 Fitting Backpacks
Shoulder Straps
The Shoulder Straps consist of two substantially padded straps that rest on
the shoulders and hold the backpack to the upper body. This padding on all White
Mountain backpacks is made of two different foam densities, with the softer
foam (low density foam) on the inside against the body and the more rigid foam
(high density foam) on the outside. The Shoulder Straps can be either fixed
to the backpack or incorporate an adjustment for the varying Torso Lengths.
The adjusting Shoulder Straps are either connected and adjusted together, or
are separate and adjusted independently.
A Sternum Strap will aid in the positioning and comfort of the Shoulder Straps
and distribute some of the weight to the chest. Please note that some poorly
designed backpacks rely on the Sternum Strap to distort the Shoulder Straps
and achieve close contact to the body. Backpackers with improperly fitted, or
poorly designed backpacks often tie the Shoulder Straps across the chest, place
their thumbs underneath, or grasp the Shoulder Straps in their hands, in an
attempt to achieve Shoulder Strap close contact and comfort.
Shoulder Straps that follow the natural contours of the body, is simply a matter
of good backpack design. Contoured Shoulder Straps have a customised curvature
that follows the natural route of the strap over the shoulder, away from the
neck, down the side of the body into the chest area and then away from the body
underneath the arms. The position and angle of the anchor point of the Contoured
Shoulder Straps at the base of the backpack, also contributes to overall functionality
and comfort. Quite obviously, Contoured Shoulder Straps are more comfortable
than a Straight Shoulder Strap. Backpacks designed for women incorporate Contoured
Shoulder Straps to allow for the natural body curvature at the bust, as on the
White Mountain EYS, SSS, and SHS Harness System.
Using the Shoulder Straps to put the backpack on, would come after the Internal
Staves are contoured to the individual back, the T-Yoke, Sliding Yoke or independent
Sliding System is positioned correctly, the Back Cushion is in place on the
SYS or SHS harness system, and the Upper Load Stabilizer Straps are forming
a gentle arc in the Shoulder Straps.
For ease of positioning when the backpack is on the individual, pull both
Shoulder Straps simultaneously back towards the rear of the backpack. Use these
two Shoulder Straps in bringing the Hip Belt and the Upper Load Stabilizer Straps
into position on the individual. This method of positioning the backpack prevents
back injury, and negates the need to hoist the backpack up while bending forward.
After buckling and pulling the Hip Belt snug, secure the Sternum Strap and
pull down or loosen these two Shoulder Straps simultaneously as required until
comfortably snug. The Shoulder Straps when properly positioned should be far
enough apart so as not to rub on your neck, yet close enough together to prevent
the Shoulder Straps slipping onto the shoulder joint, or off your shoulders.
NOTE:
-
Do not over tension the Upper Load Stabilizer
Straps, as this would draw the Shoulder Straps away from the shoulders, render
the Sternum Strap ineffective, place excessive pressure on the chest, and
cause the backpack to ride up from the hips.
-
It is very important to draw the backpack fully into place with the Internal
Staves closely following the contour of the individual back.
- There is a common misconception that adjusting the Torso Length and the
anchor position of these Shoulder Straps on the harness changes the size of
the backpack. This is incorrect and you must choose the length of backpack
that best suits the individual Torso Length. The Torso Length adjustment on
the Shoulder Straps is there to accommodate the heavy, medium, or slight build
of the individual. A heavy built individual would need longer Shoulder Straps,
whereas a slightly built individual would require shorter Shoulder Straps.
What are Contoured Shoulder Straps?
Better backpack designers will contour the Shoulder Straps to follow the
natural contours of the body. The Contoured Shoulder Straps have a customised
curvature that follows the natural route of the strap over the shoulder, away
from the neck, down the side of the body into the chest area and then away from
the body underneath the arms. Quite obviously, this design is more comfortable
than a straight strap. Backpacks designed for women, incorporate Contoured Shoulder
Straps, as on the White Mountain™ EYS, SSS and SHS Harness System to allow for
natural body curvature at the bust.
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