Pack/Shirt

You probably won't get very far with this idea.

In general, backpackers carry several standard items. One of those is a sleeping bag, and another is probably a sleeping pad of some kind. Each of those are rather bulky, and you are not going to get them to stuff into some back pocket on a shirt or vest.

To look at it another way, get yourself a ten-pound bag of rice, and then try to find a good way to carry that on a shirt or a vest.

–B.G.–

The North Face Japan has something like that, but for smaller weights.
There are of course hydration vests, but this item (can't find a pic right now) is a vest. With pockets here and there. One on the back for bladder or whatever. Bit open sides with compression like straps so that you can pull it tight enough.

TNF Japan does some very specialised and innovative kit every now and then. They have their own design/engineering team here and production facility right in the Japanese Alps. Often very expensive though.

Just an example, but for the curious.

I wouldn't want the weight of my pack distributed across my upper body. Distributed or not, that's too high to carry and would cause extra strain and stress. Anything in that shirt/pack that is on your "body" would actually be held up at the shoulders, thus concentrating the weight and generally backpackers look for a pack fit that puts as little weight as possible on the shoulders.

It's not really for me either. At least not for the majority of what I do.
For those with pack with no hip belts it could be an option. At least an interesting thought that to me deserves some suspension of disbelieve/imagination to see how it could work.

The above TNF vest example is intended as a hydration pack /running pack alternative.
I just got a 16L running pack and it does carry weight different than a normal no hip belt pack because it is tighter to your body, while not constricting your movement. This is the difference in design partially with the bottom of the shoulder straps. The vest in the example doesn't carry all the weight on your shoulder either. There are side straps that make the vest tight to your body, similar to a lot of other running vests.

If that kind of ride still works with a bigger volume version the OP is talking about I don't know. Would be interesting to try out. Another thing is how to inhibit bounce. But I bet Brian Frankle could do an interesting vest version of the Flight 30 that would come close.

In the end I would be concerned about breathability and movability inherent with a vest concept. This is why I never bought the above TNF vest. When moving at a fast pace in the humid summer I just wanted all the openness I could get.

Hiya Folks. Thanks for the input and pics. First off, just to be clear – I have no interest in or background for doing anything with this in any way. I was just basically thinking out loud and thought it might be an interesting discussion. A couple of thoughts:

I probably gave you the wrong impression with the terms "shirt" and "vest". I didn't mean that literally. I also didn't intend for the pack to be beltless. I just imagine something that transfers weight to the hips/legs effectively but uses the rest of back, shoulders, chest and upper arms for additional support and for keeping the pack a bit closer so that weight is distributed better.

The outer part of the 'pack' might be a stretchy material like a rash guard or gaiters (lycra? spandex?), so that bag/quilt, tent, pad would be accommodated and held more closely to the back.

A question seems to be breathability but I imagine there are solutions. Anyway I have to imagine that there are other solutions than a fabric bag that belts to your hips and shoulders.

Probably just another great idea like waterproof toilet paper ;)