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BALANCE POCKETS The key to the Bodypack Comfort Revolution. * The relative volume of the Balance Pockets to the pack, and the relative density of the items placed in each, determines the amount of forward lean induced by the load carrying system. By optimising each factor, it is possible to create a body centered load carrying system where the center of gravity of the load and the body exactly coincide. Then your posture and your balance will be unaltered by your load, the strain on your back, neck and shoulders will be completely eliminated, and the weight will require the minimum energy consumption possible. * The pull back on your shoulders from your pack is eliminated by an equal pull forward from your Balance Pockets. Now you can loosen the shoulder straps so there is no load on the top of your shoulders. Your shoulders act as load locators rather than load bearers. The result - the elimination of all shoulder pressure. * The downward force on the back of your pelvis from your pack is balanced by the downward force on the front of your pelvis from the Balance Pockets. Balancing the load evenly around the hips eliminates load leverage on the pelvis. The result - minimim hip strain, minimum back pain.
Instant Access. Backpacks are a pain when you have to take them off to access items on the move. This is why hydration systems were developed- to give more convenient access to the most frequently needed item - water. But still the pack has to be taken off and often items removed to pack a filled bladder, and accessing a water bottle or other items in the side pockets of a pack is always an awkward manouver. Balance Pockets solve all these problems in one stroke: you can access gear without having to stop or take the pack off. You can use cheap pump bottles in the easy access stretch pockets on the front of each pocket for instant access to water, and you can fill the bottles and stow without taking the pack off. The substantial volume of the Balance Pockets allows you to store all items you might need quickly or frequently- snacks, camera, hats, mitts, maps, compass, sun cream- as well as other compact heavy items such as stove, fuel, tent pegs etc, for counter balance. For optimum balance and posture, pack as much weight in the Balance Pockets as possible. Multifunction Balance Pockets fit to all our packs. Adding Balance Pockets increases your pack’s volume for longer trips. The pockets can also be used by themselves in different ways after removing from the pack. Add the accessory straps and create 2 shoulder packs. Clip the pockets together to create a dual compartment daypack. Some Key Design points: 1. It is the sliding connection to each shoulder strap that allows each Balance Pocket to transfer all its weight to the front of the hipbelt. No weight needs to be born by the shoulders. 2. The Balance Pockets should not touch your body. Custom-bend the frames to produce a gap between the Pockets and your body for ventilation. Women with large busts have found the pockets work well after custom bending the frames to suit their contours. The same applies to men with big bellies. 3. The reason there are two pockets rather than one is so you can see your feet as you walk. You can adjust the gap between the two Pockets with the top chest straps. The gap at the bottom is preset (2008 models). For earlier models, you can position the Balance Pockets in the ideal position by using the correct size hipbelt and adjusting the hipbelt length. The pockets are narrow enough so that when set in the correct position you can swing your arms freely. 4. The pockets now sit high enough so they do not touch the legs when climbing (provided the hipbelt is kept at the right height). Earlier models positioned lower and lift straps were provided to allow allow you to raise the pockets for leg clearance when climbing. 5. We do not recommend that the pockets are used when technical climbing, where the chest needs to be close to the face. They have been used very successfully for general mountaineering, such as the ascent of Denali via the West Buttress. 6. Sometimes when hiking, a short move around an obstacle requires that your chest be close to the obstacle. You can unclip the pockets at the top and let them swing to the side for the move. You can also clip the sternum strap together to keep the shoulder straps stable. 6. At first, a Bodypack feels more cumbersome to put on than a backpack. But with familiarity and correct technique it is quick and easy.
NATURAL BODY MOVEMENT = Flow Motion FREEING THE SHOULDERS
1. U-Flow 4 The lower ends of the shoulder straps are linked together by a low-friction strip that slides freely through a slot in the bottom of the pack when the shoulders move up and down. (All models)
Free-Flow 5 The top stabilizer straps are attached freely to each vertical frame stay so they can move up and down with shoulder movement and adjust automatically to your backlength. (Large volume models).
2. Omni-Flow 5 The front shoulder straps and chest straps are one piece, forming a continuous loop on each side. Each strap can slide freely through a small loop at the end of the U Flow low friction strip, allowing full twisting of your upper torso. (Small daypacks)
V-Flow 6 The top stabilizer straps straps are linked together with a web that slides freely through a loop in the top of the pack when your shoulders twist relative to your hips. (Large daypacks).
