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The use of chest packs to distribute weight?
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Sep 8, 2009 at 2:50 pm #1239167
I realize this isn't a new concept by any means, but I couldn't find too much discussion on this. Perhaps because our bags are already so light.
Well, I recently acquired a lowepro chest pack that fits my dslr, lenses, and every other accesory I need for photography. That stuff alone is about 8-9 pounds. When I attach it to the D-rings on my ULA Catalyst, I definately feel better. More balanced. My 35 pound winter pack won't seem nearly as bad when much of it is located in the front.
Has anyone else used chest packs to distribute weight more effectively?
Sep 8, 2009 at 2:56 pm #1526043Short answer: Yup. Basically for the same reasons, with the same results. More upright stance, too. I'm pretty sure it was Franco who pointed out to me that (at least some) Aarn packs come w/chest packs.
Sep 8, 2009 at 3:32 pm #1526049Many hostel to hostel backpackers will comfirm that the system works… however if you want to get the real thing, you need the Aarns.
The Aarn system is designed to allow extra freedom of movement, full view and puts the weight on your hips not the shoulders.
Franco
Sep 8, 2009 at 3:35 pm #1526050That picture looks like the front packs are pulling on the shoulder harness. Obviously they don't. How are they set?
Sep 8, 2009 at 3:56 pm #1526053The idea seems logical. I would be curious to hear more from chest pack advocates. Anyone care to comment on things like mobility, ground visualization, possible pressure on the chest or abdomen, difficulty of putting on and removing the pack, or situations when it does not work well? I assume there would be frontal pack sweat along with the normal back sweat in many conditions. I don’t think that would be too much of an issue in most cases. What would be a rough ideal division of weight between front and back pack? Any experience using a front Aarn pack attached to a non-Aarn backpack or just using a smaller backpack put on backwards along with a normal backpack?
Sep 8, 2009 at 4:38 pm #1526063Brett
You might find answers to some of you questions at this URL
-Mark
Sep 8, 2009 at 4:52 pm #1526069I have used a camera chest pack, but found that in warm too hot weather I got very over heated and sweaty and gave up on the idea. However, it seems to work well for many people and in cool/cold weather probably wont be an issue. Another problem can be seeing where you are putting your feet.
I now carry a water bottle on each shoulder strap and feel that this has some balancing effect. I also attach my bins to the shoulder D rings when I am on a birding trip and this works very well in terms of keeping weight off my neck.
Sep 8, 2009 at 7:03 pm #1526106That is not really the ideal picture to show how the system works (my posture) but does show that there is a large gap inbetween the pockets that allows ground vision.
The pockets have a stay in them that rests on the hip belt, that is why they do not pull on the shoulder straps. most of the time you could slide a finger under my shoulder straps without feeling any pressure there.
Ideally you would have the same weight at the front as you do at the back.
I don't sweat very much but often I will end the day with a damp/wet back but still a dry front. Others have reported heat build up at the front but that is not the case for me. Note that the contact area at the front is pretty much limited to the straps, the pockets hang on the front of them.
FrancoSep 8, 2009 at 7:16 pm #1526111Sep 8, 2009 at 7:36 pm #1526116I suggest you shoot off an E Mail to Aarn telling him your typical load, volume and intended use (terrain) and he will likely find you the right pack for you. He does have a fairly large range…
You could start here
http://aarnpacks.com/use/index.html
don't forget to check your size.
Franco
There are many pages of information including several video clips on the Aarn site, worth having a look.
http://aarnpacks.com/index.html
( I have no connection whatsoever with Aarn Tate except I know that he is a nice guy too)
Jason, next you are going to tell us that you don't use IceBreaker too…( ignore this if you are into Chocolate Fish)Sep 8, 2009 at 7:47 pm #1526120Hi Franco,
I am wearing Icebreaker as I type and wear it almost every day – so I am doing my bit for buy NZ :).
Sep 8, 2009 at 7:57 pm #1526124That Aarn site looks interesting. Anyone use his tents?
Sep 8, 2009 at 10:30 pm #1526153Using an OMM 4or 5L i dont remember for more than a year now.
