I noticed the other day that Lowe Alpine has come out with a new system called “Pure Air Zone” which suspends most of the backpack a few inches away from your back to keep your back from sweating while you hike. See advertisment on page 39 of this years Backpacker Gear Guide for a picture of their system. If you dont have the magazine I will try to describe it.
There are two strips of foam protruding several inches from the frame, one that contacts your shoulders and another on the backside of the hipbelt. Between the strips of foam is an open area where the pack does not contact your back.
This feature sounds kind of hokey but I think it might make my hiking a lot more comfortable. I hate the layer of back sweat that develops on a normal internal frame backpack and I am not a big fan of external frame packs.
I am thinking of trying to add this feature to my backpacks by simply attaching strips of foam in the proper places. Is there any reason why that wouldn’t work? Has anyone has tried this technology (Its found on Lowe Alpine Beartooth Air and Cirque Air backpacks.) I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.
