First Backpack Finished

[Patrick W]

I thought I’d post some pics of the pack I just finished.  I had a lot of help from the members here, and I really appreciate being in this community.  I plan to hike the PCT this year and this is the pack I will carry.  I believe it is about 45 liters, and came out to 20.6 oz on my scale.  It is Xpac TX07 for the pack body, 330D Cordura on the bottom, side pockets and outside of shoulder straps and hipbelt, and 3D mesh inside the shoulder straps and hipbelt.  This is my first sewing project, since the bean bag I made in 3rd grade summer camp.  I learned a lot!!  One thing I didn’t learn is how to sew through closed cell foam without a lot of broken needles and cussing.

Not visible in the pics are two aluminum stays.  The pic of the bottom shows a lycra bottom pocket that I put on with velcro.  Not sure how that will work out.

If you have any questions or suggestions, fire away!

 

[Gunnar H]

First project? Very impressive!

[Greg Mihalik]

45L, hip belt w/ pockets, stays, at 20.6 ounces!

Very impressive indeed. That’s where this volume of pack should be. Nice job.

Do the stays go up to the load lifters?

[Lester Moore]

Very nice job on the features and weight Patrick. Looks like the pack will serve you well for the PCT.

[Patrick W]

The stays run from the point where the shoulder straps are sewed in, down to the bottom of the hipbelt.  It did not occur to me to run them up to the point where the load lifters attach.  Is there a reason to do that?

[Patrick W]

Thanks Lester.  Taking it out on a 13 mile day hike tomorrow.  Want to see what falls off ;-0

[Ryan Smith]

Nice job!

[Sam C]

Yes.  Each stay is a simple machine:  a spring.  The bottom of the stay is to remain as stationary as possible.  The top of the stay is to move forward when you pull on the load lifters.  As most physical systems do, the spring/stay wants to maintain equilibrium and in order to do that the stay will counter the forward-pulling by attempting to go back to its natural state, which is “straight up and down”.  So here you can see how the stays, while pulling back towards equilibrium, pull the load lifters that are attached to the shoulder straps at or near the sternum and “lift” the shoulder straps up off of your shoulders.

 

If you are not interested into the mechanics of load lifters yet still want to use twin stays you can simulate the effect by placing the shoulder strap attachment points at or just above the shoulder and eliminate the load lifters. That is, not to have the shoulder straps curve down the backside of your shoulders but in order for this effect to really work requires an adequate hip belt.

[Matthew / BPL]

Wow! That’s a nice looking pack! Please let us know how it works.

[Hoosier T]

Wow, that’s some really nice work. I love the look of that TX07 too. I’m going to have to make one of my own. Also, what did you use for the stays?

[Patrick W]

Greg/Sam–I am very grateful for the question and discussion on the load lifters.  I see now that my load lifters are pretty much ornamental.  That was not the goal, but i got pretty focused on the weight transfer to the hips and lost sight of the mechanics of the load lifters.  So, easy enough to extend the internal channels for the stays, and a trip to the hardware store for more aluminum.  Thanks very much for sharing your knowledge!

[Daryl and Daryl]

Congratulations!  Your persistence paid off.

[Lester Moore]

I see now that my load lifters are pretty much ornamental.

Not necessarily. One benefit of load lifters is they pull the top of the backpack toward the line of the torso, moving the center of gravity a bit closer to your body. It’s subtle, but noticeable IMHO. The benefits are more pronounced if you avoid overstuffing the backpack into a tight tube shape.

You get a similar effect by securing the roll top closure buckle to the pack’s hull loop, the side panels at the back rather than the front, or to the top of the shoulder straps as KS UL offers as an option. Try carrying 25 to 30 lbs with and without the load lifters and also try securing the roll top at various points on the pack to feel for any differences in center of gravity.

[Patrick W]

Hoosier–for the stays I went to ACE hardware and got aluminum 3/4″ wide, 1/8″ thick.  Comes in a 4 ft length, which was plenty.  Costs less than $6.

I do want the load lifters to work, so I went back in today and extended the sleeves for the stays so they come up to where the load lifters attach to the back panel.  Quick trip to ACE Hardware for aluminum and back in business.  Thanks very much for pointing out the oversight in my implementation!

[Greg Mihalik]

And good on you for going through another iteration. You’re obviously having a good time, and that pack just keeps getting better.  What more could you ask for?

Can’t wait for the multi-day shakedown report.

[Paul French]

Very Nicely Done.

[todd]

I like it all, but the tall mesh pocket…I really like!

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