3.
X-Flow 7 1. When Balance Pockets used: The sternum straps connect to the opposite side Balance Pocket in an X configeration. They do not touch your chest. 2. When Balance Pockets not used: Optional X Flow chest straps link the shoulder pads across the chest in a movement compatible X configuration, spreading the load over a large area of the body and increasing stability.
Multi-Flow 8 1. Hipbelts pivot at the center to allow a natural rocking of your hips as you walk, and larger hip movement when climbing.
2. On the largest models, the hipbelt ends connect to Load-transfer tubes that spread the load equally to the front and back of the hipbelt. A cord links the ends of the tubes to the bottom of the pack. The cord slides freely through a low friction slot in the bottom of the pack when the hips twist. On the mid volume models, the hipbelt ends are connected by a low friction plastic strip, which runs through a slot in the front of the pack. The strip slides freely in the slot when the hips twist.
3. Flexi-flow 8 1. Medium-large packs: Two design details work together here. Firstly, the bottom of the hipbelt and the mesh backpanel are not sewn into the bottom of the pack, but they connect to it by shockcord. The shockcord stretches when you bend forward to climb a slope. Secondly, the center of the hipbelt is attached to the pack via a web which is under tension when you stand upright, but slackens to allow back extension when bending forward. 2. Daypacks: The lower ends of the pack frames are flexible and flex as you bend forward.
4-8 =Patented features COMBINING ALL BODY MOVEMENTS * Each shoulder and hip Flow Motion system is combined differently for small and large packs to achieve the optimum stability for the weight capability of the pack. Twisting of the shoulders relative to your hips is achieved at shoulder level on the daypacks (V Flow, Omni Flow) and at hip level on the larger packs (Multi Flow). * Our Flow Motion systems give you an amazing ability to twist, rock, stretch and bend under load—to move your body freely and naturally. Its a new feeling of freedom under load. You can dance with the pack on! * Yet you don’t have to be doing extreme moves to experience the benefits that Flow Motion brings. Even when walking, you will feel the shoulder straps and hipbelt move with each step, reducing the build-up of fatigue. * Research verifies that Flow-motion enhances balance, and makes your pack more stable than fixed harness designs. Flow Motion increases your safety in dangerous country.
NATURAL SHAPING = Mirror Image Harness FORM FITTING FRAMESWhy have a frame? The frame holds the blueprint of your back shape. The frame’s job is to maintain this mirror image shaping when the pack is loaded and to bring the load as close to your back as possible. Our frames are easy to remove and custom bend to your shape. Why other packs are a backache waiting to happen Frameless packs, and the most common internal frame system, twin vertical stays, give the worst possible shape for back comfort. When these packs are stuffed tightly, the backpanel rounds out to a convex shape horizontally (A)—the opposite shape to your back. The side profile is increased so that the load is positioned further from your back, and the load is concentrated down the spine. The the pull back pressure on the shoulders is increased resulting in a greater forward lean and increased back strain! The addition of a plastic framesheet is an improvement as it keeps the backpanel flat horizontally (B), bringing the load closer to the back. Why our packs are backsavers We take pack design further with the concave backpanel (C)—a custom mouldable shape- that brings the load closest to your back. The vertical divider further narrows the profile (D). The result is the most upright posture and the least back strain. Even with Balance Pockets, it remains important to keep the load close to your back. This is because the smaller volume in the front pockets cannot adequately counterbalance a pack that hangs far from your back.
Ideal position for pockets Now you know why our packs look different— slim from the side and wide from behind. You won’t find any large pockets or clip-on daypacks on the front of our packs farthest from your back, the worst position for load carrying comfort! Large pockets are on top, the sides or carried in front of you. Here’s how the frame components work together to achieve mirror image shaping:
Custom Mould Frames 6 are used in our largest packs for loads up to 40 kg. * A Matrix Mesh backpanel – this forms the ventilating air-gap between the frame and your back. * Horizontal and vertical aluminium stays- these maintain the back shape. The vertical stays are easy to remove and custom mould to the curves of your back. * A hoop shaped acetal rod –this maintains the Matrix Mesh tension, and prevents distortion of the backpanel shape when side compression straps are tightened. * Two Load-transfer tubes- these transfer part of the load to the front of the hipbelt.
