Heat Sink Foams for Backpacks?

[Stumphges]

Is anyone aware of thermally conductive foams that have characteristics that would allow them to be used in place of the insulating foams currently used for padding in backpack backpanels, shoulder straps and hipbelts?

Many companies have attempted to vent the foam parts of backpacks, but it occurs to me that the insulation value of the foams used for these parts may be a bigger issue than their relative lack of ventilation. E.g. Gossamer Gear recently started offering a removable foam backpanel with air channels as an alternative to the egg crate foam they’ve used for many years in the Gorilla, et al. If this foam also conducted heat aware from the back, I think it would be far more effective.

If thermally conductive foams with necessary comformability, hardness, resilience, hydrophobicity, etc. were available, it seems that backpacks could be made much more comfortable.

[HkNewman]

The heat would have to go somewhere though, but with the foam on outside, like GG and some others, maybe it dissipates with any air current?  Fwiw think the old (long discontinued) Mountainsmith Auspex had foam channels done right; 2 long rectangular foam pieces encased in mesh lengthwise along the back.  Basically empty air all around them unless really cinching the pack down hard.

Still think suspension is the way to go.

I’d like to see a tighter. less voluminous Zpacks Arc?, maybe crossed with their Nero.   Also a simpler (= lighter) multiday Osprey Talon in desert friendly colors.

[Author]

Posts