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 tightened to form 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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