Backpack Construction
Construction FAQ's
C1 What materials are utilised in
manufacturing White Mountain™ Backpacks?
- 950 Denier Kodra - Polyurethane Coated.
- 420 Denier Rip Stop Nylon - Polyurethane Coated.
- 420 Denier Nylon - Polyurethane Coated.
- 600 Denier Polyester - Polyurethane Coated.
C2 What is Bar Tack Stitching?
Bar Tack Stitching is multiple of straight stitching that
crosses a piece of cloth at a right angles. This provides added
strength to that area of stitching.
C3 Do White Mountain™ Backpacks have Bar
Tack Stitching?
All areas subject to stress have Bar-Tack stitching.
C4 What Thread is used on White Mountain™
Backpacks?
Nylon thread is utilised in all stitching of White Mountain™
backpacks providing durability, strength and rot resistance.
C5 What stitching process is used on White
Mountain™ backpacks?
All White Mountain™ backpacks are twin stitched at eight
stitches per inch.
C6 What zips are used on White Mountain™
Backpacks?
YBS Coil Zips are used throughout the entire range of White
Mountain™ Backpacks.
C7 What Buckles and Clips are utilised in
White Mountain™ backpacks?
All Buckles, D-Rings and Clips utilised in the construction
of White Mountain™ backpacks are National Moulding Duraflex and
virtually unbreakable, non-slip and easy to adjust.
C8 What Webbing is used on White Mountain™
Backpacks?
All webbing utilised in the construction of White Mountain™
backpacks is of the highest grade Nylon or Polypropylene and
heat cut to prevent separation at the ends.
C9 How is the Backpack Length determined?
In designing backpacks for White Mountain™, measuring
numerous body types and studying backpacks manufactured for
other wholesalers internationally, we are able to establish some
standard dimensions for internal frame backpacks. One notable
standard is the length of the base or bottom section of the
Stave. This is measured from the tailbone between the Coccyx and
Sacrum, to the top of the hip belt at the point where the hip
belt crosses level with the hipbone or Iliac Crest. This length
on the majority of people measured is between 11cm (4 3/8") to
14cm (5 1/2"), with the standard hip belt position set at the
average length of 12.5cm (5 0/0"). The point at which the hip
belt meets the top of the lumbar pad on the backpack can be as
much as 20cm from the base of the stave. But the point at which
the hip belt crosses the hipbone or Iliac Crest is 12.5cm or 5
0/0" from the base of the stave. The overall length of the
parallel staves after subtracting the lower back length of each
stave and the approximate 3cm reduction that is lost in bending
the staves to the curve of the back, is then the Optimum Torso
Length. Most manufactures in the world today use 5 standard
stave lengths, 50cm, 55cm, 60cm, 65cm and 70cm. These standard
stave lengths can vary by as much as 2cm and would equate to an
average Optimum Torso Length of approximately 38cm (50cm stave),
42cm (55cm stave), 46cm (60cm stave), 50cm (65cm stave), and
54cm (70cm stave). White Mountain™ use only 4 stave lengths to a
maximum stave length of 65cm.
Please look to our page on
Torso Length FAQ's for further details.
C10 How is the Backpack Width and Shape
determined?
For total stability the backpack should be symmetrical and to
counter balance leg movement our arms need to move freely. For
practical purposes such as moving through scrub with a hike
pack, or through people and city obstacles with a travel pack,
the width of the backpack should not extend beyond the width of
the body. Well designed backpacks are wider at the base (hip
width) and taper to the shoulder (chest width) conforming to the
natural shape of the body. Generally in the travel packs the
width would be more square and wider at the shoulders and the
depth would be a little deeper than that of hike packs, but
still not extending beyond the body width.
C11 How is the Backpack Depth and Shape
determined?
To determine the backpack depth it is then simply a matter of
taking the stave length (backpack length) and backpack width to
build a backpack of the correct depth to provide the capacity we
are seeking. Although we are not limited in the depth of the
pack, the greater the depth of the backpack the more leverage on
the back. This is why we do not construct a backpack in Extra
Large (Higher Capacity) with a small stave length of 50cm, or a
Net Torso Length of 38cm or 15". There is a natural tendency to
lean forward when carrying weight on our backs. By making the
lower section of the backpack with less depth and the upper
section of the backpack with more depth a more natural posture
is possible. The larger opening on the throat provides easier
access and the shape does not prevent loading your backpack as
required.
C12 How is the Internal Stave Positioning
determined?
We first need to consider the areas of the back that are best
suited to comfortably bear weight, or the the areas of our body
that have the best muscle cover. The upper buttocks extending
outwards offer the best lower back support in the hip area. In
the upper area, either side of the spine on the upper back, and
the front of the chest offer the best support. It must be noted
that the lumbar position near our spine is poorly padded and we
would avoid placing weight directly on this area. The correct
position of the Internal Staves is then tapered at the lower
back, either side of the spine or lumbar region at the base of
the backpack and then extending upwards and outwards to the
padded area either side of the spine on the upper back.
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