U-Lite frames are used in our largest ultralite packs and will carry loads up to 25 kg.
* A Matrix Mesh backpanel – this forms the ventilating air-gap between the frame and your back. * A lightweight vertical divider creates the horizontal concave backpanel shape that keeps the load close to the back. * One or two vertical aluminium stays are used to maintain the customised vertical back shape. * A hoop shaped acetal rod –this maintains the Matrix Mesh tension, and prevents distortion of the backpanel shape when side compression straps are tightened. * Balance Pockets are used to transfer weight to the front of the hipbelt.
Auto-Mould Frames 6 are used in our daypacks for loads up to 15 kg. These combine the following elements: * A Matrix Mesh backpanel – this forms the ventilating air-gap between the frame and your back. * Horizontal aluminium stays create the horizontal concave backpanel shape that keeps the load close to the back. * A half length vertical stay is used to maintain the curve over your upper back. When you tighten the hipbelt, the lower part of the backpanel is automatically pulled in to match your back shape. * An arc shaped acetal rod –this maintains the Matrix Mesh tension, and flexes when you bend forward. * Balance Pockets are used to transfer weight to the front of the hipbelt.
Why have a hipbelt? * Research shows that the hips are more suited to load carrying than the shoulders. The hipbelt’s job is to transfer the weight in the backpack to the hips. * Just as you have to balance weight in front and behind for comfortable load carrying, you need to transfer the weight equally to the front and back of the hipbelt to maximize comfort and minimize strain on the hips. Research at Queens University, Canada has shown that even loading of the hipbelt front and back reduces strain by 10%. *Putting weight on the front of the hipbelt is the job of the Balance Pockets. This balances the weight transferred to the rear of the hipbelt by the pack. * Our largest packs also use Load Transfer Tubes to transfer weight to the front of the hipbelt. The hipbelt attaches to the frame ends, which are positioned at three equally spaced points around the hips. Weight is therefore transferred equally to the front and rear of the hipbelt, allowing the hips to carry more weight comfortably.
With traditional packs, only the rear of the hipbelt carries the weight of the pack. This uneven loading tries to rotate the hips backwards. Muscle tension is used to resist this force. This can result in lower back pain with heavy loads.
Auto-form hipbelts are used in the smaller packs. The bottom part of the hipbelt wraps around your pelvis. The top part of the hipbelt is made of stretch fabric that automatically moulds over the top of your hips. Custom-fit hipbelts are used in our mid- volume packs and Ultimate-fit hipbelts are used in our largest packs. Both have these features: Dual-adjust These hipbelts come in three sizes. Each size is Dual Adjust 11 —this means you can fine-tune the length and angle of the hipbelt at the back as well as the front to your size and shape. Line up the join between the hipbelt parts to precisely follow the front edge of your hipbone. Adjust the angle between the parts to equalize the pressure at the top and bottom of the hips. Adjusting hipbelt size.
Adjusting hipbelt angle.
Auto-mould Because the hipbelt takes most of the load, its comfort is critical. We don't use thick padding to approximate to your hip shape. Instead we use thin, precisely shaped hipbelt parts to achieve the perfect fit. The central parts match the shape of your pelvis. The Auto-form ends are made of breathable and stretchy Matrix Mesh, naturally moulding around the edges of your hipbone when the buckle is tightened. Because our hipbelts are thin, they work better over your climbing harness. V-Tensioning Our hipbelts use V-shaped webs to connect the center buckle. This distributes the load over a wider area of your hips by moulding the stretchy Matrix mesh ends around the pressure sensitive front edges of your hipbone. Separate buckles are used to tighten and to release the hipbelt. This creates a pulley system, giving you a 2:1 advantage for easy tightening of the hipbelt and reduced buckle slip under load.
Our shoulder straps are made of expensive Matrix Mesh, a fabric with a wonderful 3-D structure and the following characteristics: * Air permeability * Heat exchange * Shock absorption * Resiliency * Stretch * Low weight. This 3-D spongy lattice stretches over your shoulders, automatically moulding to your exact shoulder shape. It is slim to prevent rolling and soft enough to cushion the load. Our shoulder straps come in 2 sizes. They are gently S-curved to match the contours of your shoulders. Adjustable back-lengths allow you to position the V of the shoulder straps at the most comfortable width between your neck and the outside of your shoulders. X-Flow chest straps 12 eliminate the pressure and breathing restrictions of a conventional sternum strap, lightly disperse the load over the whole chest area for the greatest comfort, and lock the pack close to the body for the greatest stability.
