Fitting Backpacks
Internal Staves FAQ's
The White Mountain Internal Staves are two flat bars of
aircraft grade aluminium that are approximately 30 mm in width
and a 3 mm in depth. We then incorporate these Internal Staves
into the harness of the backpack to run vertically from the top
to the bottom of the backpack. The Internal Staves are generally
positioned in the backpack at a point either side of the spine
and can be made of aluminium, plastic, fibreglass, or a
composite material. These Internal Staves should always be
easily accessible and removable for contouring to the
individual’s back.
We often hear customers told that the Internal Staves will
take the shape of their back during use, and that it is not
necessary to contour these Internal Staves as part of the
fitting procedure. If you have attempted to bend the White
Mountain™ Internal Staves, you will appreciate the inaccuracy of
this comment. There are Internal Staves available on the market
soft enough to form the shape of your back, but these will not
function as required. In our opinion, for the sales person to
not contour the Internal Staves as part of the sale, would be
nothing more than an excuse to hasten the fitting procedure and
the sale process, or ignorance of the contouring procedure and
purpose. We cannot emphasise strongly enough the necessity of
having the Internal Staves removed from the backpack and
contoured to the individual back, regardless of product brand.
If a dealer is not prepared to remove and contour these Internal
Staves to the customers individual back as part of the fitting
process, we would suggest the customer SHOP ELSEWHERE!
Contouring the Internal Staves correctly is essential for
correct backpack fit and functionality. White Mountain™
recommends removing the Internal Staves from the backpack and
contouring all Internal Staves to the individual back for the
backpack to function correctly. Yes all! Contouring the Internal
Staves to the back enables these Internal Staves to simulate the
flex action of the spine. When required, this allows an
individual to effectively transfer approximately 80% of the
weight, to the padded area on the lower back, either side of the
Sacrum at the base of the spine. With the Internal Staves
carefully contoured to the back, the backpack in the optimum
position and provided the backpack is loaded correctly, the
distribution of weight through the Internal Staves will ensure
maximum comfort. Remember, the base of the backpack should not
protrude outside or away from the body and sit squarely on the
lower back.
White Mountain™ has developed through extensive research, a
standard curve for each of the Internal Stave lengths used in
the White Mountain™ range of products. Each set of Internal
Staves is pre-contoured to a rigid standard during the
manufacturing process. In the majority, the backpack will fit
correctly without further adjustment, provided the backpack is
of the correct length for the individual. Photograph of the
pre-contoured Internal Staves used in the White Mountain™ SHS
harness systems. Note how the Internal Staves interlock into the
upper Cross Frame to prevent movement.
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