metal alloy tubing or graphite-fiber. The frame is provided with a system of straps and tautly-stretched netting which prevents contact between the metal frame and user's back. In addition to comfort, this "stand-off" provides the additional benefit of creating air-circulation between the frame and user. For this reason E-frame packs are generally conceded to be a "cooler load" than I-frame packs designs. Similar to I-frame pack designs, E-frame packs also provide a fabric "sack" portion but which by design is smaller, leaving frame portions protruding above and below to accommodate attachment of items of any dimension. I-frame pack design's lock-in (by fixed dimension of sack-compartments) an expectation of "the size" of tent/sleeping-bag/air mattress. In contrast, E-frame pack-styles extend their versatility even further, since they allow total dismount of the entire "manufacturer's preconceived sack portion" from the frame, permitting THE FRAME to be utilized in transportation of a user's own configuration of "tiered stuff-sacks" or non-conventional load eg: transport of a quartered game-animal from a field location. Military packs are often external-frame designs due to their ability to carry loads of improvised geometry and weight. The ability to adapt to improvised load(s) is the primary advantage that E-frame designs possess over I-frame pack designs. Manufacturers of E-frame pack designs include Kelty, Jansport, and Coleman.
Internal frame packs
The internal frame backpack is a recent innovation, invented in 1967 by Greg Lowe, who went on to found Lowepro, a company specializing in backpacks and other forms of carrying bags for various equipment.[1] An internal-frame pack has a large cloth section in which a small frame is integrated. This frame generally consists of strips of either metal or plastic that mold to one's back to provide a good fit, sometimes with additional metal stays to reinforce the frame. Usually a complex series of straps works with the frame to distribute the weight and hold it in place. The close fitting of the back section to the wearer's back allows the pack to be closely attached to the body, and gives a predictable movement of the load; on the downside, the tight fit reduces ventilation, so these type of packs tend to be more sweaty than external frame packs. The internal construction also allows for a large storage compartment. Internal-frame packs may provide a few lash points (including webbing loops and straps for sleeping bags and other large items), but as the frame is fully integrated and not available on the outside, it is difficult to lash a large, heavy item so that it stays fixed and does not bounce, so most cargo must fit inside. Internal-frame packs originally suffered from smaller load capacity and less comfortable fit during steady walking, but newer models have improved greatly in these respects. In addition, because of their snug fit, they ride better in activities that involve upper-body movement such as scrambling over rocky surfaces and skiing. The improved internal frame models have largely replaced external frame backpacks for many activitie
|