– its definitly easier to get my dslr ( an olympus 420 )
– trimmed down the weight is not that bad : 130g
– it gets in the way when i put my bacpack on or off, otherwise its ok
– with the dslr i put only a few minor things like map , so the weight is under 1KG and the difference with having 1kg more in the backpack isnt that noticable.Sep 9, 2009 at 12:09 am #1526167I just completed the JMT on Saturday and have done many other hikes with a SLR or DSLR attached to the shoulder harness. I have good balance and feel for the trail with my feet so I don't find any problem with visibility. Poles help in this regard as well. Wearing it a little higher really keep the bouncing to a minimum. It is good to keep the camera handy as well as map, lip balm, sunglasses, and many other things. I wouldn't take many pictures if I had to take my pack off every time. I do think having some weight on the front helps for a more upright stance and posture as well.
Sep 9, 2009 at 12:45 am #1526168/brett asked" What would be a rough ideal division of weight between front and back pack? Any experience using a front Aarn pack attached to a non-Aarn backpack?"
Ideally you need the weight in the front to pull forward on the shoulder straps as much as the backpack is pulling back. Usually we put dense things like water in the front and if we are not running they go in the front pocket in front of the front. There they pull forward harder. In other words its not weight its moment that matters.
We have put aarn front pockets on an OMM mountain marathon 32. I made holsters out of webbing on the belt. The balance bit works well and it is lighter than the equivalent Aarn pack. What you do not get is the other Aarn features. I think getting front to back balance right is the most important concept.edit I also added the same pockets to my ULA circuit. This has a hip belt similar to the Aarn Featherlite freedom in that it allows your hips to move. It is only attached to the sack in the middle of your back. I found this worked really well even with big loads. It does not have the Aarn shoulder strap freedom but If you have balance front to back you can keep your shoulder straps loose and your sholders are somewhat free to move anyway.
Brett also asked about mobility pressure and vision. Aarn pockets allow most vision of your feet between the pockets. There is no pressure as the stays can be bent to avoid any reasonable beer belly. The pockets naturally fall away from your chest and are only stopped by the attachment to the shoulder straps. I have got used to them scrambling but they do get in the way. So do full side pockets on the circuit
Sep 9, 2009 at 8:42 pm #1526409Thanks for all the comments everyone. It seems like quite a few people have tried it, and that it works out equally as well for everyone (unless it gets too hot!)
Oct 5, 2009 at 11:36 am #1533146Hi all,
Back hiking after a summer laid up with pneumonia and a cracked rib. Boring, but my mind was on the trail and in the mountains!!
I've been toying with the idea of front packs, and, while I'd like to buy an Aarn pack, the one I want isn't available yet (MM40 with detatchable front pockets) so I decided to make my own.
The shots show how they fit and how they carry. I have a one litre platty in each, and they don't interfere with my arm swing with the pacerpoles, which is fantastic!! I gave them their maiden run today on a 5 hour training hike in the pre pyrenees- and the weight distribution compared to having the extra two kilos in the bag was really well balanced.
Finding UL gear in Barcelona is pretty impossible (thank god for the web), but I found some Lifeadventure silnylon stuff sacks- the pack says 5 litres, but I think that is for the pair, and had a seamstress in my barrio sew on some straps based on my MLD hipblet pockets. I put some low and some high to see what was the best carry, and the low ones work best, so I'll cut off the higher ones. I fix the draw cord to the shoulder straps of the pack with a mini carabiner- not hitech, but it works.
Each one weighs 40g, and of course, they are multi use so if I am not carrying so much water I can put something in them inside the ruck sack. The pack is a Grivel 35, by the way (not ultralight, but super comfy).
I can use half litre plattys to give more space for all day things I use like a knife and trail mix etc too.
Didn't cost much at all to do this, and will really make a difference when I have to camel up some days.
Maybe I'll buy some dyneema and make them a bit more bombproof, but for now, they do the job just fine.
cheers,
fredOct 5, 2009 at 12:20 pm #1533164Oct 5, 2009 at 3:46 pm #1533250Fred:
Thanks. Great post with photos of the water bottle holder.
I've been putting water bottles in a holder on my hip belt for a few years. I've felt that it was a better carry than on my back but thought it might be just my imagination. Nice to hear other people saying that putting some of the weight forward really does make for a more comfortable carry.
Vaya con Dios,
HJ
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