Sternum Straps?

I won't buy a pack without a sternum strap. I even like them on a day pack. It probably comes down to individual body types. For me, shoulder straps are more comfortable when then do not slip outwards towards my shoulders (as they always do). The sternum strap keeps them in the most comfortable position on my chest, and ensures they are flat against my shoulders. Without one, the outside edge of the straps can tend to cut into my shoulder a bit. I definitely need one for carrying comfort.

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I use mine, but I'm not sure they are essential for all packs. They definately help stabilize the shoulder straps on my GG Mariposa Plus. Location in relation to your torso is very important. I place it above my pectoral muscles and below my clavicles. Placing them lower causes problems like Lynn mentioned. Placed above the pectorals it never moves while breathing. I have also used the sternum strap to attach a small belt pocket to keep small essentials readily available. I'm a birdwatcher and usually carry a small binocular. I can rest the binos in this small "chest pack" and they don't put any pressure on my neck.

So would you two say that narrow shoulders are the issue, or that the packs you wear are not well fitted in the shoulder straps? I'm only asking because I don't have these problems, and wonder if anyone else finds their pack works just fine without a strap?

I also like sternum straps – as others have said, they make the shoulder straps sit nicer/more comfortably.

As a matter of fact, I just bought a Jam2 that was missing the sternum straps. Anyone know where I can buy a set?

No packs without sternum straps for me either. Just plain more comfortable with one.

It depends on the pack. Some backpacks have shoulder straps that are stable enough (read: sit on my shoulders confortably enough without rubbing or sliding around) to use without the sternum straps. Others don't. I cut the sternum straps off of my Granite Gear Vapor Trail, but benefit from the use of sternum straps on my ULA packs.

I don't use them on my Six Moon Starlight, but have on other packs. I think it's a very individual fit issue. I certainly prefer a pack that stays in place without the straps.

I'm female so maybe my shoulders are narrow. I find that some days I need them and some days I forget to connect them and don't notice. It probably has to do with how much weight is in my pack and what I'm wearing.

when hiking I make slight adjustments to all of my straps throughout the day which makes slight shifts in the load and really increases comfort. The sterun strap as well, bringing the shoulder straps slightly in and out.

I also like sternam straps.

I think they help keep the pack closer to your back, and increase comfort.

-Evan

>>As a matter of fact, I just bought a Jam2 that was missing the sternum straps. Anyone know where I can buy a set?

Campmor has a sternum strap http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___63002?CS_003=2477120&CS_010=63002

Looking at the product illustration, it'd be pretty easy to assemble your own with the strap and buckles…

I am pretty big chested – it is really uncomfortable to go sans sternum strap. It keeps the straps of the pack from wandering off to the arm pits ;-)

Of course, back in the good old days those external packs sometimes didn't even have hip belts ;-) Hehheh! Those packs were so painful!!!!

And on a side note, on many packs you can adjust where the sternum strap sits on your chest, by a couple inches up and down. So if it affects breathing, try moving it up and see. :-)

Also, not sure if they make it anymore, but OR used to make a sternum kit to fit most packs. They are pretty easy to make DIY as well!

I like sternum straps on most packs. They don't need to be so tight they restrict breathing– I would question the fit or design if you need to reef on them that much. All I want from them is to stabilize the shoulder straps when I'm moving around– about the same benefit as a non-load-bearing hip belt. As with shoulder straps, they are adjusted with load and clothing layers.

I make my own with whistle buckles, three bar slides and some 3/4" webbing. If you have a machine that can sew bar tacks on the webbing, you can dump a couple of the bar slides.

I get my hardware at Seattle Fabrics.
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/side.html