 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™ SSS and SHS harness systems. Note how the Internal Staves interlock
into the upper Cross Frame to prevent movement.
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