Clip Torso-adjust is used on the small and mid-volume packs to adjust the shoulder strap height to your torso length. A stainless steel clip behind the mesh backpanel can be clipped into different web slots. Instant Torso-adjust is used on the large packs. This allows you to adjust the back-length with the pack on. Rings on the adjustment webs are located at the sides of the hipbelt. Pull the rings to shorten the backlength: loosen the buckles to lengthen.
Fitting men and womenWe don’t make separate men’s and women’s packs. We believe it is marketing hype to say one shape fits all men and another fits all women. This is because there is as much variation in the shape of backs, shoulders and hips within each sex as there is between sexes (chests are another matter and we deal with this with 2 sorts of chest strap). The ideal solution is complete adjustability for the ultimate precision fit to your unique size and shape, whether you are male or female. The following features allow complete customization: * All but our smallest daypack come in two back-lengths; within each back-length the height of the shoulder straps can be fine-tuned over a range of 10 cm or more. * Our daypacks have frames that automatically mould to your shape. * Larger models have vertical frames that are easy to remove and custom bend to your back shape. * Our Matrix Mesh shoulder straps auto-mould to your shape. *The top stabilizer straps auto-adjust to the right height (large models). * Dual Adjust hipbelts can be adjusted in length and angle at the back, allowing men and women to customize fit to their different hip shapes. The Matrix Mesh ends automatically mould around your hipbones. * Two chest strap styles: Sternum straps and X Flow straps: For men and most women, the X Flow straps are more comfortable than the Sternum straps, when the Balance Pockets are not being used, as they don't restrict your breathing and disperse the load over a greater area of your body. They are available as an option on most models. However big-breasted women may find the X flow chest straps uncomfortable and they should use the standard Sternum strap. * Sternum straps are height adjustable so they cross the sternum at the most comfortable position. * X Flow straps can be adjusted in height so they cross in the center of the chest. ERGONOMICS = User friendliness Dri-liners Keeping your clothing and equipment dry is essential, especially in cold conditions. Our Dri-liners 13 make the interior of our packs 100% waterproof. The outer pack fabric provides the strength and abrasion resistance; and the inner, which has taped seams, provides the waterproofness. The top of the pack rolls down and clips together with buckles—just like canoe bags—for a complete seal. You can float your pack across rivers and your gear will stay dry. The liner is removable for lightness in dry climates and replaceable, should the coating eventually degrade. This patented feature has now been licensed to other manufacturers.
Dri-liners are standard on our top opening packs (except the smallest) and on one of our Balance Pocket models. When doing weight comparisons with other brands, add the weigh of a separate waterproof liner bag to their product to get a true comparison. 9-13 = Patented features Matrix Mesh The exceptional ventilation of our packs comes from using Matrix Mesh at body contact points. Thin Matrix Mesh is used in the shoulder straps and hipbelt ends. It is so breathable you can see through it. Matrix Mesh with largers pores is used in our backpanel. Air warmed by the body moves up through the mesh and exits out the top drawing in cooler air from below. This natural thermo-siphon system keeps your back cooler. These superb materials keep your body cooler during strenuous activity and in hot conditions, reducing strain on the body. Compression systems These compress the load towards your back to accommodate varying amounts of gear in the pack. Cord-loc uses lacing on the front of the pack. Items such as closed-cell foam mats or clothing can be carried under the cord system. Web-loc uses webs instead of cords to compress the load and carry items. Auto-slim uses two pairs of crossing straps on the front of the pack. These wrap around the pack sides and become the hipbelt webs. Tighten the hipbelt and the pack automatically compresses to the slimmest possible profile for the optimum weight distribution! Full load Half load Modular Accessories * X Flow straps * Lasso-loc straps * Ski Straps * Snowboard straps * Tool Quivers * Balance Gear Racks Clip-on accessories allow you to adapt one model for different uses and you don't have to carry the weight of straps you don't need. Its also more economical-you don't have to buy different packs for different uses.
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Up and down movement:
Forward and back movement
Hip rocking:
Hip twisting:
Forward bending:
© Aarn Design Ltd. 2006